A SEASIDE CATCH
Coming from the Midwest, I am continually shocked by how close together things are in New England. Especially from Boston, distances are short. So although my friend lives two states away in Maine, it was far from difficult to pop up to Portland for a visit. An easy two-hour drive up Interstate 95 or an equally quick train ride on Amtrak’s Downeaster will get you to this bustling and bohemian seaside city. At the heart of it all is the Old Port, with its cozy cafes, swanky boutiques, abundant seafood, and tempting consignment stores, including Shopaholics Boutique on Fore Street, where I scored an adorable and affordable knit dress.
Boston 101
For students new to the area, the Globe's summer interns offer a primer of favorite things in the city and beyond
When your stomach starts to grumble, choose from the plentiful vaunted restaurants. My friend and I ate lunch at the Merry Table Crêperie, tucked away on the cobblestones of Wharf Street. The charming spot serves a variety of sweet and salty crepes and other French comfort food.
If you tire of strolling around the port, I suggest a jaunt south of town to Cape Elizabeth’s Fort Williams Park, home to stunning sea vistas and the famed Portland Head Light. The views are so transcendent that I had trouble peeling myself away and returning to Boston.
Visitors bureau, 94 Commercial St.,207-772-5800, www.visitportland.com Portland Head Light, 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, 207-799-2661, www.portlandheadlight.com
ABBY MCINTYRE
A SNEAKY SECRET
Just like your friendly neighborhood corner store, Bodega is packed with the essentials: toilet paper, cereal, rat traps. But it’s also got $200 sneakers. It’s a bodega and a novelty sneaker store, and you will always remember your first time there.
Four years ago, I walked into the narrow shop, puzzled about where the sneakers were. I had been led to expect that, somehow, this cramped convenience store would transform into a sneaker boutique.
Suddenly, revelation. I dare not give away the secret, but trust me that you travel through a wormhole of sorts, arriving in a showroom with bamboo floors and a chandelier. No more laundry detergent or Coca-Cola lining the walls, just shirts, jackets, caps, and rows of neon sneakers.
A few hip attendants mosey about, asking if you need help. Once you do, and they fetch your size, you realize the sneakers you picked are nowhere as cool as theirs. But it’s OK. On the outside you’ll have the exclusive kicks — Bodega stocks mostly unusual, hard-to-find sneakers. They may set you back ($45 to $3,000; no, that’s not a misprint, it’s a collector’s edition), but the toilet paper is still cheap: 75 cents.
6 Clearway St.; Boston; www.bdgastore.com
JACK NICAS
Advertisement
Advertisement