My husband and I took a short trip to Boston before heading over to Martha's Vineyard for the week. I have been coming to Boston my entire life, my sweet Auntie lives in the city and we have always enjoyed visiting with her.
Here is a quick run down of my 'must-sees' in Bean town.
The Clarendon Square Bed & Breakfast - view from our room
My Aunt used to own a Bed and Breakfast one street over, so this feels really comfortable and familiar... but way more swanky. Stephen and Bobby do it right: comfy, well appointed rooms, with a killer breakfast. Be sure to check out the rooftop for an amazing view and sip your latte in the garden out back while you nosh on a chocolate croissant.
(Incidentally, a girlfriend showed me this app: Hotel Tonight. Whenever I go to a larger sized city that will have a variety of Hotels, I use it. That's where I discovered The Clarendon Square B & B. BUT I will never stay anywhere else in Boston because its that FAB!)
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is incredible. Here is a shot of the cafe.
And check out the garden: it is built in the center of the house like a traditional Spanish Garden.
All of these photos were from our trip to the museum. I appreciated the architecture and how Isabella curated the spaces. George also enjoyed the museum: and he agreed it was the perfect size for someone who is not an art fanatic like me.
Now to OYSTERS. I am crazy about them. If you are not a fan, skip this. But we dined on a selection to start at Island Creek Oyster Bar. The fare was delicious and decor was top notch. Do not miss if you like seafood.
When I go out of town, I basically eat everything in sight. Here are some of my favorite foodie spots in Boston (some are old main-stays, some are new finds)
Coffee: Caffe Nero is my coffee spirit animal. Love the environment, sandwiches, and of course, coffee.
Dim Sum: Chau Chow City. Little delicacies that look like bonbons? Sign me up.
Oysters: Island Creek Oyster Bar and B & G Oysters. Both will not fail to please.
French Brasserie: Eastern Standard. The Tuna Nicosie Salad is perfect lunch fare.
SEE
Walk around the Boston Common and see the Make Way for Ducklings Sculpture. (You might even get lucky like me and get interviewed by Boston Public Radio about how you envision the world ending.)
Walk around Beacon Hill. Its just beautiful and you will enjoy all the eye candy.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is fabulous and not too large. (Extra: a few years back the Museum had a major art theft. Read up on it before you go!)
Old North Church is a main-stay. You have to check it out and even go to a service if you can squeeze it in.
The Lenox Hotel has a fabulous rotating gallery of art in the lobby. They had a bunch of Hunt Slonem Paintings on display and it it was a treat to see them in person.
STAY
Hands down, you need to stay at the Clarendon Square Hotel. You will feel like you live in the Back Bay neighborhood and the Inn-Keepers are lovely people.
TRAVERSE
Strap on your kicks and walk around Boston to take it in. The size of it makes it very easy to do. If you're going to Cambridge or from Old North Church to Fenway, grab and Uber.