Happy Wednesday, friends!
Right about now, I’m making my way home from a FANTASTIC few days in Boston with my girlfriends. When Manda died, we all agreed that we needed to start making a big effort to get together once a year for a trip. Life is so short, and there’s no time like the present to spend time with your girlfriends. Our first year, we went to Mexico, last year we went to New York City and this year, we picked Boston! I was really pumped when we all came together to pick this year’s destination because it is MY FAVORITE CITY!! I’ve had a lot of DMs and emails about things we’ve been doing while we were gone this week, so today, I’m going to re-post my “all about Boston” post from last year and then also share with you the places we ate/people we used for this special trip. If you’re planning a girls getaway, I highly recommend this destination! Now, my travel agency doesn’t plan domestic trips like this, but hopefully, you’ll get some great ideas from my post.
So, for this trip, here are the details for those of you who followed along on Instagram and want to know (somehow, I ended up kind of taking an IG break this week, but thanks to my sweet friends posting, everyone was still able to follow along!):
One of my favorite hotels in Boston is the Marriott Copley Place, so that’s where we stayed. It’s in a great location and has tons of amenities as there is a mall, restaurants, cafes, etc. right there with it. You don’t even have to go outside to have tons of fun if you stay here.
On Sunday night, we ate dinner at Boston Chops, and it was delish!! We chose to make this our “dress up” night and changed out of our sneakers and sweaters for this dinner, but it’s certainly not super fancy.
On Monday morning, we walked right out of our hotel and into a Duck Boat!! This is always such a fun thing to do if you’ve never been to Boston before and works for kids and adults alike. The 90 minute out of water/in the water tour takes you around the city and shows you all of the fun spots and sites you don’t want to miss.
For dinner that night, we ate a delicious meal at Bostonia Public House. We have one friend who cannot eat fish or shellfish, so this meal was perfect as there was something for everyone.
We were super pumped to wake up yesterday morning for our food tour through Boston’s North End (their version of Little Italy). We used Secret Food Tours and had the most amazing time!! We walked a little less than a mile stopping six times to sample delicious foods from different restaurants and shops. They were amazing to work with and when I told them in advance that we had a food allergy on board, they more than accommodated for her. The whole experience was just too much fun and a great way to tour that part of Boston.
For the most part, we drank a lot of coffee, read books, strolled the beautiful streets and just enjoyed the time together, but I did want to give you those names in case you are heading to Boston too. In the meantime, I’m heading home to see my babies!! If you want to learn more about how I do Boston, just keep reading…I’m hoping you Boston peeps will really chime in and tell everyone what they must see/must do/where they must go in this great city. Please!!
Now, if you want to read a post about my neck of the woods, check out these…
ALL ABOUT MCKINNEY or this one…
As for Boston, I’ve been going there for over 20 years now. I love this city for so many reasons (history, food and baseball being in the top 3!), but I also love to go because the people are so darn nice too! When we go, these are some of the things we like to do. We are creatures of habit, so we do many of them on repeat, but as for me and my tourist heart when I hit Boston, these are my faves…
I am so glad this picture won’t get any bigger…I’m very pregnant and wearing braces. Ha! Nevertheless, it was the only one I could find of me standing in front of The Old North Church. We love to walk the Freedom Trail. You can take an actual guided tour or download the map and do it on your own. If the weather is nice, you should totally do it. It’s lovely (and educational!).
We love to check out Faneuil Hall and eat something from Quincy Market. Hello, lobster roll! We hit this spot just about every trip…
…there is shopping here, yummy food and tons of atmosphere! I love the fun, upbeat energy here plus the shops (including my favorite fan shop for Sox gear, Lucy’s League).
I, of course, don’t think a trip to Boston is complete without seeing the Red Sox play, but if you aren’t down for that (or they’re not home playing), you should take a Fenway Park Tour instead…
Even if you’re not a Sox fan, I think you’ll find this tour super interesting. Fenway Park is so rich in history that it’s hard not to be impressed. You get a massive tour of the stadium along with a trip up to the Green Monster (pictured here).
Side note, do you know what day it was when this picture was taken??? June 9, 2012. Little did I know when I was standing there on that wall that over in China, my daughter was being born. How cool is that?!
We love to stroll through Boston Common (massive park in the middle of Boston). It’s lovely every day…but it’s extra lovely on Memorial Day weekend.
One of our favorite places to visit when we’re in Boston is Harvard University. The campus is BEAUTIFUL! You can walk around and then pop in and out of the cute little university shops and coffee places. We always love to eat at John Harvard’s Brewery when we visit.
As for shopping, we love the cute little stores on Charles Street. These are not chain stores, they’re cute little antique shops, chocolate shops and other quirky and fun stores.
I find Boston to be a very walkable city! That being said…
…their subway system is easy to use too!
Here are some other things we’ve done in Boston over the years:
1. Visit the JFK Presidential Library and Museum
2. Boston Duck Tour
3. Shop and eat up and down Newbury Street
4. Walk up and down the Beacon Hill area to see the beautiful homes (it’s so charming!)
5. Eat at Union Oyster House (We even sat in the President Kennedy booth one time!)
6. Visit the Cheers Bar
So, those are a few of my favorite things to do/see/eat in Boston. Boston peeps, what are yours????? Please comment and share!! If you haven’t been to Boston, I cannot recommend it more! It is truly one of my favorite places on Earth. xo
Elspeth says
So glad you got away for a much needed girls trip. It sounds so fun. Boston is such a fun place to go! Good luck settling back home today.
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Holly Breton says
So glad you all had a great time! Have lived here my whole life – the newer Seaport district is bustling with restaurants, shops, etc and not far from the North End- it’s always fun to visit the Omni Parker House- another historic hotel and catch a performance by the Boston Ballet at the Opera House- I know you have the Red Sox covered at Fenway – my fave too 🙂
Mimi says
What is there to do in January for first time visitors??? Thank you!
Sarah says
Museums and tours are year round. Boston is urban enough that it does not shut down in the winter. Towns outside of Boston/coastal towns do tend to “shut down” during the winter. That being said, restaurants are open and some museums are open on a limited schedule. May-October for house tours. All you have to do is google what you are interested in and websites will pop up. “Best museums Boston” will give you full list of museums.
Beth Valenta says
Boston is amazing! I would say if you are a sports fan, pick a day/night time to see a back to back Boston Bruins hockey game and then the next day they had a Boston Celtics basketball game. We stayed across the street and had a blast making the most of our trip. Another must for sports trip, is cute Irish bar named Sulley’s that runs the entire street. SUCH fun.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Boston looks so fun! Would love to visit one day! ?✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Susy Watts says
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is one of our nation’s stellar museums—a can’t miss!
And a big Yes to Newbury Street.
Sonia says
My husband’s brother lives in Boston so we go up to visit a lot. We love stopping by Tatte Bakery and Blackbird Doughnuts near Fenway, and shop at the area around Fenway since its not far from them. Also love the chowder in Fanieul Hall and some of the small pizza shops over in the North End, especially Quattro!
Anna says
Question-I love the idea of a girls trip but how do you make sure/be aware of differences in budgets without offending anyone?
Mix and Match Mama says
We’re just all really honest upfront about what we want to spend on a girls weekend, and then make it happen. We kind of “set” our budget before the first trip and then haven’t altered it since.
Tracy says
Love the idea of a yearly girlfriends trip. Would you consider doing a post on the planning of a friend trip? How do you decide who to invite (and how do you deal with people who might feel left out)? How do you pick the destination?
How do you handle the financial end of things when booking & planning? Who picks what you’re doing and where you’re eating? Is there ever conflict over any of the choices made and how do you deal with that? Any other details we need to know to plan our own trips?
Mix and Match Mama says
All great questions! This would make an excellent post. Thanks for the idea!
Brenda says
My group of girl friends also does an annual trip away for the weekend. We take turns planning (going in alphabetical order) and the planner of the year picks the destination, hotel, makes restaurant reservations etc.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love that idea!!
Karen says
The museums and such in Boston are not to be missed! Good ones for a girls trip—the Isabella Stewart Gardner, The Museum of Fine Arts, the Science Center, the Aquarium, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, USS Constitution.
Also, depending on time of year, a Harbor Sunset Cruise and a WHALE WATCH!
mary says
I was at a work event at the Marriott Copley this weekend, bummed I didn’t see you. But thank you as always for saying such kind things about my city 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Awe! Me too!!!
Marie says
Did I miss Part 1?
Mix and Match Mama says
Last year, I did this post the first go around but without this additional info from my most recent trip!
Lauren says
I have lived in Boston my whole life!! It makes me happy that you love visiting so much 🙂 There are so many fun places to visit in Boston, the great thing about the city is it is small and super walkable so you can really see it all!!
Kim says
I love that you did a North End food tour – yummy!! When my husband and I started dating he had an apartment in the North End. It was such an amazing time – we tried a different restaurant every weekend. That neighborhood, like the entire city, has such a great vibe. Our favorite North End bakery is still Bova’s. Best cannoli ever!!
Shannon Leyerle says
I love Lexington and Concord! It’s beautiful, and highlights are Minute Man National Park and Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott. Orchard House looks just like it does in the movies – and very much like it was when the Alcotts lived there.
Tate says
Hey shay I was wondering If you have ever used a kids clothing service like fab kids? Have you ever thought of using one to make things easier? If you have tried one did you like it?
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t! I’d love some feedback though from anyone who has!
Narci says
This was such a fantastic trip. I absolutely loved Boston and had the best time with you girls!!! Already dreaming about next year. 🙂
Cindy says
Freedom Trail!
Oh my husband and I did this lots ( fall is epic to walk this). The colors. The History.
Our daughter graduated from Harvard Law School so we visited often during her 3 years of grad school and really enjoyed this. Even on the colder side of year the walks and popping into/ out of spots to grab a warm drink made for fabulous memories.
Janet says
We live in NH and Boston is a short drive away. This fall we visited the Downton Abbey Exhibition in a castle building in Boston. It was neat to see a lot of the costumes from the show. We also enjoyed strolling through Boston Common. It is beautiful, and where the children’s book, “Make Way for Ducklings” takes place.
Sara says
Hi Shay! Next time you come, if you get a chance, check out Toro. It is tiny, tapas, the food is killer, they don’t take rezzies and it is super popular, so you either have to get there early OR if you don’t mind waiting, they have a super cute bar area. Great for kiddos, too. It is in the South End. Also…B&G Oyster. Go on a warm day if you can and eat in their secret garden backyard patio. They have string lights and the lobster rolls will literally beat any in the city. Cute playground about a block away. Lastly, the Seaport! Super cute. Check out Del Friscos (steakhouse) and if you go, grab a table on their outdoor patio. It sits right on top of the ocean and you can watch the planes take off and land. 🙂
Sara Oliver says
Stop at Mike’s Pastry in the North End for a cannoli. Also great Italian restaurants.
Mother of 3 says
LOVE the Cheers bar and I have walked the Freedom trail twice now. My boys love the aquarium (tucked just behind Quincy Market) and the Boston Science Museum (which is probably my favorite).