Boston for non-Bostonians: Five places you HAVE to visit if you’re heading to Boston this summer
By Mahidhar Sai Lakkavaram
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It's no secret that if you’re going to UMass Amherst, you most likely will visit Boston at some point or the other. Being from India, I hadn’t visited Boston before coming to UMass, but I’ve gotten a bit used to the city now. I spent winter break there with my sister, and I’m living in Cambridge the entire summer for my internship, so I have a few spots up my sleeve that I regularly visit. There’s a lot to explore in this bustling city, so here are five of my favorite places to visit in Boston that you have to go to as well!
5. Mike’s Pastries vs Modern Pastry
The age-old rivalry between these two Italian bakeries is something every Bostonian is well-aware of, and choosing your favorite will be the hardest decision you’ll ever make. I have a soft spot for Mike’s, but I’ve received a lot of slack for it from Modern Pastries fanatics. Both places are infamously known for their cannoli, and I’m obsessed with the chocolate ricotta cannoli at Mike’s—it's just so good! They also have a variety of other Italian sweets that are to die for, definitely try them both out if you get the chance!
Seaport has some stunning views of the harbor, and a fun market to explore! I’ve been to their “Snowport'' market during the winter, and they have a summer one as well! It's a great place to support local small-business owners and vendors, and there’s some pretty cool stuff. I found a great beeswax-based skincare product last time that worked wonders for me! I also got a fun poster. There was good local Boston food as well!
The most scenic photos in Boston are always taken near the Charles River. Snaking directly through Boston, the Charles River has a lot of fun activities near it, whether that’s just walking across the bridge or kayaking. It's a fun spot to just relax and spend time with your close ones. With the Boston skyline in the backdrop and all the greenery on the banks of the river, it's a picturesque spot for picnics and photoshoots as well!
There’s so much to do around Newbury street! I love window shopping, so Newbury street is the perfect venue for all my shenanigans. There’s also many spots to eat around the place. I love going to Shake Shack for their cheese fries and Amorino for their rose-shaped gelato! Check out all the different places you can shop around and eat in, there’s a lot of spots to hit up.
Hands-down, my favorite place in Boston. Best believe that I go to Boston Public Library (or BPL) any chance I get. Shoutout to Kami Nguyen who brought me here for the first time! BPL has such gorgeous interiors everywhere, and includes an outdoor courtyard that makes every study session feel like it's straight from a movie. No matter how many times I’ve been there, BPL always manages to take my breath away. There’s numerous collections of artwork, murals, sculptures, and tapestries that make this library as beautiful as it is. I’ll let the photos speak for themself!
Bonus: Cicada Coffee
Maybe this isn’t for everyone, but it's something I do every time I come to Boston—I go to Cicada Coffee! It’s this cute cafe in Cambridge that makes for some great Instagram photos. And their coffee? Out of this world! I’m a big fan of their sea salt shaker, and their iced Sai Gon Latte is a close runner-up. They also have some good pastries (their salted toffee chip cookies—chef’s kiss!) and a few lunch items. Definitely check them out if you’re in the area, it's a personal favorite!
So, those are five (and a bonus) places I like to go to when I’m in Boston! What do you think? communications [at] honors [dot] umass [dot] edu (Let us know what your favorite spots are!)