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Articles focused on how Bostonians can find fun happenings around the city and take part in recreational activities across the region.

A woman runs to catch the trolley at the MBTA Mattapan Station. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Field Guide: A taste of Mattapan

Today, we're heading to Mattapan, looking for food. This culinary quest is part of WBUR's Field Guide to Boston — a station-wide effort to help you connect with the city's...

The Common

12:58Sep 13, 2023

Weird and wonderful: This is your Field Guide to Boston

The Field Guide to Boston is a collection of Boston facts and fascinations, a salute to the weird and the wonderful that makes this place home. Whether you just set...

Local Coverage

Sep 12, 2023

People hanging out at ManRay in Cambridge. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

From bottle service to bar trivia, how to make the most of Boston nightlife

It's true that the MBTA stops running at 1 a.m., and most bars close by 2 a.m. Nonetheless, Bostonians still have quite a few options to find a good time...

Arts & Culture

Sep 11, 2023

An illustration of tacos and chips. (Midoriko Grace Abe for WBUR)

Dig in: Here's your primer on Boston's culinary landscape

There's plenty to explore around town: restaurants, breweries and supermarkets — not to mention our surprisingly sweet culinary history. Let’s tuck our napkins into our collars and dig in.

Arts & Culture

Sep 11, 2023

Bottle of liquor behind a bar in Jamaica Plain. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Why we're so weird about alcohol in Massachusetts (Hint: It's not really the Puritans' fault)

The Puritans established these laws to make sure you went to church, but these days limitations on Sunday activities have to do with workers’ rights to rest.

Local Coverage

Sep 11, 2023

Tell us: What beloved Boston haunts do you want to share with your neighbors?

As part of WBUR's "Field Guide to Boston" project, we interviewed dozens of residents across 20 Boston communities to get insights into their favorite neighborhood spots. Now it's your turn...

Local Coverage

Sep 11, 2023

An illustration of Polaroids of people taking part in arts and culture activities. (Midoriko Grace Abe for WBUR)

Here's your ticket to Boston's arts and culture scene

The Greater Boston area boasts dozens of cherished art museums and galleries, as well as renowned dance companies and hot music venues. Meanwhile, you'll want to mark your calendars for...

Arts & Culture

Sep 7, 2023

An illustration of two people harvesting lettuce at a community garden in Boston. (Midoriko Grace Abe for WBUR)

Here's how to find your crowd and make friends in Boston

There’s no denying the emotional payoff — even health benefits — that comes with quality relationships. This guide is meant to help you find your people, be they gamers or...

Arts & Culture

Sep 7, 2023

We asked top chefs where to eat in and around Boston

Five local chefs shared where they like to dine once they hang up their aprons for the day. We’re talking quick bites, date-night hotspots and dining in for special occasions.

Arts & Culture

Sep 7, 2023

An illustration inspired by Nancy Schön's "Make Way For Ducklings" sculpture. The ducklings in the illustration are dressed for autumn weather and events. (Midoriko Grace Abe for WBUR)

The air and apples are crisp: What to know about fall in Boston

There's plenty to experience in New England fall, from fairs to farms to food. And with the right preparation, you can make the most of what's arguably the region's defining...

Arts & Culture

Sep 6, 2023

An illustration inspired by Nancy Schön's "Make Way For Ducklings" sculpture. The ducklings in the illustration are dressed for winter weather and events. (Midoriko Grace Abe for WBUR)

Fun between the flurries: Your winter guide to Boston

There's no sugarcoating it: Winters in Boston can be brutal. But with the right preparation, they can bring a lot of joy. There are a host of holiday happenings ripe...

Arts & Culture

Sep 6, 2023

An illustration inspired by Nancy Schön's "Make Way For Ducklings" sculpture. The ducklings in the illustration are dressed for spring weather and events. (Midoriko Grace Abe for WBUR)

The essential guide to Boston's freshest season: spring

Other seasons may get more attention in New England, but you can make the argument that spring is the most underrated. Here's a guide to the weather, events and activities...

Arts & Culture

Sep 6, 2023

Good eats, local vibes: Explore 20 Boston neighborhoods

Boston's neighborhoods are the cultural dynamos that give this city verve and character beyond the hackneyed tropes you see in movies. Here are our guides to 20 Boston communities.

Local Coverage

Sep 1, 2023

A Green Line MBTA train makes its way along Commonwealth Ave. in Brighton. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Brighton: A Boston neighborhood guide

The slightly more chilled-out sibling to nearby Allston, Brighton is known as a popular hangout for indie rockers and the college set, but is also home to young professionals and...

Local Coverage

Sep 1, 2023

A man crosses a bustling Dorchester Avenue in Fields Corner at midday. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Dorchester: A Boston neighborhood guide

Dorchester is by far Boston's largest and most populous community. But Dot, as it's known to locals, is hard to define as a singular neighborhood: rather, it's a cluster of...

Local Coverage

Sep 1, 2023

The Tall Ship oyster bar on Pier One in East Boston. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

East Boston: A Boston neighborhood guide

Surrounded by water and New England's biggest airport, East Boston sits directly across the harbor from downtown — a mix of single- and multi-family homes that evoke an older Boston,...

Local Coverage

Sep 1, 2023

Downtown Boston, seen from the top of Peters Hill in the Arnold Arboretum. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Jamaica Plain: A Boston neighborhood guide

Known for its iconic green spaces, vibrant LGBTQ scene and Latin Quarter, Jamaica Plain is a diverse neighborhood with a history of progressive activism that now sees its inclusive identity...