Panorama surveys the tried-and-true Boston institutions that have stood the test of time 
by Andrew King and Scott Roberto

Boston is, in so many ways, the most classic of American cities. After all, it was nicknamed "the Hub of the Universe"-not exactly a small role to play in the world. It houses the oldest libraries, public gardens, colleges, restaurants and hotels in the country. It boasts the Freedom Trail and all its revolutionary glory. It has been the home of political and intellectual
innovators from Ralph Waldo Emerson to John F. Kennedy. So it was no easy task to comprise a list of these classics among classics. Nevertheless, there are those attractions that have ascended to their own class, surrounded by a certain mystique, born of time-honored
reverence and historical posture. From the stately Swan Boats of the Public Garden to the hallowed decks of the U.S.S. Constitution; from the cobble stoned walkways of Charles Street's "Antique Row" to the panoramic splendor of waterfront seafood restaurants; from the hallowed stands at Fenway Park to the lucky racks of Filene's Basement, "The Hub" boasts some of the most storied and beloved sites in America. You might go to lunch at Durgin-Park because your grandmother used to love it there; or take your fiancé to Faneuil Hall because your parents used to go there when they first met. And those connections are part of what has made each of these landmarks a Beantown classic. So without further ado, here is our survey of those tried-and-true Boston institutions that have reached veritable Hall of Fame status.

 

SIGHTSEEING

BEACON HILL Historic Beacon Hill exudes Old World charm, from picturesque Louisburg Square, antique shopping mecca Charles Street to the oft-photographed, cobblestoned Acorn Street. Brick sidewalks, gaslit streetlamps, quaint townhouses and narrow sidestreets help make this one of the most European of Boston's neighborhoods. Site of the Massachusetts State House (our state capitol builing), Beacon Hill is also home to such overlooked gems as the Museum of Afro-American History at the African Meeting House, the oldest African-American church in the U.S. BOSTON COMMON A meeting place for Bostonians since its founding in 1634, the Common has evolved over the years, but still remains the heart of the city. Pastures that once hosted grazing cattle now sport ballfields and tennis courts, but America's oldest public park still hasn't lost its historic character. The Common is home to many monuments of the past, including sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens' tribute to America's first African-American army regiment formed in 1863 to fight in the Civil War, and still serves as a gathering place for celebrations and protest. BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN America's oldest public botanical garden, founded in 1837 and directly adjacent to the Common, is perhaps best known as the home of the unique and lovely Swan Boats, which offer rides for a mere $2 ($1 for children) during the spring and summer months on the tranquil Lagoon. Also popular, especially with kids, are the bronze duck statues based on the beloved children's tale, Make Way for Ducklings. BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 700 Boylston St., 617-536-5400 Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library (or BPL, to locals) pioneered the concept of public book-borrowing and is the oldest free municipal library in the country. Boasting some six million books, the BPL has often been called the center of Boston's intellectual life. Part of the early edifice, the McKim Building dominates Copley Square and is considered an architectural masterpiece. Also of interest are the free Art and Architecture tours, which cover such highlights as the Italian palazzo-style courtyard and the grand allegorical murals of John Singer Sargent, completed in 1919, that decorate the third floor entry hall. CUSTOM HOUSE TOWER 3 McKinley Square, 617-310-6300 for reservations Adjacent to Quincy Market, the Custom House is the Hub's first skyscraper, soaring more than 500 feet above Boston Harbor. Originally completed in 1847, the distinctive, 30-story clock tower was added in 1915. This architectural gem is currently a luxury hotel and condominium complex run by the Marriott Corporation. Its 26th floor boasts an observation deck, and the rotunda above the lobby is home to a maritime museum. Historical tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. FANEUIL HALL Merchants Row and Faneuil Hall Square, 617-523-1300 Built in 1742 and located on the Freedom Trail facing the City Hall side of Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall has long been Boston's center for ideas as well as commerce. It has hosted orators from Samuel Adams to Ted Kennedy on the second floor. The building is also home to a variety of shops at ground level and a military museum on the fourth floor. FENWAY PARK 4 Yawkey Way; Tours: 617-236-6666; Tickets: 617-482-4SOX Debuting in 1912 and renovated several times since, including the recent addition of seats on top of the left field wall affectionately known as the "Green Monster," Fenway Park is one of the most beloved sports stadiums in the country, as well as the oldest ballpark in the major leagues. Home to the Bambino-cursed Red Sox, it is a necessary pilgrimage site for any die-hard baseball fan. THE FREEDOM TRAIL 617-227-8800 Although it was first conceived in 1958, Boston's Freedom Trail links 16 historical sites that are hundreds of years old. Along this 2.5 mile route, connected by a red brick line on the ground, are many of Boston's most famous historic buildings, including the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church and the Old State House. Also included are the Boston Massacre Site and Bunker Hill Monument, important locations in Revolutionary War-era Boston. Visitors can take a guided tour or journey down the Trail on your own, bringing life to bygone days. ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM 280 The Fenway, 617-566-1401 This intimate, three-floor museum houses 19th century aristocrat Mrs. Gardner's art collection in this 15th century Venetian-style mansion. Opened in 1903, the museum has a distinct focus on Renaissance and Baroque art, with a smattering of Impressionism and 20th century works. Its most striking feature is the spectacular courtyard garden that stays in bloom year-round under the central skylight. JOHN HANCOCK TOWER 200 Clarendon St. I.M. Pei, famous for his designs for the Louvre in Paris and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, was the architect behind Boston's most elegant and, at 790 feet, tallest skyscraper. Completed in 1976, it has become an indelible part of the Boston skyline, literally reflecting the surrounding environment in its mirror-like surface. MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 465 Huntington Ave., 617-267-9300 The MFA, a Boston institution since 1876, has occupied its current residence on Huntington Avenue since 1909. The museum houses a landmark Far Eastern art collection and a spectacular section of ancient Egyptian artifacts, in addition to its other fine galleries displaying European and American paintings, prints and sculptures. THE STATE HOUSE Beacon St., 617-727-3676 The famous gold dome of the State House, designed by Charles Bulfinch, sits atop the Brahmin bastion of Beacon Hill, overlooking Boston Common. Completed in 1798, it replaced the Old State House (which still stands on the corner of Washington and State streets) that was built under British rule. This seat of Massachusetts' government is chock full of history, from its Hall of Flags to the legislative chambers, and is one of the initial stops on the Freedom Trail. SYMPHONY HALL 301 Massachuetts Ave., 617-266-1492 This 103-year-old building is home to the world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra. Deemed a National Historic Landmark, it is considered one of the finest concert halls in the world. In fact, it was the first concert hall to incorporate modern acoustical science into its design. This stately venue is also home to the beloved Boston Pops Orchestra. TRINITY CHURCH Copley Square, 617-536-0944 Finished in 1877, Trinity Church in Copley Square was immediately hailed as an architectural masterpiece. Designed in a Romanesque style by architect H.H. Richardson, the church boasts an ornate interior, including stained glass created by pioneering artist John LaFarge. Still an active house of worship, Trinity hosts pipe organ recitals on Fridays at 12:15 p.m. from September through mid-June. Tours are also available. U.S.S. CONSITUTION Charlestown Navy Yard, 617-242-5670 "Old Ironsides," so nicknamed because British cannonballs allegedly bounced off its hull in the War of 1812, is the world's oldest commissioned warship. Launched in 1797, this final attraction on the Freedom Trail has since sailed into its own special place in American lore. The venerable vessel has been saved from the scrap heap several times during its prolific history due to strong public sentiment, initially generated by the Oliver Wendell Holmes poem "Old Ironsides," published in 1830. Free guided tours are offered daily.

 

SHOPPING

CHARLES STREET Boston is probably the most European of American cities, both in its architecture and in its identity with the past. And Charles Street, the main commercial artery of historic Beacon Hill, is perhaps the best example of this confluence. Lined with Victorian row houses, gas-light street lamps and old fashioned cafes, this famous main drag is also a worldwide destination for antique lovers. Dubbed "Antique Row," the Charles Street area boasts more than 40 antique shops whose treasures often come from nearby estates. It's the perfect place to shop for crystal stem wear for a wedding, or for an 18th-century chair for the home office. FILENE'S BASEMENT 426 Washington St., 617-542-2011 If Charles Street embodies New England gentility, then Filene's Basement in Downtown Crossing represents the steely New England bargain hunter. This place invented the phenomenon of off-price shopping when, in 1908, Edward A. Filene founded the Basement as a way to sell off overstock from his father's department store upstairs. Today, shoppers flock to its vast two-floor headquarters in search of "automatic markdown" deals on everything from Prada to Puma. And each year, the bridal gown sale brings out feisty brides-to-be who participate in infamous tugs-of-war over dresses at dramatically reduced prices. HARVARD SQUARE Although it has increasingly been co-opted by large national chains, Harvard Square still retains some of the unique charm that has attracted artists, musicians and other bohemian-types for decades. Here you'll find home-grown businesses like Berk's Shoes and Newbury Comics, local ice cream shops like Toscanini's and Herrell's, as well as more book stores than just about any place on earth. And despite the slick, mall-like presence of the corporate entities, an earthy vibe remains at local bars and coffee houses, as well as from the street performers and musicians who populate "The Pit" at the heart of the square. HARVARD COOP 1400 Mass. Ave., Cambridge., 617-499-2000 The hallowed halls of Harvard University in Cambridge usually evoke images of ambitious students and tweed-coated professors roaming through bookshelves in a quiet library. So it should come as no surprise that Harvard Square is also home to America's largest bookstore, the Harvard Coop. It began in 1882 as a place for Harvard students to buy merchandise at reasonable prices and distribute the profits among members. Today, non-members are welcome to shop amidst the Coop's elaborate layout of books, paintings, gifts and every other school-related item imaginable. BRATTLE BOOKSHOP 9 West St., 617-542-0210 Book lovers can lose a whole day wandering the storied shelves of this Ladder District shop. Whether you're looking for a first edition, a rare paperback, or a well-preserved, vintage Life magazine, the Brattle, under the direction of proprietor Ken Gloss, is a literary institution in a most literary town. Gloss appraises books and libraries for Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts and even the FBI. LOUIS BOSTON 234 Berkeley St., 617-262-6100 For nearly 100 years, the goal at this Back Bay high-fashion mecca has been to be nothing less than the best clothing store in the world. And many of its local and international customers would agree that goal has been met. Located in the former New England Museum of Natural History building, Louis Boston (pronounced "Louie's") has become the symbol of Newbury Street high society, housing an extensive selection of men's and women's fashions as well as a cafe and hair salon. NEWBURY STREET Boston plagues itself with comparisons, but there is no question that Newbury Street is our own little New England version of Rodeo Drive. The stores range from Chanel and Cartier at one end to Urban Outfitters and the Virgin Megastore the the other, offering a day's worth of people watching no matter what your budget. QUINCY MARKET Quincy Market and the surrounding Faneuil Hall Marketplace represent Boston's past and present, attracting over 12 million visitors a year. Originally an open-air market, neo-classical Quincy Market was constructed in 1825 adjacent to historic Faneuil Hall and today houses a variety of food vendors selling everything from clam chowder and oysters to frozen yogurt and hot dogs. Today, the three market buildings bustle with a carnival-like energy and house dozens of retail shops, restaurants and, of course, the beloved street performers. SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW 330 Boylston St., 617-267-9100 When proper Bostonians like Isabella Stewart Gardner or baseball legend Ted Williams needed a fine piece of jewelry for a special occasion, they headed to Shreve, Crump & Low. When the Boston Post needed a trophy to honor Red Sox pitching great Cy Young, they looked to Shreve, Crump & Low. When tennis enthusiast Dwight F. Davis sought a designer for The Davis Cup trophy, he commissioned Shreve, Crump & Low. This jeweler to the elite is the oldest jewelry store in America and has engraved itself into Boston history. Today, Shreve boasts shimmering gold and silver watches as well as 18th- and 19th-century treasures.

 

DINING

ANTHONY'S PIER 4 140 Northern Ave., 617-482-6262 On the waterfront, Anthony's is king. Ever since its opening in 1963, this restaurant has earned as much prestige for its classic New England seafood as it has for its clientele. Newcomers tend to linger in the lobby and gaze at the celebrities who preceded them, including Liz Taylor, Joe DiMaggio and Henry Kissinger, to name just a few. At Anthony's, it's quintessential Boston dining: water views, giant lobsters and a toast to the past. CHEERS 84 Beacon St., 617-227-9605 Sam, Diane, Norm, Cliff, Woody, Carla and Frasier-they've all been here, at least to visit. The legendary TV sitcom "Cheers," which shined the blue glow on Boston forever, was based on this old Beacon Hill mainstay. The Bull & Finch Pub (its original name) was built in England and transported piece-by-piece to the basement of the historic Hampshire House in 1969. It wasn't until the early '80s, though, that producers Jim Burrows and Glen and Les Charles ended their search for the ultimate American neighborhood bar right here in Boston. DURGIN-PARK 340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 617-227-2038 Check your inhibitions and your pretensions at the door-Durgin-Park is like family. This Faneuil Hall living landmark has been serving no-nonsense seafood and other regional fare unofficially since 1742. And not much has changed since then-which is why people keep coming back. The setting is like a country clambake, except it's indoors, and you're in the city. You'll rub elbows with strangers at the long picnic tables covered in red-and-white checkers and with waitresses who call you "hon." JACOB WIRTH 37 Stuart St., 617-338-8586 You might not think of weiner schnitzel when you think of Boston, but then again, this region isn't exactly known for its German heritage. Still, Jacob Wirth-opened in 1868 and the city's second-oldest restaurant-is a Boston classic, and its sense of tradition is all-encompassing. The Theater District relic still has the look of an old-time saloon, complete with an ancient mahogany bar, weathered hardwood floors and weekly piano sing-alongs. JIMMY'S HARBORSIDE 242 Northern Ave, 617-423-1000 It's all in the family at this legendary waterfront Boston institution. Greek immigrant James Doulos, an aspiring restaurateur, realized his American dream almost 80 years ago, fueled by his twin loves of food and family. Now in its third generation, the Doulos family restaurant continues to serve up luscious amounts of fresh seafood with equal parts pride and precision. JULIEN 250 Franklin St., 617-451-1900 Of all the traditional French restaurants that appeared in the city late last century, the opulent refectoire at Julien in Le Meridien Hotel has always been at the top of the list. You'll want to dress formally for an evening under the high ceilings at this Renaissance revival-style dining room in the former Federal Reserve building. The cuisine is as rich as the decor and has earned a wealth of critical praise. LEGAL SEA FOODS Several locations throughout Boston, 1-800-EATFISH There is such a thing as a restaurant chain with hometown flavor and respect for traditional values. An obvious example of this is Legal Sea Foods, which started out as a lunch counter upstairs from a Cambridge fish market in 1968 and has now amassed more than 20 locations along the Eastern seaboard. Legal is where celebrity chef Jasper White made a name for himself by creating the wood-grilled fish and clam chowder that are still the restaurant's signatures today. LOCKE-OBER 3 Winter Place, 617-542-1340 When local culinary innovator Lydia Shire (Biba, Excelsior) took over the reigns of Locke-Ober two years ago, Boston's remaining Brahmins raised a collective eyebrow. Longtime customers of this downtown landmark need not have feared, however, as much about the old place remains the same. The dining room has been refurbished and restored to its former glory. And although the menu has been updated, Shire kept around many of the classics, including the steak tartar and the legendary lobster Savannah. MAISON ROBERT 45 School St., 617-227-3370 Housed in Old City Hall, Maison Robert practically invented fine European dining in Boston. A landmark restaurant since its opening in 1972, the restaurant was famously featured in a 1980s Folgers coffee television commercial. This bastion of French cuisine remains a popular dining destination, serving such quintessentially French staples as foie gras, escargot and souffle in its stately upstairs dining room, more casual downstairs cafe and breezy outdoor patio. OAK ROOM 138 St. James Ave., 617-267-5300 Old-fashioned steakhouses have always been dear to the hearts and appetites of Bostonians. As if the Edwardian-era heyday had never left, the Oak Room (and accompanying Oak Bar) stand as gems of baroque sensibility and sophistication. This high-society hang-out in the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel features a cathedral-like ambiance with cushioned banquettes, red draperies and crystal chandeliers. As for the cuisine, the Oak Room is a Hall of Famer. PARKER'S RESTAURANT 60 School St., 617-227-8600 Everybody's heard of Boston creme pie-but not many people know that local legend says it was invented right here at Parker's. A throwback to 19th century luxury, Parker's is part of the oldest continually operated hotel in the U.S., the Omni Parker House. Literati and luminaries from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Franklin Delano Roosevelt have dined here. UNION OYSTER HOUSE 41 Union St., 617-227-2750 One could view the Union Oyster House as a museum as much as a restaurant-it is the country's oldest restaurant in continuous service and was recently designated a National Historic Landmark. A young congressman named John F. Kennedy dined here every Sunday, and his favorite booth is marked with a commemorative sign. Daniel Webster loved to dine and drink here as well. This 177-year-old restaurant, which continues to serve some of the best oyster, crab and lobster meals in town. back to homepage