St. Leonard's Church and Peace Garden, Boston

Nestled at the juncture of Hanover and Prince Streets, Saint Leonard’s Church brings a distinctly Italian-Catholic note to Boston’s North End. Founded in 1873 and run by Franciscan friars, it holds the honor of being the first Italian-Catholic church in New England. It is also known for its shrine to Saint Anthony (the patron saint of lost things), which means that, spiritually speaking, this place has been handling lost causes, lost items, and possibly lost tourists, too, for quite a while...

Before you head inside, take a moment in the Peace Garden. This calm, green garden offers a quiet pause in the middle of the neighborhood, with flowers, religious statues, and enough charm to make you briefly forget that Hanover Street is just around the corner and just enough serenity to make you want to keep your phone on silent out of respect...

Having taken enough in the horticultural delights, venture into the upper church, where the interior décor takes a sharp turn from Boston's traditionally stark Protestant places of worship.

Prepare to be dazzled by the vibrant lineup of saints, a beautifully detailed Stations of the Cross, and a wealth of frescoes and stained glass to keep your eyes busy. Even if you're not big on faith, Saint Leonard's visual spectacle is worth every second of your time.

And here's the best part - the entry is free, which is always a small miracle in a major city. The gift shop, however, will be more than happy to help you part with a few earthly dollars in exchange for heavenly souvenirs. Consider it your holy obligation to browse the offerings and maybe pick up something. After all, leaving with a keepsake may improve your chances of finding your way back through the North End without getting distracted by cannoli...