How to Survive a Weekend in Boston (When You’re a New Yorker)
Hint: eat a lot.
Boston truly is the little brother of NYC with it’s wide sidewalks, trendy shops and local hotspots for popular grub. Just much cleaner.
I spent a weekend in Boston gathering up some of the best (and delicious) places to visit, stay and just see with your very own eyes.
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Find the right hotel
It’s easy to find a hotel in Boston that gives you the same vibes and feels as a trendy NYC spot. As a New Yorker, you know the options are usually a tourist attraction in Times Square, a local Marriott, or a boutique spot that seems to only house millennials.
I got a mix of everything at Revere Hotel Boston Common. When you walk in, the lobby smells like lavender and the front desk is eager to greet you and check you in. The process is seamless and the rooms certainly reflect check in.
Upon opening your hotel room door, you get major modern vibes, with a touch of Paul Revere. The California King gives you your own bed space, and the pillow menu just screams a good night’s rest.
A few other highlights:
- The hotel is environmentally-friendly, with shampoo, conditioner and soap dispensers in the showers and by the sinks. Towels are also encouraged to be reused to save water.
- The rooms are spotless. You can tell they take cleaning seriously, and that goes for every time they tidy up your room.
- There’s a gym and pool on-site, so you can eat your face off but still stay healthy.
- There’s a rooftop bar, filled with everything from classic beers to frozé (hello, summer!).
Shout out to Paintbox (NYC) for the sick nail art.
- The hotel has a personality, with these “Talent At Rest” signs I was able to put on my door when I wanted to sleep in.
- The decor is uniform and spot on for the vibe it’s trying to achieve.
- Even though you shouldn’t, you can catch up on some Netflix via the built-in app on the hotel tv.
The ease of check in was just as seamless when checking out. Just don’t forget parking costs extra. 200 Stuart Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Skim the Farmer’s Market
Look, there is plenty of good food in the city of Boston (more on that later). But if there’s one thing you have to do while there — at least in the spring/summer — is walk around the Copley Square Farmer’s Market.
This is Boston’s biggest and busiest farmers market located along St. James Avenue, Dartmouth Street, and Boylston Street. There are also over two dozen farmers and vendors offering a selection of local and delicious goods. What did I pick up? Well, a brownie of course. And an unbelievable one at that from Yummy Mummy, a small bakery started by a woman who grew up around chocolatey goodness. And only $2.50 for a brownie? We are not in NY anymore, that’s for sure.
Take a walk down Newbury St. & Boylston St.
These two streets near Boston Common pack some of the most high-end stores and boutiques to some of the tastiest seafood in the area. You’ll pass by Prudential Center (a prettier, much cleaner Manhattan Mall on steroids), the Hermes of the world, and coffee shops. There’s also bars for night time boredom.
As someone used to having $1 slices on every corner, I started to get hungry. Thank god for Yelp, I stopped in Joe’s American Bar & Grill. This must be the place to be on Newbury St. because it was a packed house.
I’m in Boston, so a lobster roll is top of mind. And nachos, obviously.
My waitress was a rockstar — even writing a list of places to stop by while I’m in town on the back of my check — and the bread they give you to start is actually stupid good. Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle. The lobster roll was really good, coming with soft as heck potato fries on the side. The nachos I have to say were not up to par with what we have in NYC, but it satisfied the craving. 181 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Get yourself some clam chowder
If you’re in Boston for the weekend, and don’t order clam chowder, were you ever really there? No, the answer is no. Stop by Rebel’s Guild, a 2-month old restaurant nestled in the Revere Hotel for some delicious chowdah.
No, my photo doesn’t do it justice, but the chowder is really good. The dish even comes with two clams right on top and mini oyster crackers. The service is definitely lacking at the restaurant, at least it was that night, but they make up for it in cute-sy appetizers — like the mini Lobster Sliders I inhaled — yummy desserts, and a nice overall atmosphere in terms of decor. Sorry you don’t have a chance to see my delicious Hand Pies dessert — I just ate it too quickly to snap a photo. 200 Stuart Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Brunch like nobody’s watching
What is the first thing you do when you wake up on Saturday in NYC? Yes — brunch. Things don’t change when you’re in Boston. For an unbelievable, Instagram-worthy meal, head to Lincoln Tavern on West Broadway in South Boston.
The hip spot is supposedly known for their Fruity Pebble Pancakes — which mind you, are insanely good — but they should really be known for their Breakfast Pizza. This life-sized pizza comes topped with eggs of your choice, bacon, roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, hashbrowns (yes, actual hashbrowns), fontina, pecorino Romano, and Tabasco. Don’t walk, run.
Worth an honorable mention, the California Omelet. Get there early, or you’ll wait. 425 W Broadway, Boston, MA
Browse Quincy Market
This is the Times Square of Boston, but with a lot less people. If you want a souvenir to bring home to mom, this is the place to go. You’ll also find a ton of local vendors and places to eat like lobster rolls, homemade ice cream, sandwiches, and even Greek food.
You can even grab a beer at the original Cheer’s bar and pick up a shirt that reads “Wicked Smahhht” for your cousin. 4 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109
Eat like a president
We have our fair share of fancy eating establishments in New York, but has Obama eaten there? Probably not. Apparently, he has dined at Bistro du Midi right across from Boston Common so naturally, I had to also. This French Cuisine spot is my fanciest meal of the weekend, but boy was it worth it.
Not only are you treated like an actual royal by the amazing waitstaff, you feel like you have a million dollars in your pocket with the style and quality of the dishes you order.
Honorable mentions: Crudo tasting (especially if you’re a sushi lover), Steak Tartare, Black Sea Bass and Beet Gnocchi. Speaking of Beet Gnocchi, if you’re looking for fresh, melt-in-your-mouth pasta that’s also pretty in pink, this dish is a must order. Hey, even a classy establishment deserves an Instagrammable dish.
One thing you can’t leave Bistro du Midi (or Boston for that matter) without, is the Chocolate Soufflé. This unbelievable dessert takes the chef 25 minutes to prepare, so order ahead if you want to a spoonful. 272 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
Stop by Mike & Patty’s
Not all breakfasts have to be elaborate and filled with booze. Mike & Patty’s is a closet-sized breakfast sandwich spot with enough options to fill you up. The sandwiches come on english muffins they make from scratch, and are filled with concoctions you only dream about. 12 Church St, Bay Village — Boston, MA 02116
All in all, Boston is a must-see whether you’re food obsessed, a traveler, or just want an easy place to visit. Just don’t forget your toothbrush like I did.
