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The Best Ice Cream in Town

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: State Library of Victoria, via Flickr

July is National Ice Cream Month, which gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite frozen treat. If you’re one of our guests, check out this list to find the best ice cream in town:

Boston:

Picco: The Pizza and Ice Cream Company (Picco for short) is a popular Boston restaurant that delivers the dream combination of delicious pizza and homemade ice cream. A little bit lighter than the typically dense New England offering, Picco’s ice cream explodes with sophisticated flavors.

Denver

Little Man Ice Cream: Denverites love their ice cream, and Little Man serves up the best in town. Easy to find, just look for the 28-foot tall milk can with a line of people queued up to get their sweet fix. They rotate a great mix of classic ice cream flavors, as well as few you wouldn’t expect, like salted Oreo. They even have vegan ice cream.

Memphis:

Jerry’s Sno-Cones: Kids and adult alike seem to flock to this local favorite when the weather turns warm. Although snow cones made with homemade syrup are this shop’s specialty, they also offer soft serve ice cream, either on its own or combined with a snow cone (order it “supreme”).

Nashville

Pied Piper Creamery: Across the river in East Nashville you will find this funky ice cream shop located in a vintage house. The ice cream is delicious and features wacky pun-filled titles like Minty Python, Oreo Speedwagon, and Handlebar Pistachio.

New Orleans:

Angelo Brocato’s: No dessert shop in New Orleans is as beloved as Angelo Brocato’s. Established in 1905, this gelateria and pasticceria is steeped in Italian tradition and offers authentic gelato you have to taste to believe. And if your love of cold sweets extends beyond ice cream, this joint is also known for its delectable granitas: fresh Italian fruit ice.

Philadelphia:

The Franklin Fountain: This old-timey ice cream parlor dishes up some of the best and most authentically Philly-style ice cream in town. The old school soda fountain theme, from bow tied servers to the antique cash register, adds to the charm, but it’s the achingly delicious handmade flavors, like Teaberry gum, that will keep you coming back.

Portland:

Cool Moon Ice Cream: Sure, you could go to Salt & Straw like everyone else. Or you could skip waiting in a forty-minute line for overhyped “artisanal” ice cream and just head into Cool Moon. Much more family friendly and still offering intriguing flavors made with local natural ingredients, Cool Moon will satisfy your cravings while the rest of those people are still waiting.

San Antonio:

Justin’s Ice Cream: Hometown boy Justin Arecchi’s ice cream has been called a national treasure by President Clinton. After a four-year absence, his new family-run ice cream shop has reopened right on the River Walk, making it a breeze to sample the same cool treats that have been enjoyed by kings and dignitaries.

Seattle

Molly Moon’s: The ever-popular chain of modern-rustic ice cream shops are frequently wrapped with lines of people, and for very good reason. Molly Moon starts with a base of Snoqualmie ice cream and mixes in a wide variety of locally-sourced ingredients to create unique flavors like honey lavender and balsamic strawberry. You can also find many vegan-friendly sorbets and coconut milk-based treats.

 

Are you planning a trip? Click Here to view all of our downtown vacation rentals

New Downtown Boston Vacation Rentals

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Stay Alfred, the nation’s leading urban vacation rental company, is opening two brand new properties in the heart of downtown Boston. Our latest 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom properties are located at the 660 Washington and Aviner buildings, surrounded by Boston’s best dining, shopping, and nightlife. Like all Stay Alfred properties, these premium vacation rentals will include all the amenities our guests have come to expect.

660 Washington, Downtown Boston

Located in the Theater District, just steps from Boston Common and Chinatown, 660 Washington is home to beautiful 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom condos featuring walnut flooring, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and oversized windows giving you amazing views of the Boston skyline. The building offers fantastic amenities like a heated indoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, game room, and business center. Easy access to the Orange and Green T-stops make exploring Boston a breeze.

The Avenir, Downtown Boston

The Avenir is the cornerstone of the revitalized Bulfinch Triangle Historic District, a vibrant neighborhood home to great restaurants, shops and outdoor markets. Our 2-bedroom units include cherry wood floors, gourmet kitchens, and 9-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows. Within half a mile, you’ll find TD Garden, Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, and the North End. North Station is a stone’s throw away, providing easy access to Boston’s public transit system. When you’re not exploring Boston, relax on the rooftop deck or work out in the 24-hour fitness center.

All of our latest Boston vacation rentals will include the standard amenities found in all of Stay Alfred’s properties: modern furnishings, fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi and cable, HD TVs and DVD players, in-unit laundry and ironing facilities, clean linens, air conditioning, and secure parking. When you combine all of these comforts of home with Stay Alfred’s industry-leading customer service, it’s no wonder we’ve been honored with FlipKey’s Top Rental Manager Award. Come experience what makes Stay Alfred the best choice for your family’s next vacation!

 

Are you planning a trip to Boston? Click Here to view all of our Boston vacation rentals

Stay Alfred Opens 5 New Locations

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Once again Stay Alfred is expanding its ever-growing inventory of fantastic vacation rentals. Just in time for summer, we are moving into new buildings in Denver, Seattle, Nashville and Boston, as well as opening our first building in a brand-new city: Philadelphia. We are very excited about these new downtown vacation rentals, and without trying to toot our own horn too much, we think these may be some of best properties we’ve offered so far! Let’s take a look at our new rentals:

The Garrison, downtown Boston

Garrison Square, Boston: After opening our wildly successful properties in the Kensington, we couldn’t wait to offer another downtown Boston vacation rental. The Garrison Square is an elegant nineteenth century-style oasis in the fashionable Back Bay neighborhood, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and galleries. Our guests will enjoy relaxing in the private garden courtyard or one of the several rooftop terraces.

 

 

 

The Douglas, downtown Denver

Douglas, Denver: Enjoy Denver’s trendiest urban living in the incredible Douglas building located in the historic Ballpark neighborhood. You will be just steps away from the exciting LoDo nightlife and the popular Larimer Street eateries and boutiques. Relax poolside or watch the sun set among the majestic Rocky Mountains from the great rooftop deck, complete with oversize lounge chairs and a beautiful brick fireplace

 

 

 

Printers Alley, downtown Nashville

Banner Lofts, Nashville: If you plan on spending your time in Nashville honky-tonkin’ the night away, you couldn’t find a better place to lay your head than the Banner Lofts. This hip converted newspaper building on Printers Alley features tall ceilings, exposed original brick, hardwood floors, and the best location possible for experiencing the fabulous nightlife that made Nashville famous!

 

 

 

The Commonwealth, downtown Philadelphia

Commonwealth, Philadelphia: We couldn’t be more excited to be opening our first downtown Philadelphia vacation rentals in the historic Commonwealth building! Located in the “Midtown Village” section of Philly’s City Center, this amazing building combines vintage Art Deco charm with the perfect locale for exploring everything that Philadelphia has to offer. Reading Terminal Market is right at your doorstep and you’ll be easy walking distance to some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

 

 

Via6 Tower, Downtown Seattle

Via6 Towers, Seattle: Located where Downtown, Belltown, and South Lake Union meet, the Via6 is a newly-constructed vertical community featuring amazing high-rise views of Seattle and some of the best building amenities around. The ground floor in anchored by Tom Douglas’ Assembly Hall complex, which includes TanakaSan American Asian restaurant, Assembly Hall Juice and Coffee, and Home Remedy Urban Market.

Planning a trip? Click here to view all of our great downtown vacation rentals.

5 Best Activities in Boston

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Boating on the Charles River. Source: Flickr user Leonardo Dasilva

We love Boston! There is so many exciting things to do and see, it would be impossible to fit everything into one trip. To make life a little easier for you, we put together this short list of some of our favorite activities when we visit Beantown:

  1. Catch a Game: In case you haven’t noticed, Boston is a big-time sports town. Their four major league teams have been stacking up a slew of championships since 2002 (including one against our beloved Seahawks), so they must be doing something right. On top of the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics, they also have the New England Revolution MLS team, several rugby clubs, and a Major League Lacrosse team. No matter what season you visit, there’s always an exciting game to watch, and thousands of screaming fans to watch it with.
  2. Visit a Museum: As one of America’s oldest cities, it makes sense that Boston would be home to world-class museums. There are so many museums in this town that you’re sure to find one to satisfy any interest. One of Boston’s most-visited attraction is the Museum of Science with over 700 interactive exhibits. The Museum of Fine Arts houses one of the world’s most impressive art collections totaling more than 450,000 pieces from around the world. The JFK Presidential Library and Museum sits on 10 beautiful acres right on the waterfront. Other favorites include the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Sports Museum, and the USS Constitution Museum.
  3. Ride a Bike: Whether you want to take a guided tour or just explore on your own, one of the best ways to see Boston is from a bicycle seat. Urban AdvenTours is a company that offers a variety of tours and rents out several types of bikes. Boston is also home to Hubway, an automated bike rental system that is perfect for short rides between destinations. You just pick up a bike at one of the 140 stations around town and drop it off at any station when you’re done.
  4. Boating on the Charles River: Spending time on the water is a time honored tradition for Bostonians. It’s easy to get out there yourself and have as much fun as everyone else. Try renting a kayak or paddleboard from Charles River Canoe & Kayak. If sailing is more your style, Community Boating offers classes for every skill level, and guests are allowed to join members for free. If you mingle on the docks, you can usually find someone looking for another person to sail with.
  5. Explore the Boston Harbor Islands: Dozens of islands make up this National Recreation Area, where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, visit historical lighthouses, explore tidal pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming-all within reach of downtown Boston. To get to the islands, catch the ferry from Long Wharf-North to Georges Island, home of Fort Warren. From there you can connect to smaller shuttle boats that will take you to different destinations. You can also reach several peninsula areas by car: Deer and Nut Islands, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial.

Are you planning a trip to Boston? Click here to view all of our great downtown Boston vacation rentals.

Celebrate Halloween Like a Local in 6 Stay Alfred Cities

Posted on October 31, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Halloween with Stay Alfred

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s that time of year again: Jack-o-lanterns, fake spiderwebs, plastic bats hanging from the trees (along with the occasional roll of toilet paper). We’re all familiar with the trappings of Halloween but if you happen to be from out of town, it can be confusing when you want to party like a local. Luckily, we have the inside scoop when it comes to best celebrations and events, no matter which city you’re going to be in on All Hallow’s Eve!

New Orleans
There is no city that celebrates Halloween as enthusiastically as New Orleans. With its famous cemeteries, voodoo rituals, and long history of ghosts and spirits, the city practically oozes scary. It should be no surprise that its residents embrace New Orleans’ intrinsic spookiness and party with a gusto usually reserved for their other favorite holiday: Mardi Gras. Crowds will flock to Bourbon and Frenchmen for street parties and parades, so don your best costume and join in the festivities. Cate Root from The Times-Picayune has a great breakdown of all the major happenings.

Nashville
Nashville loves to party no matter what the occasion and Halloween is no exception. Any club you hit is almost guaranteed to be having a costume party or themed event of some kind. To see the cream of the crop, head to Play Nashville for their Freak Show contest with $5000 in prizes. Next door, Tribe Nashville is having a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock that’s sure to be a scream. Looking for some real excitement? You will definitely want to try the Demons on Demonbreun Hill, a combination pub crawl and zombie paintball shoot.

Boston
Costume contests, pub crawls, haunted mansions, and graveyard tours are just a few of the exciting Halloween events you can find in Boston. Before you head out for the night’s festivities be sure to stop at Dorothy’s Boutique in Back Bay, the biggest adult costume shop in Boston, to pick up some cool accessories. If you happen to have a bike (and more importantly a costume you can ride in), the Halloween Bike Ride draws hundreds of participants for a casual 10-12 mile ride through the city, starting at Copley Square.

Denver
Besides the typically nightclub craziness, Denver also has a lot of great family-friendly Halloween attractions. The Denver Zoo puts on their annual Boo at the Zoo event with over 25 trick-or-treat stations and other kid-centric activities, all free with normal zoo admission. The Haunted Field of Screams in Thornton is Colorado’s largest Halloween attraction with over 35 acres of “haunted” cornfields. For more grown up activities, ColoWeen at the City Hall Event Center is the most anticipated costume party of the year.

Seattle
Halloween in Seattle usually means one thing: putting on your sexiest costume and dancing until the break of dawn. FreakNight is the main event with big-name DJs, but if you don’t feel like spending a couple hundred dollars for the 2-day pass, there are plenty of other dance parties where you’ll have just as much fun like Pulse at the EMP Museum. Dancing not your thing? Try the Crawl-O-Ween pub crawl and see some of downtown’s hottest bars. Or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, Citizen Zero is a zombie-themed urban hide and seek game on a massive scale.

Portland
Nothing cool ever happens in Portland. You might as well just stay inside and hand out candy to the trick-or treaters. Ok just kidding, you can find the usual mix of costume contests, dance parties, pub crawls, and zombie-themed everything. Jamie Hale of the Oregonian has already put together his procrastinator’s guide to Halloween in Portland, so we’ll just skip reinventing the wheel on this one.