What would life be like without girls weekends? Especially when the group has been friends since 7th grade!
Seeing a city with a person who lives there is simply magical. Seeing Boston through the eyes of a person who actually lives there is the way to see a city.
PS. This is my second trip to Boston, if you are looking for more recs see 2012: April
Where we stayed
Our friends lives in Charlestown and it is pretty much out of a novel. There are flower boxes in every window and you feel like every corner you turn someone important had been there or a major moment in history happened. If you want to get out of the crowds and into the real Boston scene (but very close to everything you want to see) I suggest you stay in this little slice of heaven. There are hotels right on the water (did I mention it is on harbor)and if you are a runner (which clearly I am not) this is the perfect place for your morning runs or strolls to make more room for food and booze.
What we did
Usually on trips I have some great recs on things to do and see but this trip had one goal in mind... laughing and eating. So if you are looking for Boston to do's check out my other blog post or look at Trip Advisor or Yelp. Y'all know I am not a touristy kind of gal so the Freedom Trail is going to have to wait. Wait, I take that back we did do some sights and sounds of Boston
- Public garden-we took a stroll through the gardens and saw what Bostonians do on the weekends when the sun is out. It is beautiful with a feel of Central Park but a lot smaller
- Beacon Hill-old world charm with shops on shops. Get yourself a coffee and walk the streets with your credit card ready to be swiped
- Dry Bar-our friend got us appointments to get our hair did when we got off the plane so we could hit the town in style. It was such a fun treat to not have to shower and have someone else make us beauties for the weekend
- Pier 6-highly recommend afternoon cocktails and a stroll by the water at this fun spot. Lots of peoples my age enjoying the day by the water with a drink in hand.
- Harpoon Brewery-disclaimer that we got to the brewery and the line was about a mile long thanks to marathon weekend so we went somewhere else BUT I am going to pretend to tell you how amazing the beer was and how they have a beer hall that you can enjoy tasty beers. Obviously will go next time when the line dies down
Where we ate
- Neptune Oyster Bar-this has been on my food bucket list for years and IT IS WORTH THE WAIT. The lobster roll is out of this world, the oysters taste like they just came out of the water and the seafood bouillabaisse with saffron rice made me want to be a better person. O yes, if you get there any they tell you the wait is an hour and a half smile and put your name down. We decided this is their scare tactic to fight off tourist but within 15 min. they called us with a table
- Oak Room Bar at the Fairmont Hotel-a step back to old school bars and martinis. The scene here is right out of the old school days with crown moldings galore and drinks served on the titanic
- Easter Standard-now this is painful for me to stay because this was at the top of one of my favorite restaurants from my last visit... when we went last time we had brunch here and it was outstanding and they take their cocktails very seriously which I have much respect for. However, something about dinner was not spot on this go around. Wait, the bone marrow that I had was A+ material but I am going to chalk up the rest of the service/meal to marathon weekend. Never the less, put it on your list for places to try and taste
- Island Creek Oyster-so you want to talk about one of my favorite #traveljaggs restaurants? This is a MUST for anyone that wants to taste Boston seafood at its best. And also drink some killer rose. The oysters taste what I only assume heaven taken out of the water in a shell form taste like. I had the Island Creek oysters and shrimp. I know what you are thinking, why order shrimp? Boring! Right, you are wrong. These shrimp are the meatiest, plumpist, God's gift to earth I have ever put in mouth. It is 8:55 a.m. and I am considering flying back just to have that experience again
- Figs by Todd English-what is better than a day of day drinking followed by pizza that you can recognize through your haze as delicious? It is pretty much a given that if Todd English's name is on a restaurant it is going to be out of this world and their mushroom pizza drizzled with truffle oil was in fact eggcellent
- Flour-a wonderful breakfast spot with sandys and fresh pastries that is perfect for a meal before you hit the airport
Looking back
Boston is and will continue to be one of my favorite travel spots. The flights from CLT are cheap and you are there within two hours of taking off. I like the vibe of the city and all that it has to offer. Granted this is only my second time in the city but I have a feeling that it will quickly become a travel spot for years to come. Although, the only draw back is the amount of people running everywhere but I am guessing I will just keep eating and drinking and let them counter balance my passions with their love of running :)
Thank you Meritt for letting us into her Boston life for the weekend. My "abs" are still sore from laughing
