It’s a Date!
Friday, Sept. 28
Do This
Fill your phone’s camera and your stomach with Bites of Boston’s Allston Arts & Eats Tour. The two-and-half-hour walking tour takes you to nine of Allston’s most vibrant public art murals and five local eateries. Break out of the norm by sampling Korean-Mexican fusion food at Coreanos Allston and satiate your desire for comfort food with a hot honey bacon grilled cheese at Roxy’s. Ticket price covers the tour, chock-full of historical, cultural, and culinary information, and tastings at each restaurant. According to Bites of Boston, the samplings should collectively add up to a sizable lunch.
Bites of Boston
1:30 pm–4 pm
$65/person
Intersection of Cambridge St. and Harvard Ave., Allston
Cambridge St. at Linden St. stop on the 66 bus, limited street parking
Then What?
Dance off all those calories at AERONAUT Allston, a pop-up beer garden and musical venue on Western Ave. Grab a Hop Hop and Away IPA or a Hop Exploration: Nelson Sauvin India pale ale provided by Aeronaut Brewing Company, and enjoy the cool sounds of indie folk duo The Western Den. If you’re craving something sweet or salty to wrap up the night, food trucks are on hand serving up donuts, cookies, and savory truffle fries in addition to more substantial dinner offerings.
AERONAUT Allston at Zone 3
5 pm–10:30 pm
No cover
267 Western Ave., Allston
North Harvard at Kinglsey St. stop on the 66 bus, limited street parking
Friends Zone
Sunday, Sept. 30
Do This
Head to the Innovation and Design Center in the Seaport for the American Field pop-up marketplace. After all, it’s never too early to start holiday shopping. Browse over 50 brands—both local and national—all made in the United States. Discover Boston-based businesses like Ball and Buck, a retro menswear company for the chic outdoorsman, or dawnslipper, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire, duo creating 3-D-printed decorative pieces. Supplement your shopping with refreshments from a number of beverage vendors, including Maker’s Mark and Polar Seltzer.
Innovation and Design Center
11 am–6 pm
Free admission
19 Drydock Ave., Boston
Drydock stop on the SL2 bus, parking available on site
Then What?
Walk 15 minutes to D’s Keys piano bar, which opened last month in the Element Hotel. The nightlife spot promises dueling pianos, sing-alongs, song requests, and a light side of comedy at your expense (that’s on the house, too). It serves cocktails and hot dogs and brings out a full band for a few live tunes every hour on the hour. Reservations aren’t required but they are recommended to get the best seats.
D’s Keys
7 pm–1:30 am
Free admission
391 D St., Boston
Summer St. opposite WTC Ave. stop on the 7 bus, limited street parking
Family Fun
Saturday, Sept. 29
Do This
Get creative at the ICA’s Play Date event when the avant-garde contemporary art museum becomes a haven for kids to flex their artistic muscles. The activities range from binocular decorating and using the finished product to look out over the Boston Harbor to sketching to live jazz performances. The event is designed to accommodate children ages three and up, so each member of your mini entourage can find an exciting new way to explore art. You may just have the next Picasso on your hands.
ICA Boston
10 am–4 pm
Free admission for all children and up to 2 adults
25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston
Courthouse Station T stop, limited street parking
Then What?
Fuel up for the rest of your day at the newly opened Seaport location of Tatte Bakery & Café. Grab an espresso or a pot of tea, and treat the kids to a Nutella cookie or one of the many other confections, all made in house. If a more extensive meal is in order, Tatte serves a range of brunch items, from avocado tartine to the balakani sandwich, made with roasted eggplant, feta, and tomato pesto.
Tatte Pier 4
8 am–8 pm
$3–$4.75 coffee, $3–$10 pastries, $9.50–$13 brunch
200 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston
Courthouse Station T stop, limited street parking
Then What?
If the weather cooperates, take your caffeine fix and treats to go and hop on board the ICA’s water shuttle to its Watershed East Boston branch. The ferry is free with ICA admission but requires a timed reservation that you can make at the ICA Boston location. It leaves every half hour. The ferry lands at Piers Park, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Boston skyline while the family polishes off their Tatte goodies.
Piers Park & ICA Watershed
10 am–5 pm
Free admission
256 Marginal St., East Boston
Maverick T stop, limited street parking near Maverick, no public parking at the Watershed