A Weekend in Boston

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I spent the past weekend in Boston as part of my paternal family’s huge reunion, the first that I have attended in 15 years. This one was on the east coast as opposed to the usual Missouri destination, and I figured I could get there easily for a quick weekend vacation! It was awesome meeting family that I didn’t even know existed, becoming acquainted with my grandmother’s charming new beau, and learning more about where I come from (Germany, notably – my great great great grandfather served a term as mayor of Chillicothe, MO, and I currently have a browser tab open to an ancestry website to learn even more!).

The last time I was in Boston was when I was a sophomore in high school, and I was sporting bangs and double A cups while lugging my French horn around as part of a trip with the band (not exactly at my peak, let me tell ya, especially not at the event at our hotel on the last night where there was a DJ and I was tearing up the dance floor). So of course I was ECSTATIC to get to come back to Boston as an adult (Boston was my first choice for homes post-college-graduation, but I ended up getting job offers in Connecticut and Arizona and chose Arizona for the adventure. But Boston always appealed to me in a very special way). However, trying to drive the 9 hours from the mid-Atlantic through New York City traffic by myself to get there was hellish and I will definitely be flying next time, unless I can convince someone to accompany me on a New England roadtrip.

What to Do in Boston on a Tight Schedule

Grab a bite at Quincy Market

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is one of Boston’s most hoppin’ spots: a large market complex full of shopping and tons of restaurants and food shops. I know of several places inside Quincy Market, one of Faneuil Hall Marketplace’s main market buildings, that have mac and cheese to die for, but you can find anything you may be craving. There are also vendors all over the place selling anything from books to clothing to jewelry, and live entertainers on the square. Located in the heart of downtown Boston close to the waterfront, it is the perfect place to grab lunch.

Hang out in Boston’s North End

Boston’s North End is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and is located right between the Boston Harbor waterfront and Faneuil Hall. It is a small neighborhood, but is home to several attractions for fans of history, including the Paul Revere House and a segment of the Freedom Trail, which passes through 16 different historical places throughout the city.

If you can, and you aren’t too full from your delicious Quincy Market meal, look for a Cookie Monstah food truck and get Cookie Monstah to eat by the Bahston Hahbah. Yum in the tum.

Take a boat out on the harbor

The Boston Harbor. The site of the iconic Boston Tea Party and the Great Molasses Flood. Like most places I go, if a body of water is available, I love hopping on a cruise boat and seeing the beautiful view of the city from on the water.

Wander the Boston Common and the Public Garden

Boston Common is the oldest city park in the United States – older than the United States itself (sensing a theme here? Boston’s been around a while. Lots has happened here). Filled with pathways, memorials, and green, Boston Common is a popular spot for people to hang out, AND it is where many different events occur, like rallies and theatre. It is also close to everything: the harbor, the river, Chinatown, and only down the street from Fenway Park (seeing a Red Sox game is definitely on my list of things to do the next time I am here).

Adjacent to Boston Common is the Public Garden, which was originally the city’s botanical garden (the very first in the country OBVIOUSLY), but the land is now filled with a lake (filled with swan boats), beautiful floral plants, and statues, like this one commemorating George Washington.

Visit Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is another neighborhood in Boston that is considered one of the bougie-est neighborhoods in the city. There is lots of brick and lots of gas-burning lamps and lots of row houses, giving it a really cool and cozy vibe, and there are shops and restaurants strewn all up and down the streets. Plus, everything is within walking distance, as it is adjacent to Boston Common.

See the Massachusetts State House

Located in Beacon Hill (perfect) on Beacon Street is the Massachusetts State House. I was really drawn to this building because of its European influences (and most of the traveling I have done has been to Europe – I LOVE European architecture). The copper dome was installed by Paul Revere’s copper company after the original dome was deemed unsuitable for all weather conditions. The building is open to the public for tours, for anyone interested in delving into the site’s history.

Run along the Charles River

I have been a gimp for going on 9 months now, but am still always scoping out good running spots (I love running oh so much and am counting down the milliseconds until finally being able to do it regularly again). The Charles River is the other waterfront in Boston, and is a popular spot for runners and bike riders. Boston seems to be a really big running city, like DC, which is a huge turn-on (not the best wording there maybe, but you get the gist).

Explore Cambridge

Cambridge is Boston’s intellectual low-key cousin, sitting to the north on the opposite side of the Charles River. It has the benefit of being right by the city while also having a smaller-town, college-town feel. It’s home to some of the country’s most prestigious universities, like MIT and HARVARD! (Harvard sent me an application in the mail when I was a senior in college and I cackled and tossed it away, but sometimes wish I had just filled it out for shits and gigs). The campus is beautiful brick, similar to the architecture of the rest of Cambridge – since it is HARVARD and is such a well-known school, I was picturing a massive campus, square miles of school filled with millions of future lawyers and physicists and surgeons, but it is actually like many other east coast campuses that I have seen which was kind of nice and comfortable.

Cambridge itself, though not on the same scale as Boston, has a unique charm about it and still has a lot to do, including bars and restaurants, churches, museums and theatres. It adds a new dimension to the Boston metropolitan area, and I can see why some of my friends love living here.

See the gravestones of some important people

The Granary Burying Ground is a huge graveyard tucked in between the streets of Boston, the resting place of about 5,000 people. In the center is a memorial dedicated to Benjamin Franklin’s parents in the place of the Franklin family headstones (though Benjamin Franklin himself is buried in Philadelphia). Some notable burials include Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Crispus Attucks, and the other victims of the Boston Massacre. This burial ground is full of so much history, and is well worth a visit.

Eat like a New Englander!

 

Last but not least – no trip to New England would be complete without fresh seafood and New England beer. Honestly, even though I grew up outside of Baltimore, I was never very into seafood (the claws! the legs! the eyeballs!), but I sucked it up, tied my bib around my neck, and dug in. And if truth be told, lobstah is absolutely scrumptious! I just need to make sure to eat it with my mind open and my eyes closed.

Though it would be difficult for me to really get behind the Patriots (having been loyal to the Ravens for the past decade), Boston is still on my radar for if and when I decide to settle somewhere. Such a cool and iconic city! I cannot wait to come back, stay a while, and bring my darling chihuahua child.