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16 Sustainable Stays, Eats, Shops, and Experiences in Boston
Written by Stephanie Stevens | May 3, 2021
Boston Common, Boston, MA Source: Sean Sweeney
Situated along the Atlantic Ocean and picturesque Charles River, Boston is an East Coast city with a history nearly as old as the United States itself. This charming metropolis, often known as the backdrop for important events in American history, is also a major hub for the arts, innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific research. You may have heard this city called by its nickname, Beantown, which comes from a dish of beans slow baked in molasses that was popular amongst the area’s Native American inhabitants and earliest European settlers. This rich history still lives on in the city today and can be experienced with a stroll through the city’s many diverse neighborhoods and lovely parks, including the quaint cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill. In fact, Boston Common, the city’s popular 50 acre park located downtown, is actually America’s oldest state park, established in 1634.
In addition to its many historical gems and landmarks, Boston has innumerable arts and science destinations with many renowned museums, art galleries, and spaces for outdoor recreation. When it comes to dining, the city’s notable farm-to-table scene features many restaurants honoring local ingredients that showcase the beauty and bounty of the region. With so much to see and do around Boston, this guide will introduce you to places to stay, eat, shop, and explore around the city that are highlighted for their efforts in sustainability, historical preservation, and community involvement. Take a peek through this guide and you’ll quickly see why Boston is an East Coast city you don’t want to miss!
Eco-Accommodations
The Boxer Hotel
Source: The Boxer Hotel
Price Range – $$
Located in vibrant West End, The Boxer is a chic and eclectic hotel situated in the city’s Flatiron Building, which was originally built in 1904. When it comes to sustainability, the hotel embraces environmental and community stewardship and acts in accordance with sustainable hospitality practices that include many environmental and conservation initiatives. If you find yourself hungry during your stay, the hotel’s onsite brasserie, Bulfinch Social Restaurant & Bar, is a farm-to-table restaurant that features some of the region’s finest ingredients and dishes. The hotel is also within walking distance of many of the city’s most famed sights, such as Boston Common, Charles River, and TD Garden, making it the perfect landing spot for a trip to Beantown.
The Colonnade Boston
Source: Conde Nast Traveler
Price Range – $$$
The Colonnade in Boston is a contemporary hotel that is committed to environmental awareness and sustainability. Located in Boston’s Back Bay region, this hotel integrates sustainability into all aspects of operations. From non-toxic cleaning products to energy-efficient lighting and windows to extensive recycling initiatives, everything at the Colonnade was designed to work in harmony with the environment. The hotel also has many wonderful amenities including a rooftop pool and lounge, a lobby cafe, a full-service fitness center, and a grand ballroom. If you wish to venture out to greater Boston during your stay, there are many popular attractions and shopping options located close by such as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Fenway Park, and Boston Public Library.
The Verb Hotel
Source: Booking.com
Price Range – $$
What all started in 1959 as the Fenway Motor Hotel, The Verb Hotel is a colorful boutique hotel that celebrates the vibrant art and music history of the Fenway area. Located just minutes from Fenway Park, the hotel is decorated with fun rock memorabilia and its walls feature bold quotes from Rock & Roll legends. If you’re hungry or looking to let loose, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant Hojoko is a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat while enjoying live music and karaoke. The hotel’s outdoor saltwater pool and sun deck are open year round, offering guests a relaxing reprieve from busy city life.
The Seaport
Source: The Seaport
Price Range – $$$
Noted as one of the greenest hotels in North America, The Seaport is a locally owned hotel that is a leader in social and environmental initiatives. Located in Boston’s Seaport District, the hotel sits on the waterfront and is within walking distance of many shops, bars, and restaurants. When it comes to amenities at The Seaport, sustainability is a central consideration. The hotel offers its guests complimentary bikes, in-room recycling, and on-campus access to Boston’s bus and train system – all intended to make a sustainable lifestyle more accessible. The hotel’s energy smart roofing system also aims to conserve energy and is designed with plants that reduce atmospheric heat. In addition to its many green initiatives, Seaport supports many local and environmental projects by teaming up with local nonprofits and organizations.
Socially Responsible Eateries
Bondir
Source: Bondir
Price Range – $$$
Situated in a warm and cozy space in Area 4 Cambridge, Bondir is a farm-house style restaurant that showcases the bounty of the lands and waters in and around New England. When it comes to creating new dishes, Chef Jason Bond uses simple, yet refined techniques that let the ingredients shine. The entire menu is a celebration of seasonal ingredients that are optimally fresh and sourced locally and sustainably. Many of the ingredients are even sourced from Bondir Gardens, a two acre plot that is operated by the restaurant and utilizes sustainable farming techniques. With its cozy quarters and commitment to sustainable sourcing, Bondir is the perfect spot to enjoy a special meal during your stay in Boston.
Ten Tables
Source: Ten Tables
Price Range – $$$
Located in Jamaica Plain, Ten Tables is a neighborhood farm-to-table restaurant serving handcrafted cuisine in an intimate setting. With a seasonally inspired menu that features local and organic produce, handmade pasta, and fresh seafood, this popular spot is perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. As the name suggests, space is limited at Ten Tables, but with its welcoming environment, sustainable ingredient sourcing, and refined preparations, it is well worth making the visit!
Field & Vine
Source: Field & Vine
Price Range – $$
Field & Vine is a hip restaurant in Somerville that celebrates seasonal ingredients that are sustainably sourced from local farms. The restaurant’s menu, which consists of a variety of shareable plates and local beers and wines, strives to showcase the beauty of New England’s farms and waters. The restaurant also seeks to create a dining experience that is committed to the natural world through their lively decor that includes many plants, flowers, and natural materials.
Puritan & Company
Source: The Food Lens
Price Range – $$$
Puritan & Company is a farm-to-table restaurant at Inman Square in Cambridge serving exceptional modern American and New England cuisine. The menu, crafted by Chef Will Gilson, consists of starters, entrees, and desserts that honor the seasons with ingredients sourced from local farms and breweries. The restaurant is open for brunch & dinner and its communal tables give the space a casual and relaxed feel. The restaurant has historical connections as well, getting its name from Puritan Cake Company, which once existed where the restaurant is located today.
Walnut Grille
Source: Walnut Grille
Price Range – $$
Walnut Grille is a contemporary vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Newton that features a globally inspired menu composed of local and seasonal ingredients. Serving lunch, brunch, and dinner, this award-winning restaurant strives to accommodate a variety of dietary needs including gluten free, raw vegan, soy free, etc. Walnut Grille also has a great selection of organic and vegan wines, which pair perfectly with any of the restaurant’s exceptional entrees. With its eclectic menu, use of local produce, and notable ingredient transparency, Walnut Grille is a great option when looking for a healthy bite in the Boston area!
Veggie Galaxy
Source: Veggie Galaxy
Price Range – $$
Veggie Galaxy is a classic American diner serving traditional comfort food that is completely vegetarian and made from scratch! Located in Central Square, Cambridge, this fun diner is known for its vegetarian versions of diner classics, such as its Chick’n & Waffles, Cheezeburger, and Vegan Milkshakes. Everything on the menu can be made vegan and the restaurant’s onsite bakery is 100% vegan, offering delicious cakes, pies, doughnuts, and more. Veggie Galaxy also serves all day breakfast and runs weekly specials, making it the perfect spot for any craving!
Social Enterprise Shopping
Uvida Plastic Free Shop
Source: http://www.uvidashop.com
Price Range – $
UVIDA Plastic Free Shop is a small, women-owned store in Boston with a mission to reduce waste and help make a more sustainable world. Located on the Lewis Wharf, UVIDA strives to take care of the environment by providing customers with sustainable, waste free alternatives for daily essentials. With an amazing variety of items for your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and more, UVIDA is the perfect place to kickstart a waste free lifestyle, restock your favorite items, or find unique waste free gifts. The shop also doubles a plant store, so be sure to take home a little greenery with your next waste free haul!
Use the code ‘ecomadic15’ for 15% off your next order!
Cambridge Naturals
Source: Cambridge Naturals
Price Range – $$
Cambridge Naturals is a local and family owned business selling a wide variety of natural wellness products, including supplements, organic foods, and self-care products. The selection of products at Cambridge Naturals are carefully curated and sourced locally, organically, and ethically from fair trade and direct sources. A longtime member of the Cambridge community and certified as a B corporation, the store is committed to providing the highest level of service and a portion of the store’s proceeds are donated to social and environmental organizations that impact the local community.
Olives & Grace
Source: Olives & Grace
Price Range – $$
Situated in a cozy nook on Tremont Street, Olives & Grace is a retail shop with a curated selection of handmade gifts and local food products. Founded in 2012 by Sofi Madison, the store is a place to connect with the community and find amazing products created by local artisans and entrepreneurs. Offering a variety of home decor, food, jewelry, beauty, and self care products, Olives & Grace has a unique product for just about any occasion. The store also has many unique gift boxes, such as the Local Maker Box, that are filled items made by local artisans – perfect for gifting to those you love!
Ethical Experiences
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Source: Brittanica
Price Range – $$
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is an art museum situated in the former home of Isabella Stewart Gardner, an American art collector and sociellite of the 19th century. The museum features Gardner’s impressive collection of European, American, and Asian paintings, sculptures, tapestries, rare books, manuscripts, and furniture, which she enjoyed collecting over the course of her life. Located adjacent to Back Bay Fens, the building itself was built to evoke a 15th century Venetian palace, which makes it the perfect home for Gardner’s world-class collection. The museum’s interior courtyard features ever-changing horticultural displays which beautifully integrate stonework arches and columns. The museum also hosts regular exhibitions, lectures, performances, and other events that give visitors a closer look at the history behind the art pieces and the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner.
Boston Harbor Islands
Source: Jonathan Elcock
Price Range – $
The Boston Harbor Islands are a picturesque collection of 34 islands and peninsulas located on or around Boston Harbor. Nearly all of the islands are open to the public and can be accessed either by ferry, car, bike, or foot. The islands offer many wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation including hiking, camping, bird watching, and general exploration. Each of the islands has a unique history, such as Boston Light, which is home to the oldest and continually used lighthouse in the country that dates back to the Revolutionary War. Situated among the bustling city of Boston, the islands also act as a vital ecological habitat for local wildlife. With their stunning beauty and rich history, the islands are perfect for a quick getaway from the fast-paced city to the peace and solitude that nature provides.
Boston Museum of Science
Source: Museum of Science, Boston
Price Range – $
Located along the Charles River, the Boston Museum of Science is a science museum and indoor zoo with over 700 interactive exhibits. The history of the museum dates back to 1830 when the museum was founded as the Boston Society of Natural History by seven men who shared an interest in science. Today, the museum’s exhibit halls feature interactive displays, such as the Butterfly Garden and Hall of Human Life, that educate visitors on scientific topics including wildlife, innovation, and outer space. With so much to learn, see, and explore, the Boston Museum of Science offers visitors to Boston an unparalleled opportunity to learn more about the world around us!
meet the author
Stephanie Stevens
Stephanie is a writer and photographer passionate about sustainable living, mindfulness, and exploring the outdoors. She loves microadventures but her favorite part about traveling abroad is immersing herself in other cultures. When she’s not writing, you can find her drinking coffee, playing soccer, or backpacking.
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