//
The St. Patrick's Day parade in Southie is a longstanding Bostonian tradition. First celebrated in 1737, its current incarnation has been running every year since 1901. Held on the Sunday closest to Evacuation Day, or March 17th, the parade celebrates Irish history, veterans, and the expulsion of the British from the city of Boston in 1776. Attendance at the parade is very high due to so many Bostonians claiming Irish ancestry, combined with the fact that it's an official city holiday. Often, close to one million people will all cram into Southie to attend the event. Check ahead for the starting time, and plan to arrive hours in advance if you want to stake out a spot. Parking is a nightmare: taking the T is strongly recommended. From 1990 to 2018, there was controversy around the inclusion of LGBTQ groups in the parade, and attendance suffered, but they are now allowed in the parade. In America "St. Patrick's Day" is synonymous with "Legal Public Drinking". Expect to encounter incapacitated revelers not only along the route but throughout the city as well. This goes double if it's a nice day. The organizers plead with people to take it easy, and police try to keep order, but your best bet is to keep your wits about you. Remember to wear green and enjoy the spectacle, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!
Look for the iconic milk bottle out front. The Children's Museum is the best place in the city to go with kids ranging from newborn to about 9. Featuring many interactive exhibits designed for kids, as well as the Kyoto House—a real traditional Japanese home moved from Japan to Boston. Kids love the three story climbing structure, it allows them to move around without using the boring elevator or stairs. The museum also supports fitness and environmental sustainability programs, and they even have a green roof! Definitely worthwhile if you're bringing the kids with you to Boston.
The history of firefighting in Boston on display. Mostly artifacts from the 20th century, but a few items are much older. Only open on Saturdays, this museum is often overlooked, so you're likely to receive more of a personal tour from the staff. They're not burned out from saying the same thing over and over.
This is the spot from where George Washington and Henry Knox aimed their guns at the British ships occupying Boston harbor, forcing them to leave and breaking the siege. Today you will find a quiet park space with some signage, a little tower, and locals walking their dogs.
A star fort built around 1850 to provide defenses for Boston harbor. Today, the guns are long gone, and it's a great place to go exploring. Fantastic views are rewarded to those who scale its granite walls. Even if the fort is closed, the grounds are always open. It's a great place to see families picnicking, going for a stroll around Pleasure Bay, or out flying kites in the brisk wind blowing in from the water. Kids love seeing (and hearing!) the planes up close, as they make their final approach to Logan Airport.
ICA
Formerly located in a cramped and tiny building next to a firehouse in the Back Bay, the ICA moved to its new home in 2006. The modernist building is the first new art museum to be built in Boston in over 100 years, and allowed the ICA to launch its first permanent collection. The permanent collection is small, but there are always temporary exhibitions taking place with works from up-and-coming artists. The Water Cafe in the building features food by Wolfgang Puck Catering.
The acoustics aren't perfect at this live event venue that seats 5000, but the location more than makes up for it. Feel the cool breeze rolling in off the ocean and smell the salt air while the band plays on. Speaking of cool breezes, avoid this place during the colder months, it's a big glorified tent after all.