26 bars and restaurants in Fenway and Allston celebrate the signature Viking Helmet with exclusive food specials, celebrity dj's, contests, prizes and free bowling, ping-pong, and billiards!

You'll be having fun.  You'll be doing good! Donation and Benefit drawing for The National MS Society

Concept:

Marathon= 26.2 Miles

Great Boston Beer Marathon= 26 Bars.

The . 2 is up to you!

Boston summers are one of a kind. One reason being there are endless FREE (and fun)  things to do. Here are 3 free summer activities, provided by Thrillist:

1. Play bocce at Lawn on D | Seaport

"The Seaport District’s funky/friendly urban refuge, Lawn on D, is all about free-ness with a packed docket of gratis events and a generous supply of game gear. But there’s nothing more chillax than hard-to-find bocce."

2. Tone those glutes while climbing the Bunker Hill Monument | Charlestown

"Ascending the 294 steps to the top nets you a sweet view of Boston and also buns of steel."

3. Catch a concert at the Hatch Shell | Charles River Esplanade

"WZLX and Mix 104.1 keep on rocking in the free world with a summer’s worth of concerts and fests on the Esplanade. Air guitar, also free."

"Stately Cambridge City Hall provides the backdrop for the annual neighborhood boogie bonanza on Mass. Ave. between Prospect and Bigelow Streets. Shake it with thousands of your closest friends while DJs spin dance hits from old school Motown to ‘80s/’90s party classics. (Parachute pants are optional.)"

"Join thousands of Cambridge residents and visitors who will gather in front of Cambridge City Hall for this annual, FREE dance extravaganza on Friday, June 26 from 7pm-11pm. Celebrate summer with an evening of community and music. After dark, colorful lights will be launched, adding to the magic of the evening.

Mass Ave, between Prospect and Bigelow Streets, will be closed to traffic during the event, but open for dancing!! 

Attendees are strongly encouraged to take public transportation to the event."

Head to Franklin Park Zoo to meet the newest member of the park’s Western Lowland Gorillas! Read the full article from Boston.com here.

"In the minutes before the gates open and the Franklin Park Zoo floods with school children, Kiki emerges from her cave, clambering three-legged down the rocks of the enclosure, clutching her tiny baby carefully with her other arm. She moves steadily around the rock structures, munching on leafy greens, her baby almost invisible except for a fuzzy head peeping out, quietly clinging to her.

Her baby remains unnamed until the zookeepers can get a closer look to determine gender, since Kiki is very protective and fully capable of doing everything on her own, even giving birth."

There are still a few seats left at our June Home Buyer Class tomorrow! Sign up by clicking the banner below!

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 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! 

A duck tour is just about as cheesy and touristy as it gets, but when there's as much history as there is in Boston, it's actually a fun and informative way to explore the city. 

"You’ve never toured Boston in anything that comes close to Boston Duck Tours. The fun begins as soon as you board your “DUCK”, a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle. First, you’ll be greeted by one of our legendary tour ConDUCKtors®, who’ll be narrating your sightseeing tour of Boston. Then you’re off on a journey like you’ve never had before.You’ll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, from the golden-domed State House to Bunker Hill and the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston Common and Copley Square to the Big Dig, Government Center to fashionable Newbury Street, Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower, and more. And, as the best of Boston unfolds before your eyes, your ConDUCKtor® will be giving you lots of little known facts and interesting insights about our unique and wonderful city. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more. It’s time for “Splashdown” as your ConDUCKtor® splashes your DUCK right into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines, the kind of view you just won’t get anywhere else. So take the ride of your life. Hop on a Boston Duck Tour!"

Click here to buy tickets

Looking for something special to do this Fathers Day? Check out these 3 ideas from Boston.com:

1.Spa Day

"Dad certainly won’t feel intimidated about such grooming when it’s specifically geared toward men. The Emerge Spa, on Newbury Street, offers a number of manly services, including a sports pedicure (50 minutes, $65), gentleman’s facial (60 minutes for $115), and waxing ($25-$80). Appointments can be arranged at 617-437-0006 oremergespasalon.com/services."

2. Go Cruising

"Spirit Cruises has a couple of special cruises scheduled for Father’s Day. There is both a lunch cruise (11 a.m.- 2 p.m., $49.90 adults, $29.95 children ages 3-12) and a sunset cruise (6-8:30 p.m., $64.90 adults, $38.95 children ages 3-12), both including buffets, DJs, and views of Boston Harbor. Visit spiritofboston.com/Boston/fathersday to make reservations."

3. Brew It Up

"If Dad is a lover of craft brews, it’s no secret there are a great number of local establishments that speak to beer geeks everywhere. Whether it’s Lord Hobo, The Publick House, or a pint at Bukowski’s, Dad is sure to appreciate stepping in for a pint at one of Boston’s local beer bars. Here are some of the best to visit."

Kick off Father's Day weekend by taking your Dad to Formaggio Kitchen for their Saturday BBQs:

"Each year as the weather warms up, we roll out our massive Weber grill to finish house smoked meats and a variety of sides to satisfy a long line of die hard fans. Our 2015 season kicked off on Saturday, April 4th and will continue into October.

Check out our 2015 BBQ menu and call us at 617-354-4750 with your pre-order. We are happy to take smaller pre-orders up until 4pm on the Thursday before the barbecue. If you’re serving a large group of 8 or more people, you must place your pre-order prior to Wednesday by 12 noon. Please be aware that pre-orders will not be warmed up on the grill at time of pickup. Hot dogs, sausages and other items that require “finishing” on the grill are not available via pre-order.

Each week, our work begins in earnest on Thursday as we start prepping and smoking the meats. We smoke our brisket, chicken, lamb and pork shoulder using a variety of woods, and we put a healthy dose of dry rub on the pork ribs. We also cook up a heaping batch of baked beans, caramelized onions, and coleslaw to provide the trifecta of killer sides.

On Saturday morning, we roll out the grill and get the fire started with hardwood lump coals as a line of customers starts forming. We love the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, and so do others: In 2007, we were voted Best Street Food by Boston Magazine, and in 2009 we were named one of the top ten best new BBQ spots in the US by Bon Appétit. Most importantly, we have a following of devoted regulars who make it all worthwhile. So stop by and join us for some great barbecue!"

Check out one of these great golf courses, thanks to GolfAdvisor,  around Boston. Perfect for a Father's Day celebration or just to enjoy the great summer weather we've been having. 

1. The International Golf Club Oaks Course

"Located 47 minutes from downtown Boston, this Tom Fazio design opened in 2001 and features five par 5s and par 3s respectively. Golf Digest rates it No. 1 in the state. (Green fees: $129)"

2. Red Tail Golf Club

"About an hour's drive from downtown Boston, Red Tail is a Brian Silva design that hosted the 2009 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. Boston Magazine calls it the area's best. (Green fees: $89-99)"

3. Granite Links Golf Club 

"It's location, set on high elevation just 20 minutes south of downtown Boston makes for great views of the city skyline, plus the Harbor Islands to the south and east. In 2013, Sports Illustrated named the Tavern Restaurant among the best 19th holes in the world. (Green fees: $125-150)"

4. George Wright Golf Course 

"30 minutes from downtown, this is a 1929 Donald Ross design that was built in 1938 by Walter Irving Johnson, one of Ross’ associates. A lot of men spent a lot of money moving a lot of earth, which was not done at that time. (Green fees: $35 - $45)"

 5. William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park 

"The original 1896 design, 20 minutes from downtown, makes it the second oldest municipal course in America (Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx was built in 1895). The course was later redesigned by Donald Ross. After a recent investment into course conditions, some golfers now say it has closed the gap on George Wright. (Green fees: $35 - $45)"

Wining and dining can get pricey. Check out these 5 cheap date ideas, thanks to Thrillist,  that are sure to  impress without busting your budget:

1. Soak up some culture at a free museum night

"Each of Boston’s many museums offers free or reduced admission at least one night a week. Plan accordingly and you’ll have cash left for drinks and dinner afterward. Try the MFA on a Wednesday from 4-9:45pm or the ICA on a Thursday between 5-9pm. If you’d prefer a more playful experience and a) aren't bothered by parents giving you the evil eye; or b) worried that you might be sending the wrong signal about moving too fast, the Boston Children’s Museum is only $1 on Fridays from 5-9pm. "

2. Take advantage of Free Fun Fridays

"The Highland Street Foundation is offering free access to over 70 museums and other cultural venues each Friday for 10 weeks this summer. There is no excuse not to visit SOMETHING."

3. Attend a wine tasting

"Get your grape on for ZERO dollars at one of the Hub’s many free tasting nights. Ball Square Fine Wines, Coolidge Corner Wine and Spirits, and Central Bottle host some of the most popular ones."

4. Walk the Boston Harbor

"The Boston Harborwalk offers a free, downloadable audio tour that will take you along the water and scenic areas downtown. Follow along with your date, or smartly do it a few days in advance and impress her with your extensive knowledge of the Hub's seafaring history. There are also a handful of pay-what-you-like walking tours available from Free Tours by Foot that cover various neighborhoods around town."

5. Take a night dip at the Colonnade rooftop pool

"The Colonnade is home to the city’s only outdoor rooftop pool, which sits 12 stories over Back Bay and costs $20 or less every day after 5pm. It’s one of the only places you can swim while gazing at the Boston skyline, and you won’t break the bank if you go at night."