Though I’m often out of town for major holidays, Easter is the one special time of year when my family descends upon Boston for a fun-filled weekend. My parents are probably savvier than some locals, given the amount of time they’ve spent in the city over the past 11 years. This is both a pro and a con, as it’s great that they know the city so well, but challenging in the sense that I’m tasked with planning the perfect mix of fun activities, both new and cherished favorites, for them to enjoy. If you were to ask them, they’d probably tell you that I think about these things too much, but I can’t help myself. I have a reputation to live up to (in my mind at least hehe)!
Inspired by our fun weekend, here are a few highlights from our favorite meals and activities. Feel free to take these ideas for when your family is visiting Boston, or when you’re trying to cater to a larger group of five to seven friends!
Best Dinner: 5 Napkin Burger
We kicked off our weekend with a family dinner at 5 Napkin Burger in the Prudential Center. My parents had tasked me with selecting somewhere new, but not too fancy or expensive, with good food and a nice atmosphere. Having come off a long workweek, I selfishly selected 5 Napkin Burger in part for its proximity to my apartment, but also for it’s amazing veggie burger and sweet potato french fries. Little did I know that they also have the most delightful, refreshing frozen mojito (thanks for discovering it, Matt!). Three veggie burgers, a Chinese chicken salad, a sushi roll, and three massive piles of sweet potato fries later, we were stuffed. But not too stuffed to get after dinner drinks at Towne!
5 Napkin Burger Veggie Burger (via 5 Napkin Burger Pinterest Account)
Deliciously Low-Key Weekend Brunch: Harvard Gardens
On Saturday, we fueled up for a busy day of walking around with a scrumptious brunch at Harvard Gardens. It’s challenging to find a brunch place in Boston that can easily accommodate seven people, let alone one that has amazing food. Harvard Gardens is definitely a hidden gem because it has great food and is surprisingly not crowded. We feasted on blueberry pancakes, egg white omlettes and huevos rancheros. Oh, and quite possibly the best breakfast potato’s everrrr. The Parmesan on top is truly a game changer.
Egg White, Mushroom and Tomato Omelette w/ Breakfast Potatoes
Huevos Rancheros
A Lovely, Scenic Stroll: Charles Street > Public Garden > Comm. Ave
After brunching at Harvard Gardens, we took our time strolling down Charles Street. If you have time, I recommend popping into cute shops like Black Ink and Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, which offer lots of gift-y items and fun browsing. From Charles Street, head into the Public Garden. If your crew is anything like my family, you’ll find yourself surrounded by an array of cameras and camera phones. And, why not? The Public Garden was made for an impromptu family photo shoot!
After snapping photos, we continued down Comm. Ave (Commonwealth Ave. to non-locals), for more strolling. Inevitably, more photo opportunities arose!
Strolling Down Comm. Ave
Perfect Pit Stop: Max Brenner
Following a healthy amount of walking and shopping, we were craving something sweet. As luck would have it, Max Brenner had enough open space at the bar for all seven of us. Oh, and did I mention they have chocolate? Lots and lots of chocolate!
Max Brenner
Hip, Yet Parent Friendly Drinks Spots: Catwalk, Liberty Hotel and Towne
I highly recommend snagging a bar table on the third floor of Towne, or a table at Catwalk on the third level of the Liberty Hotel. Both venues offer great drinks and seating in a hip environment that’s slightly away from the throngs of people on the levels below.
Cheers!
All in all, it was a great weekend. From amazing meals, to good, long strolls around the city, it proves that all my strategizing is worth it.