Looking for something to do this weekend? Ask Ameera Hammouda what she’s up to.
Hammouda writes, photographs and shoots video for Boston Uncovered, a local guide and website that curates everything from what you should add to your Boston summer bucket list to where you can find a hidden rooftop garden with a pickleball court.
“We're just very passionate Bostonians and we're connected to the city,” Hammouda told GBH’s Morning Edition hosts Paris Alston and Jeremy Siegel. “We have a bunch of press connections, so we're constantly on the pulse of what's happening in the city and sharing it with our audience, whether that's on our website or on social media.”
Boston Uncovered’s Instagram account recently passed 100,000 followers. Hammouda uses the platform to post videos of new restaurants, old favorites, cultural events, and some curated comedy skits from other local content creators.
The goal is to act as a local guide, filling up Bostonians’ social calendars and turning them onto local businesses.
And when summer comes and the city emerges from its winter doldrums, Boston Uncovered shines.
“Summer's my favorite season,” Hammouda said. “I am a summer gal through and through. I was able to explore Boston Electric Boats last week, which is definitely now my summer favorite activity. I will be there all summer.”
Boston Electric Boats lets people rent out small boats on Boston Harbor and captain the boats themselves without a boating license — though professional captains are available too.
“It’s a completely private experience,” Hammouda said. “These boats go at top speeds of 6 miles per hour. It sounds slow, but you actually still get a good breeze. And they're out for 2 hours and the route is [predetermined]. So it's super easy. If you can trace a line, pretty much, you can steer this boat.”
Or, if you prefer land-based activities, you can check out the Boston Pride for the People parade on Saturday, or the Bunker Hill Day Parade on Sunday.
“It's historic, but it's also just a great way to be out in the sun and get your steps in,” she said.
You can also check out the SoWa Open Market in Boston’s South End, open every Sunday until the end of October.
“It's definitely not to be overlooked,” Hammouda said. “There's over 90 vendors this year so it's great if you have a big group and they all kind of want to do a different thing. You can eat. I'm a big foodie, so I like to head over to the food trucks. But they also have lawn games.”
Or check out a restaurant, Hammouda said. If she had to pick one local restaurant to dine in for the rest of her life, she said, it would probably Oleana in Cambridge.
“That is one of my favorite restaurants ever and never disappoints,” she said. “I also love Uni for sushi. It's a great, great spot."
She also recommended Nightshade Noodle Bar in Lynn, run by Chef Rachel Miller.
“Funny story. Back in college, I was a sous chef, so I worked with her,” she said. “You will have the best meal of your life.”
