Suggested Walks around Boston
It's springtime in Boston and here are some great walks that I've taken over the years.
Route 1: From the Common to Government Center
Go towards the waterfront-- there you'll see a really nicely done "beltway" that is the park where there used to be some ugly overpasses (the "Big Dig" that you might have heard some folks talk about). Head towards the Aquarium and there's a great pier where you can see a view of the courthouse across the harbor. There's currently an Ai Wei Wei sculpture at the Beltway park, too.
From there, head towards the Aquarium, where just past it there's another pretty park with great views of the Harbor (this is also a place where you can hop onto the water taxi and the harbor cruises).
From here you'll be able to head over to Mike's Pastry (and the North End, which has a lot of Italian food), and get some cannolis. Then you can head down to Faneuil Hall and the Union Oyster House, where cobblestone streets and touristy things abound. After that, it's a short hop to Government Center and the City Hall area.
Route 2: Government Center to MGH and the Public Gardens
One of my favorite routes. Beacon Hill is one of the prettiest neighborhoods-- it's famous for Julia Child's prime hangouts, Savenor's, and has great shops (that are way beyond my price range) such as The Black Ink. On the way there from Government Center, you'll pass Mass General Hospital (MGH)-- which has a cool museum and was the hospital to have the first "operating theater." Charles Street ends at the Public Garden, which is famous for the "Make way for Ducklings" statues and the Swan Boats.
Route 3: Copley Station to Newbury St and Cambridge
Probably one of my favorite walks to take as I spent a lot of time in Copley Square, Kendall Square, and Harvard Square my freshman year. From the Gardens, you can head to the oldest public library in the US (libraries weren't free ~200 years ago), the Boston Public Library. From there, it's a short hop to the Prudential Center which has a great restaurant at the top of the tower known as the "Top of the Hub" and the Trader Joes, which you'll have to take the escalator to get to (it's in the basement). From there, you can go to Newbury Street (the Rodeo Drive of Boston) and head to Mass Ave and see Trident Books & Cafe, a great cafe and bookstore. Head across the Mass. Ave bridge to MIT (where you can explore the Edgerton Center, the dome, and the Stata center). From there, as you walk towards Harvard, you'll pass the MIT Nuclear Reactor (disguised as a water tower with steam coming out of it just by the railroad tracks), and Flour Bakery (which is pretty damn good). You'll also pass through Central Square, which is known for places like Tosci's (Toscanini's Ice Cream) and H-Mart (a Korean supermarket). Once you get to Harvard, you can pretend you're a tourist (if you've got an umbrella handy, you'll know what I mean) and enjoy walking around the square. Some of my favorite places include Grendel's Den and Alden & Harlow.
Getting out of Harvard Yard is fairly easy-- take the buses or the T (subway), which pick you up from beneath Harvard Square (next to the Starbucks).