Visiting Boston | Where to Stay, What to Eat, What to Do!

Why Visit Boston

Visiting Boston? I want to give you the ultimate guide to this amazing city. I recently had the privilege of visiting this city in October for  days. The weather was very mild, ranging from 50-late 60’s degrees F. Boston is the perfect size, it’s not too big, it’s well organized and simply beautiful. This is the type of city that you will want to be in and experience. You want to walk the streets, see the architecture and feel the energy. It’s kind of like New York but cleaner and less intimidating. The history in this town is an attraction in itself. The Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s famous ride, and so much more! A visit to Boston in the fall should definitely be on your travel bucket list!

Where to Stay

I personally stayed at the Westin by Copley Square in the Back Bay Area. It was a central location for everything we wanted to walk to. We are a walking family, we prefer to walk somewhere than take a train or catch an Uber. My kids broke their personal walking records (previously from a Disney Trip), they walked 6.8miles on the last day of our vacation! Yup! In one day they physically walked almost 7 miles throughout the day! I am still so proud, if you can’t tell.

Boston is much bigger than this, but this is the area that we stayed in. Our hotel was in the Back Bay area. The Westin Hotel was across the street from Copley Square, a gorgeous historic Library, tons of restaurants, 2 grocery stores, an indoor mall and it felt like a very safe area. It was a mix of locals and tourists. 

What to Eat 

My top tip on saving money while traveling is to go grocery shopping! Thankfully there was a cute little grocery store just a block behind the Westin Copley Square. We bought fresh fruit, oatmeal, peanut butter, cereal, avocados and toast for breakfast. In the afternoons we would return to the hotel or pack a lunch (sandwiches and snacks). As all the other moms will tell you, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to take toddlers to restaurants. It is also quite a bit of money and calories when you eat out for every meal! Instead, stock up the mini fridge with healthy options.

But we did go out to eat a few times! Our favorite go-to in Boston was Eat by CHLOE. It’s a Vegan Restaurant with delicious Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner options! There are locations in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Providence, and over the pond in London! The food was delicious and fresh. The price was very reasonable. The ambiance and decor is SO Instagramable. But most importantly, it was kid friendly! We ate here a couple times but my top picks of the Menu were the Quinoa Taco Salad and the Guac Burger! Again, totally 100% Vegan and totally delicious.

For desert one afternoon we stumbled upon the best donuts I’ve ever tried in my life at Blackbird Donuts. Blackbirds is a very unassuming artisanal doughnut shop that rotates their flavors every week or so. They are exclusive to Boston! This is a “can’t miss in Boston”! You have to try these. I had the BLACKBERRY CURRANT with juicy blackberries with sweet, tart black currants. My kids had the CHOCOLATE SPRINKLE with decadent dark chocolate ganache with a hint of coffee, topped with rainbow sprinkles. We went late in the day around 4pm so many of the flavors were sold out! The one I NEED to go back and try is the famous EVERYTHING BAGEL DOUGHNUT. It is a brioche doughnut filled with whipped cream cheese and topped with toasted garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seeds.

L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates. To sip the best hot chocolate (according to Travel & Leisure or Food & Wine magazines) come here I also suggest a cup of earl grey tea and a slice of chocolate lemon cake!

The Thinking Cup, in the Little Italy neighborhood is a cute coffee shop/baker/sandwich shop. I highly recommend the vanilla and chocolate macaroons.

What to Do 

Boston is a great city with so much to see and do! Everything we wanted to do was within walking distance of our hotel. But there is a Train/Subway system that is fairly easy to use OR there’s always good old fashion ride sharing apps!

Copley Square is a beautiful outdoor park sounded by Trinity Church, The Plaza Hotel and the Boston Public Library. The the north is a wonderfully mesmerizing fountain. It’s a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee, have a picnic or shop at the weekend farmers market!

Within walking distance of our hotel there were 5 Park Playgrounds! The kids were in heaven!

1. Boston Common is the central park of Boston. It was established in the 1600s! There is so much history and beauty in this park. Between the ponds, the bridges, the swans, statues, carousel, gazebo, and the playground called the Tadpole Playground.
2. Clarendon Park is just off Clarendon st and Commonwealth Ave! This is tucked away in a wealthy stunning neighborhood. The kids of the neighborhood actually leave toys at the park for other kids to play with! You can easily pass this park without thinking. It’s gated, shaded and beside a tall brownstone. Look closely and take find this cute little playground.
3. Frieda Garcia Park is another neighborhood park that is slightly hidden on a side street. Google it to find it, it’s not always on the maps. It has a few innovative playground structures. Your kids will love it. It’s small and clean and colorful.
4. North End Playground is in Langone Park which is right on the water! This is a cute little playground with a view!
5. Charles Bank Playground is an outdoor gated playground within the Lederman Park. This park is a gorgeous park to stroll through. It is right on the Charles River. It has gorgeous views from every angle. You will see sailboats and seagulls and waterside yoga classes. It’s absolutely beautiful.

I do want to mention and suggest a “river walk” area. Just north of the Science Museum is the Lechmere Canal Park. It’s a little area that reminds me of a more beautiful San Antonio River Walk. It also borders the Cambridgeside Mall if you wanna get a little shopping done.

Museum of Science is huge and lovely. It’s $28 for adults, $23 for children 3-11/ It’s massive so plan to spend almost an entire day here. We just checked out the exhibits in the lobby and ate at the cafe. The cafe back wall is all windows! I suggest you grab a snack and check out the view if you don’t want to spend the time of money on the museum.

Boston Children’s Museum. Ok, this place is Uber cool! Parents and kids will love this place. It’s 3 floors of interactive exhibits directed towards kids imaginations. You can get messy and learn at the same time. This was definitely a highlight. My kids loved this place. It’s a perfect indoor activity – which is what we were looking for because it was raining.

I love love love old churches. There is something in me or my past that draws me to old churches in historic cities. Old North Church and Trinity Church are two with incredible sanctuaries. So check it out!

I can’t close this blog about Boston without talking about the incredible HISTORY in this city. It all started in the early 1600s when the puritans come over from England and establish Boston. The last half of the 1700s held huge history for Boston and America. There was the Boston Tea Party protesting taxes in 1773 and the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere which was the eve of the Revolutionary War.

Paul Revere was a fascinating man! He wasn’t rich, handsome or famous. He was a regular dude lived a life more extraordinary! He was born in Boston, he was a widower, had 16 children, worked hard with his hands and always made his money turn into more money. He invested wisely and had many successful businesses.

He was an avid resister of the British control in America. He was actually captured and questioned by the British at gunpoint. They even stole his horse! But Paul Revere knew what was more important and he lived without fear. He worked closely with John Hancock and Samuel Adams during the Revolutionary War and became famous for his midnight ride where he hung lanterns and warned of the British invasion.

He was a regular dude who did incredible things with his life! I love a story like this. You can actually visit Paul Reveres actual home. It’s only $5 for adults and $1 for children. Each room has historians just waiting to spill information about Paul Revere and his life. A lot of the furniture is original. You can see his humble life but feel the inspiration seeping through the walls.

Don’t forget to visit the Granary Burial Grounds to see the tombstones of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere.

I believe walking is the best way to experience a city. Get on the streets with the locals, look at the mix of architecture, eat where the locals eat!

Check out my full Vlog on Boston!