1. Boston Community and Public Gardens
Boston Common, one of the oldest public spaces in the country, has a skating rink in the winter. It was established in 1634 and comprises 50 acres (20.2 hectares). It is part of Boston’s Emerald Parks Necklace. It once belonged to William Blaxton, Boston’s first European settler. The commons were also used as a British camp during the Revolutionary War. The Boston Common and Public Gardens, which are adjacent to the Commons, are both listed on the Register of National Monuments. The garden, located in downtown Boston, became the first public botanical garden in 1837 and features a lagoon, ponds, and swan boats (April through September only). You can watch a pair of graceful swans in the spring and summer, and if you visit in May, you might just see the parade welcoming them into their garden.
The public gardens are home to 80 species of plants and flowers planted twice a year and around 750 varieties of trees and shrubs. There are also street performers in the area to watch. The monuments are on the Arlington Street side of the park, offering a bit of history. Beacon Hill borders the park. The “Make Way for The Ducklings” bronze statue (excerpt from a children’s book by Robert McCloskey) is located in the park.
Boston Communal and Public Gardens
Address: 4 Charles St, Boston
Price: free
Business hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Access: Red/Green line to Park Street station or Blue Line bus
Contact: 617 723-8144
Food nearby: The Paramount, Earl of Sandwich
Website: Boston Communal and Public Gardens
Late Night Food Trail:
2. Bova Bakery
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
During the day you can visit the historic Freedom Trail, but in the evening there is the Foodie Trail. Many restaurants in Boston are open late, making eating out a great activity for your vacation if you can’t sleep. Start with a sweet treat at Boulangerie Bova, a family business located near Paul Revere’s home. They have a variety of baked goods.
Bova Bakery
Address: 134 Salem St Boston
Price: less than 20 USD
Business hours: 24 hours every day
Duration 10 minutes
Access: Orange line at Haymarket
Contact:617 523 5601
Website: Bova Bakery
3. Barracuda Tavern and Max Brenner
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
Next stop is Barracuda Tavern near Boston Commons for dinner. The last stop is for dessert. Max Brenner in Back Bay has a chocolate bar and a restaurant specializing in desserts such as sugar pancakes and chocolate waffles.
Barracuda Tavern
Address: 15 Bosworth St Boston
Price: $5 or more
Business hours: Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Duration: 30 to 60 mins
Access: Green line at St Stop park
Contact: 617 482 0301
Website: Barracuda Tavern
Max Brenners
Address: 745 Boylston St Boston
Price:6-20USD
Opening time: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Duration: 1 hour
Access: Copley Green Line
Contact: (617) 274 1741
Website: Max Brenners
Entertainment with shows:
4. House of Blues
If you love music then House of Blues is the place to be, there is a restaurant and bar inside and live music most nights of the week. They also have a VIP room. The House of Blues has been in Boston for 25 years. The first House of Blues opened in Cambridge, MA in 1992; It is dedicated to educating and celebrating the history of Southern culture and African American artistic contributions to art and music.
House of Blues
Address: 15 Landsdowne St Boston
Price: 30 USD UP
Business hours: 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Duration: 2 hours and more
Access: Green Line to Kenmore
Contact: 1 888 693 2583
Website: House of Blues
Laugh:
5. Improv Asylum
If you want a laugh, head to Improv Asylum, an improv theater up north. They have shows Tuesday through Friday and on weekends. Performances include improv students, main stage actors, and the occasional surprise star. It is a mixture of comic sketches and improvised scenes. Be sure to check the descriptions before you go, as gear isn’t always “G” rated.
Improv Asylum
Address: 216 Hanover Street, Boston
Price: 15 to 30 USD
Business hours: Mon 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Access: Validate parking lot garage 7, green line at Haymarket station
Contact: 617 263 NUTS
Food nearby: Dolce Vita, Mare Oyster Bar
Website: Improv Asylum
6. Mystery Cafe
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
If you want to watch a theatrical performance, head to the Mystery Cafe for a mystery dinner, which offers a variety of shows that are sure to wow you. Packages include drinks and a three-course dinner with live entertainment. The performance takes place in two restaurants and includes four separate stages and lasts approximately two hours. The audience can help determine who committed the crime with the help of a clue packet containing fake kickbacks to give to the actors for clues.
Mystery Cafe
Address: 161 Devonshire St Boston
Price: $55
Business hours: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Duration: 2 ½ hours
Access: Orange line to Haymarket
Contact: 617 426 1999
Food nearby: dinner included with show
Website: Mystery Cafe
7. Eat and play at Jillian’s Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
Jillian’s Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge is a place to have fun with friends and you can also eat there. The place is clean and if there is a queue you can play games like pool while you wait. As with all bowling alleys, the staff are friendly, the entertainment stakes are high, and the food is reasonable, even offering fruit for those on a diet.
If you take your own shoes, it’s cheaper than renting them. The place starts to bustle in the evening after a game at Fenway Park. If you’re not into the game, there’s plenty of sports on the TVs on both floors.
Jillian’s Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge
Address: 145 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215-3539
The evening ghost tour of Boston lasts approximately 90 minutes. The tour will take you to places you may have never been before. Boston has a haunted history, with the Boston Strangler and the Boston Massacre.
You begin the ghostly journey in front of the Bank Of America and walk through the haunted streets, stopping as your guide points out. They even had some “paranormal” pictures taken, so bring your camera – you might get lucky.
The number of famous deaths and ghost stories will amaze you. Your guides are knowledgeable and the evening is entertaining.
Evening Ghost Tour of Boston
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
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Have fun in Boston
Boston has something to offer visitors during the day and evening. Make your visit to Boston memorable and don’t be afraid to stay up late. No matter where you’re from or how old you are, make the most of every minute with these best things to do at night.
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