Last weekend Jonathan and I made a trip out to Boston. This is my first time visiting and probably his millionth. I believe that it’s perfectly fine to do stereotypical touristy things when you first visit a city. But I try to balance that out by doing some exploring off the beaten path.
Even though I’m a Boston newbie and he’s a Boston veteran, this was both our first time staying at a Bed and Breakfast. We stayed at Prospect Place in Cambridge. I’m completely in love with this Victorian home. They even serve home made granola. I don’t know how you can do that, but it’s possible, and it was crazy delicious. We had some fun company during breakfast too. One other couple that stayed with us that weekend was also from Buffalo! What a small world right? Apparently, if I ever go to North Tonawanda and ask about the Fire family, they’ll know who I’m talking about. If you guys are reading this, please let me come over for a home cooked Italian dinner this semester. That is all.
After a 5 hour drive, sandwiches sounded like a great idea. We dropped by Ula Cafe while waiting for a Sam Adams brewery tour to begin. Drinking on an empty stomach isn’t a good idea. Unless you’re totally okay with getting drunk within 5 seconds. There’s nothing wrong with that either actually.
Hops smell even better when they’re not in beer.
Louis/Louie? You’re the funniest tour guide I’ve ever had. Stay classy and cynical.
We got about 3 samples and a few glasses to take home afterwards. We had Boston Lager, Summer Ale, and this new IPA they’re testing out. We should have come in the fall for free Octoberfest. Words can’t describe how much I love Octoberfest beer.
Next stop was the Prudential Tower. Lots of lovely views. I wish we could’ve gone at sunset or at night too.
Went on one of those duck tours. They drive on land and float around in the water. Just like a duck! How clever. Our tour guide was funny in the way that your Dad or Uncle or Bill Cosby is funny. I also have no idea who this child is. These two kids rode by themselves next to us and while he let some of them drive, he asked me to take a picture. He just assumed they were related to us in some way. Wrong-o. So yeah, whoever’s kid this is, enjoy this picture of your child driving the tour boat/car/whatever this thing is. Thanks for all the facts, photo opportunities, and complimenting my camera a million times Mister Duck Boat captain.
Ended our first day with some pizza at Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Harvard Square because all good days should end with pizza.
Shirt: Forever 21
Shorts: ???
Shoes: Sperry
Purse: Kate Spade
My mother got me these shorts last summer from the Philippines. My high wasted obsession is slowly coming together. I figured this red and white striped shirt was a safe and relevant pick for a day at Fenway
Jonathan’s a Red Sox fan, so I think it’s safe to assume that this day was his favorite.
hashtag Fenway selfie.
For a girl who knows absolutely nothing about baseball, I actually enjoyed the Fenway tour. The stadium is really pretty and has tons of fun history behind it.
In between the tour and when the game actually started, we visited the aquarium. I was really disappointed that starfish aren’t as squishy as they look.
But I did get to pet a few baby stingrays! These guys are surprisingly adorable.
Had some legit New England Clam chowder and lobster rolls at Quincy Market. I expected seafood in New England to taste great, and it lived up to the hype!
We had some time to go to the park and go on a swan boat ride. It was a gorgeous day to do it too. From there we walked through Newbury Street to get back to Fenway. I was exhausted but walking around is the best way to explore cities. Besides, it made sitting around at a baseball game for 4 hours seem less daunting.
I even managed to find a sports related t-shirt that doesn’t sacrifice cuteness! This floral print v-neck was on sale at the souvenir store across the street. It was obviously meant to be that that I needed to blend in better.
These Fenway franks are delish! I could get into baseball if all food served at sporting events are this yummy. Sadly, I couldn’t enjoy beers during the game because those things are crazyyy overpriced! After every hot dog I ate, someone got engaged. The second I stopped buying them, no one else got engaged. I might’ve cursed engagements at Fenway for the rest of eternity. Could this be the curse of the hot dog eating baseball clueless floral print wearing Asian girl? Sorry Boston. But congrats to the lucky people who got engaged while I was there.
To celebrate their victory and avoid being sardined in the T after the game, we grabbed drinks at Boston Beer Works. Which we were also sardined. But at least we had beers! I got a watermelon flavored beer. I didn’t get a watermelon slice in mine sadly. But I still tasted the watermelon.
Before we continued our Boston bar hopping, we ordered some poutine at Saus. Probably the best poutine I’ve had since were in Toronto. This tasted as good as it looks. If I can find a decent place in Buffalo that makes good poutine my life will be complete.
Shirt: H&M
Shorts: DIY
Sandals: Aldo
On Sunday we checked out the SoWa Open Market and explored the area. Food trucks and cute etsy in real life booths galore!
Headband: American Apparel
I bought two of these. I’m completely in love with them! I wish I had them in every color. I want to see how many different ways I can pull these things off. My birthday’s less than a month away sooooo,hint hint hint.
I bought this compass ring and some rose tea at the market. I wish I remember exactly where I got it from! But it actually works. For someone who has no sense of direction, this might come in handy. And who doesn’t love good quirky jewelry?
It’s not a real trip if there isn’t at least one sushi meal. After enough asking around and internet research, we settled on Avana Sushi in Chinatown because it’s affordable and the chef is super duper friendly! It’s this little hole in the wall place but probably some of the best sushi I’ve ever tasted. Jonathan ordered a Spicy Red Sox maki which has crabstick, avacado, spicy tuna and crunchies. I took the server’s recommendation and ordered a Black Pearl maki which has crabstick, eel, eel sauce, avacado, and black tobiko.
I guess the thing to do here is to draw cute pictures and say nice things on paper plates. I found an open spot and stuck ours on there.
We spent part of the afternoon at the Museum of Fine Arts. This place is gigantic! I wish we had more time to scale the entire place. I enjoyed the exhibits and pieces that we were able to see.
“She’s a full on Monet…From far away, it’s OK, but up close, it’s a big old mess. ”
– Cher, Clueless.
Hangin’ with Barbra Streisand. Almost literally?
My favorite exhibit was hands down the Hippie Chic one! A room full of crazy 1960s fashion. Honestly some of these mannequins reminded me of window displays at stores. I took tons more pictures, if anyone cares I’ll probably post them to my Tumblr account.
We walked around Newbury Street enough times to drop by Georgetown Cupcakes to see what all of the hullabaloo was about. I was surprised when I learned there was in one in Boston. It’s just weird that they exist outside of Washington DC. I mean it is called Georgetown Cupcakes. They were pretty delicious and looked adorable. We split a Banana Split cupcake. How appropriate.
Alright. So. This might’ve been the most tourist-y part of the whole trip, and it wasn’t as big of a tourist trap as I assumed it was going to be. I watch a lot of TV so I was bound to visit a place that inspired a TV show. I assume it’s the type of place that everyone goes to at least once just to say they’ve done it. So yeah, we did it!
But we didn’t order beers. Norm would’ve been displeased by this. Sorry Norm.
One of the very last things we did in Boston was pay a visit to Mike’s Pastries. Everyone was ranting and raving about this place when I mentioned our trip. We followed the trail of people holding boxes as soon as we got off the T. The wait wasn’t as long as everyone said it’d be. We did go less than an hour before close. If anything getting into the actual place where you order was chaotic. My 3 choices were espresso, chocolate chip, and hazelnut. Jonathan got strawberry, oreo, and pistachio. We might’ve gone a little overboard by getting 6 cannolis but I’m not sorry about it at all.
Overall, I enjoyed my first trip to Boston. It’s a lovely place full of history, beautiful buildings, and friendly folks. I’d definitely visit again.
Next stop on our vacation: Cape Cod!