Any Boston local can attest that Chinatown has some of the best restaurants and bakeries in the city, and if you don’t spend at least one full day exploring it you’re missing out!

You can stop by the Chinatown Paifang Gate, the center point for many of the festivals that take place in Chinatown, including the August Moon Festival and New Year’s Festival. These festivals bring together tourists and locals alike, showcasing Chinese culture through martial art demonstrations, dancing, and vendors that sell amazing food and souvenirs.

The highlight of Chinatown, for me, is the food. There are so many great authentic Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants that it would take multiple weeks to get through them all, but some of my favorites are Winsor Dim Sum Cafe and Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe, both of which serve authentic Cantonese cuisine. My Thai Cafe is also a fantastic option for vegetarians and vegans. They have a wonderful selection of meat substitutes, including veggie-chicken, veggie-beef, gluten, and even veggie-shrimp!

If you’re looking for a quick bite on the fly, you can stop at Beard Papa’s and pick up a cream puff that will blow your mind, or an authentic mooncake from one of the many bakeries scattered throughout the district. Make sure to stop for a bubble tea to counteract the summer heat!