Where to Eat, Shop and Stay in Boston
A couple of weeks ago, my daughter Lauren and I, and my friend Sara-Anne went to Boston to visit my daughter Rebecca. We had so much fun eating, shopping, visiting the seaport, shopping, eating…did I say shopping and eating! Anyway, I thought it would be good to put it all in a blog post so you’ll know what we loved. Boston is such a great city and there is no way to see it all in one trip, but here are the highlights of our trip! Enjoy!
Where to Eat
Tatte - If you’re in the mood for a perfect cup of coffee and one the most beautiful pasties, Tatte is the perfect spot! You can find these little gems all over the city and you won’t be disappointed. Don’t let a little wait in line discourage you, a Tatte House Latte and an oatmeal cookie make it worth the wait!
Mida Boston - Mida is a tiny little Italian inspired restaurant located in the South End. It’s small and cozy with the friendliest service and the most delicious food. We tried a little bit of everything: the Gem Insalata was truly one of the simplest and most delicious salads I’ve ever tasted filled with fresh herbs, a light dressing and the perfect crunch! The Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe and the Sicilian Mussels definitely did not disappoint. Be sure to make a reservation if you want a table at Mida.
“Recently named by Food & Wine as one of the top 10 Best New Chefs in America 2020, Douglass Williams, the chef and owner, always finds a place to cook no matter where he goes. And he’s gone to a lot of places. From Paris and Thailand to New York and Boston, fifteen years of global experience informs every meal he makes for you. He’s not shy and you shouldn’t be either. Stop by and say hello, hugs and handshakes are mandatory.”
Legal Sea Food - Everyone needs to have a lobster roll while exploring Boston and this is 100% the place to get it! They are huge and delicious! But if you’re in the mood for something a little lighter there are plenty of other options- we had delicious sushi and a beautiful shellfish platter…not to mention some great margaritas! The restaurant is located on the Boston waterfront so you have a pretty view of the water and it makes for some great photo ops! Legal Harborside is within easy walking distance to the Institute of Contemporary Art, the World Trade Center, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion and hotels including the Renaissance Boston Waterfront, Westin Waterfront and Seaport.
Mariel - I cannot say enough good things about Mariel! It was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had! The lavish Cuban restaurant has everything from flaming rum drinks to drunken monkey wallpaper. We started our evening with LuLu Lime cocktails that were sweet but not too sweet (and the presentation was so pretty), then shared several small plates (all delicious) and ended with rich Cuban coffee and some yummy rice flour peach pound cake. So amazing- highly recommend!
The overall atmosphere is faded elegance…Imagine a pre-Cuban Revolution palette of solid woods, ornate tiles, and stone columns; gold, wrought iron, and brass fixtures; and lush fabrics and wallpapers, left to decay over decades of lack of governmental upkeep.
What to do/Where to Shop
Beacon Hill - One of Boston’s most picturesque areas, Beacon Hill has steep streets lined with Federal-style and Victorian brick row houses lit by antique lanterns. The gold-domed Massachusetts State House overlooks Boston Common, with its winter skating pond. Across Charles Street, home to chic boutiques and antiques shops, is the formal Public Garden. The Charles River Esplanade’s Hatch Shell hosts concerts in the summer and the swan boats float down the river in the park. The brick sidewalks and gorgeous brownstones are so charming and we had the best time just walking around and admiring the scenery.
Charles Street - Charles Street is located right in the center of Beacon Hill and is home to some pretty amazing little local shops- we had fun shopping for all the little boys back home and maybe picked up a few things for ourselves too! Shops on Charles Street are an eclectic mix of boutiques, galleries, jewelry stores and home accessory shops with plenty of nearby restaurants, inns and historic sites. You can find women's fashion, gifts, antiques, art, items for the home and an antique map shop. Cafes and restaurants are here too. The Esplanade, a tree lined promenade that extends along the Charles River is at the end of Charles Street with a great walking path and people watching!
Whitney + Winston - If you want to take something special home to your little ones, this is the sweetest children’s shop! We found special books, bathing suits, fun goggles, and the coolest beach towels! I’ll admit to doing a little damage in this shop!
Gus and Ruby Letterpress- This little stationary/gift shop had the best curb appeal! The window display was so colorful and fun that we had to go in! They had some great candles and gifts and some of the cutest stationary!
Covet - When we first walked into Covet, I had no idea that it was a consignment shop. This is sustainable fashion at it’s finest! We all found some great summer pieces- higher end brands and so affordable!
Covet is a neighborhood shop where locals and visitors can come and enjoy the “thrill of the hunt”
The Boston Public Gardens - This area is so relaxing and pretty- weeping willows and yummy smelling roses are everywhere! If you’ve ever read “Make Way for Ducklings” to your children, you will recognize so many things from the books iconic illustrations. You can also grab a great bottle of wine and some cheese and have a nice picnic!
Where to Stay
The Liberty Hotel - We stayed at The Liberty on our most recent trip to Boston and loved the location- it ‘s steps away from Charles Street and about a 10 minute drive away from anything you could want! The hotel is actual a converted jail, so needless to say, it has a very interesting history! The rooms are pretty and fairly spacious and have great views of the city! This is definitely a great place to stay if you want to really experience the Beacon Hill area.
The Whitney Hotel - The Whitney Hotel’s Beacon Hill address was built in the classic brick townhouse style associated with the neighborhood. You’ll find it a relaxing haven with the comforts and indulgences of home. The Whitney boasts some of the finest suites in Boston, with four large, uniquely designed suites offering sweeping views of Beacon Hill, the Charles River, Cambridge, and beyond. Peregrine, the restaurant inside the hotel has a menu of seasonal dishes that are prepared from scratch. It’s a great place to grab a cocktail and have brunch or a fabulous dinner!
Fairmont Copley Plaza - This iconic Boston hotel is located right next to the Boston Public Library and is definitely where to stay if you want to have a luxury experience. You can’t beat the location and the décor is gorgeous! Be sure to stop by the beautiful Oak Long Bar for a glass of wine or cocktail! It’s my favorite bar in Boston!
Fairmont Copley Plaza is a luxury downtown Boston landmark hotel that has been a symbol of the city's rich history and elegance since its opening in 1912. Centrally located in Boston's historic Back Bay. It’s also located just steps from some great shopping on Newbury Street!
Every time I go to Boston, I wish I just had one more day because it’s one of my favorite cities, and because my daughter lives there! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and if you have anything to add, please leave a comment below! Thank you so much for reading today!