My husband and I just returned from a long weekend in Boston and all I can say is wow - Boston is one of the coolest and most historic cities I’ve ever been to! Check out everything we did, ate, drank and saw during our time in Boston below. :)

Accommodations:

We stayed at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza, which was in a great area and only about one block away from Boston Common! The hotel itself was very large and nice, however I will say the rooms were pretty small and a bit noisy. I would recommend it for the location and amenities, however I would recommend bringing some ear plugs just in case you are a light sleeper.

Food & Drink:

Bell in Hand Tavern: Fun fact - The Bell in Hand Tavern is America’s oldest, continuously operating tavern since 1795! While it feels more like a sports bar now than a historic restaurant, it is still a very cool place to grab a bite and check off of your Boston bucket list. We stopped in for a lobster roll and some clam chowder and loved it!

Union Oyster House: Union Oyster House is another historic establishment - claiming the titles of oldest restaurant in Boston, and oldest restaurant in continuous service in America! We unfortunately didn’t get a chance to eat here but I would love to try some of their oysters or clam chowder the next time I’m back in Boston.

Sam Adams Brewery & Taproom: We’re not the biggest beer drinkers, but we loved this place so much, we actually went two nights in a row! I would recommend ordering one of their original flights or build your own flights so that you can try a few different kinds! Some of our favorites were Octoberfest, American Light and Boston Lager.

Quincy Market: This market is loaded with vendors selling everything from lobster rolls to ice cream to bagels. It’s an especially great place to go if you’re hungry and want to try a few different things!

Carmelina’s: Some of the best restaurants in Boston reside in the Italian North End neighborhood, and this is one of them. We stopped in and split some carbonara, and it was fantastic. It’s a bit hard to get in, so I would recommend making a reservation if you can! Or, we luckily were able to walk in and get a table only about one hour before they closed.

Mike’s Pastry: This famous bakery is a cash only establishment, and the line gets very long, but it is absolutely worth the wait! We got a piece of Boston cream pie, a chocolate chip cannoli and a lobster tail and they were all to die for. Be sure to make a stop here during your time in Boston!

Cantina Italiana: We had an outstanding dinner at this North End spot! It has a warm, authentic atmosphere and has been open since 1931! Be sure to order the prosciutto and mozz as well as the bambolotti alla vodka - chefs kiss!

Tatte: This Boston staple has several cafe locations around the city and offers great coffees, bakery, breakfast and lunch items at a good price. You can’t leave Boston without trying Tatte at least once!

The Friendly Toast: This Back Bay breakfast joint typically always has a wait, so be sure to get on their Yelp waitlist before arriving. However, it is absolutely worth the wait! The portions are large for the price, the food is unique and tasty, and the service is excellent. All in all - it’s a great breakfast spot!

Things To Do & See:

Boston Common: This large, beautiful park is the perfect place to take a stroll or have a picnic when the weather is nice! It was also the first stop on our Freedom Trail Tour, where we learned about its history and role in the Revolutionary War as well.

Beacon Hill: Walking around this historic neighborhood is a must do on your trip to Boston. Snap a photo at picturesque Acorn Street and explore the various shops and restaurants around the area. Be sure to also check out the iconic Cheers bar which is just a few blocks away!

Stroll through North End: This historic Italian neighborhood is the perfect place to spend a few hours and grab a bite to eat. A few of the Freedom Trail stops (including Paul Revere’s House and Old North Church) are located here, as well as dozens of incredible Italian restaurants and pastry shops!

Freedom Trail Tour & all 16 sites: One of our favorite parts of the trip was our Freedom Trail Tour! The Freedom Trail winds through Boston and showcases 16 historically significant sites, including Old North Church (which is famous for its role in Paul Revere’s midnight ride), Old State House (adjacent to the site of the Boston Massacre) and so many more. We booked this tour through Viator and had the most wonderful guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and we learned SO much during our 2.5 hour long tour. Even if you aren’t a history buff, I would still highly, highly recommend taking a Freedom Trail tour during your time in Boston. Just FYI - be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the elements - you do about 2.5 miles of walking during this tour.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum: We unfortunately didn’t have time to take a tour of this museum, however I would love to do this the next time I’m in Boston. I’ve heard great things about it, and at the end of the tour you even get to throw some tea boxes off the side of the replica 18th century ship! There’s also a wonderful gift shop where you can purchase unique Boston souvenirs as well as teas, tea kettles and more!

Newbury Street & Back Bay: Newbury Street, located in the middle of the beautiful and affluent Back Bay neighborhood, is a shopping (and food) lovers paradise! Dozens of wonderful shops and restaurants line this street, offering the perfect place to spend a few hours during your time in Boston.