I've Lived in Boston My Whole Life and I've Never Done That?!

Institute of Contemporary Art

Having won the award of “Most Beautiful Building” from the Boston Society of Architects is enough of a reason to make me want to visit the Institute of Contemporary Art. So, why have I never been? I have no good reason except that it’s not easily accessible from the green line (I really need to break away from the green line).

According to their website: “The Institute of Contemporary Art strives to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process.”

Sounds like somewhere I need to visit as soon as possible! With a fabulous permanent collection and lots of new exhibits opening all the time, there’s always something new to see at the ICA.

Mary Baker Eddy Library

Another library I’m shocked I’ve never been to. This one is located at the Christian Science Center and has a mapparium (see below); the hall of ideas, containing a fountain with sculptures and quotes from influential people, and more. Definitely worth stopping by!

Fort Warren

Fort Warren is located on George’s Island and it defended Boston Harbor from 1861 through the end of WWII. During the Civil War, the fort served as a prisoner-of-war camp.

George’s Island is easily accessible by ferry from Boston and according to Wikipedia, an estimated 100,000 tourists visit every year. Sadly, not one of those has been me. Yet.

Castle Island

Castle Island is another island I really need to get my butt to. And it’s actually accessible by MBTA bus- it’s connected to the mainland. On the way to Castle Island is Pleasure Bay is an enclosed lagoon with a sandy beach where you can swim.
 
The island also contains Fort Independence, used for the protection of Boston. Another fun fact about the island? Edgar Allan Poe served on the island in 1827 and it’s said that his short story, “The Cask of Amontillado” was based on island legend.

Any other places I should know about??

Do you know of any other Boston hot-spots or hidden gems that I may not know about yet?? Leave me comments to let me know where I should go and what I should do!

Scooper Bowl

How has this event been going on for 26 years and I’ve never participated in it? I have no clue.

The Scooper Bowl is basically one giant ice cream festival. You pay $7 to enter and you have access to all you can eat ice cream from 11 different leading ice cream companies.

This year’s event is June 10- June 12 and I might just have to take advantage of it. I may just camp out for the 2 days and make ice cream my breakfast, lunch, and dinner (you can get an unlimited pass for $15!).

Oh and you’re supporting the Jimmy Fund too. What better reason do you need to pig out on ice cream??

Boston Athenaeum

For someone who likes to read as much as I do, it’s absolutely ridiculous that I’ve never been to “one of the oldest and most distinguished independent libraries in the United States” when it’s located so closely to me. I must have walked by this place a thousand times and never even noticed it. How is that possible??

Memberships are quite pricey, so maybe I should start with a tour. But something tells me I’m going to be joining. This place seems too good to be true!

Bukowski's

For being such a fan of the author, it’s a wonder I’ve never been to Bukowski’s Tavern for a few drinks. Known as one of the best divey-ish bars in Boston, the beer menu is 10 pages. 10 pages!! Bukowski would be proud. And I’ve heard that the food is really, really good and cheap too!

As a matter of fact, I was unaware the Medieval Manor even existed until my mom had to go for a work event a few weeks ago. I’m actually not sure this is even something I want to do, I’m just shocked I didn’t know about it.

And I suppose it could be fun to get a big group together and go eat with your hands while watching a show. Or it could just be totally weird and awkward. Either way, at least I now know it exists.