Explore
Must-Do Attractions
Boston Harbor Islands
Ferry to islands for hiking, exploring, and beaches. Georges Island has Fort Warren — a Civil War-era fort to explore. Spectacle Island has a marina beach and walking trails.
Ferry from Long Wharf, 66 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 • Map
Fenway Park Tour or Red Sox Game
America's oldest ballpark (1912). Tour covers the Green Monster, press box, and Pesky's Pole. Or catch a game — bleacher seats start ~$30. Nathalie (14) pays adult price. Check the Red Sox schedule.
4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215 • Map
Museum of Science
700+ interactive exhibits plus the famous lightning show. Laser light shows Friday/Saturday nights (~$10). BPL museum pass for free entry — book 3 months ahead. Note: Nathalie at 14 pays adult price (child cutoff is 11).
1 Museum of Science Driveway, Boston, MA 02114 • Map
New England Aquarium
Giant Ocean Tank, penguins, IMAX theater. Whale watch cruises (~$60/person). Target date: June 29. Nathalie pays adult price.
1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 • Map
Passes book up FAST in summer. Reserve online 3 months in advance at bpl.org/museum-passes. Katy has a Wednesday noon reminder to grab June 29 Aquarium passes.
If BPL passes not obtained: Museum of Science: Adult ~$29, ages 12+ pay adult. Aquarium: Adult ~$34, ages 12+ pay adult. Both are pricey without passes — worth the effort to book BPL.
Freedom Trail
2.5-mile red-brick path past 16 historical sites. Extra special during the 250th anniversary year — enhanced programming at all stops. Download the free app. Starts at Boston Common.
Starts at Boston Common, Tremont St, Boston • Map
Kayaking on the Charles River
Rent kayaks at Community Boating or Charles River Canoe & Kayak. Beautiful skyline views from the water.
Rock Climbing
Brooklyn Boulders Somerville or Central Rock Gym. Great rainy-day activity. Rental gear included.
Escape Rooms
Trapology Boston (downtown, highly rated). Fun team activity for Katy and Nathalie together.
ICA Watershed
Free contemporary art in a converted shipyard warehouse in East Boston. Open May-September. Take the water taxi from Long Wharf.
Boston Common & Public Garden
America's oldest public park (1634). Swan Boats (~$4.50), flower gardens, Make Way for Ducklings statues.
Harvard & MIT Campus Walks
Cross the river to Cambridge. Walk Harvard Yard, browse Harvard Square shops, continue to MIT. Red Line to Harvard or Kendall/MIT.
Revere Beach
Oldest public beach in America. Blue Line accessible — no car needed.
Day Trips
Salem, MA
Salem Witch Museum (Adult $17, under 14 $12), House of the Seven Gables ($20), Peabody Essex Museum, waterfront walking. Less crowded in summer than October.
Cape Cod
Beaches (Nauset, Craigville), Cape Cod Rail Trail biking (22 miles, paved — great for Nathalie), whale watching from Provincetown, seafood shacks.
Newport, Rhode Island
Cliff Walk (3.5-mile coastal path), Gilded Age mansions (The Breakers: Adult $29, combo: $36), Thames Street shopping.
Concord & Lexington
Minute Man National Historical Park (free — extra special during 250th anniversary), Walden Pond (swimming, hiking). Walden Pond limits parking — arrive before 10am.
Amusement Parks
Canobie Lake Park
Classic New England amusement park. Mix of thrill rides, family rides, and water park. Shorter lines than Six Flags.
85 N Policy St, Salem, NH 03079 • Map
Six Flags New England
Major thrill rides: Superman the Ride, Wicked Cyclone. Water park (Hurricane Harbor) included. Buy tickets online for discounts.
1623 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001 • Map
Cousin Activities (17, heading to college Sep)
Boda Borg
Team quest challenges — physical + mental. Teams of 3-5. No staff guides you. Addictively fun for teens.
77 Exchange St, Malden, MA 02148 • Map
Level 99
Part escape room, part physical puzzle. 40+ challenge rooms. Inside Natick Mall — combine with shopping.
1245 Worcester St, Natick, MA 01760 • Map
WNDR Museum
20+ immersive installations + Yayoi Kusama infinity room. Instagram gold. Great for a hot or rainy day.
Red Sox Game
Classic summer activity. Fenway Park. Grab seats together for a night game.
4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215 • Map
Museum of Science
Lightning show + laser shows Fri/Sat ~$10. Perfect for a college-bound science kid.
Eat
Favorites
iHop
When on the road (day trips)
Taiwanese & Chinese
Taiwan Cafe
Authentic Taiwanese — lu rou fan, oyster omelette, three-cup chicken. A Chinatown institution.
34 Oxford St, Chinatown • Map
Japanese
Koro Ramen & Sushi
Right in East Boston. Ramen + sushi. Walking distance from home base.
329 Sumner St, East Boston • Map
Ganko Ittetsu Ramen
Rich tonkotsu ramen. Small, authentic, always a line — worth the wait. Green Line C to Coolidge Corner.
318 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446 • Map
Santouka Ramen
Hokkaido-style ramen. Shio (salt) ramen is the star. Inside H Mart Cambridge — grab groceries after.
1 Bow St, Cambridge (inside H Mart) • Map
Too expensive for what you get. Koro and Yoki are better values.
Korean
Indian
Steak
Texas Roadhouse
Reliable steak, hand-cut. Free peanuts and fresh rolls with cinnamon butter.
31 Mystic View Rd, Everett, MA 02149 • Map
Oliveira's Steak House
Brazilian rodizio — all-you-can-eat grilled meats carved tableside. A real experience.
120 Washington St, Somerville, MA • Map
Chelsea Station
Affordable neighborhood restaurant in Chelsea. Good steaks without the splurge.
Chelsea, MA • Map
Tacos
Anna's Taqueria
Boston's beloved burrito and taco chain. Big portions, great value. Multiple locations.
Taco Party
Creative tacos in Somerville. Great variety including vegetarian.
711 Broadway, Somerville • Map
Pizza
Ciao! Pizza & Pasta
The family pizza spot in Chelsea. Everyone goes here.
59 Williams St, Chelsea, MA 02150 • Map
North End Italian
Boston's Little Italy. Cannoli at Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry (locals prefer Modern). Dinner at Giacomo's (cash only).
Dim Sum
Hei La Moon
Traditional cart-service dim sum. Bustling, authentic. Go weekend lunch.
88 Beach St, Chinatown • Map
Winsor Dim Sum Cafe
Made-to-order dim sum. Quieter, everything fresh, high quality.
10 Tyler St, Chinatown • Map
Soup Dumplings (XLB)
Nan Xiang Express
Best XLB in Boston. Michelin-recognized. The real deal.
52 Beach St, Chinatown • Map
Gourmet Dumpling House
Pan-fried soup dumplings. Incredible. A Boston legend.
52 Beach St, Chinatown • Map
Dumpling Cafe
Also does Taiwanese. XLB, scallion pancakes, dan dan noodles.
695 Washington St, Chinatown • Map
Chinatown lunch specials: $10-15. Allston Harvard Ave: cheapest good food in Boston. Greenway food trucks: quality outdoor eating. Lobster rolls: Legal Sea Foods (reliable), Yankee Lobster (Seaport, casual). Ice cream: Toscanini's, 159 First St, Cambridge.
Shop
Massachusetts charges NO sales tax on clothing and footwear under $175 per item. This is permanent. Each item is evaluated separately. Items over $175: only the amount above $175 is taxed at 6.25%.
Flying Swiss Premium Economy BOS-GVA, plus Senator status = extra checked bag. Nathalie can buy freely — pack light coming, fill the bags going home!
Shopping Strategy (3 Rounds)
Round 1: Scout + Secure (June 27-28 — Sat/Sun)
Priority items that sell out in her size. Hit Newbury Street (Brodney → Aritzia → Brandy Melville → Zara → Mejuri) and Assembly Row (Adidas, Levi's, AE, Hollister).
Round 2: Back-to-School Sales (Mid-July, After Seattle)
Back-to-school sales kick in around July 14. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets (170+ stores, 45 min south — go weekday). Macy's Square One Mall clearance. Revisit Assembly Row.
Round 3: Final Picks (Late July / Early August)
Any remaining items. New markdowns at Round 1 stores. Last chance before Aug 3 departure.
Store Directory
Uniqlo
FREE hemming service in-store! Buy the right waist, they adjust length.
Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St
Brandy Melville
One-size-fits-most (runs small — perfect for her). Trendy basics.
Newbury St
Must be solid gold (14k+) or gold vermeil. NOT gold-plated over base metal. Try Brodney Antiques (145 Newbury St) first, then Mejuri.
Nathalie's Wish List
White wide-leg pants: Aritzia Effortless Pant, Zara, Uniqlo
White flowy skirt: Zara, Mango, Aritzia
Brown jeans: Levi's, Zara, AE
Jeans (long inseam): AE Long, Levi's, Hollister Long, Uniqlo (free hemming)
Gold earrings: Brodney Antiques (145 Newbury), Mejuri (Newbury)
Adidas Samba: Adidas at Assembly Row (<$80)
Errands
The Everett Run (all on Mystic View Rd — one road, one trip)
Target
1 Mystic View Rd, Everett • Map
Costco
2 Mystic View Rd, Everett • Map
Five Below
13 Mystic View Rd, Everett • Map
Texas Roadhouse
31 Mystic View Rd, Everett • Map
Staples (HP cartridge credit)
Assembly Row, Somerville
Michael's (yarn/crafts)
Find nearest to East Boston
Plan
Events Calendar
Timeline View
Boston 250
Websites: boston.gov/boston-250 | massachusetts250.org
Matches at Gillette Stadium through July 19. Tickets $700+. Match days = heavy traffic near Foxborough.
Sail Boston 2026 / Sail250
Dozens of tall ships from 25+ countries. Parade of Sail: July 11, 9am-4pm. Ship boarding: July 11-15. Fireworks: July 11 and 15. Once-in-a-generation event.
Street Fairs & Markets
SoWa Open Market
175+ vendors. Art, food, vintage, handmade goods.
500 Harrison Ave, South End • Map
Greenway Artisan Market
Rose Kennedy Greenway. Handmade crafts, jewelry, art.
Chinatown Farmer's Market
July 12, July 26, Aug 9, Aug 23. Chinese vegetables, fruits, fish.
Faneuil Hall Street Performers
Free entertainment daily. Magicians, musicians, jugglers.
Practical
Getting Around
Staying in East Boston. Access to mom's car + bus/subway. Blue Line nearby. Water taxi to downtown is an option.
Blue Line (MBTA)
Your main transit line. East Boston to downtown in ~10 min. Single ride ~$2.40 with CharlieCard. Connects to all other lines at Government Center or State.
Mom's Car
Essential for Wrentham, Cape Cod, Newport, Everett Run, suburbs. Parking downtown: $30-50/day. Use SpotHero app.
Water Taxi
From East Boston to downtown waterfront. Fun way to cross the harbor, avoid the tunnel.
Weather
Late June
July
Early August
Light breathable clothing, sunscreen, hats, light rain jacket (afternoon thunderstorms common), comfortable walking shoes, swimsuit.
Asian Groceries
Budget Summary
| Category | Estimate (2 people) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shopping (Nathalie) | $400-700 | Outlet + retail, no clothing tax |
| Attractions | $200-400 | Many free + BPL passes |
| Dining out | $40-60/day | Chinatown + nice dinners |
| Transportation | $80-150/week | T, driving, rideshare |
| Day trips | $80-120/trip | Gas + tolls + admissions |
| Estimated Total | $1,200-2,500 | Full trip (excl. accommodation) |
| Emergency | 911 |
| MBTA | mbta.com | 617-222-3200 |
| BPL Museum Passes | bpl.org/museum-passes |
| Sail Boston | sailboston.com |
| Boston 250 | boston.gov/boston-250 |
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