Run by Karen Hohler. In 1978, after leaving corporate America for the birth of her daughter Raina, she was lucky enough to turn a life long avocation with crafts into a vocation. Raina has grown up along with Whippoorwill. Whippoorwill Crafts is not your typical craft gallery. Although we represent over 200 artists and the work is superior quality, we tend to take a light hearted approach to crafts. At Whippoorwill we love things that make us smile.

If, like many of us downtown, you're looking for a fast meal to get you through the rest of the day, Viga can't be beat. Their pasta, pizza, sandwiches all are filling and flavorful -- and the value is hard to match. Best plan? Look at their on-line menu and think about what you want to order. 'Cause when you get in the door, it's like a speeded up movie: there is NO time to stand back and make your choice. Counter staff are frantically beckoning you to place your order, take your stuff, and pay for it. They're expert at moving folks quickly along, but if you don't know what you want, it gets crazy fast.

Good luck vegans...this is not the place for you... However, for the gluttonous or insatiable...oh, you've found heaven. This is not high quality food. This is the kind of food you eat when you're ravenously hungry, only have a few bucks, and just want something big, greasy and fast. Given how much you can spend on lunch in Downtown Boston, this is worth the trip once in a while to make sure you can fill up without emptying the wallet. Oh, and they have breakfast! Disturbingly cheap, frighteningly greasy, wonderful filling breakfast. Tip: Go on their website and print out their monthly coupons. You'll save yet another buck.

Recycle your used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. This location is a Call2Recycle™ drop-off site.

Kingston Station is hidden away in a cross section of the Financial District, Chinatown, and the Leather District but it's worth checking out, it took the space of the old Peking Tom's. As for the atmosphere- the decor is understated and classy/ casual. White tiles, red leather booths, cafe tables. The music was a chill mixture of 80s to current, with live jazz being performed on the weekends from time to time. Is hopping as an after work watering hole, and busy on the weekends as well. Known as a great bar to rent out for special functions.

Kids Foot Locker is the market leader in specialized in athletic footwear and apparel for children. Located on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, this store caters to the parents of kids aged 5-to-11 years old. This store earns high marks for customer service and helpful, knowledgeable employees.

Cohen's is where to go for cheap eyewear. But beware, it may be too cheap. I bought two frames for the price of one, with some other incentive/deal piled on. I thought everything was peachy, but then I realized that the lenses distorted my view when I looked to the sides. I found out that Cohen's uses some really cheep-o lens material in their product and so when I went back to ask for a different lens, one of the manager's lackies told me that it would cost me an additional $50. Beware. You can get some good service here (the manager is nice), but the product is crap.

The original Old South Meeting House was built in 1729 by a Puritan congregation who hardly imagined the building's future prominence in American history. Within these walls Ben Franklin was baptized and Samuel Adams uttered the words that led to the Boston Tea Party. Today, the Old South Association honors the tradition of controversial debate by sponsoring public forums and discussions of current topics. Despite the ravages of both overzealous British troops and time itself, the building remains largely intact and true to its 18th-century form. Admission $5, students and seniors $4, children 6-18 $1, under 6 free. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

A theatrical audio program tells the story of compelling figures from Old South's past and recalls the actual Boston Tea Party Meeting on December 16, 1773. Most kids know the tea party story and will enjoy this vivid retelling. Children's scavenger hunt is included in admission price. One of the landmarks along the The Freedom Trail.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Commonwealth Books is a bibliophile's dream come true. If you have the time to dig through the piles of dusty tomes, this used-book store (one of three independently owned Commonwealth Books in Boston with its sister store on Boylston Street) is a diamond in the rough. Each of the Commonwealth shops has its specialty—ranging from history to art to locally written gems. The store in the basement of the Old South Meeting House has an excellent selection of limited-edition tomes and New England-specific historical books. The owner purchases out-of-print and antiquarian collections from Boston’s elite including retired professors and local authors.

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