Upon my fourth visit to Boston, this most recent two-day trip opened my eyes to the hidden gems of the city. From the city’s rich history to the museums, shopping, food, and gorgeous waterside views, Boston is a gorgeous destination to explore on foot. After spending Saturday and Sunday in the city, my husband and I could have easily stayed for another week. We weren’t able to travel for our five-year anniversary the week before, so our trip to Boston was a perfect excuse to celebrate through our shared love of exploration.
For me, the city’s rich history comes alive in Boston’s architectural details and bustling riverside neighborhoods. Boston really stands on its own, with the same access to entertainment and activities as any big city, but with the nice slow pace of a smaller town at the same time. With old-school charm juxtaposed with a modern vibrancy, Boston is an amazing city to visit all year round, no matter if you’re traveling solo, with your partner, a group of friends, or anything in between.
Where to Stay
Eliot Hotel
We were lucky enough to stay at the iconic Eliot Hotel in a spacious suite full of classical furniture, and a beautiful view of Commonwealth Avenue. The building has been a Neo-Classical Georgian landmark since 1927. The hotel has 95 rooms, all with a touch of retro Parisian flair; my personal favorite touch was the stunning mirrored headboard behind the bed. It really made the space feel so open and made for some idyllic selfie opportunities. The bed is so comfortable that both nights were the best night’s sleep we’ve gotten in months. Conveniently located in the center of Boston, near lots of shopping, restaurants, and beautiful neighborhoods, we were able to walk to many of the places on our itinerary. This is definitely where we’ll be staying the next time we are in Boston.
What to Do
Boston JerkFest
This two-day Caribbean food festival was the first thing we did upon arriving in Boston. The sunny July day matched the energy and optimism of the Caribbean beats coming live from the stage. As a fan of spicy foods, I was surprised that I have never had Jerk chicken before, and this is the best introduction I could have asked for. There were many vendors making classic Caribbean dishes, desserts, and drinks. We both got the Jerk chicken with a side of rice and cabbage and shared a traditional beef patty. The Jerk chicken was fantastic; so spicy and flavorful. We cooled off with a fresh-cut coconut to sip on. Perfect for both groups of friends and families, this event was a great way to see the diverse community of Boston come together to celebrate food, music, and culture.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
I’ve been to many museums in my lifetime, but I have to say this one felt like one of the most special. Unlike any other I’ve visited, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum felt intimate even with the crowds of tourists. This gorgeous, Venetian-inspired museum founded by Isabella Stewart Gardner—a lover of art, history, literature, and horticulture—was quite the experience to take in. First, you are greeted with the stunning light-filled courtyard, full of plants and European-inspired statues. You feel instantly transported to Italy. From here, you can experience three floors of Gardner’s beautiful art collection. I loved the strong focus the museum had on decorative arts. The furniture and tapestries held so many stories, and I loved how they curated artworks and artifacts on display in each room. The museum holds all original art from its opening; one of Gardner's rules about her collection is that no art could be changed out from its original placement. Following a 1990 art heist where 13 paintings were stolen, you can still see the empty frames they were not allowed to refill. The paintings—including works by Manet and Vermeer—are still at large.
Sunset Boat Tour
Boat tours are a popular activity in the city, and offer a great way to see the city from a new perspective. Classic Harbor Line has an amazing two-hour sunset boat tour with an outdoor upper deck and an indoor deck with more of a dining feel. After a day of exploring, a bottle of vinho verde, and a charcuterie board to share on the upper deck, this was the perfect way to unwind. A refreshing breeze paired with a pastel sky, the view of the boats and yachts in the harbor was truly stunning. Halfway through our ride, we went down to the lower deck to get cozy, finish our wine, sip some tea, and enjoy the view of Boston’s lit-up skyline.
SOWA Open Air Market
Sunday markets are my favorite no matter what city I am in, and the Boston market is a must. As both a farmer’s market and a vendor market, it has food trucks for those in the mood for a delicious lunch, and art spaces to check out for those seeking creative inspiration. We started with browsing the vendor markets, where you can find just about anything you need—even plants. What caught our eyes, in particular, was the vintage band tees stand, where Gabi and I loaded up on souvenirs. Smaller boutiques are also a part of SoWa, such as Wyllo, which sells a curated selection of small-batch, women-owned brands. I ended up picking up two handmade ceramic mugs that I am so excited to use for our morning coffees at home.
SOWA Artist Open Studios
Following the market, we ventured to the SoWa artist studios, made up of three levels of artist work spaces set up as galleries of their current work. Open on Sundays, the spaces welcome people to walk around and browse the art, talk to the artists themselves, and even purchase their own pieces. It was so cool to peek into the studios and see so many unique creative perspectives on display. Even if you don’t have a background in art, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I really appreciated how the Boston art community has this open studio day for us to enjoy at our own pace and leisure. I definitely left inspired with a list of local Boston artists to keep an eye out for.
Where to Eat
Hecate Bar
This underground cocktail bar named after an Ancient Greek goddess was probably one of the most unique bar experiences we’ve ever had. Similar to the mysterious goddess of magic and ghosts, the small, dark, intimate bar has a feeling of otherworldliness, unlike any place I’ve been. I definitely recommend making a reservation as it’s become a very popular destination among the locals. At Hecate, the bartenders are called “spirit guides”—and for good reason. Each bartender is well versed in the language of mythology and each cocktail, or should I say “potion,” with elements so intricate that after your spirit guide explains it all to you, you feel like you just took a course in witchcraft. One cocktail was a total showstopper, arriving in a tall mug-like glass full of dry ice for a witchy effect. In contrast to the ambiance, comfort food like popcorn chicken and corn dogs lent a lighthearted childhood nostalgia that was truly the icing on the top.
Trifecta at Four Seasons One Dalton
Sometimes you just need to start your day in another city with a fancy afternoon tea. We booked the earliest seating at 11 am, and came hungry which was fortunate because the three-tier array of sandwiches and desserts was spectacular. The space is beautiful and bright, with tall and airy ceilings. I ended up going for a special tea of the day that was cherry and cacao infused, and with a subtle hint of sweetness, it was one of the most delicious teas I’ve ever had. Gabi had a classic Sencha green tea which was also phenomenal. Each part of the meal was a work of art, full of color and texture, and most importantly, delicious. This is a great spot to come for a special occasion, like an anniversary or birthday.
Atlantico
This airy tapas bar with a focus on Spanish and Portuguese seafood fare is just a few short blocks away from SoWa, and the perfect place for an afternoon refresh. In the mood for something light, our amazing waitress recommended the hashima and a colorful beet salad. Both were flavorful and fresh. Then, we shared avocado toast and a tomato soup that came with a melt-in-your-mouth grilled cheese sandwich for dipping. You could tell that each dish was made with love and that freshness is a top priority.
Uni
As mega fans of Japanese food, particularly sushi, we were very excited to try this restaurant located in our hotel. The space functions as a contemporary izakaya with dim lighting and spacious seating. We started with miso soup and an order of the shishito peppers, which we decided were the best shishito peppers we’ve ever had. We were in the mood for nigiri and went for a selection that included the Hamachi (Yellowtail, Sake) Scottish Salmon, Albacore Tuna, and Unagi (Freshwater Eel). Each nigiri had a burst of flavor and freshness that quickly turned into seconds. The dessert was far from an afterthought–we ordered the Strawberry Mochi and it was the perfect balance of sweet, chewy, and refreshing. I’m still thinking about this meal today.
Lookout Bar Rooftop
Our final place destination in Boston was an energetic rooftop bar on the top of the Envoy Hotel. Featuring the best of both worlds, the space pulls a fun crowd for cocktails while simultaneously offering guests a more intimate choice of the quiet lounge and fire pit on the other side of the bar. The view overlooking Boston was incredible, even with the layer of fog that rolled in, making our final night that much more dramatic and cozy. We enjoyed light soju spritzers and Negronis and were able to spend a relaxing last few hours in Boston with a view to remember before our early morning flight.
Where to Explore
Architecture Stroll
One of our favorite things to do in a new city is to take the surroundings on foot. Boston architecture stands out as one of the finest, with perfectly manicured front porches, tree-lined streets, and intricate architectural details. There were quite a few buildings that caught my eye right outside our hotel, on Commonwealth Avenue in the Bay Ridge neighborhood. Renaissance Revival, Victorian Gothic, and Second Empire stylistic touches were stunning to take in and gave me even more reason to dive into the history of how Boston architecture came to be. I love how Boston is a city that makes sure to preserve these historical buildings that speak to so much history through its details.
The Steps of the Museum of Fine Arts
After leaving the Isabella Gardner Museum, we walked back to our hotel and walked by the Museum of Fine Arts, which happens to be the 20th-largest art museum in the world. Although we didn’t have time to go inside, the exterior of this museum is a masterpiece in itself with a neoclassical facade, grand steps, and some interesting sculptures like “Night and Day” by Antonio Lopez Garcia, “Indian Hunter,” and “Pronghorn Antelope” Paul H. Manship. I would definitely visit this museum the next time I’m in town, but this time around I was super happy to get to see its gorgeous exterior. Don’t miss the Japanese zen garden to the right of the main entrance!
