Boston Bound – PAX East

Well, I’m heading to Boston, MA for the first time, and I’m really excited about it. I found putting together a guide really helpful for myself when I’m running around in a city that’s unfamiliar, and this way I try not to miss anything fun going on.

Things that are helpful for me, and so maybe they can be useful to someone else:

• The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority – Day passes are $9, Weekly passes are $15. You can buy them at transit stations and various other locations.
• Yelp Boston – Vegan Listings – A good collection of rated restaurant options that are exclusively vegan or have vegan options.
• VeganBoston – local boston vegan group. They hold events and provide information and support.

I’m going to Boston for PAX East, so that’s my primary activity this trip, but I have a feeling I’ll be back again some day.

Food Options:
I hunted around on twitter, yelp and the rest of the internet to find options that sounded interesting or delicious. There are quite a few places to eat veganly in Boston, so this is by no means a comprehensive list, but these are the ones that caught my eye for one reason or another.

I’m excited/curious to try the Vegan Lobster from Grasshopper Restaurant (1 N Beacon St, Allston, MA), which looks to be a mostly asian fusion vegetarian restaurant.

Pizza from Peace O’Pie Gourmet Vegan Pizza (487 Cambridge St. Allston, MA) To be entirely honest, my favourite reviews are the ones that start out “I’m not vegan… but this was amazing” and there are a few of those regarding this place. If I have the time, I will make sure to check it out.

Red Lentil Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant (600 Mt. Auburn St, Watertown, MA) looks like it has some beautiful options, great presentation on the dishes that I did see. Even though it’s probably easy enough to make at home, the Shepherds Pie sounds fantastic. Word is that the desserts aren’t the best, but I wouldn’t know.

Monumental Cupcakes (Jamaica Plains Art Market 34 South St, Boston, MA) – Is not an exclusively vegan bakery, but has a couple of vegan cupcake options AND gluten free ones (which I want to bring over for my non-vegan dairy free gluten intolerant friend in Virginia/DC).

Fun Stuff (for me):
Beer Tour.
Let me preface this with… I never liked beer. Until I discovered the clean fresh golden beverage known as pale ale, or white ale. Those acted as gateway beers, and made me curious about trying more. Boston is home to the Samuel Adams Brewery (30 Germania Street, Boston, MA), which also offers “free” (with a 2 dollar or more donation to charity) tours every day except Sunday. Word is, you’ve got to get there early, but I’ll know for sure on Friday morning.
According to my favourite vegan booze guide Barnivore, Samuel Adams has a pretty decent selection of vegan friendly beers with the exception of the two that contain honey (i.e., the Cherry Wheat and the Honey Porter.)

High Places!
There are only 294 steps between you an a spectacular view of the Boston skyline if you climb in the Bunker Hill Monument (43 Monument Sq – How to get there). At the moment I don’t know if it’s actually open since there is a note on the website mentioning a closure until early 2011. Call (617) 242-5641 for more info. Either way, it’s worth taking a picture of it at least. Reminded me a lot of the Washington Monument when I saw it.

Harvard.
When I was a little girl, I always wanted to go to Harvard (or as it happens… MIT), but when I was of university age, reality set in. But since I’m in the area I can fulfill at least part of that wish with a visit to the school and the surrounding neighbourhood. I might end up wandering around by myself, but there is also a tour that starts from the university Information Center. There are also several museums on campus worth checking out

Harbor Art Gallery at UMass is a student run art space. Always free and open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10-5pm.

Institute of Contemporary Art (100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA)
Things I really like about it: it’s contemporary art. It’s free 5-9pm every Thursday night, Free for youth 17 and under, and free for families on the last Saturday of each month. Otherwise admission is $15 for adults (and $10 for students).

Public Open Night at the Coit Observatory. (on the roof of the College of Arts & Sciences Building on the Boston University Campus at 725 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA)
These happen most Wednesday nights, so I wont be going, but it’s a nice thing to know about. They are open weather permitting (as in, if it’s rainy, foggy, or hazy, they’ll probably be closed) and admission is free to the public. 

Boston Museum of Fine Art (465 Huntington Ave, Boston, Ma)
This is a maybe. It will be a busy few days, and I’m not sure if I want to give up nerding time. Their website isn’t very easy to use, and finding out the ticket prices was a bit of a hassle (it’s $20 if you’re an adult, $18 if you’re a student) but I like that the ticket price includes a repeat visit within 10 days, despite not being able to take advantage of it. They do also offer admission by donation on Wednesdays after 4 p.m.

Museum of Science (1 Science Park, Boston, MA)
Another potential place to visit, it’s a maybe, but it looks like fun. Admission is $21(and it looks like the best deal if I was to go to both the Museum of Science and the Museum of Fine Art , would be to buy the Boston city pass).

I’m really looking forward to exploring a city with so much history. I’m still on the bus between DC and Boston, but when I get there, I’ll pick up an umbrella (it’s going to be a rainy), pick up a weekly transit pass (it’s going to be getting a lot of use), and start snapping some pictures.