The ABCs of Boston (and its surrounding towns)
If you ever find yourself in Boston, either for a day or for the next two years (hi, new Boston Fellows!), I have a treat for you! The ABCs of Boston (and its surrounding towns) is a collection of my favorite classic Boston bucket list items as well as some of the best niche spots I’ve discovered since moving here last summer. Hope you enjoy!
A: Aeronaut Brewing Company. Starting off the list strong, Aeronaut is one of my favorite places in Somerville, right outside of Boston. So much more than a brewery, Aeronaut hosts an endless string of events that brings the young adult community together every night. Whether you are attending weekly indie trivia, Grown-Up Book Fair, or Pitch-a-Friend matchmaking night, it’s always a fun time!
B: Boston Common. Second on our list is a place where nature lovers can feel at home in the big city. Boston Common is the oldest city park in the United States and features a wealth of green space. Visit at any time of the year and you’ll see a lovely snapshot of the community feel of Boston, from picnicking on the grass during the summer to ice skating on Frog Pond during the winter. Boston Common is also surrounded by a number of iconic Boston shopping streets (shoutout, Newbury Street!), giving you a location that boasts the best of both the urban and natural worlds.
C: Coolidge Corner. If I didn’t absolutely love where I already live (Somerville), I would move to Coolidge Corner. This cute little neighborhood tucked into Brookline is the perfect place to visit (or live!) if you want an area that is cozy but also mere steps away from bustling city life. I highly recommend checking out the Coolidge Corner Theater, a nonprofit movie theater established in 1933. Its vintage charm makes movie-going just that much more enjoyable. Coolidge Corner also houses one of my favorite bookstores, Brookline Booksmith. In addition to books, the store sells the cutest selection of trinkets and knickknacks!
D: Duck Boat Ride. What says “Boston” more than Duck Boats? This tour takes you on both land and water to see the sites of Boston, as well as to hear about its rich history. Depart from the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, or Prudential Center (all, ironically, included in this ABC list) and have a quackingly good time.
E: Esplanade. The Esplanade is an expansive collection of pathways and playgrounds that flank the Charles River. Over the summer, the Esplanade Association hosts free concerts, workout classes, and guided tours. Make it a priority to attend a Thursday night sunset yoga class!
F: Feast days. Head to Boston’s North End for the neighborhood’s extravagant feast day celebrations! These events occur on the feast days of select Catholic saints throughout the summer and include stands filled with Boston’s best sweet and savory Italian food, multi-street parades, and even live cooking demonstrations (with free samples, of course). While you’re in the North End, make sure to try Boston’s best cannoli;whether that’s at Mike’s or Modern Pastry, it’s up to you!
G: Gather Here. The day I toured my apartment in Somerville, I ventured down the street to Inman Square and immediately fell in love with this place. Gather Here is a Filipina women-owned yarn and sewing store that offers classes and workshops focusing on a variety of fiber art forms every day of the week.
H: Historic sites. Walk the Freedom Trail, which spans 2.5 miles and includes 16 historic sites from the Boston Common to Bunker Hill. Visit a variety of museums, historic houses, churches, and even a ship! Immerse yourself even further in Boston’s rich history by taking a guided tour led by costumed guides of centuries past.
I: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This beautiful art museum is a must-see for anyone in Boston. Although it houses works from Degas to Rembrandt, it may be even more famous for being the site of one of the most infamous art heists in history, when $500M worth of art was stolen in 1990.
J: Jamaica Plain. Jamaica Plain (JP) is one of Boston’s many neighborhoods and is also home to our one and only 826 Boston! I first discovered this neighborhood during our fall 2025 Boston retreat. One of my favorite areas in JP is Arnold Arboretum, where you can explore the beautiful 280 acres either by yourself or on one of its many guided tours.
K: Katherine Small Gallery. This tiny art gallery nestled in the Somerville neighborhood of Inman Square houses typography and graphic design exhibits and operates as a bookstore, too. It also offers a wide range of community events, from art lectures to sidewalk sales.
L: Libraries. I cannot emphasize this enough – take advantage of public libraries! Sign up for a library card at your local branch of the Boston Public Library or Cambridge Public Library and gain access to thousands of books, movies, workshops, classes, and even free museum passes.
M: Museum of Science! Of course, I have to plug my incredible museum. MOS offers everything from innovative exhibits to lightning and live animal shows, to engaging educator-led activities, to 4D movies, to… I could go on and on. Come visit me anytime during the day Tuesday through Saturday! If you want a really special experience, check out our nighttime events. These experiences include everything from performance art installations to a Taylor Swift Planetarium music celebration. Hope to see you there!
N: New England Aquarium. Step inside and be awed by a four-story-tall tank filled with an incredible variety of sea creatures. Attend live penguin feedings and sea lion presentations, or check out the Touch Tank, where you can glide your hands across the backs of sharks and rays swimming through the water.
O: Oak Bistro. My favorite restaurant, Oak Bistro, is located in Somerville’s Inman Square. The lovely, warmly lit atmosphere almost rivals the delicious food and drinks on this restaurant’s ever-changing, seasonal menu. Oak Bistro is the only place where I cannot pick a favorite dish; I try something new every time, and it’s always delicious.
P: Prudential Center. “The Pru” is one of Boston’s top shopping destinations, housing more than 70 shops and restaurants. Tired of shopping? Head 750 feet up to the observatory for panoramic views of Back Bay. From mid-July through the end of August, Prudential Center hosts free outdoor movies every Saturday night, too.
Q: Quincy Market. An iconic Boston landmark, Quincy Market is a food hall home to 25+ eateries in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Grab a bite to eat and then step outside to enjoy the many talents of local street performers.
R: Red Sox. Even as a Yankees fan, I have to admit: if you are in Boston, you need to go to a Red Sox game. The atmosphere at historic Fenway Park transports you back to the early 1900s, in a very good way. Grab a Fenway Frank, belt out a chorus of “Sweet Caroline” with thousands of your fellow Bostonians, you’ll know you made the right choice to call Boston home.
S: SoWa Vintage Market and SoWa Open Market. Head down to the basement of 450 Harrison Avenue to discover SoWa Vintage Market: a treasure trove of the coolest antique clothes, records, and other fun collectibles. Open every Sunday year-round, this market is as if everyone’s grandma donated their most interesting finds to one store. In the summer, step right outside to explore SoWa Open Market, which includes both food and beverage vendors as well as local and regional artisans. Every time I venture to SoWa, I find a million things to buy and/or eat.
T: The T! I wouldn’t be a Bostonian if I didn’t tell you all to ride the T. The MBTA is Boston’s public transportation network, and riding it is a quintessential part of the Boston experience.
U: Union Square Donuts. Time for a sweet treat! Head on out to Somerville (or any of their other six locations) and grab a donut from Union Square Donuts. This bakery doesn’t just serve your run-of-the-mill flavors. Offering delights from strawberry matcha to blueberry coffee cake, the shop’s unique creations are sure to excite your taste buds and keep you coming back for more.
V: Volo! Volo is an adult sports organization offering 14 sports, from pickleball to dodgeball to soccer. Open to all skill levels, it’s a great way to meet new people. Leagues run every day of the week and proceedsfrom sign-up fees support the Volo Kids Foundation, which helps kids access sports free of charge. Philadelphia and New York City Fellows can also join in on the fun, as Volo hosts leagues in these cities, too!
W: Wang Theater. Performing arts lovers should be sure to check out the historic Wang Theater. Hosting 200+ dance, music, and comedy performances, and so much more, this beautiful theater has something to entertain any Bostonian.
X: X marks the spot! Visit the Mapparium, a stunning stained-glass globe where time has stood still since 1935, the year of its creation. Step inside this immersive experience to view the world as it once was.
Y: Yafa Bakery & Cafe. Named the Best Bakery in Boston for multiple years, Yafa is a Palestinian bakery located in Somerville that boasts a variety of sweet and savory treats that look (and taste!) incredible.
Z: Zuzu’s Petals. Last but certainly not least, Zuzu’s Petals is the coolest cafe I’ve ever visited. This dessert and wine bar has a strict no-phone policy, which creates the type of atmosphere you only ever see in cozy 90s sitcoms. Look around and you will see groups of people laughing, playing games, and eating the most delicious desserts ever to grace your palate. The purple polaroid-covered walls and disco ball suspended above add to the cafe’s quirky yet nostalgic ambience. Be sure to take advantage of all-you-can-eat Brownie Mondays!
…and there you have it! For those of you who made it to the end of the list, congratulations. I hope you have so much fun exploring the amazing city of Boston!
Delaney Kenney
Delaney (she/her) is the FAO Schwarz Fellow at the Museum of Science in Boston, MA.
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