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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 side-by-side comparison of the two types of hot dog buns. (Meghan B. Kelly/WBUR)

How New England split with America over hot dog buns

Here in New England, the split-top hot dog bun reigns supreme. You might recognize it as the iconic breading used for lobster rolls. Almost everywhere else in the U.S., people...

Local Coverage

Jul 11, 2024

An illustration of various attractions in Vermont. (Sophie Stephens and Zoe McDonald/Vermont Public)

Day trips in Vermont: Lakeside adventures, rural curiosities and plenty of creemees

Here's a collection of things to do in the Green Mountain State, from it's most populous area of Burlington and the northwestern region, as well as the Northeast Kingdom, its...

Local Coverage

Jul 1, 2024

A worker at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana takes a piping hot pizza out of a coal oven and places it into a to-go box during a weekday lunchtime rush. The restaurant was founded in 1925 by Italian immigrant Frank Pepe in New Haven, and has since opened locations across the Northeast.

Day trips in Connecticut: 50 fun things to do, from pizza to parks (and a castle, too)

From the southern shoreline to the hills in the northwest, Connecticut's state parks and public gardens offer a break from the hustle and bustle. Its cities are packed with things...

Local Coverage

Jun 28, 2024

A sign for Geddy's restaurant in Bar Harbor, Maine on June 3, 2024.

Day trips in Maine: 3 itineraries for eating, drinking and adventuring your way through Vacationland

Maine is known as “Vacationland,” and it really lives up to that name. Whether you want a day trip to the beach, a coastal hike or a tour around some...

Local Coverage

Jun 27, 2024

Clockwise from left, a composite of scenes from the Cape, Boston, central and western Massachusetts. (WBUR file photos and Raquel C. Zaldívar/New England News Collaborative)

Day trips in Massachusetts: Hikes, history made fun, ice cream and unofficial hot dog tours

From the beach towns of Cape Cod, to the idyllic rural charm of central and western Massachusetts, we're giving you some sweet offbeat recommendations to plan your next epic day...

Local Coverage

Jun 25, 2024

South Vietnamese flags fly on Dorchester Avenue ahead of the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon in 2015. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Field Guide: A piece of home in Dorchester's Little Saigon

Boston Little Saigon is one of the city’s four official cultural districts as designated by the state. As a part of WBUR’s Field Guide to Boston, The Common visits Little...

The Common

11:45Oct 30, 2023

"Isabella Stewart Gardner" by John Singer Sargent in the Gothic Room. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

What to know about Isabella Stewart Gardner, the woman behind one of Boston's most celebrated museums

Thousands walk through her home-turned-museum every year, but do we really know who Isabella Stewart Gardner was? A fresh look at her life reveals that we may be remembering her...

Radio Boston

14:41Sep 26, 2023

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

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

Playing

How New England split with America over hot dog buns

Day trips in Vermont: Lakeside adventures, rural curiosities and plenty of creemees

Day trips in Connecticut: 50 fun things to do, from pizza to parks (and a castle, too)

Day trips in Maine: 3 itineraries for eating, drinking and adventuring your way through Vacationland

Day trips in Massachusetts: Hikes, history made fun, ice cream and unofficial hot dog tours

Field Guide: A piece of home in Dorchester's Little Saigon

What to know about Isabella Stewart Gardner, the woman behind one of Boston's most celebrated museums

Field Guide: A taste of Mattapan

Weird and wonderful: This is your Field Guide to Boston

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

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

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

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

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

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

We asked top chefs where to eat in and around Boston

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

Fun between the flurries: Your winter guide to Boston

The essential guide to Boston's freshest season: spring

More fun than a water slide: How to summer in Boston