Here’s how to spend the perfect day in South Boston

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].

South Boston is a neighborhood rich with history and iconic cultural attractions — its grounds have seen everything from American and British soldiers during the Revolutionary War to film crews making some of our favorite movies.

For “Mayor of Southie” Greg Lally, some of the best parts about the neighborhood are its people.

What makes South Boston special is its “tight-knit community” status, Lally said. “Even though things have changed, you still see that this is a family-oriented community where everyone looks out for each other.”

That change can be attributed to increasing housing prices in recent years and residents subsequently moving out of the neighborhood, Lally said. However, he said the friendliness of the neighborhood is still there.

“I like to keep rehashing that because, as I like to say, I’m still here. It’s just the tight-knit community that I love about it.”

Aside from being the unofficial Mayor of Southie — a title he earned after raising over $40,000 for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade — Lally is an athletic director at the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) Tynan Community Center, where he serves as a mentor to children of all ages. He also volunteers at the Gate of Heaven Catholic Youth Organization as a basketball coach.

Lally was born and raised in South Boston. The house he grew up in, just yards away from an iconic American Revolution evacuation site, has housed members of Lally’s family for over 100 years.

A perfect day for Lally is similar to his work: a day surrounded by the community and the fun times that they bring.

Here’s how he’d spend a perfect day in South Boston.

Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Map | Share your perfect day in Boston

Morning: Early workout and breakfast at Ethel & Andy’s

Lally’s perfect day takes place on a warm summer day in Southie. He will be bouncing between doing activities himself, with a group of friends, and with kids in the neigborhood.

His first stop is local gym Regan’s Motivated Fitness (315 W Broadway).

“You go to some gyms and it’s like, ‘Hey, how are you,’ and that’s it,” Lally said. “You go to Regan’s, they’re actually looking after you, they’re there to help you.”

After a workout, he heads over to Ethel & Andy’s Sandwich Shop (134 K St.), a restaurant that Lally describes as having “old-school greasy spoon” vibes, to order a breakfast sandwich, specifically a ham, egg, and cheese with ketchup on a plain bagel.

His other restaurant recommendations to grab breakfast are Olga’s Kafe (206 W Broadway) and Deja Brew (704 E Broadway).

Afternoon: Jam-packed with communal activities

Lally may work at the Tynan Community Center, but in a “perfect world,” he would still stop by and coach basketball for the kids.

“I like to give back to my community. I learned that from my parents and from my grandparents,” he said. “You realize how much you can make someone’s day by just giving a little extra time to them.”

Afterward, Lally goes over to Rondo’s Submarine Sandwiches (134 W Broadway) and orders a cheeseburger sub with ketchup, mustard, and, of course, extra cheese. (Rondo’s also recently topped our South Boston restaurant guide.)

Lally’s perfect day takes place in the warmer months when people are outside playing sports tournaments that are often run by the neighborhood’s children.

“Over the years, you remember how fun that was, when you were younger, wishing you could play in it,” he said. “And then when you get there, how fun it was [to play.]”

Some of the tournaments Lally likes to watch include wiffleball and basketball, and flag football at the M Street Park and street hockey at Farragut Park.

“I know in street hockey I’ve seen some players that have [been] drafted into the NHL. There’s been some big-time talent there.”

Other activities during Lally’s perfect afternoon include going to the South Boston Yacht Club (1849 Columbia Rd.) and spending time on his cousin’s boat, stopping by the H Street Beach (part of Carson Beach), and hosting a cornhole tournament in his backyard.

Evening: A night of Southie staples

After an afternoon running around the city and participating in multiple different activities, Lally’s perfect day simply ends with dinner and drinks with good friends.

Dinner is at Seapoint (367 E 8th St.) and the order is steak tips and waffle fries. Lally says that the chicken parmesan they whip up is also delicious, but steak tips are their specialty — just ask UFC president and former Southie resident Dana White.

“[Dana] goes to Seapoint, he says it’s the best steak tips he’s ever had,” Lally said.

Just up the street, the day winds down at the famous L Street Tavern (658 E 8th St.), a bar where Lally meets up with friends to hang out and “feel at home.”

“I hate to use this line because I know it’s from ‘Cheers,’ but it’s a place where everyone knows your name.”

Find all of Greg Lally’s recommended spots below.

What does a perfect day in Boston look like to you?