HOW TO SPEND A 24-HOUR STAYCATION IN JAMAICA PLAIN

Tucked far away from the bustle of downtown, Jamaica Plain is an ideal neighborhood for a Boston staycation. The green spaces are plentiful — walking through the Arnold Arboretum is worth the trip alone — and the restaurants are top-notch, from line-inducing bakery Third Cliff to award-winning Italian spot Tonino and Ethiopian favorite Blue Nile. Hop on the Orange Line (or take advantage of plenty of available parking throughout the neighborhood) and follow this guide to a fun-filled day of dining, drinking, and exploring in JP.

9 a.m.: Bakery haul for breakfast

Start the day at Third Cliff Bakery, an essential Boston bakery on Washington Street that is a must-stop for flaky, buttery croissants both savory and sweet, orange and cardamon morning buns, and seasonal treats like corn and rhubarb cakes with strawberry icing. There will almost certainly be a line that wraps around the side of the building if you get there first thing in the morning, but don’t let that deter you. (It moves fast.)

In the mood for a sit-down breakfast instead? Head to Centre Street for the Joint, an all-day spot run by the same folks behind Chilacates. Order up a breakfast feast with platters of pancakes, French toast, chicken and waffles, and huevos rancheros, and wash it all down with a sparkling mimosa.

Other options: The Blue Frog Bakery for scones, croissants, and iced coffee; Gondres Bakery for empanadas, flan, and cake by the slice; Fiore’s Bakery for breakfast sandwiches with ample vegan and vegetarian options; Monumental Market for entirely nut-free baked goods.

11 a.m.: Walk through the Arnold Arboretum

One of JP’s big draws is the Arnold Arboretum, a sprawling, 281-acre nature preserve that boasts over 2,000 different tree species and is free and open to the public every day. Sign up for a guided tour or wander the miles of trails on your own. Check out the Arboretum’s website before you go to make note of a couple of landmark attractions to see, like the towering dawn redwood and the two oldest specimens of paperbark maple trees in North America.

For walking sustenance, grab a smoothie at Shea Butter Smoothies or Juicy Greens or bubble tea from Happy Lemon before hitting the trails.

Other options: The Jamaica Plain Historical Society hosts free walking tours of different areas of the neighborhood every Saturday at 11 a.m. from May through September. Check out the different guided tours (offered in English or Spanish) or opt for a self-guided tour at any time via the website.

1 p.m.: Lunch at Jamaica Mi Hungry

Take a break and scroll through all your nature photos from the Arboretum while digging into lunch at Jamaica Mi Hungry, an award-winning Jamaican restaurant in the neighborhood. The tender jerk chicken, coconut shrimp, and jerk tofu are highlights, and each plate comes with a choice of sides like curry vegetable stew, dill slaw, plantains, and more.

Other options: Alex’s Chimis for Dominican platters to take to Jamaica Pond and eat on the lawn; Ula Cafe for sandwiches, salads, and cups of smooth nitro cold brew, Little Cocoa Bean Co. for cute meals, smoothies, and playtime for babies and toddlers; Chilacates for on-the-go burritos; Abuela’s Table for tamales, tacos, and crispy, spicy habanero chicken sandwiches.

3 p.m.: Shopping on Centre Street

As one of Jamaica Plain’s main thoroughfares, Centre Street is bustling with activity any day of the week. Make time to peruse the many shops that line the street, from award-winning thrift shop Diversity Consignment to independent kitchen supply store Kitchenwitch and Boing! Toy Shop, which is just as fun as it sounds.

For an afternoon pick-me-up while shopping, grab a cappuccino from Cafe Siete, a scoop of ice cream from J.P. Licks, or cross over to Washington Street to check out the VU, a unique combo coffee shop, video rental store, and tiny, 24-seat cinema.

Other options: Book a brewery tour at Sam Adams’ Boston Brewery, located off Amory Street. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the famed brewery’s research and development processes while sampling beers along the way.

5 p.m.: Pre-dinner drinks and snacks at Tres Gatos

If you’re familiar with the dining and drinking scene in JP, you’ve likely heard of Tres Gatos, the beloved record store-slash-book store-slash-restaurant tucked into a house at the corner of Centre Street and Roseway Street. Start the evening’s dining festivities here with a cocktail — Kitty’s Got Claws, with mezcal, ginger, and honey liquor, is a perennial favorite — and a charcuterie or cheese board or a couple of tapas off the Spanish-rooted menu.

7 p.m.: Dinner at Tonino or Blue Nile

If you’re planning this staycation well in advance, item number one on the agenda should be securing a reservation at Tonino, the tiny, 28-seat Italian restaurant on Centre Street that has been winning hearts around the city and the country. It’s currently booked up for the next two months, but, for those who don’t want to plan ahead, you can always cross your fingers and try the walk-in route.

For another outstanding dinner with more available reservations, walk about a half mile north on Centre Street to Ethiopian restaurant Blue Nile, a fixture on Eater’s list of 38 essential Boston restaurants (alongside Tonino).

Other options: Check out James Beard finalist Valentine Howell’s Caribbean-leaning takeover of the kitchen at Vee Vee; go take the ride (a fun, chef’s-choice parade of plates for $90 per person) at Brassica; or assemble a sushi and sake feast at JP Seafood Cafe.

9 p.m.: After-dinner drinks and music at Midway Cafe

Consistently ranked as a top independent live music venue in Boston, this eclectic little spot on Washington Street has been going strong for nearly 40 years. Check out the website beforehand for the weekly lineup of artists. Bonus for the late-night crowd: It’s open until 2 a.m. nightly.

Other options: Cap off the day with a whisky tasting at the Haven, a crowd-favorite Scottish restaurant and bar on Amory Street. The team keeps an extensive whisky collection on hand for pours, and everything pairs well with a deep-fried Mars bar off the late-night food menu.

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