The Boston Survival Guide

Like in every other city, you can find  glossy tourist guides in every Boston hotel lobby, filled with the same tired recommendations and glowing reviews of the businesses who bought ads in them.  But when you are in town for a convention time is money, and you don’t have time to waste hoping a place is good, or looking for something close- you need to KNOW.  So we went to the experts at DigBoston ( the city’s home of for true Alt-Weekly journalism) to present you with a true Boston Insider’s guide to everything you need to know, and every place you need to go!

EATS, DRINKS, & NIGHTLIFE

Burger Spot

Grocery Stores

Mexican Spot

Noodle Spot

Oyster Spot

Pizza Delivery (After Hours)

Pizza Spot

Power Lunch Spot

Seafood

Southern Spot

Steak House

Super Fancy

Sushi Spot

Thai / Vietnamese Spot

Vegan/Vegetarian

Wing Spot

DRINKS + NIGHTLIFE

Boston is a lot more than just a drinking destination for inebriated college kids. There are plenty of spots for debauchery, for sure, but there are also truly phenomenal offerings for everything else as well. Here are some favorites.

Beer Bar

Bourbon Bar

Cocktail Bar

Dancing

Live Music

LGBTQ Spots

Sports Bar

Tequila Bar

Wine Bar

TRANSPORTATION & NECESSITIES

Cabs

  • You can use Uber and Lyft just like anyplace else
  • Pedicabs can typically be found in the general vicinity of Bukowski Tavern on Dalton Street
  • Or there are regular cab stands in front of the Prudential Center on Boylston Street and outside of the Sheraton Lobby

Train

  • You can access the MBTA map HERE
  • The closest Green Line (B/C/D) stop is Hynes (entrance on Mass Ave. between Boylston Street and Newbury Street)
  • The closest Orange Line stop is Mass Ave

Art Supplies

Banks

Cannabis Dispensaries (need Massachusetts medical card*)

*Yes, we do have recreational dispensaries in Mass, but there are none in Boston yet. Luckily, you are surrounded by everyone in the industry at NECANN.

Computers + Electronics

Convenience Store

Head Shops

Pharmacy

Printing / Copies

Sex Shop

Souvenirs

ACTIVITIES + TOURISM

Duck Tours (53 Huntington Ave)

  • Is it corny? Sure. Is it also pretty much the best way to see Boston? Yes, it’s that too. If you’re looking for a killer tour complete with a Boston accent, look no further.

Kings (50 Dalton Street)

  • Bowling? Check. Pool? Check. Nachos? Check. Drinks? You bet. Basically everything you need in one place.

Fenway Park

  • Yes, that Fenway Park. Home of the baseball team that is better than your hometown’s team, like it or not. If you want to see how champions get down, you can catch a tour between 10am and 5pm at the top of each hour.

WALKABLE ATTRACTIONS + NEIGHBORHOODS

Boston Public Library

You are literally one block away from the most amazing public library in the United States, if not the entire world. Hang a right out of the Prudential Center, stroll past the retail stores, and enter the BPL from the main entrance on Boylston Street. Follow the signs to the courtyard, and eventually make your way out toward the Dartmouth Street exit.

Cambridge

Cambridge, the city due north of Boston proper, isn’t exactly what it used to be in its storied halcyon days, but it’s still pretty fun, and walkable. Closest to the Prudential Center is Central Square, which is roughly one mile over the Mass Ave Bridge. Depending on the weather, it’s one of the best walks our region has to offer. You’ll probably want to steer clear of tech-centric Kendall Square, which is dead on the weekends, but if you want to go an extra few miles there’s fun to have in Harvard Square as well.

Local Museums

You’re in Boston, so there is more or less a museum or gallery on every block. Really, that’s no exaggeration. But if you have a couple of hours and want to hit a few staples, your best bet is to walk down Huntington Avenue to the Museum of Fine Arts (465 Huntington Ave) and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (25 Evans Way), the latter of which is the site of biggest unsolved art heist in American history.

MEDIA / RESOURCES

Daily Newspapers

Alternative Weekly

Local Arts + Music

Podcasts

Cannabis Newsletter