Does the Druid still have the best fish and chips in the area? I used to love going there on a slow Friday afternoon

Ferry to Salem is great if you have the time for the Peabody/Essex

Same.

But it’s the Harvard Bridge. Named for John Harvard.

Literally came here to say that Harvard Square is essentially a mall now. The soul of the square died when they got rid of the ABP.

This is a good list. I’d also google for harbor tours. Boston is gorgeous from its harbor.

Too bad it’s too early for a whale watch

state park is pet friendly!

A couple places I’d like to co-sign from this thread: Atwood’s and Miracle of Science. Miracle of Science is my safe place. One I’d like to add is the Druid in Inman Square. There are two nights where they have Irish Sessions which mean that you can focus on the music and let impromptu conversations happen organically. Best of luck!!

Doh! I should read more carefully. I didn't know about the Sox thing, that's good advice.

Some stuff I (mostly) haven’t seen mentioned yet:

• Check out the schedule at the New England Conservatory (necmusic.edu) - they often have student and/or faculty recitals for cheap or free. If you can find anything happening in Jordan Hall, I’d highly recommend going to it, as it’s a gorgeous, historical performing venue (google “nec jordan hall” for images); note: the NEC is a top-tier music school in the country (oldest music conservatory in the USA), so you might find that worth touring around.
• the Sanders Theater at Harvard is also a nice, “historic” theater, and has some good events; not usually cheap, though. I’m not sure which is actually smaller, but Sanders feels smaller than Jordan
• Harvard Square has been getting bought out by big money, and has lost most of its local flair. Some remaining local places: Black Sheep Bagel, Orinoco (Venezuelan food), Club Passim (live mic/folk, many events), Shays (bar/pub), Whitneys (bar/pub), Charlie’s (pub/restaurant; home of the double cheeseburger!)
• Harvard Square not strictly local but long-standing institutions: Felipe’s (mentioned in other comments), El Jefe’s, LA Burdick’s (chocolate cafe—get their dark hot chocolate! Or any, but the dark will drop you)
• Harvard Square non-food: The Coop (Harvard’s official bookstore, not fun anymore but the sell the Harvard paraphernalia all tourists want), The Harvard Bookstore (independent; not part of the coop; many events, check their calendar!)
• Harvard Square Other: explore the Smith Center and appreciate their relative new renovation with the “living plant walls” and interior outdoor atriums, explore the funky shops/eateries in the Garage (though now it’s mostly Newbury Comics on the second floor; I like the Vietnamese and Indian/Nepalese places on the first floor, though); I didn’t consider/mention spendier places like Harvest (tends to be where visiting dignitaries seem to eat)
• Harvard Square outskirts: Longfellow House and Brattle Street Mansions.. walk by old Tory money, including the house George Washington commandeered to use as his command center for the Boston Siege (operated by NPS, tours; but you can always explore the grounds including a very nice garden in the back); Mount Auburn Cemetery - first “garden” cemetery in the US; served as a model for intentionally landscaped cemeteries worldwide; really pretty grounds with a gothic-looking(?) chapel and also a tall hill in the middle with fantastic views all the way to downtown Boston. If it’s in season (April-October), you can get an even better, more 360 degree view by climbing Washington Tower on top of the hill. Longfellow House is probably a 10 minute (or less) walk from the Harvard T. Mt Auburn Cemetery is a bit further, but still walkable, less than 30 minutes (and it’s a scenic walk down Brattle/Mt Auburn). Note: if you come in mid-late April, on Sundays (and maybe Saturdays..we’ll see if they keep doing that in 2023) they close the busy, multi-lane “closest thing to a highway in Cambridge” street called Memorial Drive. Not the entirety of it, but a good chunk, with Harvard’s campus being mostly in the center of the closures. It becomes a pedestrian park.
• If you’re a gamer, see if you’ll be here during PAX East and consider picking up badges for that huge event

Felipe’s is one of the few remaining saving graces in Harvard Square, but I can’t resist expressing some El Jefe’s appreciation. The base cost is a bit more, but they up charge you for fewer things (nicer if you like adding “everything” to your bowl/burrito). And they have fried plantains as a topping. IMO can’t go wrong at either place.

He said he’s male, which reduces (but does not eliminate!) the chances he’s named Isabella. However, a more universal tip is that if you wear a Red Sox hat (or shirt, or any paraphernalia) you get $2 off!

Freedom Trail is really a must as a Boston experience. Boston as a whole is still one of the most segregated communities, so I'd also be remiss if I didn't encourage you to visit and patronize the businesses in the "lesser traveled" areas; Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan (someone already mentioned Darryl's).

As mentioned JFK Museum is pretty nice, a bit further out but worth the trip. Of the other museums, Isabella Stewart Gardner gets my vote.

Castle Island (not actually an island) for a lovely walk by the water.

The Boston Harbor Islands (actual islands) are also great for a day-trip.

If you're looking for a nicer dinner, you definitely should check out Sarma -- https://www.sarmarestaurant.com/ -- undoubtedly the best food in Cambridge (and in my opinion the whole Boston area).

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It's very difficult to get a reservation, but the "secret" beta is that they have a ~20 seat bar that is not reserved - usually very doable to get a seat on a weeknight, especially as a party of 1. They serve the full menu at the bar and it's a great experience. Can't recommend it enough!

Website: https://www.informalrunning.com/tmirce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tmircebos/ Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/bostonruns/

Yume wo katare is an awesome ramen place in Porter square. If you don't go early there's usually a bit of a line.

How can we connect with this group?

Really? I live across the street. I don’t remember them closing

Or if you have any friends/neighbors with dogs ask yo go with them if you’re worried about not having a dog at the park! As a dog owner myself, I’m much more chatty at the park!

Well there is an awesome walk or bike ride along the Charles river on the CAmbridge Side. You can go about 13 mile up but you can see the sky line, water view and its safe and peaceful. Harvard Square is a good walk through. You can explore both MIT and Harvard Yard.

Food: The best Barrito \Mexico is still Filipies in Harvard Sq- they went up in $ and down in quality since covid but stiil the best -about $9 for a burrito. Fish on Wednesday go to Courthouse Fish market on Cambridge St. $10 for fresh haddock and fries. - wednesday special.

Nails 153 closed

I don’t remember the name, but it’s next to Franco’s Hair Studio in Inman Square.

If you don't feel like traveling far for a good dinner, both Batifol (French) and Sumiao (Hunan) are solid options in Kendall Square.

Your therapist recommended alcohol? Far out

A little corporate? Every building is owned by one of 5 companies and the only stores they rent to are banks or luggage stores lol. The whole place feels like a dead mall with the food court still open.

The walk across the Mass Ave bridge is by far my favorite skyline view. You get a wraparound view of Back Bay, Downtown, and Kendall Sq skylines all together. Epic at sunset