Boston Has One Of The Best Public Markets In The U.S.

The perfect city market contains a balanced blend of food options and local art, while simultaneously inspiring the community to come together. USA Today's 10BEST, detailed the best public markets in the country, and Boston made the list.

"A visit to a public market often offers insight into a community," 10BEST states. Apparently, the Midwest region of the country is hitting the market game out of the park. Half of the list features cities in this area, including Detroit, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Milwaukee, which rank as the best.

"This year-round, indoor market features around 30 New England food producers and artisans selling fresh produce, prepared foods, crafts, and other specialty items," they say. Of course, they are talking about 100 Hanover Street.

The Boston Public Market consistently offers everything from meats to bakery goods to fresh produce. " Everything sold at the Market is produced or originates in New England, as the seasons allow," the market explains.

Furthermore, they call themselves a "Market on a Mission." That is because they are actually a nonprofit organization that looks to enable local entrepreneurs while simultaneously encouraging a diverse environment.

I have personally visited Boston Public Market numerous times over the years. This was not simply to review the experience. I've visited the market casually on my own and brought the family for a fun afternoon.

Here are some of my favorite Boston Public Market tastes. Bon Me is always a consistent hit for lunch. The sandwich options or soba noodle bowls are both healthy and filling. Hearth and Hug bakery bakes some delicious croissants. They are consistently fresh, and they even create some unique blends, such as cheddar and onion scone. Lastly, I will mention Stillman's Farm. What initially attracted me to this stand was how colorful and bright the produce was. I still don't know if this matters in terms of how ripe or fresh the products are, but it certainly works to create a cheerful appearance.

The Boston Public Market is open seven days a week. Monday through Saturday, it opens at 8AM and 10AM on Sunday. It closes at 6PM Sunday through Tuesday and at 8PM Wednesday through Saturday.

To check out the events taking place at the market such as live music, sing-alongs, and tastings you can view the monthly event calendar here.

Lastly, the Boston Public Market now allows interested customers to shop online. While this does take away from the in-person experience, you can support some of the local businesses and shop for gifts by exploring this option.

A tiki hut represents happy vibes. The ocean often has the same effect. You can put them together and experience a floating tiki hut excursion out of a few different Massachusetts locations.

What exactly is a floating tiki hut? Well, it's exactly as it sounds. A small motorized boat (that uses a propeller engine) is simply transformed or decorated into a tiki hut-themed platform. Then a bar is built in the center. The straw tiki hut is then built in its normal umbrella-style layout. A captain hops on board to drive the floating hut while blasting island jams or reggae music. Finally, you need a bartender to serve up appropriately themed drinks.

The latter question has a simple answer. Why not? A floating tiki hut is a unique way to have a fun time with a small group of people while enjoying a nice day out on the Massachusetts waters. As you can see by the places listed below, these excursions can be taken in a bay, lake or even when the ocean is calm.

What do you do when you are on the boat? You relax with your company, have a frozen drink, listen to some music, and mentally transport yourself to the being in the middle of the islands.

While these floating tiki hut bars have become popular attractions in more coastal areas in the south, they have also started to catch on in Massachusetts in the past four years. In addition, there have been a few spinoffs of this theme, like the Friki Tiki in Gloucester, which is a tiki-themed boat cruise. You can typically reserve your adventure for a complete group in advance. And if you are looking for a bachelor or bachelorette party idea, or something different to ring in that big birthday, you can now hop on floating tiki hut.

Here are two floating tiki hut spots locations in  Massachusetts where you try this experience.

Tiki Hut Boats set the mood by explaining you will "breathe in ocean air and breathe out your stress" for the duration of your 90-minute excursion. This docks out of Blaney Wharf and cruises around Salem Harbor. It can accommodate up to six guests. Frozen drinks, various beers, wines, and spirits are sold on-board. If you are looking for island-themed specialties, Tiki Hut Boats offers that too. The "Wink and a Smile" (vodka with melon liquor, lime juice, and grapefruit soda) is one of their popular "boat drinks."

While you won't actually sail out on this hut, the Tipsy Seagull offers a floating experience unlike any others in the Bay State. It is located at the entrance of Narragansett Bay at Borden Light Marina. The hut is floating in the water, yet remains stationary. However, you can pull your boat up to the dock at the marina and then hop on the board for your island party. In addition their full bar menu, you can order burgers, pizza, salads and appetizers aboard this floating tiki bar.