Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Warm neighborhood feel
- Great dining options
- Home to a portion of the Emerald Necklace
Time required: 75 minutes
Phone: +1-617-522-0300
Web site: http://www.jpcentresouth...
Public transport:
- Subway Orange Line: Green Street
Address: Centre Street and South Street, Boston, MA - USA
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: C. K. Hartman
Things you need to know:
- Jamaica Plain - commonly referred to as "JP" - is a historic neighborhood of 4.4 square miles (11 km2) sandwiched between Roxbury and Brookline, in Boston
- The neighborhood is known most for its diversity, but also for its great dining options, green spaces, and warm neighborhood feel. Every ethnicity, socio-economic class, and sexual orientation is represented here, which leads to a common sentiment of social awareness and tolerance
- JP is home to a significant portion of Boston's Emerald Necklace of parks, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead in the 19th century - namely, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum, and Franklin Park (though Olmstead Park and the Riverway are practically in JP as well). Making this one of the greenest neighborhoods in Boston, it was often referred to as "the Eden of America" in the 1800s
- Centre Street is one of JP's and even Boston's "Main Streets" - home to a very wide range of restaurants, shops, and services
- JP was founded by Boston Puritans who were seeking farmland south of downtown
- JP's diversity is pretty recent: in the 1980s, low rents brought many students in, as well as a lesbian and gay community. It soon attracted many artists and first-time homebuyers. By the turn of the 20th century, many more college-educated professionals, political activists, and artists moved in, and rent/home prices are now going up
- Boston Main Streets districts were named in JP, to help bring in city funds and neighborhood revitalization: Hyde/Jackson Square, Egleston Square, and Centre/South
What to do there:
- Perhaps start on Centre Street by heading down it to the Arnold Arboretum, and wander until you work up a hunger
- Head back down Centre Street for brunch, lunch, or dinner, and you won't be sorry. We'd give two thumbs up for brunch at Centre Street Café (we'd pretty much insist on this one), dinner at Ten Tables, ice cream at JP Licks (a Boston-wide chain, not surprisingly started in JP, given the name), or coffee and great sandwiches at Ula Café. Keep your eyes open for beer dinners at Vee Vee
- Shop, if that suits your fancy instead. Honey Spot and Eva B will keep the lady in your company happy
- Keep coming back here to eat. It doesn't matter how long the orange line subway takes
Tips & Insights:
- We're not the only ones who know that JP produces some fantastic food. With this, if you're considering brunch or dinner at some local favorites, try to come at off hours or get reservations. For Centre Street Café, try bunch at, say, 1 or 2pm instead of in the morning. For Ten Tables and similar spots, you should call for reservations ahead of time (preferably at least 1-2 days before, if not more)
- If you want to enjoy some fine dining but want to stick to a budget, look into their bar options. For example, Ten Tables (recently rated "Most Romantic" by Boston magazine) has a bar (that also requires reservations, if you want to eat) that has much more reasonably priced fare - we recently had one of the best burgers ever there. Also call to see if there are special deals once or twice per week. Again, at Ten Tables, on Wednesdays they have a generous fixed price menu for $33 per person
- While the subway is a pretty convenient option for getting to JP, if it's a lovely day and you're in the mood to walk, consider getting there by foot, along the Emerald Necklace (or walking off your Centre Street Café brunch that way). It's one of the prettiest walks you'll find
