Exclusive | Women's Travel: U.S. East

BOSTON

STAY
The Charles Street Inn (94 Charles St, Beacon Hill; 617-314-8900 or 877-722-8900; $250+) This lesbian-owned and operated B&B, with Jacuzzi, is open to all, pets and kids included. All rooms are smoke free. Wheelchair accessible.

Taylor House Bed and Breakfast (50 Borroughs St, Jamaica Plain; 617-983-9334 or 888-228-2956; $129+) This gay-owned/run, 16-room, 1855 Italianate Victorian has just undergone extensive restorations. It offers a great view of Boston from the octagonal cupola atop the house. Located near Jamaica Pond and public transportation, all rooms have TV/VCRs, and rates include continental breakfast. Smoke free.

EAT
Johnny D's (17 Holland St, Somerville; 617-776-2004; $13-17) serves delicious Southern dishes to an enthusiastic crowd, often largely women. Live music, dancing and vegetarian variety on the menu are additional draws. Johnny D's pride themselves on their use of chemical free coffees, non growth hormone 'enhanced' dairy products and no hormones or antibiotics in meats. Blues and salsa make up Sunday?s soundtrack. Mondays feature trivia competitions and open mic sessions.

PLAY/MEET
Caf?s
CityGirl Cafe (204 Hampshire St, Cambridge; 617-864-2809; $7-11) This caf? is nestled in Cambridge's gay-friendly Inman Square. Owners Merry and Cheryl offer up simple, fresh, homemade pizza, panini, pasta and salads along with espresso-based drinks to a funky, fresh crowd. Take-out is available.

Bars
Milky Way Lounge and Lanes (403-405 Centre St, Jamaica Plain; 617-524-3740) The fun, retro 1950s Milky Way woos many lesbian bowlers with seven lanes of action as well as pool, rock shows, lesbian theater, parties and women-oriented poetry nights from 6 p.m. Other attractions include the 'Alley Cat Corner' complete with bead curtain privacy, Ms Pacman and Super Chex Bubble Hockey and a full bar. Bella Luna's (617-524-6060) provides dining delights amidst the leopardskin and fairylights.

Clubs
Club Caf? (209 Columbus Ave; 617-536-0966) This lounge/bar/restaurant draws an after-work, apr?s-gym crowd, best on Thursday nights for women for Revive. Attracting slightly older (30s and up) and more glamorous women than other clubs, this is the perfect place for a gang of women and men to go together as girls gather in the front bar and boys in the back. Also recommended for their food and weekend brunch. Wheelchair accessible.

Women's Dance Night (Midway Caf?, 3496 Washington Street; 617-524-9038) Thursday night is women?s night with DJs playing old school, classic rock and hip hop and outbursts of "Queeraoke" during the evenings.

Deep at smokin' club Aria (13 Lansdowne St; 617-417-0186) fills Saturday nights with house, hip hop, reggae, reggaeton, and hot women.

Melange (District, 180 Lincoln St.) is an upscale Tuesday night dinner and social from the women behind Deep at Aria.

Dyke Night (Toast Lounge, 10 Union Square, Somerville; 617-623-9211) Friday night Women's night featuring retro and current sounds, courtesy of Dyke Night Productions.

STORES
New Words (7 Temple St., Cambridge; 617-876-5310 or 800-928-4788) New Words has been selling women's books, music, cards and gifts for 20 years. Their Institute for Women's Writing runs workshops and events from lectures on Zora Neale Hurston to readings by Michelle Tea. Recommended for new and used feminist texts. Wheelchair accessible.

RELAX
Jamaica Pond. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, this lovely pond is part of the Boston park system, offering sailboat and row boat rentals, many places from which to fish, and great girl-watching around the pond's edge.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five

Related Articles:
Women's Travel: Introduction
Women's Travel: U.S. South
Women's Travel: U.S. West
Women's Travel: Canada/Mexico
Women's Travel: Europe
Women's Travel: Tours & Events
Women's Travel: Travel Safety