365 Things to Do in Boston - New Tips Daily

"Outside the Box is back and better than ever! This July 14th through the 19th, over one hundred artists and organizations from Boston and beyond will gather on Boston Common to share their talents with you. The Common will once again be transformed into a massive performing arts festival designed to engage, educate and most importantly, entertain the citizens of Boston. And all for free! From theater to dance, the symphony to indie bands, classic to cutting edge – whatever you’re looking for, Outside the Box will draw you in and make you a fanatic for the arts right here in your own backyard.

All you need to do is show up. The 6 day festival is FREE to all. Come celebrate the arts with us!"

Click here to learn more

"According to ParkScore 2015, Boston has one of the best park systems in the whole country, ranking eighth out of 75 cities thanks to factors like "people per acre" (131) and "proximity" (95% of us live less than a 10-minute walk to a park)."

Here are 5, provided by Thrillist:

1.  Larz Anderson Park | Brookline

"In 1948, socialite heiress Isabel Weld Perkins bequeathed her 17th-century estate to Brookline, including the family’s collection of vintage vehicles now on display in the carriage house. The picturesque 64 acres feature barbecue areas, athletic fields, an ice rink, Putterham School (ca. 1768), the Top of the Hill, and the pondside Temple of Love (based on the one at Versailles, NOT the Sisters of Mercy song). They also put on a bunch of car shows year-round, like British Car Day and Swedish Car Day and German Car Day... you get the idea. Lot of cars."

2.  Franklin Park | Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury

"Boston’s biggest park is SO ginormous that it spans three neighborhoods: Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, and Roxbury. And it needs all 500+ acres to contain a zoo, the second-oldest public golf course in the US, tennis courts, baseball fields, lacrosse & soccer fields, playgrounds, cross-country courses, walking/biking trails, the playhouse, Ellicott Arch, Scarboro Pond, and Long Crouch Woods... wheeeeeeeew. Designed as a “country park” by Frederick Law Olmsted, Franklin Park is the largest and last component of the original Emerald Necklace."

3. Christopher Columbus Park | North End

"Opened on the bicentennial, CCP was Boston’s first waterfront park, and it’s now part of the ever-growing “way better than it was” Harbor Walk. The compact 4.5 acres are loaded with everything from a playground, rose garden, and statue of Chris C himself, to a spray fountain, the Beirut Memorial, and the wisteria-covered trellis that’s lit during the holiday season. However, this harbor-side urban oasis is best for chilling, picnicking, more chilling, and people-watching during the summer. Or for hitting one of the many festivals,summer movie nights, and art shows."

4. Rose Kennedy Greenway | Waterfront

"The Rose Kennedy Greenway is the amalgam of multiple parks sprouting from the much-maligned Big Dig project. You remember, the one that cost American taxpayers BILLIONS of dollars. Opened in 2008, it replaced the JFK Expressway (ironic) with huge lawns, fountains, gardens, rotating/permanent art, and that bitchin’ carousel. And she’s not just a pretty face, either. There’s the daily food truck rally in Dewey Square, the Saturday open market, farmers' markets four days a week, a concert series, yoga classes, and 300+ events (e.g. FIGMENT) every year. Major bonus: free Wi-Fi... enabling you to ditch the office and work outside."

5.  Castle Island | Southie

"No longer really an island, Castle Island joins Marine Park and City Point Park on the sandy three-mile loop around Pleasure Bay. The main attraction is the pre-Civil War-era Fort Independence (a pentagonal stone behemoth suitable for touring), but the panoramic harbor view is a close second. Outside the “castle,” sprawling lawns make for ideal picnicking, and the iconic Sullivan’s Castle Island has clam shack treats and burgers for your seaside feast. Bonus: pack your rod and reel and join the other anglers on the fishing pier."

Click here for more great parks.

Prepare for the fall market!

Presented by acclaimed experts in the Boston Real Estate Market from Charlesgate Realty Group, as well as local mortgage market experts, our Boston Home Buyer Class is your opportunity to learn the home buying process the right way - before you enter a transaction!  Get educated in a casual, fun setting and avoid the pitfalls that can cause financial and emotional problems during the buying process.

Attend our FREE Boston homebuying class to learn:

• Renting vs. Buying: Whether it even makes sense for you to buy right now
• Homebuying process and timeline: How long it actually takes to buy
• Working with a buyer agent: How it works and whether or not you really need one
• What mortgages are still available and how much cash you need to buy.
• Using neighborhood level data (like discount ratios and real time trend graphs) to value properties
• Negotiating 101: How to craft your offer to drive a hard bargain!
• Top 10 online resources to aid your home search

Is this class for you?  Well, if you’re looking for a fun, low key, and informal way to learn the Boston real estate market from the experts, then YES!  You’ll have a chance to ask any questions you want and get the straight scoop from us. Plus we’ll have pizza and beer!  How can you pass that up! 

Signing up is easy, just click the banner below!

A rooftop bar is the best place to be in the summertime. Check out one of these spots, compiled by The Boston Calendar:

1) Revere Hotel Roofdeck 

 

FREE for general public daily, 5pm-10pm. $20 Monday-Friday, 11am-5pm. $30 on weekends, 11am-5pm. South End. 

2) Sam’s 

 

Spectacular views of the Harbor, great food and Bloodies (for Sunday hangovers). Seaport District. 

3) Colonnade Hotel Rooftop Pool 

 

FREE for general public Monday-Friday, 5pm-10pm. $40 Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm. $20 on weekends, 5pm-10pm. Back Bay. 

4) Daedalus 



Via Yelp.com: "I love this place for their roof deck. The Boston area sadly has a shortage of roof decks and so I am giving them four stars just for the outdoor space." Harvard Sq. 

5) Baseball Tavern 

 

Overlooking Fenway Park, this is one of the best summer spots to drink in Boston. Fenway. 

6) The Sinclair 

 

Via Yelp.com: "The Sinclair and I have a complicated relationship. On the plus side their roof deck is awesome. I mean it is just really pretty great." Harvard Sq. 

"Slurp fresh New England oysters and sip on local craft beers as you take in the sights of Boston Harbor on this sunset cruise from Karma Crew Yacht Charters. This cruise will be done retro-style, on a 1948 vintage motor yacht, which includes five intimate and unique gathering areas for you to mingle and move around.

East Boston Oysters will be shucking fresh oysters and there will be a selection of craft brews from Jacks Abby and Dogfish Head, samples of which are included in your admission. Wine and mixed drinks will also be available to purchase from a cash bar and before you know it, you'll be sailing past the USS Constitution for sunset views and a cannon shot. "

Click here for event details

"As the latest temporary outdoor installation to be part of the D Street ArtLAB WonderLAND exhibit, Intrude features five giant illuminated white inflatable rabbits standing on The Lawn. The two story high glowing rabbits will take over the Lawn for several days, giving us the feeling of being very, very small! The accompanying light installation will evoke a sense of wonderment and imagery from childhood. 

Intrude was created in 2014 for Vivid Festival of Light in Sydney by artist Amanda Parer and has since traveled to festivals across the globe including stops in England, Belgium, Australia, France, Canada, Scotland, Denmark and Italy. "

>> Time: The Intrude exhibit will be up for all to experience during normal Lawn on D hours 

>> Eat & Drink: The D Street Grille, The Tent bar and rotating food trucks per the daily schedule

Click here for the full schedule of Intrude

Check out one of our open houses this weekend! Click the pictures below to learn more about each listing.

Brookline | 33 Winslow #2 Open: 7/12 12pm-1pm

Listing Agent: PT Vineburgh

Beacon Hill | 8 Lindall Place #5 Open: 7/11 11pm-12pm & 7/12 11am-12pm

Listing Agent: Sarah Herbert

When:
Friday, Jul 10, 2015 6:30p - 
9:00p

Where:
The Liberty Hotel 
215 Charles Street 
Boston , MA 02114

Admission:
$85

Purchase tickets here

"Every Friday this summer (June–August), this outdoor dinner party will take place in a private courtyard at The Liberty Hotel in Beacon Hill. 

Four-course dinner with passed canapés for one by Executive Chef Bradford Rainville in The Yard, The Liberty Hotel’s private outdoor courtyard. 

Cocktail or wine pairings (depending on chosen theme) with each course. "

"Seriously, what’s better on a summer day than sipping a cold one and chowing down on a bun piled high with lobster salad? Answer: seriously nothing. Stop looking for other answers." Try these three, recommended by Thirllist:

1. Yankee Lobster Co

"This internationally known fish market makes a locally beloved lobster roll that you need to eat. Soon. Light mayo and tarragon complement the claw/knuckle meat and griddled bun, and for a slight variation, order the lobster club -- it’s got bacon in the mix. (Bacon + lobster + you = happiness.) Food blogger Fiona Coxe puts the entire scene in perspective: “Like being on vacation in the middle of the city, Yankee Lobster offers that island vibe, a stuffed lobster roll, and beer­ -- ‘cause everything is better with beer.”

2. Alive and Kicking Lobster

"Even though plenty of locals know about Alive & Kicking’s lobster salad sandwiches (not rolls!), those beauties still feel like a well­-guarded secret. This no­-frills Cambridgeport nook keeps its “roll” equally no­-frills with just light mayo, salt, and pepper for seasoning, while two pieces of toasted scali tie the whole room together. Restaurateur Beau Sturm reflects, “It’s simple and delicious, served on buttered scali bread and barely dressed in mayo. The people who run the place are so nice, and the food is just as great as the people.”

3. James Hook + Co

"A sunny stroll along the waterfront should always include a stop at James Hook for their award­-winning lobster roll. Always. It’s a basic set-up (light mayo, celery, toasted roll), but one that allows the straight-from­-the-ocean lobster meat to take center stage. And it’s a showstopper. For cookbook author Dan Whalen, Hook’s roll is tops: “Fresh lobster, light mayo, buttered toasted roll, and that’s it. Amazing big chunks of really fresh meat. Also, it’s affordable.” ($15 for a small, $18 for a large.)"

See more recommendations around New England

Whether you're into hiking, cruising on the water, or taking a leisurely stroll through the city, Boston has an outdoor activity for just about anyone. Here are 3 ideas that will let you soak in the summertime and enjoy all that Boston has to offer. 

1. Hiking: "If you want to put your hiking skills to the test, head west to theAppalachian Trail and Mt. Washington State Forest. For botanical variety, check out Greater Boston’s Garden in the Woods. For a leisurely walk through the forest, Weir Hill Reservation, located in Greater Merrimack Valley, is ideal. And for family fun, you’ll find an abundance of picnicking areas and moderately difficult trails in the central part of the state in places such as Royalston Falls and the Swift River Reservation."

2. Golfing: "Experience the rolling hills at Taconic Golf Club in Western Massachusetts. Tee up seaside at Farm Neck Golf Club in Martha’s Vineyard. Test your putting skills on the tight greens at Easton Country Club. And raise your game for two award-winning courses at Stow Acres Country Club." 

3. Fishing: "For freshwater fishing, you’ll enjoy more than 500 lakes, ponds, rivers and streams stocked annually with trout, bass, herring, salmon and many other varieties. Venues range from the ice-cold streams of the Berkshire Hills to the mighty Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers. If you’re a saltwater angler, on the other hand, you will be treated to the likes of bluefish, tuna, cod, haddock, halibut and sea bass onboard charter boats, leaving from numerous Massachusetts ports in the Cape and the Islands region and up and down the coastlines"