#Boston

Recently I went on a trip to one of my favorite cities of all time:  Boston.  Boston is seeped in American history, cultural institutions, gritty citizens, and the perfect merriment of green space with skyscrapers.  I braved the April cold to check out lots of destinations, with hot chocolate in hand and a huge nerdy grin on my face.  Check out my recommendations for the perfect visit to this northeastern gem.

1.  The Freedom Trail.  This seems super obvious, but I was the most excited to check out the sixteen historical sites that make up the Freedom Trail.  I started with the Bunker Hill monument and followed the red brick that is the American Revolutionary "yellow brick road," leading you to sites like the Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, the Boston Massacre site, and more.  I can't help but marvel at the resilient spirit that resonates in the city.  Many Founding Fathers gave Boston its patriotic start, and you'll still feel a strong patriotism in Bostonians to this day.

2.  Boston Common & The Public Garden.  I ended up here after walking the Freedom Trail, but the Boston Common was one of my favorite places to hang out each day.  The Public Garden is the first public garden in America and a cherished sanctuary in the middle of a bustling city.

3.  Newbury Street Shops.  The Newbury Street shops are known as the "Rodeo Drive of the East Coast."  You'll find clothing stores, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes galore along this roughly two-mile strip.  I made sure to stop in the Georgetown Cupcakes store of Newbury and nosh on a chocolate gnache cupcake.

4.  The Boston Museum of Fine Arts.  The MFA in Boston is huge, with so many amazing exhibits, it's hard to pick a favorite.  For the American Revolutionary War aficionados, there is an impressive canvas of George Washington on the Delaware, as well as portraits of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and silver by Paul Revere.  I also checked out the Monet exhibit and spent time in the Impressionism wing.  It's rare that you can check out mummies, Greek art, modern art installations, and centuries of world history artifacts in one building.

5.  The Boston Public Library.  The Boston Public Library also houses several exhibits, and is an architectural icon.  This building is worth checking out (like a book, get it?  Pun intended).

6.  Cheers (and other restaurants).  There are SO many delicious food choices in Boston.  Whether you're in Fenway, the Back Bay, downtown, in Newbury, or any other neighborhood, there are so many options.  I visited Cheers and wasn't disappointed.  You get served in Cheers mugs (which are also available for purchase), and you can head upstairs to the set bar to take some pictures.

7.  Red Sox Game.  Although I'm a huge Nationals fan, I was in town for opening day, so I couldn't resist going to Fenway Park.  I scored a great seat next to third base and watched the Red Sox wipe out the Marlins.  Any baseball fan knows this is a revered ball park and stepping into Fenway will get you giddy about America's favorite pastime.

8.  Coffee Shops.  Boston has so many fun local coffee and pastry shops.  If you have a sweet tooth, you will appreciate the plethora of cafes, whether it's to relax for a few minutes or to grab a coffee to warm up from Boston's brisk weather.  I, of course, appreciated 1369's mural and made sure to stop in this Cambridge hangout.

9.  Murals.  Speaking of murals, I couldn't have been more ecstatic when I ran into this Kelsey Montague piece in Boston.  It is part of her #WhatLiftsYou work.  It represents the vibrant energy in Boston.  There are many fun murals in Boston that are worth a photo-op.

10.  Skywalk Observatory.  For my last night in Boston, I headed up to the Skywalk Observatory, on the 50th floor of the Prudential Center building.  It has the most spectacular view of the Boston skyline.  I watched the sunset and witnessed the lights turn on in the city.  Boston absolutely dazzles.

I had a great time in Boston.  From trying out every pizza place I encountered to conduct a personal taste test to watching the city turn from day to night from the point of view of a skyscraper, the city didn't disappoint.  Boston sure knows how to shine.