To see Boston’s funkier
side, visit the South End. One of the most diverse neighborhoods
in the city, the South End is a community made up of artists and
activists, students and professionals, gays and straights; and all
ethnic types living together, and somehow making it work.
This landmark district,
packed with Victorian row houses, is also home to some of the best
restaurants in the city. This neighborhood hasn’t forgotten
about the importance of green space. The 19th century
brownstone apartments are decorated with window boxes, and the
sidewalks include trees and flowers. They overlook quaint little
parks scattered throughout the neighborhood.
The South End has a history
of community activism that’s still alive today. Harriet Tubman,
a runaway slave and organizer of the Underground Railroad, lived
here, and her house still stands today. A statue was recently
erected in her honor. (566 Columbus Avenue, 536-8610)
Tent City, a low and
moderate-income apartment complex, was brought about when
activists set up their tents to send a message about homelessness.
The building is located just across the Back Bay/South End stop on
the MBTA.
The South End is home to
United South End Settlements, as well as Boston Urban Gardeners, a
community farm welcoming all ages to the earthly pleasures of
planting and harvesting your own plants and vegetables. Be sure to
stop by the Boston Center for the Arts (539 Tremont Street,
426-5000) a beautiful arts and cultural complex that hosts
contemporary theater, dance and poetry readings.
You’ll find an array of
fabulous restaurants with menus from all over the map. For upscale
gourmet French cuisine, visit Hamersley’s Bistro. (553 Tremont
Street, 423-2700) For sushi and Asian, stop by Jae’s Café and
Grill. (520 Columbus Avenue, 421-9405) If you like Thai, try House
of Siam (542 Columbus Avenue, 267-1755) You’ve got to go to Bob
The Chef’s for authentic Soul food accompanied by weekend jazz.
(604 Columbus Avenue, 536-6204)
After dinner, take in some
of the best local and national blues and jazz musicians at Wally’s.
(427 Massachusetts Avenue, 424-1408) Its diverse crowd old and
young, black and white, gay and straight, reflects the character
of the neighborhood.
On the other side of the
South End is Boston’s Back Bay, a land of elegant hotels, art
galleries, and extravagant shopping. Start your tour at the top of
the John Hancock Tower (200 Clarendon Street, 247-1977) at the 60th
floor observatory. It offers a stunning view of the city.
Other must-sees include the
beautiful Boston Public Library, Arlington Street Church, and for
upscale shopping, Copley Place. One block past the library takes
you to Newbury Street, the land of the beautiful people. It’s
filled with art galleries, boutiques, and fashionable, trendy
restaurants. Dress up, and then grab a seat at an outdoor café
and marvel at the model-perfect people walking by.
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THE
SOUTH END
ATTRACTIONS
