After the meeting in Boston Stephanie Pappas, Director of International Meetings & Sports Business Development, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau My favourite places: Top Three Neighborhoods for Food: The North End is Boston’s Italian neighborhood and home to some of the most traditional Italian food in the country. Vinoteca di Monica makes its own pasta; Mare specializes in seafood; and Bricco and Lucca offer upscale regional Italian cuisine and extensive wine lists. The neighborhood is loaded with many other great restaurants nearby and it is customary to order dessert at one of the local pastry shops, such as Mike’s Pastry, Modern Pastry or Maria’s Pastry Shop. Boston’s trendy South End, with its brick and brownstone townhouses, small neighborhood shops, tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, and community gardens, is located next to Boston’s Back Bay district where the Hynes Convention Center is located. The South End’s ethnic diversity is reflected in the astounding choice of cuisines in its many fine restaurants, bars, and cafes which are scattered across this residential area. Local favorites include Toro for Spanish tapas; B&G Oysters Ltd., an oyster bar owned by renowned Chef Barbara Lynch which serves an award winning lobster roll; and The Beehive Restaurant and underground bohemian bistro with live entertainment. The City of Cambridge is a just a short trip over the Charles River from downtown Boston. The area is comprised of a series of “squares” that each act as a neighborhood center. Famous for its independent and upcoming restaurants, be sure to check out Russell House Tavern for classic American fare, carefully designed cocktails and local craft beer; Harvest specializing in fresh, local products; and Craigie on Main where award winning Chef Tony Maws combines his refined rustic French-inspired cooking with the best local, seasonal and organic ingredients. Top Three Areas for Bars: Fenway: Located in the shadows of the famous Fenway Park, home to the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, Lansdowne Street is popular not only on game days. Home to The Lansdowne Pub, House of Blues and Game On, this is one of Boston’s most popular streets. Also within the area for cocktails, be sure to stop into Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drinks, Sweet Cheeks Q, and Bleacher Bar which is located under the bleacher seats at Fenway Park. Seaport District/ Faneuil Hall: These two areas in very close proximity to each other offer a great mix of old and new. In Faneuil Hall, you can enjoy the oldest tavern in the country, the Bell-in-Hand Tavern, and the oldest continually operating restaurant in the United States, the Union Oyster House. In contrast, just down the street, enjoy the many bars and restaurants with beautiful harbor views along the newly developed Liberty Wharf. Also while in the neighborhood, don’t miss out on Drink, a bar entirely dedicated to the craft of the cocktail. Back Bay: Home to a host of bars, Back Bay is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Boston. Step out of the Hynes Convention Center on to Boylston Street and you are surrounded by small, casual bars that you can enjoy after a long day of meetings. Local favorites on Boylston Street include McGreevy’s, Towne Stove & Spirits and Forum. Top Three Hot Spots: The Back Bay is affluent Boston at its best, boasting landmarks like Copley Square, the Prudential Center, and the Boston Public Library (the first public lending library in the United States). Boston’s most famous shopping district, Newbury Street, is located in the neighborhood and is just one block from the Hynes Convention Center. Home to many luxury brands, as well as countless smaller shops, Newbury Street is a “can’t miss” for the keen shopper. Beacon Hill is one of Boston's smallest and most historic neighborhoods, featuring a mix of grand townhouses and fashionable shops. Stroll down Charles Street to spy pricey antique shops, enticing cafes, and swanky clothing boutiques. Harvard Square is a place of bookstores and coffee houses, of fine dining and eclectic shopping. It is a place of folk music and old theaters, of Cuban ballet and world-class music, of street-performers and award-winning pizza, of public discourse, and public art. The newest hot spots in Harvard Square include two live music venues, The Sinclair and The Beat Hotel. The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau offers a variety of services to meeting planners, with complete information about members and amenities in the Boston area. Our Convention Services Team can help you every step of the way. w w w. bostonusa. com