La Taqueria on Facebook
Visit: The Norman Leventhal Map Center
Although it’s only a single room, the Norman Leventhal Map Center, nestled in the Boston Public Library, squeezes in masterfully curated rotating exhibits. The information is presented in an accessible and engaging way, and there are small nooks with fun activities for children and adults alike. Previous exhibits have centered around maps as art and the history of Boston, while the one currently running is about westward expansion. Whether you consider yourself a map connoisseur or are just looking for a fun, quick, and free (!) activity, this is the place for you if you enjoy art, history, good museums, or just want to learn something new.
700 Boylston St., Boston.
MBTA: Green line at Copley
Eat: Double Chin
Double Chin, located in Chinatown, is a Chinese restaurant with a sweet and relaxed aesthetic that will welcome you and your friends in for a good treat. Muted colors, pretty lights and even a porch swing make for a cozy setting reminiscent of a 2014 Tumblr bedroom. If you go with a few people, I recommend ordering an entree each, and sharing them among your friends. The crispy noodles with pork is a highlight—the balance of peanut oil, vegetables, and pork will have you munching until there’s nothing left on your plate.
86 Harrison Ave., Boston.
MBTA: Orange line at Chinatown
Eat: La Taqueria
In Hyde Park, La Taqueria is a small but colorful Mexican restaurant that you will find yourself entranced by. The atmosphere is set with appropriate songs in Spanish and stunning murals that make you feel like you’re on the set of the popular joint all the friends go to eat at after school in a Disney sitcom. If there is anything I am a snob about, it is black beans (the best ones explode with flavor in your mouth with garlic-y hints and a pure bean taste), and La Taqueria satisfied my expectations and my stomach (but don’t get it wrong, nothing can top the black beans mi abuela would make). The chewy and smokey steak fajita fill you right up, and the street corn was my personal favorite, with mouthwatering the chipotle sauce and butter pairing beautifully with the grilled cob.
636 Hyde Park Ave., Boston.
MBTA: 32 bus and others
Drink: TeaDo
Sitting in view of one of Chinatown’s iconic gates, TeaDo offers appetizers, desserts and, of course, boba tea. TeaDo also has several board games including Jenga and Connect Four, so that you and a friend can enjoy some friendly competition as you sip on one of their specialty teas and munch some onigiri. Make sure to come back soon so you can try their dumplings, puddings and variety of milk, black and green teas.
8 Tyler St, Boston.
MBTA: Orange line at Chinatown
Play: Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Were you sitting in the theater watching Avengers: Endgame thinking, “Dang! How cool would it be if Miles Morales, Deadpool or Ms. Marvel were the ones punking Thanos?” Luckily, reality can now be whatever YOU want it to be with Marvel's Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. The third installment of the classic UA series will allow you to assemble your own team in a race to collect all the Infinity Stones before the mad Titan, Thanos, and his nefarious Black Order can get their hands on them.
Available for Nintendo Switch July 19.
Watch: Spider-Man: Far From Home
(to the tune of the 60’s Spider-Man theme)
Spider-Man, Spider-Man,
He’s in Europe, Spider-Man.
That guy’s a wizard; he can fly.
Nick Fury still, has just one eye.
Look out for “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”
“Spider-Man: Far From Home,” starring Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jake Gyllenhaal, premieres July 2.