Uncommon Boston
Tours of everything from ice cream parlors and public parks to graveyards and architectural landmarks make learning about Beantown as much fun as it should be.
Boston by Foot
Let's face it, Boston's a walking town; buy into a pricey gimmick tour, and you'll spend half the time stuck in traffic. At Boston By Foot, though, the guides are volunteers; you pick your thematic pleasure (seven tours cover everything from the Freedom Trail to Victorian Back Bay, Beacon Hill, or the popular "Boston Underground," about the engineering of the subway and the Big Dig); and of all you avoid congestion, get exercise, and learn about Boston all at once. 77 N. Washington St., Boston, MA .
Boston Duck Tours
Okay, maybe the quacking can get on your nerves, but Boston Duck Tour's 80-minute trips do everything the others do by land, and then more. In renovated World War II amphibious vehicles, sightseers get plopped into the Charles so they can see the city the way the, uh, ducks do. Depart from the Huntington Avenue side of the Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Save the Harbor-Save the Bay
The best opportunity to check out the outer harbor comes but twice a year. This environmental group leads two excellent narrated tours in early September and early may—per their request, please call for exact departure dates as the time approaches. Cruises are informative, entertaining, and have a great record for spotting porpoises, seals, endangered sea birds, and fish. 25 West Street, Boston, MA .
Cambridge Kayak Company
Robert Gaston of Cambridge Kayak Company is putting together a sea-kayak trail stretching from northern to southern Massachusetts. Kayaker-friendly bed and breakfasts and waterfront restaurants will welcome weary travelers along the way; the tourist dollars, Gaston hopes, will encourage environmental awareness. That's the long-term plan. The short-term plan is to put together an ace team of kayak instructors and tour leaders for the summer, a venture in which Gaston is joined by Tony Simpson, an energetic British Canoe Union instructor. Cambridge, MA
The $1 Trips Around Boston Harbor (Bay State Cruises and Boston Harbor Cruises)
Don't eat the hot dogs, but sea breezes will cool you off and clear your mind.
Top of the Hub
Good drink prices, great hors d'oeuvres, greater view. Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Houlihan's
The terrific hors d'oeuvres, convivial drinkers, and cheap prices help make up for the fact that the bartender's a machine. 60 State St., Boston, MA .
Grendel's Den
Since what's traditionally known as happy hour is illegal in our great state, local establishments have been forced to get creative with the concept. Grendel's, housed in a funky basement space in Harvard Square, puts the best spin on things: Besides the substantial beer selection and surprisingly good sangria, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. all food—a hearty mix of international specialties—is half off when you buy a drink. 89 Winthrop St., Cambridge, MA grendelsden.com.
Il Casale
Stop us if you've heard this one before: City chef heads to the 'burbs, ditches fine dining for comfort fare, and watches culture-starved locals pour in. Original or not, we're smitten with Il Casale, which opened this spring in Belmont's old fire station. Maybe it's because owners Dante deMagistris and brothers Filippo and Damian grew up in the neighborhood. Or it could be the simple family recipes. Who cares? We just want some more of that gnocchi with porcini cream, burrata with pistachios, and fluffy tiramisu. 50 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 2478, ilcasalebelmont.com.
Il Casale
When dining at Il Casale, don't be surprised if your companions—having mopped the last bit of tangy, rich marinara from their plates—start hatching a plan to move to the suburbs. Who wouldn't want to get closer to food like this? Dante de Magistris's newest venture is not only stylish and affordable, with most entrées under $20, but it also does full justice to the Italian home cooking that inspired it: rustic minestra, feathery gnocchi, seriously good meatballs. 50 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 2478, ilcasalebelmont.com.
Il Capriccio
Tiny, with northern Italian specialties. Chef Maurie Warren is outstanding. 53 Prospect St., Waltham, MA .
Il Capricio
There may be a better Italian wine list in Italy, but maybe not. 53 Prospect Street, Waltham, MA .
Il Panino
Simple, homey, and good. This is what all North End restaurants should be. 11 Parmenter Street, Boston, MA .
Il Capriccio
Co-owner Jeannie Rogers should be every restauranteur's model sommelier. 53 Prospect Street, Waltham, MA .