boston question

Meegs10.13.06

My brother's fiance (yay!) just moved up to Mass to do grad school at Harvard. She's from GA and went to college in DC, so really knows nothing about the Boston area. Any suggestions for good places to eat, must see Boston sites, places to buy groceries (keeping in mind she's a poor grad student), etc.? She is technically Somerville, but pretty much on the city limit with Cambridge. She'll take any recommendations. Thanks!!

ball.and.chain

What's she into?  Does she have a car?

For me, the must-see sites are museums.  We can't really compete with DC in this regard, but we have options.  The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is really unique.  The MFA sometimes has great exhibits, and there are some interesting pieces in the permanent collection.  The Institute of Contemporary Art is an awesome new building right on the water.  Harvard has a handful of art museums and a Museum of Natural History that is cool.  Of course there's a ton of history stuff, too, some of which is more interesting than others.  A lot of museums have one night a week with reduced or free admission, and if she gets a Somerville Public Library card, she can reserve free museum passes for many of these museums.

tdmklm

Hey, meegs! I work in Somerville, so I spend most of my time there. There are TONS of cool places to check out in the city - lots and lots of really cool little restaurants. (ball.and.chain covered culture, and I LOVE to eat, so... ) If she's adventurous, she should try Fasika, on Broadway; it's a great Ethiopian restaurant. Cantina Mexicana, in Union Square, is the BEST Mexican restaurant I've ever tried, and I love Mexican food. For a more upscale (but not break-the-bank expensive) meal, she can try Ten Tables. I've only been to their JP location, but there's one in Cambridge, too. Four-course dinners + wine for $42 and seriously THE BEST FOOD! I've never had anything there I didn't love. For reals.

If she wants to meet folks in the area, let me know; I'll be glad to get her connected in Somerville. 

Meegs10.13.06

Thanks! I'll pass all this on.

pbl2011

pass along a congrats! i don't really have any suggestion unfortunately, i'm more south of boston, but i'm also a transplant and still feel pretty new here so i hope she settles in ok. although i worked in cambridge for some time, there are tons of things to do and see, i would suggest picking up the Phoenix and the Dig, free newspapers that have all the local happenings, many cheap and free. harvest co-op also a favorite grocery store of mine in the area