bon haven in boston
I'll be cut to the chase, if you've never been to Boston, you need to jump over to Kayak and book yourself a trip right now. It was hands down one of my top three favorite trips, if not my number one favorite.
My roommate and I cooked up the idea of a Fall trip back in September when we were desperate for cooler temperatures and turning leaves. As we rolled through our plans and made our reservations, everything just fell into place and made the perfect storm of a trip.
We stayed at a lovely little boutique hotel just a block south of the Commons called the Godfrey. The staff was welcoming, the rooms were lovely, but honestly the reason I booked it was the lobby. Look at that marble, friends! It sets my heart a-pitter-patter.
The whole building was filled with little touches of charm like this, and that gorgeous staircase continued all the way to the top floor. And bonus, there was an adorable coffee shop adjoined to the side of the hotel, too. Coffee whenever I want? Don't mind if I do.
If you're heading to Boston, you're going to experience some truly remarkable dining. Our first stop was a sweet local farm-to-table restaurant in Cambridge called Henrietta's Table. The charm and decor was only outdone by the quality of the food and liveliness of the company.
I recommend a corner booth with a cup of coffee and a piece of pumpkin bread. It's the perfect spot to savor your morning while sneaking in some good people watching. On weekday mornings the restaurant bustles with Havard professors holding important meetings, students in sweatpants recovering from late nights, and adorable retired couples starting their days nice and slow.
The walk to and through Harvard can be simplified with a single word: charming. The leaves were colored beautifully and the puddles were fresh. I felt like I was 18 again touring college campuses and being exposed to the thrill of possibility.
The walk around Harvard is scattered with an array of quirky gift shops, book stores, and charming boutiques - all well worth your time. I scored a lovely book (more to come on that later) and a Christmas present for my mom, so I'd mark it as a success.
Not only does Boston deliver on food, it also ranks high with it's shopping. The staples of the city are Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market with it's surrounding vendors and stores. Step into the cozy and snug Faneuil Hall for a quick cup of coffee before walking the market.
Quincy Market itself is food-central. Plan to go there on an empty stomach, because walking through the smells of Quincy market you will be tempted to fill it up! It is filled with treats for both the eyes and the stomach - with architecture that will make you swoon and food that will make you stuffed.
My number one Saturday brunch recommendation is Bostonia Public House. I kid you not when I say my roommate and I still talk about these pancakes to this day. I'll spare you the foodie details, and settle for telling you that it was just such a lovely, warm atmosphere for brunch, with perfect food to match. We indulged in a "bucket of bubbles" (carafe of mimosas) and these delectable pancakes and nursed both for an hour and a half while listening to live music on a cold, cloudy morning. #perfect
Moral of the story, go get these pancakes.
Other must see-s while you're in town are the Boston Commons and the Boston Public Gardens - I would easily say my favorite part of the trip. So lively and colorful, bustling with people and beautiful views. Grab yourself a honey cinnamon latte from the Thinking Cup on the south side of the park before strolling through and taking in the atmosphere.
While Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market might be the signature shopping of the city, I would not tag it as the best. For that, you want to jaunt over to Charles street in Beacon Hill. Start at the southern most end, where the street intersects the Commons and the Public Gardens and then head north, where the boutiques are centered. It is a long five block drag blossoming with trendy design, clothing, and jewelry stores that will fill your bag and empty your wallet.
You will thank me, your bank account won't.
And it truly wouldn't be the best trip ever if we didn't find some lovely nightlife options. My favorite options for you? First off, Yvonne's, a speakeasy style bar and library style fine dining restaurant. The lights are low and the spirits are high and you won't want to miss it. We couldn't snag a dinner reservation when we were in town but I've heard the food is unreal. Instead we settled a quick pre-dinner drink and it was so worth it. You feel like the coolest, most in-the-know person in town when you make it into Yvonne's.
There's also Drink - a craft cocktail bar near the harbor where everything is off the menu. Instead of picking your drink off the list, you tell your waiter about your taste in drinks and he handcrafts a unique cocktail specifically designed for you.
Where should I travel next?
