To see Boston’s funkier side,
visit the South End. One of the most diverse neighborhoods in the
city, the South End is a community made up of artists and
activists, students and professionals, gays and straights; and all
ethnic types living together, and somehow making it work.
This landmark district, packed with
Victorian row houses, is also home to some of the best restaurants
in the city. This neighborhood hasn’t forgotten about the
importance of green space. The 19th century brownstone
apartments are decorated with window boxes, and the sidewalks
include trees and flowers. They overlook quaint little parks
scattered throughout the neighborhood.
The South End has a history of
community activism that’s still alive today. Harriet Tubman, a
runaway slave and organizer of the Underground Railroad, lived
here, and her house still stands today. A statue was recently
erected in her honor. (566 Columbus Avenue, 536-8610)
Tent City, a low and
moderate-income apartment complex, was brought about when
activists set up their tents to send a message about homelessness.
The building is located just across the Back Bay/South End stop on
the MBTA.
The South End is home to United
South End Settlements, as well as Boston Urban Gardeners, a
community farm welcoming all ages to the earthly pleasures of
planting and harvesting your own plants and vegetables. Be sure to
stop by the Boston Center for the Arts (539 Tremont Street,
426-5000) a beautiful arts and cultural complex that hosts
contemporary theater, dance and poetry readings.
You’ll find an array of fabulous
restaurants with menus from all over the map. For upscale gourmet
French cuisine, visit Hamersley’s Bistro. (553 Tremont Street,
423-2700) For sushi and Asian, stop by Jae’s Café and Grill.
(520 Columbus Avenue, 421-9405) If you like Thai, try House of
Siam (542 Columbus Avenue, 267-1755) You’ve got to go to Bob The
Chef’s for authentic Soul food accompanied by weekend jazz. (604
Columbus Avenue, 536-6204)
After dinner, take in some of the
best local and national blues and jazz musicians at Wally’s.
(427 Massachusetts Avenue, 424-1408) Its diverse crowd old and
young, black and white, gay and straight, reflects the character
of the neighborhood.
On the other side of the South End
is Boston’s Back Bay, a land of elegant hotels, art galleries,
and extravagant shopping. Start your tour at the top of the John
Hancock Tower (200 Clarendon Street, 247-1977) at the 60th
floor observatory. It offers a stunning view of the city.
Other must-sees include the
beautiful Boston Public Library, Arlington Street Church, and for
upscale shopping, Copley Place. One block past the library takes
you to Newbury Street, the land of the beautiful people. It’s
filled with art galleries, boutiques, and fashionable, trendy
restaurants. Dress up, and then grab a seat at an outdoor café
and marvel at the model-perfect people walking by.
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