About Susan J
Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!
Blog posts written by Susan J
November 9th, 2007 by susan j
Inside Boston’s new Liberty Hotel
Photo uploaded by
The Onyx Hotel has a Britney Spears Suite (which they are now rethinking in light of Ms. Spears’ recent headlines). The Fairmont Copley Plaza has a 68 pound black lab named to greet guests. And now, the newest Boston hotel gimmick is the . Housed in the old (once home Sacco and Vanzetti and other famous inmates), the new luxury hotel uses much of the jail’s original architecture and adds some contemporary touches to create an elegant and slightly unusual environment.
Since my apartment is about ten minutes away from the Liberty, I haven’t stayed in one of their 300 guestrooms, but I did enjoy post-work drinks in both of their upscale bars. , the hotel’s bar and restaurant, serves an interesting assortment of international cuisine, including Japanese Wagyu Beef, Duck Confit Flatbread, and Octopus Cassoulet. The views inside the 90-foot atrium make for a swanky dining experience. As of my visit two week ago, did not serve food, but the dark, slightly eery bar and lounge has some inventive cocktail choices, including “Doing Thyme” and “Paddy Wagon” (the bar’s take on the traditional Side Car). For those who want to mix in a little sightseeing, the Liberty Hotel is right next to Mass. General Hospital and down the street from the Otis House Museum in historic Beacon Hill.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
November 6th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
Often considered the most Irish city in America, Boston features a bounty of Irish pubs that would make even a native Dubliner feel at home. In fact, some longtime Irish Bostonians call the city “the next parish over from Galway Bay.” If you’re visiting Boston on bank holiday or just want to soak up the local Irish flavor, then head on over to these pubs:
- Between Government Center and the North End (Boston’s version of Little Italy), Union Street offers a taste of Irish tradition with cobblestones and good ol’ Irish pubs. Paddy O’s is the perfect spot for starting a pub crawl. Handcrafted beers and a laidback atmosphere welcome visitors from all over the world. Paddy O’s also serves Irish specialties like seafood and shepherd pie.
- Just a few doors away from Paddy O’s, Hennessy’s of Boston was voted “Best Irish Bar in Boston” five times by The Improper Bostonian. This multi-level bar hosts live music Thursday-Saturday, so expect a lively crowd (and a small cover charge) on weekends.
- Also near Hennessy’s and Paddy O’s, the Green Dragon Tavern was voted Best Irish Pub of 2007 by Boston Magazine. Legend has it that this historic pub was where colonists overheard British soldiers discussing their plans to invade Lexington and Concord. The tavern also hosts live music nightly.
- The nearby Mr. Dooley’s Boston Tavern features friendly service and an eclectic menu. Dooley’s hosts American or Irish bands and musicians Friday though Saturday, and Irish ex-pats tend to congregate there on Sundays.
- The Black Rose, also in the area, has been listed among America’s top ten Irish establishments. Rumor has that U2 played at The Black Rose before becoming an international rock sensation. Other notable musical performers include John Denver and members of The Chieftains. In addition to live music nightly, The Black Rose serves up traditional homemade Irish favorites including fish and chips, native lobster, and corned beef.
What’s your favorite Irish pub in Boston? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
November 2nd, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
As this NY Times article points out, hotel bars around the country are shedding their stodgy, tired reputation and replacing it with inventive drink menus and cool new digs. This is especially true in Boston, where you’ll find plenty of locals frequenting the city’s many hotel bars. in the newly opened is a great example of this hotel bar phenomenon.
Whether you want a wild night on the town or a relaxing drink after a long day of sightseeing, Boston’s hotel bars have the recipe for what you’re looking for. Bottoms up!
If you’re feeling like a fruity cocktail… Foundation Lounge at the Hotel Commonwealth has a lively scene most nights of the week, especially when the Red Sox are playing at nearby Fenway Park. Other times, guests enjoy live jazz music as they sip Wild Mango Martinis and nibble on zensai (think tapas but with a Japanese twist). Foundation’s well-wheeled crowd includes business travelers, young professionals, and the occasional group of college kids flaunting their trust funds.
(more…)
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
October 31st, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
Tomorrow is the deadline for our Go Review Contest, and we’re having a blast reading all of the colorful and quirky reviews we’ve gotten so far. In case you haven’t submitted your entry yet, there’s still time to win an Amazon gift card valued at $300!
Here are some great examples from across the blogosphere to get those creative juices flowing:
Even if you don’t have your own blog, you can still enter the contest by posting a review on one of these sites. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
October 30th, 2007 by susan j
Celebrating the Red Sox 2004 World Series victory on a Duck Boat
Photo uploaded by
Sunday night’s excitement about the Sox besting the Rockies in Game 4 of the World Series continues into this week. Yesterday the team arrived at Fenway Park to a swarm of enthusiastic Sox fans. Today at noon marks the beginning of a two hour victory parade and celebration.
Riding atop of Duck Tour boats from Kenmore Square all the way to City Hall Plaza, players will greet thousands of screaming fans along Boylston Street. Stops are planned fro Copley Square, Boston Commons, and City Hall Plaza, with giant video screens broadcasting the celebration at each location. For additional coverage of the Red Sox parade, check out The Boston Globe’s baseball blog, Extra Bases.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
October 30th, 2007 by susan j
This week’s Carnival of Cities, hosted by , includes posts from this blog and across the blogosphere. The carnival features posts on everything from budget travel in London to the fires in San Diego, so .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
October 24th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
Known for its quaint tree-lined streets and historic houses, Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods, offering plenty of diversions for locals and tourists alike. Here’s a suggested afternoon itinerary for exploring this picturesque neighborhood.
Noon: start with lunch on Charles Street. is a fast and affordable option for those on a budget. If you’d like something more formal, try The Paramount. Also browse the antique shops and clothing boutiques along Charles Street.
1:30 pm: stroll over to the Nichols House Museum for a guided tour of this beautifully restored 1804 townhouse. From ancestral portraits and Flemish tapestries to oriental rugs and priceless art, the house’s furnishings reflect a global sensibility and attract visitors from all over the world.
3 pm: Explore the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill as you wander over to Cambridge Street. Louisberg Square is especially noteworthy, as it is home to several important Bostonians including John Kerry. For a quick pick-me-up pastry or cappucino, stop into The Spotted Apron on Cambridge Street.
4 pm: Take a guided tour of the Harrison Gray Otis House. This lavishly decorated house dates back to 1796, when Otis became one of the original residents of Beacon Hill.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
October 19th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
Whether your style is classic and conservative or indie and eclectic, chances are you’ll find the store in Boston to suit your style. Plus, Massachusetts has no sales tax on clothes, so go ahead and shop ‘til you drop (it counts as cardio, right?). You’ll want to save some money for sightseeing, too, so here are our picks for Boston’s best spots for bargain shopping:
- Though the flagship location in Downtown Crossing has closed for renovations, the lene’s Basement on Boylston Street in the Back Bay offers a less crowded alternative with two floors stacked with huge assortment of designer clothes for men, women, and children. It doesn’t have quite the same thrifty appeal of the Downtown Crossing location, but the selection tends to be higher quality. The Shops at Prudential Center nearby has some good finds, too.
- Need a great pair of shoes in a hurry? Head to the DSW Shoe Warehouse in Downtown Crossing. With row upon row of shoes from Kenneth Cole to Michael Kors, DSW is a shoe-lovers’ paradise. There’s also a Macy’s and several other stores within a few blocks so you won’t have to go far in those shiny new shoes!
- Garment District turns into a mob scene come Halloween, when students and hipsters from around the city make their annual Pilgrimage in search of retro prom dresses and off-beat costumes and make-up. If you’re looking for something slight out of the ordinary, hit The Garment District during their off-season. While you’re in Cambridge, check out the MIT Museum, which is in nearby Central Square.
- Second Time Around has locations in Harvard Square, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, as well as the ‘burbs. This is the place to score gently used designer duds from Gucci for Gap-like prices. My favorite finds include ballet flats, a beaded shrug, and wool trousers – each of which cost less than $20! Their color coding system means that the longer something sits in the store, the deeper the discount.
- You’ll need some nice jewelry to complete your new look, so check out So Good Jewelry on Newbury Street or in Downtown Crossing. This treasure trove of inexpensive accessories is packed with funky necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rhinestone everything.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
October 17th, 2007 by susan j
Video from TravelisticIf you’re one of the lucky few with tickets to this weekend’s baseball games at Fenway Park, then this clever little video has a few suggestions on where to eat and how to get there!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
October 15th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by .
As a vegetarian, I know that one of the biggest challenges to traveling is finding suitable restaurants. Here, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite vegetarian restaurants in Boston.
For an upscale dining experience, try four course vegetarian tasting menu. If you really want to live it up, then this urban chic restaurant in the heart of downtown Boston will also pair wines with their vegetarian offerings. The restaurant is across the harbor from the newly opened Institute of Contemporary Art.
If you’re looking for more casual dining, check out Veggie Planet in Harvard Square. Veggie Planet serves tasty vegetarian and vegan specialties like pizza, soup, salads, and rice dishes, plus their dining room doubles as a folk music venue (called Club Passim) most nights of the week. While in Cambridge, also check out the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
For vegan fare that even your carnivorous companions will love, head to in Allston (near Harvard Street on the B-line). Grasshopper serves savory noodles, rice, tofu, and a very convincing non-dairy cheesecake.
If you happen to be in town on October 20, then check out the 12th Annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, featuring free food samples, cooking demonstrations, presentations, and more.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
