Things To Do
Jamaica Pond
We walk around this pond almost every day! We highly recommend taking some time to walk around it and check out the views. Please feel free to join us for a walk around the pond on Saturday, October 18 from 10 am - 12 pm. We'll start by grabbing a coffee at Jadu and then will guide you on one of our favorite walks!
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Our favorite museum in Boston! It's the private-collection-turned-public-museum of a Gilded Age heiress, filled with amazing art from all over the world. Highly recommend for an afternoon of great art, and make sure to stop at the cafe and gift shop on the way out.
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
It's our Shabbat practice to take a walk through the Arboretum every Saturday. We love to see how the many different species of trees change and adapt with the seasons. During the fall, the Arboretum is especially vibrant -- we recommend walking the main path up to the top of Bussey Hill for. awonderfully panoramic view of the city.
Newbury Street
The prettiest street in Boston! A great place to spend an afternoon strolling and shopping. We especially recommend stopping by the Prudential Center on your way.
Harvard Square
For those who have never been to Boston, a visit to Cambridge is a must. Walk around Harvard yard to get a taste of Ivy League undergrad life, then walk back through Brattle and Mt. Auburn Streets to get a view of the famous Dewey, Cheetham, and Howe sign. Stop in across the street at Cardullo's for a fun Italian bite before carrying on.
Lehrhaus
One of our favorite Somerville spots -- we love the vibe of the innovative Jewish restaurant! We've both taught classes here, and Aaron is a learning guide. Stop by for a drink, a nosh, or a conversation about Talmud with one of Aaron's HC classmates :)
Tonino
Our favorite restaurant in JP, Tonino serves the best Italian food in the Boston area. We've had lots of celebrations here, including our birthdays and our engagement. It's a tough place to get a reservation unless you are booking at least 8 weeks out, but you might have luck snagging a 5 pm reservation day of! The capelleti, eggplant pizza, and tiramisu are our favorites there.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Newton Centre
No trip to Boston is complete without a visit to Tatte! It's one of our favorite Middle-Eastern-inspired café's to get a coffee and a sweet treat or something more filling. We've put the address of the one in Newton Centre (near the hotel), but you can find a Tatte in just about every neighborhood of Boston!
Modern Pastry Shop
Best cannolis in Boston! We highly recommend you visit this North End classic after eating in one of the many delicious Italian spots on that side of town. There's an ages-old competition between Modern and Mike's, the two Italian bakeries in the neighborhood -- due to Sara's strong opinions of Modern being better, we are a Modern family. But if you want to form your own opinion, we invite you to do a side-by-side taste test of each. Don't be daunted by the line -- it moves pretty quickly! While in the neighborhood, be sure to visit Paul Revere's house or stop by Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park for a great view of the Boston Harbor while you eat your cannolis.
Rebel Rebel
Head to Bow Market for one of our favorite wine bars! Sample delicious, unexpected wines and order pizza from Hot Box, a stall across the market. We highly recommend taking the time to sit there and enjoy the people watching, and then visiting some of the other awesome shops in Bow Market and in its surrounding Union Square to get the best of Somerville.