Boston

Winter in Boston provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the sites and restaurants with a different light and without the crowds. Join us as we spend 24 hours walking the historic center, dumping tea, eating fast-casual and discussing what Boston means to us.

The 1-hour tour at the Boston Tea Party Museum is a great introduction to the city, its history and cultural roots. Costumed actors involve you in a re-enactment of the events leading up to the actions on December 16, 1773. You explore a full-scale 18th century sailing vessel and Griffins Wharf with the opportunity to push crates into the harbor. Then its back inside to understand the historical impact through top-notch multimedia experiences. There are actual artifacts from the time, and a cafe that serves tea and Sam Adams.

Boston is a mix of structures and design that span hundreds of years. The street layout is all over the place, and you are best served getting around by foot or public transportation. The metro/subway known as the T will take you within a stones throw of everything but Logan International Airport. The latter requires a bus ride on the Silver Line. Tucked between skyscrapers you will find historic buildings and monuments - many older than the country itself. Here, the Old State House built in 1713 stands strong.

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile marked path startinng from the Visitors Center in Boston Common that snakes its way through historic Boston to the Charlestown Naval Yard. There are paid tours available by actors in period costume which is a fun option, but you can also see the same landmarks on your own. Note that the Boston Tea Party Museum is not on the Freedom Trail.

The Granary Burying Ground from 1660 is the final resting place of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Both the Old State House and Old South Meeting House are nearby and must-visits. The Parker House hotel famous for inventing Parker House Rolls and the Boston Cream Pie is on the opposite block around the corner.

Many of the foods people associate with Boston like lobster rolls and clam chowder have much better versions outside the city in greater New England. Some dishes like Boston Baked Beans are better experienced in your own home following tradition. The Parker House roll served warm with softened butter at the Parker House is one of our favorite Bostonian dishes. An enriched yeast-leavened dough baked to fluffy perfection and slathered with salty butter. Parker House serves them by the half dozen and thats how they should be consumed.

Unsurprisingly there are a ton of tourist trap restaurants along the Freedom Trail due to the masses on pilgrimage. As good tourists you should visit Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, but save yourself the disappointment and dont eat there. The nearby Union Oyster House is very popular and the oldest continuously operated restaurant in America. Grab a table if you have never been, but keep expectations low. Similarly, the North-End is very touristy and filled with lackluster high-throughput red-sauce joints.

Boston Public Market within sight of Faneuil Hall is a great fast-casual breakfast or lunch option. It operates as a non-profit and has a collection of local artists and small businesses serving food. Local microbrews are also on-tap at The Pine Bar. The space is climate-controlled with shared seating. While we certainly cant vouch for all the food vendors, warm cider donuts from Red Apple Farm and fish from Reds Best are great options.

Reds Best is headquartered on Bostons Fish Pier in Seaport and works directly with New England fishermen to aggregate catches. They supply their own kitchens in Boston Public Market and Logan Airport with (arguably) the freshest fish in town. While they have amazing quality product on ice, the menu of prepared foods arent uniformly spectacular. Stick with a whole filet of beer-battered haddock. Better yet, get two and tell them to hold the fries. Pair with a microbrew from The Pine Bar. Wicked good!

Boston had coffee houses as far back as the 1600s. Industrialization and commoditization destroyed coffee quality with a race to the bottom on price, and New England played a role with companies like Dunkin Donuts. Companies like Starbucks improved things marginally, but it wasn't until specialty small-batch coffee roasters returned with origin transparency and a quality-centric approach that a good cup was available to the public at large. Gracenote lives up to this standard, and has a couple locations. Their spot in High Street Place Food Hall has extended hours, and serves up a great espresso with seltzer sidecar. Try the Alpha blend.

Boston is a magical place in winter with snowy window sills and the warm glow from historic buildings at twilight. Retreating indoors for hearty New England food and watching the snow fall is every bit as special as a walk along the waterfront in June. We enjoy our visits to this city and encourage you to come outside of the summer season as well. While you can't catch a Sox game at Fenway, you can get seafood at it's best and enjoy smaller crowds.

Thanks for joining us and drop a comment on our YouTube channel if you have ever spent time in Boston during the winter. Do you have a favorite winter activity in the city? Do you have a favorite restaurant Purpose Circus should try?