24 Hours in Boston
I was really excited to spend 24 hours in Boston before heading to Iceland. My husband works in Boston every week, and I’ve NEVER been. I’m quite the history nerd and I LOVE oysters, so in a way, I think it is my soul city. Founded in 1630, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Known for having the FIRST public school, the FIRST public garden, and the FIRST subway system, Boston is full of history.
With less than a full day (and most of that being during the night), I knew I would cramming as much in as possible. Before the trip, I did a little Instagram “location” hunting and quick scan of a few articles I had pinned, but I left the hotel and food to my husband (he’s become the Boston expert).
Where To Stay:
W Boston. We stayed at the W Boston, a modern hotel located in Midtown, very different than the aesthetic of the rest of the city. Our room was super spacious, and I love the W brand for the sole fact that they think of EVERYTHING from a traveler perspective. Take note: The hotel lobby becomes a legitimate club at night. It was a little strange to check in after my late flight and have people buying bottle service next to me.
The Liberty, A Luxury Collection. On the pricey side, the Liberty, located in Beacon Hill, is quintessentially Boston. Built in 1851, the Liberty was originally the city’s prison. After a full renovation, the hotel is a top spot in the city.
Day-ish 1
After a lovely 2 hour flight delay, I arrived in Boston a little after 9pm. Instead of checking, I went straight to B&G Oysters to get my seafood fix. It was worth the flight delay! I tried oysters (duh!), the house ceviche, shrimp cocktail, fried calamari and the lobster roll — I would recommend it all. One of my favorite parts was the service — our waitress was so knowledgeable!
After dinner, we had time for a quick drink before bed. I had heard of the Highball Lounge, which serves rubber ducks in their drinks. A fun spot, but cannot say that I would go back.
Day 2
An early morning wake up call, the husband and I headed to SoulCyle in Beacon Hill. It’s one way to burn off the lobster roll!
A little dehydrated from the night before, we grabbed fresh juices from Pressed. Why are all juice stores adorable?
Breakfast was an easy decision: Tatte Bakery and Cafe. They have locations all over the city and for good reason, all the yumminess your heart desires! A classic and charming coffee shop, you’ll find both locals and visitors grabbing their morning coffee. Both Pressed and Tatte are located on Charles Street. Think brick streets, old walk ups, and all things East Coast. Be sure to visit the Beacon Hill area, even if its for a coffee!
Walking through the Boston Commons on the way back to the hotel, we stumbled upon “Make Way for Ducklings”, an iconic statue. This are is great for a morning walk, and is suppose to absolutely stunning during the Spring & Summer months.
*Quick Work Break*
Next up: Lunch in the North End. You can’t go to Boston without visiting the North End, the iconic Little Italy of Boston. The oldest residential neighborhood in Boston, people began settling in this area in the 1630’s! We found ourselves in Regina’s Pizza, the oldest pizza house in New England. A no thrills restaurant with the stereotypical Boston waiter, the pizza was incredible. Cue food coma #2.
Needing to walk off the food coma, we headed back across the city to stop at a few more landmarks:
Union Oyster House, America’s oldest restaurant.
Faneuil Hall, a meeting hall that heard speeches from Sam Adams and James Otis. The former gathering spot of abolitionists, temperance advocates and suffragists it has now transformed into a shopping center filled with small booths and restaurants.
We followed the Freedom Trail back to Beacon Hill. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile long trail that goes through the city, with more than 15 different stops significant to our country’s history. There is actually a trail that is marked out throughout the city, so you may find yourself running into it throughout your stay in Boston.
Acorn Street. You may think I am crazy, but the top thing I wanted to do was find this side street. An iconic brick street, lined with gorgeous walk-ups, it looked straight out of a portrait. I wandered around this area for a bit, picking out my “dream home.”
A full day of exploring under our belt, we grabbed our bags and headed to Boston Logan Airport for our flight to Iceland!
Tips & Tricks:
Walk the City. The city is spread out, but the best way to make most of your time is to walk. There is historical landmarks on every corner, and because of the road system, driving can take just as long!
Have the hotel hold your bags. As you know, most hotels have a noon check out. In order to explore the city, we just asked the front desk to hold our bags for the afternoon.
