Best Bets For Boston Marathon Visitors
Eat!
The food scene in Boston is fantastic. Get all-day breakfast, brunch, burgers, cheap eats, the local specialty - clam chowder in bread bowls, diners, late night dining, dogs, family-friendly dining and more.For the health conscious, there are veggie burgers, gluten free food, and healthy takeout.
There's also the ever-important carbo-loading.
Dessert brings milkshakes, cheesecakes, cheese shops, chocolate cake, cherry pie, famous North End bakeries and more.
Drink!
Boston Beer Company, the makers of Sam Adams, revolutionized craft beer. Tour that brewery, hit up Harpoon, or visit any number of other great local breweries.
Head to one the area's best craft beer bars, or maybe one that focuses specifically on local brews (and spirits) to try one of the hundreds of other Massachusetts-made brews.
If beer isn't your thing, that shouldn't keep you away from the bars. There are cocktail bars, interactive cocktail bars, piano bars, bars with bottle service, pool halls, bars for geeks, bars for movie stars, and just about anything else you could possibly think up.
Of course, it's easy enough to stop at the first pub you see in the city, but why not raise the bar by checking out these day drinking spots, or these night drinking spots.
We've also got bars for date night, bars with free snacks, hotel bars, lounges, martini bars, tiki bars, bars with history, bars with arcade games, cheap live music venues, and some of the best new bars around.
For runners: If you aren't drinking this weekend, there are still a number of great Craft Beer Shops to pick up other awesome local brews as souvenirs.
Enjoy the View
There is an abundance of great waterfront dining options and spots that are perfect for people watching.
And what better way to juxtapose the sight of 20,000 sweaty runners than with a great view and a little romance. Check out one of Boston's best spots for romance while you're around.
Shop!
Boston is a walking city. Grab a new pair of sneakers at one of the area's best sporting goods stores. The appropriately-named Marathon Sports' flagship shop is located right near the finish line (They also sell all kinds of Boston Marathon-related clothing).
If sports aren't your thing, you check out some of Boston's newest and trendiest boutiques, go vintage, buy a hat, score some handmade jewelry, shop for your pets, or just pamper yourself.
Catch a Game!
Marathon weekend is typically a great one for Boston sports. The Red Sox play all weekend at Fenway Park, and once again this year the Bruins are in the playoffs.
Bring the Kids!
If you have young kids in tow, we've got you covered. Take a Duck Boat Tour, visit the Children's Museum, swing by the Boston Common and pose for family photos, hit up the zoo or a playground, or try something off-beat.
Boston has all kinds of kid-friendly entertainment that's equally enjoyable for parents.
Catch a Street Performance!
You may have trouble spelling it, but historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace is easy enough to find. The highlight, aside from the history, and all the touristy shops, is its street performances.
For more shopping and entertainment, head across the river to the equally entertaining Harvard Square. Since you can't actually park the car in Harvard Yard, your best bet may be to take the 'T'.
Get Cultured!
Boston has built a reputation on great artists and musicians. Enjoy a cultured day touring the city's contemporary art museums,its weirdest museums, the city's best murals, businesses with art galleries, ongoing museum exhibits and ones going on just this spring. There are literary landmarks and some of the most haunted places in Boston.
Enjoy Saturday night at Symphony Hall or one of the other classical music spots.
Get Your Freedom On!
Take advantage of the Freedom Trail's guided walking tours. It's one of many freebies Boston has to offer. The path winds its way through the historic city to Boston's Little Italy, the North End.Boston also has a world-class parks system. Bring a picnic basket. Most of these spots won't cost you a dime to visit.
Need more ideas? Check out CBS Boston's Best.
