Destination Downtown
In the heart of the city is The Godfrey Boston. The Godfrey is spacious and chic, especially good for travel with teens and tweens, but also good for a romantic couples getaway while the kids stay home or spend a night over at a friend’s or grandparents’ house. The lobby is perfect for hanging out, grabbing a drink from the complimentary hot cocoa bar midday, or sitting at the lobby bar for a drink.
From the Godfrey, explore and eat your way through Chinatown solo or with one of Jacqueline Church’s famous tours. I just learned that despite the fact that I keep calling Boston’s Chinatown little, it is actually the 3rd largest Chinatown in the country. Small but mighty, Chinatown is a tasty and fun part of the city to explore. Pop in and out of bakeries, shops and restaurants yourself or get a much deeper Chinatown experience with Jacqueline Church as your guide. Tours include culture, history, food tastings, a visit to an herbalist’s shop, and shopping at a Chinese grocery. Boston Chinatown Tours can also be tailored somewhat to visitors’ goals, and private parties can choose to add or omit stops based on interests.
If you like to shop, this is the perfect time to pick up some items for your spring wardrobe, or start looking for prom dresses. If you have the patience for department stores, Macy’s is just across the street from The Godfrey. A short walk away is Charles Street where you can check out some of these cute shops: ouimillie, Soodee, Dress Boston, Holiday Boutique, Green Eyed Daisy, edgy December Thieves and one of my favourite little gift shops Flat of the Hill.
On Newbury Street I always like to stop in to Cartier (a girl can browse), Valentino (dreamy), Faherty Brand (for some retro vibes and soft fabrics), Le Labo (fab scents), Lily Pulitzer (I can’t resist a Lily pattern), Camper, Marine Layer (more retro vibes and soft fabrics), Aesop (the best scents), Anthropologie (the best sales), Johnny Cupcakes (designer T’s with actual designs), Uniqlo (great basics), and Muji (love it all). Also not far, is Faneuil Hall Marketplace/ Quincy Market which is definitely a tourist spot, but worth a visit just to see the inside of the building and take a stroll through and look up to the rotunda.
I don’t think you would believe me if I told you that when I first moved to Boston there were fewer good places to eat downtown than you can count on one hand (Chinatown excluded). Now you can pretty much find 5 good places per city block in some areas. If you are shopping Newbury Street, then check out these spots for a quick bite: Revival Cafe, Georgetown Cupcakes, Jonquils Cafe, Thinking Cup, JP Licks, Ben and Jerry’s or Mother Juice. For a full meal (some are casual and quick and others are lovely sit down spots) check out Saltie Girl and Peche, Gre Co, The Grand Tour, Shake Shack, Piattinni, Dirty Water dough Co, Double Zero Pizza (for vegan pizza), or Red White Buddha Ramen (vegan food everyone will love).
Another advantage of being at The Godfrey downtown is that you are either steps or a few blocks away from many theatres. Catch a performance of Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, and for the little ones Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate is a short ride away from downtown at TD Garden. A little further afield is the original immersive art experience Immersive Van Gogh in SoWa at the SoWa Powerstation.
