Five Boston Travel Tips

A few months back, I offered to you, dear reader, five Hawaii travel tips. Consider this, then, the second installment in a consistently inconsistent series. From my first-ever visit to Beantown, I present to you, patient Paste website visitor, five Boston places you should check out the next time you're in the capital of the commonwealth of Massachusetts:

Bukowski Tavern (50 Dalton St., Boston, Mass. 02115)
At Bukowski's, the hot dogs are great, the music is greater and the beer selection is greatest. On my trip(s) to this charming watering hole, I chatted up a bouncer who was reading Infinite Jest, admired the myriad junk on the wall and wished that this place was always walking distance from where I lay my head at night.

Twisted Village (12 Eliot St. #B, Cambridge, Mass. 02138)
"Purveyors of Obscure Musics" as the sign above proudly states, Twisted Village is a fantastic little indie record shop/label owned by Drag City indie-psych rockers Major Stars. Sure, you can get all kinds of great stuff at Newbury Comics, but Twisted Village is more of an adventure. Descend the staircase into the cavelike room and peruse obscure vinyl and super-cheap used CDs; you will not be disappointed. If you get hungry mid-browse, step next door and have the infamous Charlie's Kitchen double cheeseburger. It'll give you the strength you need to get past the triple-digit music bill you're about to accumulate. Ouch.

Craigie on Main (853 Main St., Cambridge, Mass. 02139)
Looking to be pampered like whoa? Look no further than Craigie on Main. This place straight up caters to you. Get the six-course (or, if you're feeling indulgent, ten-course) tasting menu and prepare to have your mind boggled. Vegetarians more than welcome. In fact, the waitress on my visit told of an evening where the chef created a one-of-a-kind dessert for a vegan customer. The dessert was made once specifically for that customer. Amazing. They'll take care of carnivores as well, though. They take care of everyone. Don't think about it, just go.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (100 Northern Ave., Boston, Mass. 02210)
Located on Boston's waterfront, the ICA has been going strong in various forms since 1936. My visit was highlighted specifically by Shepard Fairey's Supply & Demand exhibit (which you can still see until Aug. 16), but the ICA shows captivating, eclectic stuff year round.

Harpoon Brewery (306 Northern Ave., Boston, Mass. 02210)
A short bus ride from the ICA and a short bus ride to the airport, Harpoon Brewery is Boston's pre-eminent microbrewery. (Which is to say, you should ignore Samuel Adams and head here instead.) They give weekday tastings every day except Monday (!!!) at 4 p.m., with an extra 2 p.m. tasting on Fridays. Additionally, they give myriad weekend tours. Make sure to try anything from the Leviathan series, but don't drive anywhere afterward.