Boston

Nov 11, 20228 min read

Boston is a city I return to frequently.

It won my heart with its proximity to the water, its beautiful and diverse neighborhoods, its parks and the peaceful atmosphere. You literally find yourself transported back in time when visiting the city, with its breathtaking buildings from its construction in 1630, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the United States.

What I love above all is the fact that the city can be visited well on foot! So don't forget to bring your comfortable shoes!

And as you will see below, activity options is endless and there is literally something for everyone.

Here is the top activities :

1-The Freedom Trail

Probably the most popular tourist activity. It is a red line on the roadway to be followed in the city which traces the history of the city. If you like history, I recommend booking a guide, in order to better understand the different place you will encounter there.

2-Duck tour boat

Easily the 2nd most popular activity in town! It is a water bus that takes you around the main attractions and buildings of the city, while also going on the water of the St-Charles River.

3-Newbury street

An emblematic street in Boston and also located in the upscale Back Bay neighborhood, especially on the streets of the Commonwealth avenue. Wandering the high-end shops on Newbury Avenue is an activity that you will never get tire of, although this street is also quite crowded. Stop on your way to Georgetown cupcake (don't be discouraged by the queue), and eat them out in the Boston Commun Park with a view of the lake!

4-Boston Commun Park

Located at the beginning of Newbury street, this awesome park is in my opinion in competition with Central park. Bring a blanket to have a picnic there, or simply to enjoy the sun with your cupcakes from the Georgetown cupcake!

5-Seaport district

The fact that the Seaport district is a little further from the center makes it a little less touristy. The chic, young and lively district makes it a truly special place. At Fan Pier Park, you'll have the most beautiful postcard view of Boston. Head to the Lookout rooftop & bar restaurants or to Deck 12, with their high terrace with the same beautiful view directly from your table.

6-Harvard College

Take the Metro towards Cambridge, stop at Harvard Square station and you will immediately be transported to the epic student atmosphere of this prestigious university. The school here rocks the entire neighborhood with its little pubs, cafes and small local shops. Why not treat yourself to a Harvard souvenir in their COOP stores?

If the weather is good, you could also walk to the riverside promenade at Riverbend Park. Perfect place to do your morning run if you feel like it!

7-Quincy market (Faneuil hall)

Acting as the city's former meeting hall, it now home to several small local food counters and artisan shops. You will find at its exit several street shows at any time of the day and a number of shops in the surrounding area to do your shopping. If you need a break, know that you can count on the best Frozen Margaritas in town at Mija Cantina! Cheers!

8-Italian quarter (North end)

Definitely the hip neighborhood you want to be in if you like late night action. The neighborhood comes alive and the sidewalks are always crowded after sunset. Happy people and delicious restaurants, what more could you ask for?!

9-Rose Kennedy Greenway

Very close to the Italian district, this is a small pretty park, with water games, small tables everywhere and swings for adults!! Mix pleasure and relaxation.

10- Charles River Esplanade

You will like the peaceful walk by the Charles River with beautiful cherry blossoms if you go there during March-April. We never get tired of this view of the river, no matters what season you go. A must do!

11-Red sox at Fenway park !

Boston is known for its legendary Red Sox team and its Fenway park stadium. If you are a sports fan, take a chance to check out the available tickets to experience the unique atmosphere of one of their game. Upon reservation, a stadium tour is also available for approximately $30.

12-Beaconhill

A chic and aesthetic district of Boston where strolling the cobbled streets of the district is an activity in itself. Acorn Street is the perfect Instagrammable street with its narrow street and beautiful row houses.

13-New england Aquarium

One of the 3 busiest places in the city, to discover more about marine world, at the cost of US$30 per entrance.

14- Whale Watching Cruise

Passionate about bigger marine animals like whales and dolphins? There are also sea watching cruises available from mid-March to mid-November. You will find several small kiosks for this purpose outside all around the aquarium, offering boat tour around US$70. However, note that the best 2 months to observe them are May and October, when you are almost guaranteed to see them.

15- Walking to the Waterfront district

I recommend starting at Christopher Columbus Warerfront Park, where you could grab a bite to eat on the park benches overlooking the water, and continuing along the waterfront to the Boston Harbor Hotel.

16-The Playa !

If you are visiting in hot summer weather, why not stop at the beach? The beautiful beaches of Carson Beach and Pleasure beach are quite close from the city and you can get there by metro if you don't have a car.

17- Foxborough

If you're a football fan, why not planned your stay along with a Patriots Home game? Or even during the summer, several artists perform at Gillette Stadium, such as Taylor Swift or Beyonce. A great option to see Stadium Tour shows that don't come to Quebec or Canada ! The distance from Boston downtown is approximately 1 hour.

18- Outlet Merrimack

Located 1 hour north of Boston. Perfect place to find bargains. Take advantage of New Hampshire tax-free!!

19- Bonus - For a girly weekend or a beauty break!

Escape nails & spa is the ideal place to relax a bit. Their regular pedicure or manicure are also inexpensive and stay a good week without cracking! Reservations may be recommended, but they'll likely find you a spot anyway if you arrive in the morning.

20- Salem

On the way back, you can also stop in this village known for the accusations and execution of witchcraft in 1992.

On the hotel & accommodation side, we often stay in hotels a little outside of Boston in Woburn, or in Burlington. Located about a 15-minute drive from Boston, options are often much cheaper, come with a small in-room refrigerator most of the time, and free parking.

If you want to sleep directly in Boston city centro, you will certainly pay more, but the experience is worth it. For the ideal location, I recommend the Club Quarters hotel, located very close to the city center.

We have also stayed at the Sheraton Back Bay, Boston Park Plaza and in Chinatown at the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Downtown. The hotels have all fulfilled our expectations as such, but they are a little further on foot from the city center and the parking options are more expensive ($30 to 40 US per day).

For parking, the Garage at Post office square is the most affordable one and really central. The weekend rate there is only $9 for the day and it is open 24 hours.

It is also a great advantage to stay at the Club Quarters hotel, because the parking lot is 2 blocks away.

Of course, we love to shop during our visits! Maybe even a little too much.

Here are some of my favorite shops:

- Primark

European low prices chain, looking a bit like Forever 21. The store used to have 4 floors, now only 2 since the Covid, but it is still a store to visit

2 addresses, Burlington (the biggest store) (75 Middlesex Turnpike) and downtown (10 summer street)

- Loft

Loft is a clothing store that I particularly like. There is something for everyone and often have promotions that are worthwhile. Located near the Quincy market.

- Anthropologie

For their candles and decorative spaces! Although there is now one in Montreal, we love to browse in this beautiful store where everything is wow!

2 adresses, Cambridge (48 Brattle Street) and on Newbury (203 Newbury Street)

- Uniclo

At the end of Newbury Street, very close to Fenway Park, is the branch Uniclo, a Japanese brand, specialist in down jackets.

Adress : 341 Newbury Street

- Eataly & Prudential Center

Located in the Prudential Center in Back Bay district on Boylson Street, there are a few shops like Lululemon, Aritzia and Under Armour. The major one for me is Eataly. I love Italian food so much that I cannot stop myself to stop by every time. You can either buy some product or eat fresh cooked food.

Address : 800 Boylson Street

Recommended stop on the way to your destination or on your way back:

- Liquor Store on road 93

About 1 hour on the road before arriving in Boston, this one is not a shop in itself, but a stop on the way is essential to refuel for a few drinks when you arrive at your hotel! As a bonus, no taxes!

A little advice to stop there again on the way back to buy 2 bottles each for home (there is a store in each direction, North and South)

Address : New Hampshire Liquor & wine oulet, in the Common Man roadside North, adress 25 Springer rd.

- Trader’s Joe

Super popular grocery chains in the United States. Their frozen sweet potato pasta is to die for, and they offer several private label products that are different from elsewhere. Bring your cooler if you plan to stop there on the way back!

Recommended Address : 2 Market Street, NH 03110

- Books-A-Million (BAM)

For books lovers, this is THE place for purchasing your books across the United States! You'll find it on route 93 also, town of Concord, near the Liquor Store.

Address : 76 Fort Eddy Road, concord, NH 03301

- Target

I love Target for their little home décor, kitchenware section and craft section. You can often find great finds there. It's located close to the Book a Million store.

Address : 80 D’Amante drive, Concord, NH 03301

- Outlets Merrimack

As mentioned above in the activities section, Merrimack Outlets is one of the biggest in the area. Stopping when returning to Quebec would be a good option. There are two of my favorite shops there, loft Outlet and Kate Spade Outlet.

-Address: 80 Premium Otlets Blvd, Merrimack, NH 0354

Of course, Boston also has a great diversity of restaurants.

*Note that since the Covid, the vast majority of restaurants operate by reservation, and they are often full several weeks in advance. We therefore recommend that you book in advance!*

Here are our best addresses:

· Back Bay :

-Georgetown Cupcake (as mention above), pastry created by two winning sisters of the TV series DC Cupcakes.

-Citrus & salt Boston, Mexican restaurant with a trendy decor and cozy atmosphere.

-Sonsie, bistro-pub style

· Italien District (North End) :

-Mike’s Pastry is THE pastry place in Boston, for their tiramisu and their cannoli available in a thousand flavors (also available on uber eats order). Brave yourself with patience to get them in line, but I promise you won't be disappointed!!

-Arya Trattoria, a chic and exclusive Italian restaurant well known for the regular passage of Patriots players, and the unmistakable welcome of the owner himself when you arrive.

-Monica’s Trattoria, another Italian restaurant option for fresh pasta, where Edelman (Pats players) is often seen there!

-Several small pubs and the SomersPubs are near Union street park and come alive in the evening!

· Quincy Market :

-Mija cantina, Mexican restaurant that offers huge and delicious frozen Marguarita

-For the various local food counters, but also the famous Mmmac N’ cheese.

· Chinese district :

-Q restaurant, a must for Hot pot. Reserve your place here ! https://thequsa.com. The surroundings are quite busy with small pubs in the evening as well if you feel like going out after.

· Downtown

-Yvonne’s, chic popular restaurant for a drink and good food

· Seaport district

-Bar Deck 12 pour un cocktail with a view.

-Lookout rooftop and bar, with their terrace overlooking the Boston Skyline.

-Barking Crab, small fast food waterfront restaurant.

· Harvard (Cambridge)

-The Sinclair, for some late night action.

-In the heart of Harvard Square, Felipe’s Taqueria is a great place for your Mexican cravings.

-Daedalus, a highly rated restaurant with a stunning terrace on sunny days.

-For a quick dinner, Pinocchio’s pizza & subs

-Mike’s Pastry has a second store in Harvard as well, to offer their delicious Cannoli to the people of Cambridge too!