Every Thursday, JP's Mary Hannon offers parents an idea for a Great Escape — grown-up time away from the kids. One of my favorite local escapes is to run over to Blanchards Wine and Spirits for a bottle of wine; usually returning home for dinner and policing children at the table while I indulge in a glass of red wine. If you are a foodie and wino, like me… you know that Blanchards has really beefed up their wine selection over the years and they offer regular tastings in their newly renovated West Roxbury store where they added a wine tasting room on the 2nd floor. So, instead of thinking of…

Don’t think you’re too cool to take your date out to what might be considered a tourist spot in Boston.  When I go to New Orleans I make sure to go to the revolving night club (club 360) for a cocktail and get a bird’s eye view of the city. You can do that in Boston at Top of the Hub. My husband, David, and I enjoyed a walk through the public garden and took the elevator up to the 52nd floor and had a lovely lunch on our wedding anniversary.  It was far less touristy than you would imagine; the food was fantastic and the atmosphere was quite festive.  There are jazz nights in the lounge with …

How many times have you heard the same story from your spouse?  Don’t get me wrong, there are some great ones coming from my significant other, but, I’d love to hear some new ones.  Well how about going together to hear stories and to perhaps tell some? Everyone has a story, and the story slams that Massmouth puts on at Doyle’s Café once a month on Sunday evenings are a hoot. I’ve told and will tell again. The stories have to be true, personal stories that you hone down to five minutes with a one-minute grace period. Last Sunday the place was filled with new people who had never told, and the…

We live in a hub of activity and we may not have the late night zaniness of New York City but we have some serious talent here in Boston. If you have a hankering for some jazz, we have several hip joints that will fit the bill. Grab your honey and your beret or porkpie hat (the one you just bought at Salmagundi’s) and beat it over to the South End to Wally’s Jazz Café  or  The Beehive.  Both spots serve up some serious local jazz. You may have some budding musicians from the local schools or some old school cat dishing out his wares. There’s also Slades Bar and Grill, which offers up some R&B…

Every week, JP's Mary Hannon posts an idea for parents to make a "Great Escape" from the kids for some adult time. When was the last time you headed over to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston? I bet you only escape there with out-of-town relatives and friends or the kids. Shed the extra baggage and go with your special someone and escape into the creative world of art.    If you haven’t been to the MFA in a long time, you’ll be wowed by the recent renovations and additions of the fabulous: “Art of the Americas Wing.” Having spent hours in the galleries as a guard in the late 1980s, I was blown …

Every week, JP's Mary Hannon posts an idea for parents to make a "Great Escape" from the kids for some adult time. Part of a real escape is finding a quiet place to walk and talk or just enjoy nature while still living in a city full of people. Escaping for a few hours can create just the right amount of time to rejuvenate your soul. In the 1840’s a group of Transcendentalists decided to make the greatest escape of their lives and created a commune right here in Boston. Located off of Baker Street in West Roxbury are 179 acres of rolling hills, wetlands and woods known as: The Brook  Farm …

‘Tis the season to take whatever time you have left and make it summerlicious and what better a way to Escape, just the two of you, then to spend the day in Provincetown. A quintessentially quaint and hip Cape Cod town with good sightseeing and people watching:  Galleries, shops, restaurants, outdoor cafés, cobblestones, wooden piers, cocktails, and beaches — what more could you ask for in a summer great escape? A high speed Provincetown ferry is set to leave everyday at 8:30 a.m. and will return at 4 p.m. from Provincetown in time for you to be home for dinner. It is one of two ferry …

Every Thursday, JP's Mary Hannon offers a "Great Escape" for parents, a time to get away from the kids and enjoy yourselves. New England summers aren’t complete without a clambake; and you don’t have to organize one or wait for an invite.  Jasper White’s Summer Shack has partnered with the Harbor Islands to provide a perfect sunset cruise to Spectacle Island for a clambake and a view of Boston’s beautiful skyline.  Thursday Sunset Clambake on Spectacle Island has two more Thursday dates and a special full moon cruise this Friday. The cruise starts at 6:15 pm and leaves from Long Wharf. Click …

Many cities have their signature “ride.” Boston has the Swan Boats, New York City has the horse drawn carriage ride, and Venice has the Gondola ride. A trip to Venice may not be in the picture but you could take a gondola ride right here in Boston. Boston Gondola has three packages and is a very romantic date; if you have a special occasion to celebrate or just need a romantic “boost,” this is the escape for you. Escape to a slower pace with a private gondola ride with your own gondolier and take in the gorgeous views of Boston while on the Charles River. To add to the romance and experience …

Every Thursday, Jamaica Plain's Mary Hannon offers parents an idea for a "Great Escape" away from the kids. Tired of Taco Tuesday or Meatloaf Monday?  It’s time to expand your meal options at home by taking a class together.  Expand your options for meals at home by taking a class. If you love food and wine, here’s an escape that will leave you knowing a little bit more. The Boston Center for Adult Education has a load of one-time evening classes that last about 3 hours that produce a meal and teach you something about the cuisine. You could learn about: Spanish Paella and Sangria on Tuesday…

Each week columnist Mary Hannon brings parents an idea for what to do with any time you can finagle away from the kids. Escape outdoors again and enjoy some free concerts.  I’ve sent you outdoors a lot lately, but why not? We only get about three solid months of good outdoor weather. Despite the heat, by evening we usually have a decent breeze and it cools off a bit making evenings delightful.  So, take advantage of the situation and find things to do outdoors. Grab your lawn chair, your picnic basket and go hear some live music.  There is music of all genres and every day of the week.  We …

Each Thursday, Mary Hannon's "Great Escape" column offers parents one idea to give you a much deserved break from the kids. Sure, you probably laugh a lot watching the crazy antics of your own children, but getting out and hearing a good comedian can be a great night out. Did you know that there are huge benefits to laughter?  That’s right, not only improving your physical health, but laughter may be the best escape you can find, from your daily grind, to bring you closer to the one you love. And we have world class comedians right here in Boston: Jay Leno and Dane Cook, to name a couple of …

You spent last weekend dragging the kids to the beach, forcing sun screen on them and telling them, “yes, we’re almost there”  while you sat in traffic on the way.  When you were at the beach, you broke up the fights with the toys and worried about the kids drowning in the rolling waves.  How relaxing.  Now it’s your time out.  Although a trip to the beach without the kids is fun, spending 2 hours in the car is a drag.  Perhaps you’d like to just sit by a pool and take an occasional dip and sip a cocktail or an ice cold beer.  The hippest spot, right nearby, is the Colonnade roof top pool.  …

Escape the present and go back in time…grab your lawn chair, a cooler of goodies and hop the train to Boston Common for an evening under the stars and into a world of one of the oldest cultural experiences- theatre. The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company performs in its 16th season: “All’s Well that Ends Well” and it’s free. Starting at the end of the July. Show dates and times are listed in the "related articles" section. It doesn’t hurt to plan now so you can work around your vacation schedule. It is true you could bring your kids, but do you really want to be distracted by them?  Relax …

Last week I suggested you escape your kitchen; this week I suggest you escape your entire home.  I’m not suggesting you head to a hotel or a local B & B.  Getting away from it all, doesn’t mean you have to book a flight or fill the gas tank and drive off into the sunset.  There are other options.   If you’ve never heard about “Home Away” you probably have no idea that your neighbor might be taking advantage of the extra apartment in their two-family home.  There are quite a few apartments in JP to choose from as well as downtown. They book early so you do need to plan ahead.  Leaving the …

Escape the kitchen, escape the mess, escape the “same old, same old” and go have a meal while someone waits on you. Thank goodness, real summer will be here and dining out,  alfresco style, is a welcome change to the typical dining experience. The trend for outdoor seating is a welcome and popular one, and you don’t have to go to Newbury Street  to experience it; you can find a place close to home. More and more restaurants are requesting permits for outdoor seating — and Boston is granting them.  Here are a few restaurants that offer outdoor dining  to consider when you are heading out:     …

While walking around Jamaica Pond the other day, I found the boat house open with a new schedule. The rowboats were actually in the water and the flag was flying high in the windy weather and there were a few people at the front desk. Hmmm, sailing, it sure has been awhile. Studies have shown that you can keep your marriage alive by sharing new experiences; especially ones that have a bit of excitement in them, and novelty can help create a closer bond. That said, jump on your bikes and find your way to Jamaica Pond where you’ll find one of the Courageous Sailing programs and plenty of …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening.  It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. For a fun and competitive night out with the chance to win some great prizes, gather a group of friends and head out for an evening of trivia. Also commonly called Stump Trivia, this game is played most frequently at bars, pubs and …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening.  It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Beer aficionados can rejoice – the American Craft Beer Fest will take place in Boston next week, June 3-4 at the Seaport World Trade Center. This will be BeerAdvocate’s 4th annual American Craft Beer Fest, hosting over 100 American …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening.  It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Have you ever wanted to learn how to knit or crochet? Do you dream of being able to sew some of your own clothes or make a beautiful quilt? Or maybe you already have some experience with knitting or sewing but you crave the company of …