Exploring LA’s Top-Rated Coffee Shops

Do you love the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee, the sounds of a busy coffee shop, and the atmosphere cultivated by genuine coffee-lovers? Los Angeles is home to a wide variety of coffee shops where you can enjoy a delicious cup of joe. Keep reading to discover just a few of the unique and delicious coffee experiences that await you, only minutes from your trendy Vida Hollywood apartment.

True & Brave Coffee Roasters at The Crossing

True & Brave Coffee Roasters stands for delicious coffee, a welcoming environment, and fair trade for all. This sustainable coffee bar recently re-opened on February 3rd, 2014, and features three unique espresso blends as well as a number of craft brews on tap. True & Brave offers ample outdoor seating and is part of a larger kitchen operation that serves up some of the area’s best Texas BBQ.

Caffe Luxxe

Caffe Luxxe is rated one of the best coffee shops in the city of Los Angeles. This Northern Italian-inspired coffee shop is known for its excellent espresso shots and perfectly-foamed cappuccinos. At Caffe Luxxe, coffee is roasted to perfection before being handcrafted into top-quality drinks, one cup at a time. You’ll also love the friendly atmosphere, freshly-baked pastries, and unique flavor-infused espressos that make Caffe Luxxe a consistent local favorite.

Tierra Mia

Tierra Mia has been serving fine craft coffee in Los Angeles since 2008. Now with multiple locations, this coffee establishment roasts its beans in-house to deliver the highest quality of coffee to every patron who walks in the door. Tierra Mia finds its roots in Latin America, where good coffee and good company are integral parts of daily life. Every latte comes handcrafted with personalized foam art created just for you by your barista. Just a few of Tierra Mia’s signature drinks include the Mocha Mexicano, the Coco Loco Latte, and the Cubano con Leche.

Cafecito Organico

If you’re craving a complex, earthy cup of coffee that is sustainably-sourced and roasted with techniques developed from scratch, stop by Cafecito Organico on N. Heliotrope Dr. Cafecito Organico started as a single stall in a farmers’ market and has since grown into a thriving coffee shop offering coffees from the major coffee-growing regions of the world. The beans are still locally roasted using methods designed to bring out each region’s strengths and unique flavors, allowing you to completely immerse yourself in your coffee’s rich qualities. Cafecito Organico offers a limited selection of pastries, choosing instead to focus on creating a fine cup of coffee that can be enjoyed solely for itself.

Brew/Well

Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to hold a small meeting, enjoy another’s company, or do a little reading on your own, Brew/Well is the coffee shop for you. Located in the heart of Koreatown, Brew/Well offers a rotating selection of coffees and a “Creative Menu” that includes options like honeyed foam and cold-brewed coffee with milk and coconut sugar. You can also pick up a sandwich, snack, or scone (savory or sweet) to go with your handcrafted espresso drink. Brew/Well also offers a dessert menu featuring sweet and tea-flavored gelatos you’re sure to love.

Vida Hollywood offers you life in the middle of it all. Our Los Angeles apartment community is located in a premier location with easy access to shopping, entertainment—and, of course, some of LA’s best coffee! Check us out on the web to explore our neighborhood and our community; you can also view our gallery, click through our floor plans, and contact us to set up a lease today.

Day Activities on Oahu

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a day this summer, there are plenty of destinations on Oahu just waiting to be explored. Whether your preference is for history, culture, or the sun and surf, the perfect day trip is just minutes away from your apartment door!

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is the site of the attack orchestrated by the Japanese on the morning of December 7, 1941, which subsequently led to the United States entering World War II. Today, Pearl Harbor still serves as an active military harbor, as well as the home of memorials and museums dedicated to the events surrounding the attack. Visitors can climb aboard the USS Bowfin submarine, otherwise known as the “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” and the USS Missouri battleship, where Japan surrendered and ended the war in 1945. You can also take a water taxi to the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits above the wreck of the USS Arizona where it remains beneath the water after being sunk during the attack.

Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area

For a different view of Pearl Harbor and other nearby areas, try the four-and-a-half-mile Aiea Loop Trail at the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area. This hike through the center of the island offers the opportunity to explore the inner portion of Oahu—you may even find the remains of a crashed B-24 bomber dating back to 1944! The Aiea Loop Trail is perfect for beginning hikers and takes a total of three to four hours to complete, making it an excellent half-day trip from Waimea. The 384-acre State Recreation Area also offers campgrounds and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy. At the entryway to the park sits Keaiwa Heiau, a thatched healing temple believed to be built in the 16th century.

Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC)

Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center is a themed park and educational center located on the North Shore of Oahu in Laie. Covering nearly 42 acres, the Polynesian Cultural Center offers you the chance to experience different ways of life throughout the South Pacific. As you tour the Center, you’ll walk through eight simulated tropical villages from areas that include Hawaii, Tonga, Tahiti, and Fiji. Other activities include the PCC’s IMAX theater and canoe lagoon, where you can learn to paddle a canoe with help from a guide. As day turns to evening, you can take in the PCC’s unique evening show: Hā–Breath of Life. This production highlights Polynesian dances, music, and fireknife performances. The PCC also offers Hawaii’s “most authentic luau”: the Ali’i Luau.

Kailua Beach Park

Kailua Beach Park sits on the windward coast of Oahu in the east, just a 30-minute drive from the Honolulu area. This half-mile beach is extremely popular with the natives and has been consistently rated one of America’s best beaches. Kailua Beach is a great place to take part in all types of water sports, including surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and more. The beach offers public restrooms and showers, as well as ample parking and picnic facilities. Nearby, you’ll find Kailua Town, a great place to eat, shop, or relax after a day on the beach.

At Palms of Kilani Apartments, you’ll love our spacious two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartment homes nestled in the heart of Wahiawa, with easy access to points all across Oahu. Our on-site amenities include a barbecue area, sparkling pool, courtesy patrol, and an on-site laundry center for your convenience. If you’d like to find out more, check out our website or contact our leasing office for information about our availability and move-in specials.

Earth-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

At Carmel The Village, we already know you’re dedicated to a greener, more sustainable environment—we are, too! Our GreenPoint Rated community offers a variety of eco-friendly benefits that include green construction methods and sustainable materials. There are many ways you can promote a healthy environment by making small changes in your everyday life, starting with replacing harsh cleaning chemicals with Earth-friendly solutions.

Cleaning Your Countertops

Your Carmel The Village apartment features luxurious quartz countertops you’re sure to love. Quartz itself is a great Earth-friendly choice because it is durable, long-lasting, and natural. Because quartz is nonporous, it does not absorb stains or grease readily, making it easy to keep clean. Most spills and stains can be cleaned quickly using a solution of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. Once you’ve cleared the spill away, rinse with warm water and dry the countertop to leave it looking like new. To keep any grout in your countertops clean, mix a little lemon juice with one to two teaspoons of cream of tartar to create a paste. Apply the paste to the grout with a cleaning toothbrush, scrubbing it in to remove any stains. Rinse the grout with clean water and pat the area dry.

Cleaning Your Appliances

Carmel The Village apartments also include beautiful stainless steel appliances. To keep your appliances in top shape, you should avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, which can mar or scratch the surface. Instead, go green by using some inexpensive and safe kitchen ingredients to remove stains, dirt, and grease from your appliances. Diluted vinegar (mix it with clear, fresh water) is a great all-purpose cleaner for stainless steel appliances. Dip a soft sponge or cloth into the mixture and gently clean away any stains or grease. Rinse the cleaned area with fresh water and pat it dry. To polish your stainless steel appliances, mix three tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to create a thick paste. Rub this mixture into the surface with a soft sponge, then rinse with water.

Cleaning Your Faucets

Kitchen and bathroom faucets can sometimes build up streaks, spots, and limescale due to minerals in your water. You can remove this limescale and keep your faucets looking like new using lemon juice. Rub a small amount of lemon juice onto the tap to dissolve the limescale; allow it to dry overnight, then wipe the faucet with a damp cloth in the morning. Do this often to keep stubborn limescale deposits from building up.

Cleaning Your Apartment

All-purpose cleaner is a great tool to have handy at any time. You can make your own eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner and deodorizer using four tablespoons of baking soda and one quart of warm water. You can create a fresh batch of cleaner each time you use it in a bucket or bowl, or store excess in a spray bottle for use at any time. Apply the cleaner with a sponge or by spraying it onto the surface; there’s no need to wipe it away.

These eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaners will help you keep your Carmel The Village apartment looking its best without harming the environment. You can learn more about Carmel The Village and our commitment to a greener community by clicking through our website. You’ll find floor plans, a long list of amenities, local neighborhood information, and more online—or stop by in person for a tour today!

Contemporary Kitchen Décor Ideas

Carmel The Village offers chic, contemporary-styled apartments in Mountain View, CA. Personalizing your apartment through décor is a great way to turn this space into a home, and your kitchen is the perfect place to start. Kitchens are often a central place in the home, providing a place for socialization and daily tasks as well as cooking and enjoying meals. A kitchen with contemporary décor will perfectly complement the look and feel of the rest of your luxury apartment.

Black and White Décor

Contemporary spaces are known for clean lines and a sense of open space. Choosing a monochromatic palette for your kitchen’s décor will enhance these design elements, creating a slick, modern space you’ll love. Black and white décor elements will never go out of style and are easy to find, making it the perfect choice for your apartment space. Consider black and white bowls, salt and pepper shakers, storage containers, and small appliances to complete the look of your kitchen. Stainless steel is also a great complement for black and white décor, so don’t be afraid to utilize metallic elements as well.

Shelves and Hooks

If you like to store items within easy reach but want to keep them from creating clutter, consider on-the-wall storage options such as hooks and floating shelves. These storage solutions allow you to minimize the number of items on your counter. Keeping your counters free of obstructions will enhance the open and inviting feel of your contemporary kitchen. Take care not to clutter your shelves, either – make sure items are spaced out and neatly stacked. If you don’t want to hang shelves, consider placing a shelving unit in or near your kitchen. Low shelves can make a great space divider, delineating your kitchen space from the rest of your apartment if you have an open floor plan. Storing dishes, bowls, and other kitchen items neatly in a shelving unit allows you to see what you have without making your kitchen feel small or cluttered.

Artwork
Artwork adds personality as well as color to your kitchen space. You can choose either one large piece of art or a series of smaller, related prints to create a focal point from which to build your kitchen’s décor. Find one or two colors in your artwork that you love and carry these colors through into your décor. If you’re having trouble finding items in the right shade, consider painting your own to create the perfect personalized look. Alternatively, using complementary colors can also help to tie your kitchen’s décor together. Select one to two colors on the opposite end of the color wheel from the shades in your artwork and use these as a guideline for kitchen linens, accessories, and place settings.

Your luxury contemporary apartment in Mountain View is waiting at Carmel The Village! Our GreenPoint Rated apartment community features a wide variety of amenities, including upscale finishes, large balconies and terraces, a pool retreat and fireside spa, and a private resident lounge. If you’d like to learn more about our community and the benefits of renting with us, we invite you to check out the information on our website today or visit our leasing office at 555 San Antonio Road in Mountain View.

Personality-Based Apartment Decorating Tips

Introverts and extroverts are two common personality types that define whether you prefer social situations or like to spend time in peace and quiet at home. While extroverts love being the life of the party and hitting the town with friends, introverts often prefer quieter interactions with only a few people or even to spend some evenings without company at all. Regardless of your personality type, creating an apartment that speaks to your comfort zone can turn your San Diego apartment space into a truly personalized home.

If You’re an Extrovert

Extroverts thrive on social interactions and energetic environments. If you’re an extrovert, the key to decorating your apartment is not to overthink the process. When you find a decorative item or element you think will work, go with your gut and try it out. When selecting fabric elements, choose bright colors and energetic patterns that will mesh with your naturally active and social nature. If you use your apartment for entertaining often, think about laying out your furniture in a way that will invite social interactions. Arrange sofas in an L-shaped pattern to facilitate face-to-face conversations and leave plenty of space for traffic through your apartment. You can also use your balcony for entertaining; treat this outdoor space as an extension of your indoor apartment in terms of décor and functionality to make the most of this feature. Use ample lighting to ensure you and your friends will be able to see each other and interact easily. You should also invest in plenty of storage—because you tend to always be on the go, having a convenient place to store items will help to keep clutter in your apartment to a minimum.

If You’re an Introvert

By contrast, introverts prefer quiet, carefully-planned spaces that allow for quiet contemplation or enjoyment of hobbies. Rather than focusing on a wide open apartment space, consider creating cozy areas where you can curl up with a book or spend time with one or two treasured friends. Overstuffed chairs and ottomans, loveseats, and comfortable couches are great functional and stylistic choices for introverts. Because you like to take your time when making decisions, make a few sketches or lists of apartment decorating ideas before you get started. You’ll find great satisfaction in developing the right furniture layout for your tastes and in finding the perfect elements to complete your décor. Introverts often prefer softer, muted colors and patterns that allow you to think without distraction. Make sure to include plenty of focused lighting if you plan to read, draw, or perform other tasks that require good visibility. Soft ambient lighting will make your apartment feel cozier and more comfortable overall. Jotting down notes and thoughts is also part of your nature, so consider a dry erase board, blackboard, or wall-mounted notepad so you’ll always have a writing space at the ready.

Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or fall somewhere in the middle, your BLVD63 apartment is the perfect place to let your personality shine. We offer both furnished and unfurnished apartment spaces in the center of sunny San Diego. Would you like to learn more about our features, amenities, and floor plans? Check us out on the web for all the information you need to choose the perfect apartment space for your needs. We also invite you to stop by in person and take a tour of our upscale urban apartment community to see the benefits of living with us for yourself!

San Diego Summer Events 2014

This summer, the San Diego area comes alive with events, celebrations, and more. Whether your love is music, food, or history, there’s sure to be an event taking place you’ll love. Keep reading for more details about just a few of the unique and exciting San Diego-area events you can take part in this year, all just minutes from your BLVD63 apartment near SDSU.

Festival of the Bells

The San Diego Festival of the Bells is a one-weekend event celebrating the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, also known as the “Mother of California’s 21 Missions.” Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá was originally founded in 1769 by a Spanish Catholic friar, who also named the surrounding area after Saint Didacus (San Diego). Today, the Mission is a National Historic Landmark. During the Festival of the Bells, all five of the mission’s bells are rung as participants celebrate the history and culture associated with the mission’s founding. Other weekend festivities include music, dancing, food, entertainment, and traditional activities such as the Blessing of the Bells and the Blessing of the Animals.

Del Mar Summer Concert Series

The Del Mar Racetrack lies just north of San Diego in the city of Del Mar. This 44,000-seat thoroughbred horse-racing track was originally built as a partnership among celebrities in the 1930s and has been expanded several times. While the 2014 racing season runs from July 17 through September 3, Del Mar also plays host to a summer concert series from July 18 through August 30. Concerts take place on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the festival-style Del Mar Seaside Stage; admission is free with general racetrack admission or $20 after the last race. This year’s bands include Weezer, Counting Crows, Steel Pulse, Jurassic 5, and Neon Trees.

Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic

Presented by the Living Coast Discovery Center, the Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic returns in 2014 for its fifth year. Taking place on August 2 from 4-7:30pm, this culinary event will feature samples from dozens of San Diego-area restaurants, wineries, and breweries. You can also enjoy live music and meet local wildlife as you drink and dine amidst stunning views of the Bay and coastal wildlife refuge. All proceeds from the Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic benefit the Living Coast Discover Center, an establishment dedicated to preserving local wildlife and providing public education and outreach activities.

Open Cockpit Days

Have you ever wanted to sit in the cockpit of your favorite plane? On select days this summer, you can visit the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and take your turn behind the pilot’s stick. The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum focuses on Marine aviation and the essential role it plays for troops on the ground. Some of the aircraft you’ll find on the museum grounds include the F4U-5N Corsair, the F2H-2 Banshee, the B-25J Mitchell, and the AV-8C Harrier. Remaining Open Cockpit Days in 2014 are July 12, 13, 26, 27, August 9, 10, 23, 24, and September 6 and 7.

Are you ready to get into a San Diego state of mind? BLVD63 is now leasing one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments in San Diego, just minutes from SDSU and more. You can check out our floor plans, amenities, and community features on our website, or stop by during one of our open house events to take a tour of BLVD63 in person! 

Apartment Life with Your Dog

Renting an apartment doesn’t mean your family can’t include a furry, four-legged friend. Alta Legacy Farms is a pet-friendly apartment community, offering your entire family a luxury home in Hopkinton, MA. Check out the tips below to learn how you and your pet can enjoy apartment life together to the fullest.

Maintain Your Dog’s Health

Your dog’s health isn’t just important for his own wellbeing—in an apartment community, pet health is important to every resident. Make sure your pet’s vaccines and other preventive treatments, such as flea or heartworm medications, are up to date. Although your dog may be the friendliest pet you’ll ever meet, it’s still important to recognize that he can pose a health threat if he bites other residents or pets. Keeping your dog in good health and up to date on his vaccines ensures there won’t be a problem if an accident does occur. Additionally, you can keep your dog healthy by taking him outside to play every day. Choosing an apartment home with a fenced dog park or nearby pet-friendly parks and preserves is a great way to ensure your dog can get the safe exercise he needs every day to maintain his weight and his physical fitness.

Maintain Your Dog’s Training

In addition to good health, good behavior will also benefit you and your pet when living in an apartment community. Making sure your dog will listen to your commands can help to protect him and others during walks and playtime. Take time to reinforce his training and reward him when he behaves correctly. If your dog isn’t trained to sit, stay, or stop barking on command, consider teaching him these lessons. Not only will your neighbors appreciate your dog’s good behavior, but his training can keep him safe in unpredictable situations as well because you know he will listen to your commands.

Maintain Your Dog’s Home

One of the biggest challenges of owning a dog while renting an apartment is providing him with his own space. Give your dog his own small area of your home and keep this area protected and maintained for his safety and comfort. A well-padded crate, plenty of toys, and a protective covering for your floor and walls can provide your dog with a comfortable place to play when you can’t take him outdoors. Make sure all toys are in good condition and replace them when necessary to prevent your dog from getting bored and searching out other objects for play. Provide a ready source of water, but take care when placing food out for your dog. To avoid pests, feed your dog at specific times during the day and remove his food afterward; your dog will learn to adhere to this schedule quickly.

Alta Legacy Farms wants to welcome you and your pet to our luxury apartment community, where you can enjoy amazing amenities that include our on-site fenced Bark Park and resident park and wooded preserve. You can find out more about our pet-friendly apartments near Boston by clicking through the information on our website. We also invite you to contact us online or stop by in person to tour a one- or two-bedroom apartment today!

Trendy Apartment Storage Solutions

Minimizing clutter in your apartment will help to keep it clean, organized, and inviting. When searching out the perfect apartment storage solutions, keep your decorating style and your personal preferences in mind. Be creative and don’t be afraid to find new ways to use items that will bring out your unique personality and turn your apartment into a trendy space you’ll love living in.

Book Storage

Books can be easy to accumulate and hard to get rid of;  however, living in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to give up your most beloved tomes. Bookshelves are a traditional, easy, and space-saving way to contain your books. Consider interspersing books with other decorative items, such as vases, mugs, and personal knickknacks, which will help to break up the space and create a more visually-interesting element for your apartment. If you like to read before bed, purchase a bedside table with a storage option underneath to keep a few of your favorite books handy. Alternatively, you can use a single fold-out chair as a nightstand. A chair is the perfect unexpected place to stack a little bedtime reading, while still providing space for a lightweight reading light.

Bathroom Storage

No matter the size of your apartment’s bathroom, chances are you’d like more storage. Utilizing smart and trendy storage solutions in the bathroom will help this area look neat and clean, making it more inviting. Shelving is a great way to add storage in the bathroom—if you prefer modern décor, simple metal shelving will look perfect. For a traditional bathroom, wooden shelving can lend extra personality to this space. Shelf-and-hook combinations offer even more storage, allowing you to hang towels, hair accessories or appliances, and other items within easy reach. Metal or wicker baskets are another great bathroom storage solution that can be placed nearly anywhere to contain clutter while enhancing the look of the room. Small decorative stools or chairs can also double as storage for towels and other linens.

Kitchen Storage

Are you using your kitchen storage to the fullest? Maximizing every pantry shelf and kitchen cabinet will keep clutter to a minimum for a clean, organized kitchen. Lazy Susans aren’t just for spices—you can use them for canned goods, bottles, liquor, glasses, cleaning supplies, and much more. Over-the-door racks make a great place to keep dry goods, cleaning supplies, napkins, and much more, while hooks mounted inside your pantry can hold aprons, bags, or even a broom. You can keep foods you use frequently, such as flour, salt, coffee, and sugar, in trendy canisters or jars on your countertop. If you’re looking for a unique way to personalize your kitchen storage, consider painting canisters or jars with chalkboard paint to create decorative labels that can be erased and used again and again.

Are you looking for a one- or two-bedroom apartment for rent in Hopkinton, MA, just minutes from Boston, Cambridge, and the Charles River? Check out Alta Legacy Farms, a luxury apartment community nestled amidst the peace and beauty of three local Massachusetts state parks. Visit us online to check out our gallery, floor plans, and availability today! 

Tips for Decorating Your Apartment Space

A new apartment is like a blank canvas, just waiting to be filled with personal touches that create a space uniquely your own. You don’t need to break the bank or make major changes to achieve the perfect look and feel for your Watertown apartment. Keep reading to discover some helpful tips that will get you started on the road to decorating your apartment space with style, flair, and creativity. 

Rugs

Area rugs are a great way to bring color and texture into any room. The right rug can serve not only as a focal piece for your room’s décor, but as an effective means to brighten and open up the space as well. A light-colored rug can help to make any room feel larger and more inviting. Rugs also help to delineate space in your apartment, serving to create an area for eating, relaxing, or socialization. Don’t be afraid to layer rugs over carpeting, as this can add to the coziness and personality of the room. Rugs are available in all shapes and sizes, so get creative and take your time finding the perfect rug to match your needs and stylistic preferences.

Window Treatments

The last place many tenants address in terms of décor is the windows. However, adding window treatments will make your apartment feel like a complete, lived-in space. Curtains and valences can even make your windows appear larger. Hang curtains at the edge of your window to make it appear winder, or use long, floor-length panels to add the illusion of more height. Even if you don’t want to splurge on expensive window treatments, window scarves and other simple options can help you add style while saving money.

Mixed Décor

While it can be tempting to pick a single decorative theme and run with it throughout your apartment, recent decorating trends actually lean toward mixing rather than matching. When you utilize only one style of décor, your rooms can end up looking cold and impersonal. Instead, create warmth and personality by choosing one or two decorative styles and merging them together throughout your apartment space. Use sleek, modern lamps alongside vintage tables or hang delicate curtains in your art deco space. These style juxtapositions will create visual interest that makes your apartment inviting and exciting.

Window Boxes

Window boxes allow you to bring the beauty of nature inside, adding a touch of green to your apartment space. Studies have even shown that cultivating indoor plants can improve your productivity. Window boxes are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, so you can easily find one that fits your décor. Alternatively, consider using other containers, such as jars or baskets with plastic liners, for additional personality. Window boxes can be placed on any windowsill large enough to support them; if you don’t have large sills, consider placing boxes on countertops, bookshelves, or tables to allow plants to receive ample sunlight.

Are you ready to experience upscale living in the heart of beautiful Watertown, MA, just minutes from Boston, Cambridge, and the Charles River? Alta At The Estate is a luxury apartment community featuring spacious floor plans, personal balconies, vinyl plank flooring, stainless steel appliances, and more. Take a look through our website to find out more about our apartments, amenities, and neighborhood, or contact us online to learn more about our availability and move-in specials.

Summer Walking Tours to Enjoy in Boston

As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston has played a pivotal role in much of the country’s history. Today, you can walk the streets of the Cradle of Liberty to explore the city’s rich history as you encounter landmarks and historical sites unlike those in any other city. Whether you are interested in learning more about Boston’s history, culture, or heritage, here are a few summer walking tours you can enjoy this summer:

The Freedom Trail

Boston’s Freedom Trail is arguably Boston’s most well-known historical walking trail. This 2.5-mile brick-lined trail takes you through 16 historical sites that include meeting houses, museums, churches, and burial grounds. Each stop along the way denotes a place where the colonists who would become the United States’ first citizens made or celebrated history and culture relevant to U.S. independence. Some of the Freedom Trail’s stops include Boston Common, King’s Chapel, the Granary Burying Ground, the site of the Boston Massacre, Bunker Hill Monument, and the USS Constitution. Walking the Freedom Trail is free for all; you can download a map online and start at any point you like. Alternatively, you can take a guided or self-guided MP3 tour of the trail, downloadable to your phone or MP3 player directly from the web.

The JFK Trail

The JFK Trail is a 16-stop trail that takes you through Boston sites frequented by President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was born in Brookline, MA, before moving to New York for much of his early life. However, he came back to Boston in 1936 as a student at Harvard University, and Boston eventually became a springboard to his election as the president of the United States. Sites include Weld Hall and Winthrop House at Harvard University, JFK’s birthplace, St. Stephen’s Church, and the Parker House Hotel. The JFK trail can be walked or driven, with a downloadable map available for your GPS-capable device.

The Boston Women’s Heritage Trail

Although the founding fathers are often the most well known for their historical contributions, Boston has been home to many founding mothers as well. The Boston Women’s Heritage Trail seeks to highlight women’s contributions to Boston history, taking you through sites that include Back Bay, downtown Boston, Chinatown and South Cove, Beacon Hill, and Charlestown. Both self-guided and guided tours are available as you explore the rich history created and perpetuated by the women of Boston.

The Boston Sports Trail

Boston is well known for its devoted sports fans and successful sports teams. Whether you are a fan of a specific team or would simply like to engulf yourself in the past and present of Boston-based sports, the Boston Sports Trail has something to offer you. Stops along this walking trail include the Oneida Football Club Monument in Boston Common, the Boston Public Library, Matthews Arena, and Fenway Park. Directions and more information are downloadable on the web so you can use your tablet or phone to guide you through each of the Boston Sports Trail’s 13 sites.   

Alta At The Estate features one- and two-bedroom apartments for rent in Watertown, MA. We’re just a hop, skip, and a jump from Boston and all the big city has to offer, but you’ll also love coming home to the quiet and serenity of the parks and reserves that surround your luxury apartment. Are you ready to find out more about living at Alta At The Estate? Just click through our website or stop by in person for a tour of our apartment community!