In Boston for one day only . . . what do I do?

horseman85

I'm going to be in Boston on Dec 5 for the Video Game Orchestra Awakening concert and I need things to do. I'm heading down via bus and will be there at 6:30AM. I'll be taking the 11:45PM bus back.

I'm open to pretty much everything. I expect the weather will be bitterly cold so indoor stuff would probably be better but if there's something awesome going on outside, I'd probably go. Do you guys have any recommendations for places to eat? Cheaper places are better but I have a pretty flexible budget. Also, are there any recommendations for local comic book store or video game store?

Idx86

For eating - there's a place called the North End which is the Italian part of Boston. It's by Paul Revere's house and has a bunch of cool Colonial Era stuff.

Anyhoo, the Italian food is fantastic. Lots of little neighborhood restaurants that are delicious. Plus there's a place called "Mike's Pastries" which is a pretty famous bakery.

VisionOfClarity

Mike's is a tourist trap, go down a couple of blocks to Bova's and thank me later. Also, visit the PAX Forum because there will be a meetup for this event.

For comics New Englad comics in Allston and Cambridge are good and there's Comicopia in Kenmore, don't waste your time with Newbury Comics, it's pretty much a Hot Topic. For food, what's your budget and taste? I also suggest visiting he MFA, you won't regret it.

Edit: Link to the PAX forum meetup thread: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=101576

Scalfin

The aquarium's fun, but kind of pricey. If it's a nice day, there's always the Harbor Islands. Fort Warren is my favorite. You can get the ferry right near the aquarium.

The high number of college kids and the cheapness of the locals has forced most of the places around here to offer a good value (although nothing can beat the prices on the cape), although there are always a few really ritzy places like Blue Ginger and Rialto. Some of the better places are around Harvard Square, although it's gotten a bit touristy lately. There's this one Mexican restaurant that people have been eating at since before my parents were in college.

VisionOfClarity

Is there a second Blue Ginger because the only one I know is in Wellesley. Also, I'd have to say that the better places tend to be in the South End and Back Bay. Gaslight, L'Espalier, Troquet, Franklin Cafe, etc.

horseman85

In terms of budget, I think I'll set aside $60 for both lunch and dinner. In terms of taste, I'll pretty much eat anything if it's good.

Oh and how long is it to walk from the North End to Back Bay? The bus drops me off close to the North End and I'll just make my way to the concert venue as the day goes on.

Is there anything interesting in Chinatown?

JustinSane07

60 dollars in Boston will get you 2 meals at average restaurants, one at a good one.

Go to the Museum of Science if you have a lot of time to kill. The Aquarium is okay but it's not that long, it's like an hour and half, 2 hours tops.

limester816

You should laugh at hipster trash on Newbury st. Just kidding.

Chinatown-- pretty good food but not something Boston's known for. As mentioned, the North End is italian food heaven. There are some great Irish pubs around with good Irish food and beer. My favorite thing to show friends from out of town is the store Bodega (6 Clearway St)-- It's a urban fashion store with a secret entrance inside a convenience store, close to Newbury next to Berklee.

For just walking around's sake I would say Harvard Square (in Cambridge) and Newbury are the best. Museum of Fine Art is good if you're into that. City is littered with my favorite Mexican food on the East Coast (and I'm from New Mexico)-- called Anna's Taqueria. Might be some intercity hockey matches going on too.

horseman85

Is the Museum of Science geared more towards kids or adults?