2 weeks Ago By Nia Harmon
By Nia Harmon In Boston.com’s Perfect Day series, we’re talking to a local expert in each of Boston’s 23 neighborhoods about how they’d spend their perfect day. See what makes this city so special to your neighbors, and share your perfect day with us at [email protected] .
Formerly a part of Roxbury, Mission Hill became its own neighborhood when Roxbury was annexed to the city in 1868 . Originally called Parker Hill, the current residential neighborhood used to be a farming community that housed the estates of some of Boston’s most wealthy families. The name Mission Hill was picked up during the construction of the crown jewel of the neighborhood, Mission Church, during the 19th century.
Boston City Councilor At-Large, Henry Santana, has called Mission Hill home since the age of three. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Councilor Santana lived in the neighborhood until he left to attend college at Lasell University. “I really love this neighborhood.
It’s given me and my family as Dominican immigrants a place we really call home,” said Councilor Santana. “I feel very safe there. I feel very loved there.
And ultimately, it is because of all the people who have invested in me from that neighborhood [that] I really try to invest as much as possible back.” With roots still in the neighborhood, Councilor Santana frequently visits his family, friends, and community leaders that helped shape him into the person he has become today. “In this new capacity being a councilor that represents Mission Hill, I feel very comfortable walking alone and knowing that I’m not going to be bored,” he said.
“I’ll start the day solo but probably won’t end it solo because of the amount of people that I bump into.” Mission Hill takes the meaning of community a step further. With a plethora of local businesses, places to shop, good eats, and renowned nightlife among locals, the Hill has all you need in one place, according to Councilor Santana.
“If you really didn’t want to leave Mission Hill, you don’t have to,” he said. “[We] are able to shop locally, support small businesses and keep the money within the neighborhood supporting all people.” “Because we’re not a large neighborhood, you can walk everywhere, you can bike, which makes it very special,” added Councilor Santana.
It might be why the neighborhood is also known for being a popular student enclave in Boston. For Northeastern University graduate student Yadah Ampofo, the Hill was her home for a year, a sort of right-of-passage for many Huskies. Outside of her graduate studies in computer science, Ampofo helps lead a weekly community clean-up in the neighborhood as a way to “ensure that our students know what it means to be a good neighbor,” Ampofo said.
“It definitely helps people know more about different areas. Maybe they’ve never tried Mike’s Donuts before or been on that busy stretch of Mission Hill.” Ahead, Boston City Councilor Henry Santana and graduate student Yadah Ampofo each share how to spend a perfect day in Mission Hill .
Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Map | Share your perfect day in Boston Starting his perfect day in his favorite season, Councilor Santana says the neighborhood becomes more vibrant during the fall, and that’s not just because of the changing foliage. “It’s a great time in the fall, especially with our students coming back,” he said. “Our population increases in Mission Hill, [becoming] very activated.
” Starting the morning off with a calm walk around the neighborhood accompanied by his dog, Councilor Santana will stop at Mike’s Donuts ( 1524 Tremont St. ), a beloved breakfast spot that has been in the neighborhood for over half a century. “I really enjoy being able to go to Mike’s Donuts, which is a staple in the neighborhood.
Being able to see the residents there and the people who’ve been there for so long just screams home.” Councilor Santana’s go-to order is the classic bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant, and a mango smoothie . “It’s pretty basic, but they make a good one,” he adds.
After stopping at Mike’s, Councilor Santana will take a trip to the beloved parks he played on throughout his childhood. He loves the Mission Hill Playground ( 60 Smith St.).
“It’s the park that I grew up in,” he said . “Being able to see the investments that the city has made over the last few years to make it more accessible and more fun for our youth and residents [has] been great to see.” Another park Councilor Santana likes to visit is the portion of the Southwest Corridor Park (starts at 38 New Heath St.
) near the Alice Taylor apartment complex where he grew up. With multiple basketball courts, playgrounds, gardens, and more, this park brings people in the neighborhood together. “I absolutely love it,” he said.
“You can find people playing, especially in the summertime, anytime during the day there.” Councilor Santana also recommends eating at Milkweed ( 1508 Tremont St.) , a popular breakfast and lunch restaurant just a short walk from Mike’s.
When asked about his favorite dish, he said “I try something new whenever I go. It is incredible food.” Ampofo calls Milkweed her favorite brunch spot in the neighborhood.
“I would definitely 110% recommend Milkweed,” said Ampofo. “It’s also budget-friendly, especially [for] students if you want to make sure that you are within your budget and not spending too much money.” Her go-to order is their morning madness , a breakfast platter that comes with french toast, bacon, sausage, ham, home fries, and two eggs.
Councilor Santana’s perfect day would not be complete without visiting the community members and teachers who shaped him into the person he is today – and who would also be upset with him for not stopping by, he jokes. Among these must-see familiar faces is Ms. Willie Pearl Clark, co-chair of the Mission Main Tenant Task Force and longtime housing advocate for residents in Mission Hill and Roxbury.
“I would definitely go see Ms. Pearl at Mission Main [to] give her a big hug and thank her for all the work that she does,” he said. After a visit to Mission Main, Councilor Santana will head to his old stomping grounds at the Maurice J.
Tobin School ( 40 Smith St.) and the BCYF Tobin ( 1481 Tremont St.) , a community center where he will catch up with the center’s administrative coordinator, John Jackson.
After he makes his rounds, Councilor Santana is headed to lunch. “I’m a big foodie,” he said. “I just love food and the culture that it brings the people that it brings.
” For a good slice of buffalo pizza , Councilor Santana recommends Crispy Dough Pizzeria (1514 Tremont St.) or Il Mondo Pizzeria (738 Huntington Ave.).
Another delicious must-try in the neighborhood is Flames (746 Huntington Ave.), according to Ampofo. Serving Jamaican cuisine at multiple locations, her go-to order is the oxtail or jerk chicken with a side of plantain and rice and peas .
To begin winding down for the evening, Councilor Santana will typically stop by the Tobin Community Center for a pickup game of basketball, or head to Fitzgerald Park for a relaxing walk, which is “also a big staple in the neighborhood,” said Santana. Named after Kevin W. Fitzgerald who served as Mission Hill’s State Representative for over two decades, the 5.
5-acre passive park was also Ampofo’s go-to for a nice workout and views of Downtown Boston. “I think it’s definitely a great space [with] a great view from when you’re at the top of the hill,” she said. Among Councilor Santana’s favorite places for dinner is Yellow Door Taqueria (1619 Tremont St.
), a Mexican restaurant with multiple locations across the Greater Boston area. Two of his favorite dishes are the c arne queso tacos and the street corn nachos . “Best taco spot in Mission Hill, hands down,” he said.
“They have amazing tacos [and] I really love the music they play.” He also recommends popular spots like Penguin Pizza (735 Huntington Ave.) and The Mission Bar and Grill (724 Huntington Ave.
) for good eats at an affordable price. Keeping it plain and simple, Councilor Santana usually opts for a plain cheese or the pepperoni at Penguin Pizza. “In my perfect day, I find joy and relaxation in being able to surround myself with people that I love, that have truly invested in me and the person that I am today,” said Councilor Santana.
Find all of Councilor Henry Santana’s and graduate student Yadah Ampofo’s combined Mission Hill recommendations below. Need weekend plans? The best things to do around the city, delivered to your inbox. Nia Harmon Nia Harmon is a community co-op for Boston.
com and a journalism student at Emerson College. She is a journalism major with a minor in media studies at Emerson College. She is a native of Dallas, Texas.
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