WHERE TO EAT
Boston is known for its seafood, which means that just about every fine restaurant in town offers fresh lobster; scallops; fried, steamed or raw oysters and clams; swordfish and, of course, scrod. The Union Oyster House claims to be the longest continuously operating restaurant in America, exuding history through its 180-year-old walls.
Henrietta's Table, in the Charles Hotel, offers a relaxed, kid-friendly atmosphere with a daily menu of local ingredients from area farms. Hungry visitors to Boston who want a taste of the city's century-long Italian-American presence should be sure to visit any number of eateries in the North End.
Hamersley's Bistro is an elegant, though not overly formal, South End hot spot with a seasonal menu. Last but not least is Excelsior, owned by the celebrated chef Lydia Shire and located steps from the Park Plaza. The restaurant is chic and pricey, with a jumping bar and a superb wine list.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
With its wealth of history and culture, Boston offers no shortage of pre- and postgolf activities. History lovers will enjoy the Freedom Trail. Free ninety-minute tours of the two-and-a-half-mile trail, provided by the National Park Service, include stops such as the Old North Church, the Old Granary Burying Grounds, the Charles Bulfinch–designed and recently renovated State House (which warrants a tour of its own), Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution, the historic battleship that first saw action in Tripoli in 1804. For high culture, there is a small theater district, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and two world-class art museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Kids will love the swan-boat rides in the Public Gardens, the dolphin show at the New England Aquarium and the educational as well entertaining exhibits and demonstrations at the Boston Children's Museum and the Boston Museum of Science. •
TRIP PLANNER: BOSTON
WHERE TO PLAY
FERNCROFT COUNTRY CLUB, 978-750-7936. Yardage: 6,612. Greens Fee: $120. Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr. T+L Golf Rating: ****
GRANITE LINKS GOLF CLUB AT QUARRY HILLS, 617-296-7600. Yardage: 6,818. Greens Fees: $85–$100. Architect: John Sanford. T+L Golf Rating: ****
SHAKER HILLS GOLF CLUB, 978-772-2227. Yardage: 6,850. Greens Fees: $75–$85. Architect: Brian Silva. T+L Golf Rating: ****
PINEHILLS GOLF CLUB, 508-209-3000. Yardage: 7,175 (Jones); 7,243 (Nicklaus). Greens Fees: $70–$100. Architects: Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus. T+L Golf Rating: ***1/2 (Jones Course), *** (Nicklaus Course)
RED TAIL GOLF CLUB, 978-772-3273. Yardage: 7,006. Greens Fees: $78–$88. Architect: Brian Silva. T+L Golf Rating: ***1/2
WHERE TO STAY
BOSTON PARK PLAZA, 617-426-2000. Rooms: $239–$459. Suites: $289–$525.
THE CHARLES, Cambridge; 617-864-1200. Rooms: $269–$599. Suites: $369–$4,000.
THE LENOX, 617-536-5300. Rooms: $189–$309. Suites: $428–$695.
NINE ZERO, 617-772-5800. Rooms: $299–$499. Suites: $700.
XV BEACON, 617-670-1500. Rooms: $350–$450. Suites: $995–$1,900.
WHERE TO EAT
Bonfire (Steak), 617-262-3473. $$$$
EXCELSIOR (Contemporary American), 617-426-7878. $$$$
HAMERSLEY'S BISTRO (Creative), 617-423-2700. $$$$
HENRIETTA'S TABLE (Organic), Cambridge; 617-661-5005. $$
Spire (Seasonal Mediterranean), 617-772-0202. $$$$
UNION OYSTER HOUSE (Seafood), 617-227-2750. $$$
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
BOSTON'S CHILDREN MUSEUM; 617-426-8855, bostonkids.org
BOSTON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE; 617-723-2500, mos.org
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA; 617-266-1200, bso.org
FREEDOM TRAIL; 617-242-5642, nps.gov/bost
ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM; 617-566-1401, gardenermuseum.org
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON; 617-267-9300, mfa.org
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM; 617-973-5200, neaq.org
