The Hub of the Universe

Top Cheap Things to Do in Boston

• Ride the Swan Boats in Boston Public Garden
  
• Take a boat out to the Harbor Islands.
  
• Walk around any of our lovely neighborhoods.
  
• Visit the Museum of Fine Arts on a Wednesday night (free!).
  
• Bike, walk, or jog on the Esplanade.

Quick Tips:

Best Time to Go Boston's weather is known for its unpredictability. A local saying is: if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes.

Spring is most unpredictable. 80 degree days are followed by a snowstorm in April. Spring arrives late in Boston, bringing a lot of precipitation, rain, snow, and slush.

Summer can be hot and steamy, but also breezy and temperate. Summer is the best time to visit. Many tourist sites open only during the warm-weather seasons. You can fully enjoy Boston's best ice cream during the summer.

Fall is also a good time. The students return to school, so universities are a bit livelier. The fall foliage brightens the whole area with colors of orange, red, and yellow. There's nothing quite as nice a brisk fall breeze as you walk amongst the falling leaves.

Winter can occasionally be quite brutal, leaving people snowbound. Driving is even crazier in the winter, and parking becomes a challenge. In the winter, most Bostonians wish they lived in California. I cannot recommend visiting Boston in the winter unless you enjoy winter sports. Then, ice-skating in the commons is an enjoyable way to spend a cold day.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around Boston is to use our public transportation system. The T--what we call the subway--is incredibly easy to use. It's not at all complicated like some other cities.

At night, you may have to take a taxi or a Night Owl bus. The T stops running around 12:30am.

Boston drivers are known all over the states. What you need to know if you plan to drive here:

• Your turn signal is meaningless.
• No matter what the signs say, people will do what pleases them best.
• If you need to pass, the best thing to do is start edging into the other lane.
• Wave and smile at your fellow drivers, and you will mostly be forgiven.

China Pearl is the best Dim Sum in Boston, and it is packed on Sunday mornings when Chinese and Caucasians alike arrive for a unique dining experience. The ornately decorated restaurant is split into three levels, but even with this many tables, there is usually a wait unless you arrive very early.

I have a friend who says that China Pearl has some of the latest Dim Sum trends from Hong Kong, and they are also known for having vegetarian fare.

I can recommend a few of the standout dishes. Barbeque beef buns is a bit of bbq beef cooked in a sweet dough. Lotus paste buns are similar, but filled with lotus paste - very sweet. Also, there are a great variety of spring rolls and dumplings. The shrimp dumplings are another favorite of mine.

The cost per person is generally around $10 for more dishes than you can count. Small groups may have to sit with other groups, and with luck, you will be seated with a Cantonese speaker. Otherwise, you may be reduced to pointing and taking what you get.

Hours
MON-SUN 8:30 am-11 pm

Viet's Cafe is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Because of its location in Arlington, the wait and the price are lower than in Boston proper. Yet, this is the best Vietnamese cuisine you can get in Boston, offering more than just pho.

The staff is extremely helpful, modifying dishes to your taste, and teaching customers about the food. I must recommend the fun experience of Banh Hoi. You are served rice paper wrappers and the mixings for a spring roll, and you roll your own. Another excellent choice is the Satay Noodle Soup. Cool your mouth off with a delicious bubble tea. Getting There The 77 and 79 bus from Cambridge follows Mass Ave and stops near Viet's Cafe in Arlington Center. Alternately, you could drive up Mass Ave and park in the parking lot in front of the restaurant. Viet's Cafe is in the strip as CVS and Starbucks where Broadway meets Mass Ave. More Info Website: http://www.vietscafe.com

Environment

Tu y Yo is a cozy restaurant, with soft Mexican music playing. The interior is brightly decorated and lit.

The Food

Tu y Yo serves up traditional Mexican food, which they are very proud to teach you about. That means no burritos, no chimichangas, and no nachos! Mexican food here is brought to a fine dining level, and I recommend you try one of the rotating specials. The vegetarian menu is far more extensive than typical, with 5 entrees. More creative than "cheese" enchiladas, the vegetarian entrees are such things as poblano peppers stuffed with diced apples and pine-nuts and covered in a mango chipotle sauce. The fish dishes here are also great, like the Pescado Tlaloc and the poblano pepper stuffed with shrimp and goat cheese.

I also love desserts here. On my first visit, they only had, to quote, "flan, flan, and oh yes, flan." The flan didn't disappoint. Another standout dish are the empanadas filled with sweet cream and dusted with powdered sugar.

The food is at the same level as some of the best gourmet restaurants in Boston, and yet you can eat for $15 per person.

Check out their online menu for more.

Drinks

Tu y Yo has a liquor license! They have some traditional favorites, such as sangria. The white sangria, made with white wine and peaches, is a more unusual offering. One of my favorite speciality drinks is named essentially Queen of the Stars. Naturally, they have a selection of Mexican beers.

Hours

Mon-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 4-11pm, Sun 4-9pm

Getting There

Tu y Yo is in walking distance of the Davis Square T-stop, in Powderhouse. Walk up College Avenue from Davis Square and turn left onto Broadway.

Other Neat Stuff

If you get on their mailing list, you get a coupon for your birthday month. Also, they will send out their monthly specials so that you can plan your visit.

In a phrase, Gourmet food for a not-quite gourmet price. Amelia's is a small, warm restaurant in Kendall Square. It has an Italian flare, and a nouvelle-cuisine touch. Their seasonal menu and numerous specials offer much to taste and share.

Complimentary bread exceeds expectation. The garlic bread was unique, and it was served with a bean puree that was far more delicious than it sounds.

Tonight, I had a their trout special, topped with cockles cooked with scallions, and a side of snowpeas. I also had a taste of the seafood risotto. If the shrimp weren't overcooked, it would have been perfect.

For dessert, my party of five shared three desserts. Luckily, each of us had an affection for a different dish. For me, the gelato coated in chocolate and embedded with cherries and almonds was perfection. The raspberry and lime tart delighted another. The couple happily shared what remained of the tiramisu.

The wine list was also extensive, with a selection of both International and Italian wines. We started with a dry muscat as an apertif. Moving on to a fruity Pinot Gris with our meal, we ended with the chef's recommendation, an Italian white or bianco as they say in Italy.

I must thoroughly recommend this eating experience. It gave me a sense of joy that I hadn't felt in weeks. Little moans of pleasure escaped all of our lips throughout the meal.

This small one-room restaurant has an intimate feel, with warmly painted walls and dim lighting. It isn't quite as tightly packed as some North End restaurants, but it has that same atmosphere. If you sit at one of its fewer than 15 tables, you are part of a small select group of people that are able to enjoy Amelia's that night.

On-street parking was easily acquirable, and because we were there after six pm, there was no charge to park in the metered spots. There is a Citizen's Bank two storefronts away as a convenience.

Website: http://ameliastrattoria.com

Namaskar is a newcomer to Davis Square's Indian food scene, and it seems to set to rival the reigning champion Diva in both artsy decor and cuisine.

Namaskar's specialties are the vegetarian dishes of Western India. They offer all the standards too.

Purple walls and subtle colored lighting emphasize the modern space. Rather than the traditional Indian wall-hangings, they had Indian prints which looked vaguely retro.

A glass of ginger-mint flavored liquid was the first thing we were offered, while we made our choices from the menu. For our entire dining experience, the staff was incredibly attentive. Our water glasses were never less than half full, for example.

We ordered a Western Indian vegetarian dish with eggplant and potato in a creamy sauce. I also ordered the Chicken Kashmir, a sweet tangy chicken dish with bananas and pineapples in the yellow cream-based gravy. Rice was provided complimentary with our dishes. For drinks, we sampled both the sweet and the mango lassi. Strawberry lassis appeared to be another popular choice for drinks.

You might want to save room for dessert. We were stuffed, but their dessert tray featured a kheer that was very tempting. Next time we'll be splitting a meal and saving space for dessert.

New Ginza is my vote for best sushi restaurant in Boston. While Fugakyu shines with its rolls, its sashimi isn't always the best and parking is difficult to obtain. Oishi is orgasmic with a Zagat rating of 29, but it is small and unromantic. At New Ginza, you have room to spread out in their light-wood panelled dining room. The modern, simple decor is a perfect match for the harmonious nature of their food.

New Ginza offers all manner of Japanese food, and often feature exotic chef's creations. This is one restaurant where I always ask what the specials are. At the same time, they offer a consistent selection of creative rolls, or makimono. With a Celtics, Patriots, or a Red Sox roll, you're getting something very special, very Boston. These rolls are big, well worth their price tag. The Goldfish and the Black Dragon are two of my favorites on their makimono list.

After asking after their freshest fish, be sure to order it as sashimi or sushi. The last few times I've visited, they have had white tuna and striped bass.

Food delivery is well-paced. Each plate is designed like a work of art, with a garnish of afalfa here, a volcano of rolls there. Instead of receiving your entire order at once, your order is brought out to you in manageable parts. The waitstaff is observant, bringing your next plate as soon as you are finished with the last.

New Ginza is a "don't miss" for sushi lovers. Reservations are recommended on weekends, but not required.

Afghan food is not all that common in this area. It tastes like a combination of Turkish and Indian cuisine. Kebabs and koftas are familiar items on the menu. The sauces and naan-like bread served at the beginning of the meal remind one of an Indian restaurant, while the preponderance of eggplant smacks of Istanbul.

Owned by the Karzai family of Afghanistan, Helmand is a fine dining restaurant, requiring reservations. The two-page wine list is respectable and well-travelled. We had an Australian Shiraz. There are apparently no Afghani wines available. The room boasts a light decor, one wall lined by wine racks. It almost has a rustic feel, with a real Middle-Eastern touch in the Islamic designs found on the entry-way tiles.

"You must order something with pumpkin!", one of my dining companions exclaimed. Our appetizer of sweetened pumpkin was more delicious than any pumpkin pie. We also ordered a pastry appetizer, a matzoh-inspired crust around spicy mashed potato and scallions and leeks. Our soups were delicious, meaty and thick.

There were so many delicious-sounding items on the menu that it was hard to choose. Leek-stuffed ravioli, meatballs (Koufta) in a tomato sauce, lamb, chicken, and sirloin kabobs all tempted us. Vegetarians had many options as well, including the pumpkin and eggplant special. My dining mates remarked on the balance of our plates, offering an equal amount of grains and vegetables to counterbalance the meat.

After our meal, we were asked to move tables to allow for another party. We said we'd rather just take our green teas to the comfortable leather couch in the waiting area. The owner was very apologetic about his request, and while we sat there continuing our conversation, he brought us an after-dinner cognac on the house. When we left, he shook our hands and thanked us for coming to his restaurant. I was impressed at the service and the personal attitude of this restaurant.

Located near the Cambridgeside Galleria in E. Cambridge, Helmand's location is ideal for Bostonians and Cambridge-ites alike. Parking is easy to find in this neighborhood, with the galleria garage as a last resort.

Reservations are recommended. Even on a Wednesday evening, the restaurant was packed.

This Chinese teahouse-gallery is unique in Boston. A cozy space on the corner of Shawmut and Dwight street in the South End, the Qingping gallery teahouse invites visitors to savor Chinese sweets, unique teas, and some very original art. When you find the place, you will know it by the faded Chinese lantern hanging over the weathered wooden doorframe.

I met some friends there one Saturday afternoon and the eight of us took up the entire backroom. A comfortable sectional surrounds a coffee table. There is also a Chinese-style tea table and chairs available for seating.

You are surrounded by dark, evocative artwork. The menu invites the guests to discuss art and we certainly did. I am not sure whether the exhibits rotate, but I think the owner may be the artist.

The owner -- if that is who served us -- is an attractive young Asian man with a good sense of humor. I wish we had gotten a chance to discuss "art" with him, as the menu suggests!

The menu included a variety of teas, served with a tray of hard candies. I shared a pot of lychee tea with two friends, which cost 9$ with free refills. I also ordered a small moon cake, a Chinese pastry stuffed with lotus paste. It was served with spicy wasabi peas.

The bathroom is one of the coolest places, an art installation of itself. After drinking a few pots of tea, you will no doubt have to visit the facilities anyway. It is entirely unique, down to the fish tank and waterfall.

After this experience, I felt as if I had stumbled on a hidden gem of Boston.

Website: www.ristorantefiore.com

When my dad and sister were visiting Boston I wanted to take them to a restaurant in the North End. The Marriott made our reservations at Fiore. Little did I know what wonders of Italian food I was in for!

We were seated in a roomy upper level, a far cry from the usual cramped quarters in North End restaurants. Despite the cloth napkins and fine china, the staff was very laid back. My sister wanted to know if they had pizza, and our waiter went downstairs to bring her a lunch menu. There were several other families with children in the restaurant, and yet the restaurant maintained a sophisticated feel.

For the first course, we ordered salads. My dad loved his caesar salad, and my mesclun salad with blue cheese and apples was fantastic! My sister ordered the Mozzarella Di Bufala thinking it was mozzarella sticks. As a result, I was also able to try this dish--buffalo mozzarella with roasted peppers, fresh tomato slices, and crostini. I must also note that the bread basket here was divine, filled with slices of crusty bread. Even my picky sister enjoyed it! She said "I usually only like bread with butter, but this bread doesn't need butter!"

The timing was perfect as our entrees were delivered not too long after we finished our salads. Everyone was delighted with their order. My sister said that the Parmigiano Di Pollo was far better than her mom's version. My dad ordered the Bombolotti Al Forno with Italian sausage. I insisted on having a bite and it was marvelous! My own dish was a work of art, a traditional New England dish with Italian aesthetics. I had their special, venison stuffed with pear and coated in a rich port wine sauce and cranberries. The side was roasted butternut squash, with a slight cinnamon flavor.

The wine list was short, but sufficient. I selected the one Pinot Noir on the menu, and it complemented my dish well.

The best surprise was the price. For three people the bill was only a little over US$100. I will most certainly be bringing friends and family to dine at Fiore again.

Boston Harbor Cruises offer many different cruises and ferries. One of the budget options is to take a ferry to George's Island.

For $7, you get a two-way 45 minute ride through Boston's harbor, a narrated tour as you go, and a stop at George's Island.

George's Island features an old fort, lots of trails, and a dock where ferries depart to other Harbor Islands. How to Get There There is a booth at Long Wharf, near where the boats leave. Take the T to Government Center or Haymarket and walk through Fanueil Hall, following signs to the Aquarium. Long Wharf is right next to the Boston Aquarium.

The Enormous Room is a great place to soak up the atmosphere of Central Square. You can rest on the pillows that line the room, and order a plate of mezes - Middle Eastern snacks that can be either vegetarian or meatolicious. The platters are a great deal for sharing. You'll also want to order up some drinks, which will be delivered to you.

Sometimes when the music gets going, it can be quite hard to hear your friends. The DJ and music changes each night, but is generally quite listenable. Getting There Take the T or drive to Central Square. The Enormous Room is on Mass Ave, above the Central Kitchen. Look for the red elephant on the door. Heads Up This is a bar, so you will get ID'd at the entrance. Also, although there is no dress code, you won't want to show up looking scrubby. Also, the Enormous Room is cash-only.

Tucked away on River Street in Central Square, River Gods looks like a humble neighborhood bar on the exterior. Inside, you step into another world. Gargoyles, elaborate medieval crosses, and even a miniature stonehenge decorate this small dark bar. The bar is lit up by an elaborate metal candalabra and a variety of Arabian lamps. Don't forget to look up! Comfortable padded benches offer one option, but some bottoms may prefer the throne-like chairs at another section of the bar.

My friends have said the pub food here is tasty, but perhaps a bit heavy. It has been called "New-Age Irish". I can speak for the drinks however. My cape-codder was perfectly mixed.

There is always something interesting going on at River Gods. On a Sunday night, a goth-lounge night called Reverie holds court. It is free admission on Reverie nights, and the ethereal and industrial music DJed matches the decor perfectly. Because there is no dancing, the DJs often explore music that you wouldn't hear in an ordinary club. It is always enjoyable. Other evenings are sometimes DJed as well, with different types of music. Check the local Boston Phoenix to find out.

Manray is now closed at this location. I will update it when the new location opens.

Website: ManrayClub.Com

I have been a regular at Man Ray since 1995, and while things change, things always remain the same. Man Ray is one of the longest running alternative clubs in Boston. Actually, it's in Cambridge, meaning that you can still smoke there as of August 2003. I have gone consistently on Wednesdays and Fridays, occasionally dropping in on a Saturday.

Drinks can be expensive. The best deal are the frozen margaritas served up in the front room.

Manray has three rooms. The Cage is the largest room, often with performances. The Front Room usually features another DJ, and has a sunken dance floor. A third room serves as a lounge, with velvet couches and another bar. However, people also hang out downstairs by the coatcheck and bathrooms.

Fridays are people-packed and pricy, and the dress code is rigorous. I've seen many people turned away at the door. Saturdays are also quite busy, but because it isn't a fetish night, the dress code is looser and there is a more laidback vibe. Wednesdays are something of a casual night for local goths, a time to catch up with friends rather than Friday's "See and Be Scene".

If alternative is your thing, I can highly recommend Manray.

Days of the Week at Manray
Monday - Closed

Tuesday - Closed

Wednesday - Crypt. Goth/Industrial. Cheap.

Thursday - Award-winning Gay Night.

Friday - Rotating Goth and Fetish Nights

Saturday - Transmission - New Wave.

Where is it?Manray is a dark brown/black building with an entrance on Brookline Street. This is the same street as the Middle East and T.T. the Bears. Manray is a block from Massachusetts Avenue, where Hi-Fi pizza is on the corner. Hi-Fi is a great place for an after-club snack and will be packed with clubgoers.
Parking There is parking in several city lots behind Mass Ave on both sides, and more reliably (but for a price) in the Green Street Garage only two blocks from Manray.

ImprovBoston is an intimate and inexpensive place to view Improv. Improv is improvisational comedy, similar to the TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?". The audience is encouraged to participate. For example, the audience might be asked to yell out animals, movie genres, or uncomfortable situations.

Sunday nights feature a three hour show for only $5 - Sgt Culpeppers Improvisational Jamboree. For each of the first two hours, a different local improv troupe performs: the visiting troup and then the house troupe. Then, audience volunteers come out onto the stage for the final hour for an improv contest. The remaining audience votes.

This is a small theater, with a maximum of four rows of seating. The actors perform with a minimum of props on the floor.

The comedy is not suitable for children of all ages. You can't predict what the actors will say, and while they will make an effort if there are kids in the audience, prudish types should not apply.

You can arrive at 7, 7:45, or 8:30. However, it is rude to arrive in the middle of a performance.

The final hour offers 16 people the chance to participate. Signups begin at six thirty pm and are quickly filled up. Directions Contrary to its name, ImprovBoston is actually in Cambridge. Inman Square is an up-and-coming neighborhood with a great ethnic restaurant scene and the delicious Christina's ice-cream. Details Website: http://www.improvboston.com
You can make online reservations here or check the schedule.

Although the idea of a Duck Tour did not originate in Boston, it seems particularly appropriate because of Boston's famous ducklings from the book Make Way for Ducklings.

Many visitors and new residents enjoy the Duck Tour of Boston, something most people choose to do only once. At US$23 per adult, it is quite expensive. However, group admission allowed our company to offer the tours for $10/person.

Each amphibious vehicle holds 32 people. The duck travels around Boston on land before returning to the Charles and touring the water. The tour encircles the Boston Commons and Gardens, goes past the Pru, and through Fanueil Hall and the North End.

Tickets and more information is available at the Boston Duck Tours website.

The New England Aquarium is a huge structure, recently remodeled, on one of Boston's wharves. While here, you can also visit the IMAX theater with a combination ticket.

The Aquarium's biggest attraction is the large central tank. You wind your way up around the tank or choose an inlet to view the fish. The tanks contains over 100 different species of marine wildlife, from sharks to giant sea turtles to 'rays. From one spot, you can watch the whole tank swim by. Sometimes it is exciting to watch one of the marine biologists dive into the tank to feed the fish.

The penguins are another major attraction. The penguin exhibit stretches around the central tank on the first floor. There are several types of penguins, from South American rockhoppers to African penguins to the Little Blues. The aquarium rescued many of these little guys from oil spills. We enjoyed watching a hyperactive penguin as he flipped, jumped and swam around the exhibit.

Along the outside walls of the Aquarium, you can see fish in a variety of reconstructed environments, from the Amazon river to the Boston harbor. One perennial favorite is the dark room with the flashlight fish. The shark exhibit is currently being remodeled.

The Sea Lion show goes on periodically throughout the day. When you are choosing seats in the dual-sided auditorium, remember that the front seats sometimes get splashed. This is less true now than it was in earlier times. Today's sea lion shows only showcase one sea lion, and focus on conservation and ecology. I think this is a valuable lesson for children to learn, and is far more important than having the sea lions jump through hoops. Of course, the massive lions still display their balancing skill with the classic ball-on-nose trick. Children are selected from the audience to participate in the demonstration and kissed by the Sea Lion. Our exhibition featured Guthrie, who obviously decided to go into premature retirement. He repeatedly left the arena to return to his den, but he did eventually perform all the tricks.

The Harbor Seals are a Boston classic. Two colonies live at the Aquarium. One is visible from the outside of the Aquarium, and the other from the back side. A harbor seal is the New England version of a California Sea Lion, smaller and grey in color.

The Aquarium makes a great half-day trip, and when combined with Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market and dinner in the North End, you will be exposed to some of Boston's best sights. Children could probably spend much longer here, fascinated with the fish.

There is a great deal of walking and children may grow tired. Because of the ramps, the Aquarium is accessible to the differently-abled.

The gift shop at the entrance is quite large, offering quite an array of fishy delights, stuffed and otherwise. Most of the items appeal to children, although there is some adult fish-wear.

There are two parts of this beach: the state park and the public beach. We went to the beach in order to visit the boardwalk and walk along the ocean. This beachtown is much smaller than a New Jersey shoretown, with a very short "boardwalk", which is actually just a concrete street. The beach is rocky, like all New England beaches, and is not combed. Early in the season, only a few of the concession stands are open. A Lebanese fellow operates a stand here with Mediterranean food and, of course, fried dough. The town pretty much seemed abandoned and I wasn't sure if those boarded-up windows were just seasonal. There were no lifeguards on the beach, and what appeared to have been a pier was entirely in ruins. The paint was faded on the carnival-themed murals, while only one lone family frolicked on the beach. I still wonder if Salisbury Beach is another lost beachtown.

Directions

From Rte. 95: Take exit 58A to Newburyport and the intersection with Rte. 110 east. Follow Rte. 110 East to Salisbury and the intersection with Rte. 1a North. Turn right on Rte. 1a and follow it 2 miles to the Park entrance on the right. Go further to park near the boardwalk for $5.

For a day of water sports near Boston, there's no place more convenient than Hopkinton State Park. The park offers beach picnics, hiking, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. We visited one day in August to rent canoes and kayaks.

The large, glassy lake offers plenty of space, even when all the boats are rented and there are many people on the lake. There are three islands where you can get out of your boat and relax. Also, if you continue under an underpass, you come to a river area with lots of large boulders. This area presented a bit of challenge to me on my first day in a kayak, but seemed to be a great deal of fun for others. It was also quite secluded here, a great place to get away from the crowds.

Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton offers a variety of rentals. They have tandem kayaks, single kayaks, canoes, and pedal-boats. You can even buy used equipment here for your own use. You can rent or buy accessories, like butt-pads or waterproof cellphone holders. They also have snacks and drinks, as well as insect repellant and sunscreen. Of course, you can always bring your own kayak/canoe and then you only have to pay the $5 for parking.

Who knew that there was an outdoor paradise so close to downtown Boston? Just down I93, five miles south of Boston, the Blue Hills reservation offers outdoors activities for everyone. There are lakes for swimming and boating, trails for mountain biking, and of course, hiking.

We went to start off the summer hiking season, beginning with one of the more challenging trails - the Skyline Trail and the Big Blue. It wasn't technically challenging, but the hike definitely start out vertical and stayed that way for a while. There is a lot of exposed granite to clamber over. This is a family hike that anyone in reasonably good shape should be able to easily complete in a few hours.

At the top of the Big Blue, there is a lovely and popular observation tower, as well as picnic tables. We brought a picnic lunch. Remember to pack out all of your trash to keep the park nice for everyone.

Bring plenty of water because there are no facilities here.

The Middle East Restaurant and Club is a venerable institution dating from the middle of the 20th century. My parents ate in the corner bakery when I was in the womb, and today, I belly dance there! Everyone in the area recognizes the Middle East's purple arches on the corner of Brookline Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

The club/restaurant has several venues within the complex, a basement for bands, two restaurant venues, the Mid-East upstairs for smaller bands. Zuzu is their upscale middle-eastern style tapas restaurant and bar, and it is snuggled between the Middle East Upstairs and the Corner. The Corner (on the corner, in fact) contains both a bar and tables, and a small stage where musicians sometimes play. This is also where the belly dancing takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays nights. The food is standard Middle Eastern fare, like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and baklava. The bar offers up Arabic coffee, beer, wine, or cocktails.

The club has hosted everything from hip hop to hair metal, from comedy to burlesque, from folk music to punk rock. "Punk Rock Aerobics" classes used to take place on Saturday afternoons in the basement! You never know what you'll see at the Middle East. Their website has the latest listing for events: www.mideastclub.com

I'd like to make special note of the bellydancing, since it is the main reason I go there. There are two professional dancers per night, and 2-3 up and coming dancers. There is no charge for the Sunday night bellydance show, and you can choose to sit at the bar or at a table (with a meal). If you would like to tip the dancer, money showers are appreciated - putting a dollar bill (or more than one) on the dancer's head. The schedule for bellydancers is updated regularly at this website: http://members.aol.com/MiddleEastDance/Schedule.html. Wednesday nights have a live band with dancers, and Sunday nights are DJed by DJ Garabed. In between the professional dancers, diners often stand up to do line dances (debke in particular) and social dancing. The club is open late into the night on Sundays, with the dancing spilling out onto the street. People who would like to have a 5-minute dance spot may participate in the "Open Mike" portion of the show - see the website for more details.

To me, the Middle East restaurant is like a home. It is still family-run, and the family members are often there. Most of the staff has been there for years and it doesn't take long for them to start recognizing you and vice versa. The Middle East played host to a Jane Doe benefit party, offering their space for the charity event. Now they have purchased an old building in Somerville to become artist's lofts and performance space. I cannot stress what an impact they have on the arts and music in Boston.

A traveller can have fun exploring our neighborhoods, and also it may help them to choose a hotel near things that interests them. I will do a brief overview of some of the Boston neighborhoods, based on the T-stop you use to get there. Davis Square The hippest neighborhood in Somerville, Davis Square is the place to find great food, some bars, coffee shops, and bookstores. It is also nearby Tufts University. Harvard Square Harvard Square is changing, from a place with lots of funky local businesses to a place with some funky local businesses and quite a few major chains. Still, it's a shopping and eating destination. The Garage, a small indoor mall, is the spot where you'll find Japanese anime, gothic jewelry, and clubwear. Also, Pho Pasteur - a local Vietnamese chain - and John Harvard's are here for food. Central Square There are lots of great clubs in Central Square. The Middle East has belly dancing and middle-eastern food, and two venus for music. Manray caters to the alternative lifestyle crowd. The Phoenix Landing is known for its electronic dance music, and a packed sweaty atmosphere. At the Enormous Room, you can relax on pillows as drinks are brought to you.

Central Square also features some budget shopping, but is definitely best at night. Downtown Crossing Major shopping mecca here. There are many large chain stores, and a pedestrian walkway. This area reminds many people of New York City, with the smell of roasted nuts in the air and the street vendors on the side. Chinatown Boston's Chinatown is smaller than most other cities' Chinatowns. It's worth mentioning because there are many interesting things to buy and eat here. For example, a nondescript storefront labelled "Restaurant Supply" offers inexpensive dishware that you'll spot at boutiques marked up three times. Buy it here for less.

You can also have many different kinds of Asian foods here. Of course, there is Chinese, but you can also have sushi, pho, and even Malaysian! Coolidge Corner Coolidge Corner is located in the clean and safe suburb of Brookline. There is tons of shopping to do here on Harvard Ave, and the food selection is unbeatable. Fugakyu here is known as one of the best sushi places in Boston, with a beautiful atmosphere. J.P. Licks is a great place to get ice cream. Fanueil Hall / Haymarket Every Saturday there is a huge farmer's market in the Haymarket, and if you show up later on, you'll see the mess it leaves.

Fanueil Hall is a touristy spot, but many people enjoy the food stands and souvenirs stands here. Besides, there is always an interesting busker or two. North End (Haymarket stop) The North End is Boston's version of Little Italy. Paul Revere's house is notably here. However, you will come for the blocks of Italian restaurants. Afterwards, stop and get a cannoli at Modern Pastry. The line at Modern Pastry is always shorter than Mike's pastry, and it tastes just as good.

The Boston Public Gardens has been a budget traveller's activity since it was established in 1837, the first public botanical garden in the US. The park consists of 24 acres bound by Arlington, Boylston, Charles and Beacon Streets, and is nearby the Boston Commons.

A swanboat ride is a delightful budget activity. The swanboats are peddled like a bicycle by the boat's captain while visitors sit in open-air rows. A huge swan sculpture hides the captain, creating the appearance of large swans gliding on the water. While many other tours in Boston are outrageously expensive, the traditional swan boats only cost between $1 to $2.50. They operate from April to mid-September. The Swanboats are closest to the Arlington T-stop. Call 617-522-1966 for more information.

Ducks, swans, and geese swim in the manmade pond. Do Not Feed the Ducks. Although the book shows people feeding peanuts to the ducks, actually feeding the birds causes many ecological problems. The birds do not learn to provide their own food and sometimes do not migrate south for the winter. It also pollutes the water and contributes to over-population. There are signs to this effect in the gardens, but they are widely ignored. Please realize that by feeding the ducks, you are harming them.

Wander around and you are sure to find the bronze duck family, memorializing Robert McCloskey's famous children's book, Make Way for Ducklings. The story tells a tale of a family of ducklings who finally find the perfect home in Boston's Public Gardens.

Please note that skateboarding and rollerblading is not welcome in the public garden. It is a lovely place for a stroll or a jog. Walking in the park reveals many surprises, from hidden fountains and statues.

The public gardens are so well-shaded that I sometimes will walk through here rather than on the nearby streets to get from one part of downtown Boston to another.