As a supporter of the Mark Sandman Music Education Project based in Boston, I was invited to a fundraising concert commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Mark Sandman’s death.  (Sandman was best known as the lead singer and slide bass player of the band Morphine. He was a Boston music icon and was committed to providing children opportunities to grow through music.)  Another opportunity to explore Boston!

As everyone knows, two very important considerations while on the road are eating and sleeping.  Boston has countless hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts to meet the budgets of most travelers.  Keep an eye out for Hot Deals on AAA.com which offer unmatched discounts at some of the finest hotels in the city.

Sleeps! 
I stayed at two of Boston’s great historic hotels – The Omni Parker House and the Copley Square Hotel.

Founded in 1855, the Omni Parker House , located at the corner of School and Tremont Streets, and just a few short blocks from the Boston Commons, is America’s longest continuously operating hotel.  It's one of AAA’s 'Inspector Picks' for historic hotels and is steeped in local and national lore.  The guest register includes the likes of Charles Dickens, John Wilkes Booth, The Grateful Dead and Ulysses S. Grant.  Comfortable luxury envelopes guests as they walk into the Parker House lobby which features golden elevator doors and beautiful millwork. 

The Copley Square Hotel at Copley Plaza opened to acclaim in 1891 and is second only to the Parker House in its length of service in offering respite for weary travelers.  Walking into the lobby of the recently renovated boutique hotel presents a completely different feel than the Parker House.  The Copley Square Hotel combines the elegance of the turn of the century with contemporary designs.  Music --not Muzak-- can be heard in the lobby instantly bringing a feeling of calm to guests as they check in.  The mission of hotel staff is evident in what they are called -- 'Intuition Specialists' – intuitively attending to each guests needs. 

The disadvantage to both of these lovely hotels is parking.  Averaging about $40 per night, with in-and-out privileges, parking can add significantly to the cost of a stay.  Once in the city, a car really isn’t necessary.  Public transportation is more than adequate taking travelers quickly, efficiently and inexpensively to where ever they want to go.  In addition, it’s very easy to get around by walking. 

An option, if you drive into the area, is to consider staying in one of the nearby suburbs.  Hotel rates tend to be lower and there is no charge for overnight parking.  You can drive to one of the T stations (Boston’s subway), park inexpensively ($7 per day), and ride the subway into the city. 

Eats!
When you think Boston, immediately you think seafood.  I don’t eat much seafood; and I rarely order it out.   My inexperience was evident when I visited The Beehive Boston.  (More about that in a little bit.)  The Beehive is located in a building erected in 1884 for the express purpose of housing "The Battle of Gettysburg" cyclorama. Painted by French artist Paul Philippoteaux, the cyclorama was 400 feet long and 50 feet high.  (The painting is now on display at Gettysburg National Military Park.)  Today, the building is the home of the Boston Center for the Arts, housing studios and galleries for resident artists, as well as The Beehive.

The Beehive is a wonderful Jazz Club with an excellent menu.  Since I was in the mood for a culinary adventure, I decided to order some mussels as an appetizer.  Imagine my surprise when the waitress set a large basket of shells in front of me.  It seems when I read mussels on the menu . . . I saw scallops in my mind.  That being said, the mussels were outstanding.  They were served in a sauce of lager and tomato flavored with Old Bay seasoning.  Perhaps overstepping my bounds, I suggested that if the sauce had just a bit more body that it would have made an excellent pasta sauce. 

Continuing my adventure, I selected one of the specials, a Moroccan dish made with lamb, chicken, vegetables and served with couscous.  It had a bit of a kick to it but, I think I would have preferred the vegetarian version.  This was my first experience with lamb and it will move to the list of things not to order again.  But, otherwise, the entrée was quite delicious. 

The chef stopped at my table to check on how I enjoyed the meal and I asked her about dessert.  She indicated cheesecake was her specialty, and a chocolate chip cheesecake was on the menu.  I ordered a piece and was absolutely flabbergasted. Not only was it huge, it was probably the best I’ve ever had.  I’m sure to go back to the Beehive, if not for a meal, for dessert and to listen to the live music.  The entertainment calendar is filled with an eclectic mix of top notch local and national performers.  

The Beacon Hill Bistro is located on historic Charles Street in the Beacon Hill Hotel.  The menu is filled with unique combinations of some of my all time favorites.  The French Onion Soup flavored with Sherry was a delight to my palate.  And the distinctive combination of mint and almond pesto on my chicken sandwich was really interesting.  After enjoying the morning shopping along Charles Street, I suggest stopping in the Bistro.  Make a reservation for an early lunch to avoid the long wait during the busy lunch hour. 

It never occurred to me that Boston would be a spot to find traditional German food, but my son, the beer connoisseur, was familiar with Jacob Wirth’s Restaurant’s outstanding beer selection. He suggested having dinner there because the Annual Oktoberfest had begun.    Offering special beers and menu selections, Jacob’s didn’t disappoint.  I had grilled knockwurst served with red cabbage.  It was just like I was transported back to a bier stube in Germany.  Particularly fun about Jacob Wirth’s is the entertainment -- every Friday night from 8 p.m. until midnight diners and drinkers can join pianist Mel Stiller in a sing-along. Your suggestions for Bosotn 'sleeps' and 'eats'?