This past week, I had the pleasure of traveling to Boston, Massachusetts. Especially considering the fact that I rarely get the opportunity to travel to new places, I was SO. EXCITED. (to say the least) when I heard I was going to Boston. Thus, to commemorate these four days of pure joy and nonstop travel grind/adventure/new experiences, I thought I would make a Boston Travel Diaries blog post. I chose the word 'flaneur' for this post because its definition pretty much describes how I spent my days, simply wandering and walking (lots of walking. To be honest I do not think my feet enjoyed Boston as much as I did) along the streets to touch down at all of the most well-known or talked about places in that beautiful city, packing in and soaking up as much as I could. Keep scrolling if you want to get a glimpse into my favorite memories and places that I experienced or visited while in Boston :)
DAY 1
The first day we got to Boston we arrived around mid-afternoon, which my mom and I decided was the perfect amount of time to get a feel for the area so that we would be fresh and ready to go the next morning. Close to our hotel was Quincy Market, so after we observed some incredible street art for a bit, we stopped by to check out our future lunch spot for the next couple of days. This place is seriously a hubbub of constant aromas, entertainment, and people. The main building, which includes Faneuil Hall, reminds me of a food court on steroids, with tons of restaurants down one long aisle. If you want Asian, they have it. Mexican, they have that, along with burgers, ice cream, pastries, pizza, and basically anything else, too. While I was there, I went to 'The Monkey Bar,' a juice place that had endless flavors of tropical smoothies. It was great, I only wish I had more days to try out all the flavors! I also went to Regina's Pizza, which I would probably more recommend going to the actual restaurant to try out, but it was still good. Plus, at 'El Paso,' I went for a classic taco, which you cannot really go wrong with. Around Quincy Market, there are a variety of stores, including a seemingly never-ending Urban Outfitters that connected over multiple stores and I could honestly spend all day in. In addition to that, a lot of street performers are also usually in the area, so if you choose to eat or hang outside, you can see artists (like a violinist, which is who I saw while I was there) playing lively renditions of songs and entertaining a crowd.
The first day we got to Boston we arrived around mid-afternoon, which my mom and I decided was the perfect amount of time to get a feel for the area so that we would be fresh and ready to go the next morning. Close to our hotel was Quincy Market, so after we observed some incredible street art for a bit, we stopped by to check out our future lunch spot for the next couple of days. This place is seriously a hubbub of constant aromas, entertainment, and people. The main building, which includes Faneuil Hall, reminds me of a food court on steroids, with tons of restaurants down one long aisle. If you want Asian, they have it. Mexican, they have that, along with burgers, ice cream, pastries, pizza, and basically anything else, too. While I was there, I went to 'The Monkey Bar,' a juice place that had endless flavors of tropical smoothies. It was great, I only wish I had more days to try out all the flavors! I also went to Regina's Pizza, which I would probably more recommend going to the actual restaurant to try out, but it was still good. Plus, at 'El Paso,' I went for a classic taco, which you cannot really go wrong with. Around Quincy Market, there are a variety of stores, including a seemingly never-ending Urban Outfitters that connected over multiple stores and I could honestly spend all day in. In addition to that, a lot of street performers are also usually in the area, so if you choose to eat or hang outside, you can see artists (like a violinist, which is who I saw while I was there) playing lively renditions of songs and entertaining a crowd.
DAY 2
Day two held the most activities out of the four days we were there. First off on our list, and the one that took the majority of the day, was walking the Freedom Trail. We took a calming, beautiful ferry ride to the beginning of the trail right after breakfast that morning, which I would personally recommend because it is a cheap way to enjoy a great view of Boston and avoid having to do double the walking. However, if you are going to walk the Freedom Trail, get ready for a whole lot of walking, walking, and more walking. My mom and I completed this on our second full day in Boston and it was quite the exhausting experience (requiring a solid two hour nap after in my case). However, it was quite interesting to see all of the historical sites along the trail which make Boston what it is today, and I definitely think the trail is an essential experience to have while you are in the city. One of my favorites was touring the USS Constitution, which I found intriguing to see how soldiers lived for two years on-board the ship with limited quarters and decks. I also got to see the Massachusetts State House, King's Chapel, the Commonwealth Bookstore, and Boston Common, just to name a few. In the case of Boston Common, I would actually more recommend the Boston Public Garden across the street, which has beautiful blooms and offers swan boat rides on the lake. Along the way, my mom and I discovered St. Leonard's Church right off the trail, one of the oldest churches built by Italian immigrants in the United States. This church is most definitely the most beautiful, truly stunning church I have ever seen in real life. From what I have seen in pictures of some of the most famous churches in the world in places like Rome or Milan, St. Leonard's gave me a glimpse into what makes those churches as famous as they are. St. Leonard's consists of golden gilding along the magnificent ceiling and pillars, an immaculate, colorful mural painted on the dome above the altar, and detailed, life-sized statues of saints to make your prayers in front of. This is the kind of church that makes me want to involve myself deeper in my religion, the kind of church that you cannot help but feel God's presence in. We ended our day by going to Pasta Beach for dinner which had a beautiful view of Boston Harbor. As we walked back from dinner along the Boston Harborwalk, I could not help but admire the view. Plus, a restaurant is placed conveniently along the Harborwalk with live entertainment every night for passersby to enjoy. In my opinion, the famous Boston Harborwalk is one of the most peaceful, soothing, stunning areas in the city. I walked it on the way to and from dinner every night I was there, which usually put me in the time frame to experience the incredible panoramic views of the gorgeous multi-colored sunset. A certain air of stillness and serenity overwhelms everything when the sun sets over the gently rocking boats and the calm waters, and it always ended my evening right.
Day two held the most activities out of the four days we were there. First off on our list, and the one that took the majority of the day, was walking the Freedom Trail. We took a calming, beautiful ferry ride to the beginning of the trail right after breakfast that morning, which I would personally recommend because it is a cheap way to enjoy a great view of Boston and avoid having to do double the walking. However, if you are going to walk the Freedom Trail, get ready for a whole lot of walking, walking, and more walking. My mom and I completed this on our second full day in Boston and it was quite the exhausting experience (requiring a solid two hour nap after in my case). However, it was quite interesting to see all of the historical sites along the trail which make Boston what it is today, and I definitely think the trail is an essential experience to have while you are in the city. One of my favorites was touring the USS Constitution, which I found intriguing to see how soldiers lived for two years on-board the ship with limited quarters and decks. I also got to see the Massachusetts State House, King's Chapel, the Commonwealth Bookstore, and Boston Common, just to name a few. In the case of Boston Common, I would actually more recommend the Boston Public Garden across the street, which has beautiful blooms and offers swan boat rides on the lake. Along the way, my mom and I discovered St. Leonard's Church right off the trail, one of the oldest churches built by Italian immigrants in the United States. This church is most definitely the most beautiful, truly stunning church I have ever seen in real life. From what I have seen in pictures of some of the most famous churches in the world in places like Rome or Milan, St. Leonard's gave me a glimpse into what makes those churches as famous as they are. St. Leonard's consists of golden gilding along the magnificent ceiling and pillars, an immaculate, colorful mural painted on the dome above the altar, and detailed, life-sized statues of saints to make your prayers in front of. This is the kind of church that makes me want to involve myself deeper in my religion, the kind of church that you cannot help but feel God's presence in. We ended our day by going to Pasta Beach for dinner which had a beautiful view of Boston Harbor. As we walked back from dinner along the Boston Harborwalk, I could not help but admire the view. Plus, a restaurant is placed conveniently along the Harborwalk with live entertainment every night for passersby to enjoy. In my opinion, the famous Boston Harborwalk is one of the most peaceful, soothing, stunning areas in the city. I walked it on the way to and from dinner every night I was there, which usually put me in the time frame to experience the incredible panoramic views of the gorgeous multi-colored sunset. A certain air of stillness and serenity overwhelms everything when the sun sets over the gently rocking boats and the calm waters, and it always ended my evening right.
DAY 3
This day was not as planned or packed as day two was, however, it was just as fun for me because of my love for museums. In the morning, we visited the Institute of Contemporary Art. I will admit, I cannot give a full review/overview of the institute because while I was there, a good part of the exhibits were closed down for renovations. However, from what I did see, I can say that there was a unique blend of a little something for everyone in the exhibits that were open. For example, if you are a writer or enjoy writing like me, there was a room centered around a poem, with modern, visually appealing art corresponding to the framed stanzas of the poem. Or, if you instead prefer more out-of-the-box pieces, there are a series of collages that appear multi-colored from a distance, but upon further inspection, are made entirely of gelled together clothing pieces. Plus, to finish your walk-through of the fourth floor exhibits, you can find yourself viewing a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto Boston Harbor, a beautiful blue scene. In addition, when you first walk into the museum, there is a wall devoted entirely to a mural of people's handwriting. Grab a pencil hanging from the wall and you as well can add your own personal touch to the myriad collage wall of messages and names. Or, if you are visiting and do not have time or care to actually go into the institute, an expansive wooden deck is housed behind the building to give you the same panoramic view of the harbor. If you know me, you know I love museums, so this visit was obviously an aesthetically satisfying one. For the rest of the afternoon, we rested up a bit, ate lunch along the water, and walked around a little more. For dinner, my family and I visited Limoncello, where I fell in love with the atmosphere. At first glance, the restaurant seemed a little wild, with tables almost on top of each other and people everywhere. However, once we got settled in, the hustle and bustle provided a certain rush of energy throughout the whole evening, adding to the charm of the restaurant. There certainly was a reason why there was a constant bustle in and out of new customers! And it turned out that having tables so close was the perfect opportunity to make new friends, because we did just that with the couple across the aisle from us :)!
This day was not as planned or packed as day two was, however, it was just as fun for me because of my love for museums. In the morning, we visited the Institute of Contemporary Art. I will admit, I cannot give a full review/overview of the institute because while I was there, a good part of the exhibits were closed down for renovations. However, from what I did see, I can say that there was a unique blend of a little something for everyone in the exhibits that were open. For example, if you are a writer or enjoy writing like me, there was a room centered around a poem, with modern, visually appealing art corresponding to the framed stanzas of the poem. Or, if you instead prefer more out-of-the-box pieces, there are a series of collages that appear multi-colored from a distance, but upon further inspection, are made entirely of gelled together clothing pieces. Plus, to finish your walk-through of the fourth floor exhibits, you can find yourself viewing a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto Boston Harbor, a beautiful blue scene. In addition, when you first walk into the museum, there is a wall devoted entirely to a mural of people's handwriting. Grab a pencil hanging from the wall and you as well can add your own personal touch to the myriad collage wall of messages and names. Or, if you are visiting and do not have time or care to actually go into the institute, an expansive wooden deck is housed behind the building to give you the same panoramic view of the harbor. If you know me, you know I love museums, so this visit was obviously an aesthetically satisfying one. For the rest of the afternoon, we rested up a bit, ate lunch along the water, and walked around a little more. For dinner, my family and I visited Limoncello, where I fell in love with the atmosphere. At first glance, the restaurant seemed a little wild, with tables almost on top of each other and people everywhere. However, once we got settled in, the hustle and bustle provided a certain rush of energy throughout the whole evening, adding to the charm of the restaurant. There certainly was a reason why there was a constant bustle in and out of new customers! And it turned out that having tables so close was the perfect opportunity to make new friends, because we did just that with the couple across the aisle from us :)!
DAY 4
The last day, we grabbed Kane's Donuts for breakfast, which are absolutely ooey-gooey, large-as-your-face, delicious donuts. Then, I went on my first official college tour to Boston College! I have visited other college campuses before, but this was the first time I had signed up and taken an officially led campus tour. I genuinely enjoyed the tour and seeing the main features of the beautiful campus, which, might I say, are truly beautiful. From the huge stained glass window overlooking the stairs in the library, to the gorgeous architecture, masonry, and spires, I could definitely see why I had heard that Boston College's campus would blow me away. Fingers crossed for when college applications come around!
My family and I sadly flew back from Boston at five o'clock that evening of day four :( I hope you enjoyed this (in-depth) travel diary! I cannot wait to travel again or for when I will see Boston again!
p.s. a poem from up in the clouds!
dreamland
lullaby clouds
white haze, heaven golden
sonder above with
millions of miniature figurines passing by
live inside their own
as if you could pick one up and shatter it without too light a grasp
millions and billions of worlds inside one
white haze again, wings of an angel
shield the gates to heaven
plane dip, golden gone
and we are farther and farther from above...
The last day, we grabbed Kane's Donuts for breakfast, which are absolutely ooey-gooey, large-as-your-face, delicious donuts. Then, I went on my first official college tour to Boston College! I have visited other college campuses before, but this was the first time I had signed up and taken an officially led campus tour. I genuinely enjoyed the tour and seeing the main features of the beautiful campus, which, might I say, are truly beautiful. From the huge stained glass window overlooking the stairs in the library, to the gorgeous architecture, masonry, and spires, I could definitely see why I had heard that Boston College's campus would blow me away. Fingers crossed for when college applications come around!
My family and I sadly flew back from Boston at five o'clock that evening of day four :( I hope you enjoyed this (in-depth) travel diary! I cannot wait to travel again or for when I will see Boston again!
p.s. a poem from up in the clouds!
dreamland
lullaby clouds
white haze, heaven golden
sonder above with
millions of miniature figurines passing by
live inside their own
as if you could pick one up and shatter it without too light a grasp
millions and billions of worlds inside one
white haze again, wings of an angel
shield the gates to heaven
plane dip, golden gone
and we are farther and farther from above...