Becks and the Cities

Hi guys! I’m back with another throwback post and this week we’re in Boston! Who doesn’t love a city rich with history??? Boston is one of my favorite places to visit and I would love to live there one day (despite the cold winters).

Tristan and I stayed at Hilton Downtown-Faneuil Hall. The hotel was centrally located to the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, and several restaurants! [I would like to give a shout out to this particular hotel. Like any amateur traveling couples, we forgot to check the closets (of all places!) before we left. Luckily, the lovely Hilton staff found and mailed Tristan his suits, which we left behind. Yay- you guys rock!]

We loved strolling through Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This is a one-stop-shop for Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, and the North and South Market. The area is set with cobblestone paths, where tourists meander through stores, snack at nearby cafes, or watch juggling street artists. This is definitely a touristy place and a lot of locals avoid this area if they can. Although it’s crowded, it’s an iconic place and a must see.

The history: the Hall was originally gifted to the city by Peter Faneuil in 1742. Fishermen, Merchants, and food/produce sellers would gather here. In 1826, the area was expanded to include Quincy Market to better accommodate the merchants and shoppers.

Another place to check out is Haymarket, a historic outdoor market. You can shop for several varieties of fresh produce, but only at certain hours. Be sure to check out the times (linked) before going! You’ll be glad you stopped by!

On this trip, we were only in Boston for a day and a half (unfortunately), so we did a lot of walking to fit it all in. If you’re not one for walking, there are also Hop-On/ Hop-off buses and Duck boats to help with transportation.

The best way to cover the area is to jump on the Freedom Trail (map) and go from there. The Trail starts at Boston Commons (the heart of the city & oldest US public park) and ends 2.5 miles away at the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. Don’t forget, put on your walking shoes, you’re going to get a good workout in. Near the Boston Commons is the Boston Public Garden. If you find yourself visiting Boston during April-September, you can hop on a Swan boat in the garden. 

After sight-seeing a bit, Tristan and I grabbed lunch at Black Rose, a well-known Irish Pub.  If you’re in Boston and drink, find yourself a good Irish pub!  We both ordered burgers (yay for good pub grub) and a Guinness (of course!), which was the perfect break to fuel the rest of our day.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox weren’t home during our time in Boston. I think Fenway Park is one of the coolest ball parks I’ve been to. We’ll be sure to check their schedule next time we’re here!  Here’s a little party fact for you: the Red Sox have patented the color “Fenway Green.”  

I definitely reached my step-goal while in Boston. Between the Freedom Trail’s path and the occasional rouge adventures, we definitely got our workout in. 

We went back to the hotel and changed for our evening plans. For dinner, we went to an Italian restaurant in North End called Vinoteca di Monica. There is nothing like a classic ravioli di funghi dish and a bottle of chardonnay to end the day.

The next day, we packed up to leave and head to (drum roll, please)…. Quebec City!! Get ready for some French (or lack thereof)!