This week, we have the wicked pleasure of a Tour de Beantown alongside Abby Hauck, our beloved Digital Designer and Boston brilliant. If Abby’s photography and sheer knowledge of the city doesn’t make you want to hit the smash button on the Southwest app, then we don’t know what will, because this city guide is as visually appealing as a box of Dunkin’.
We’ll kick things off directly (as a true Bostonian would) with one of Abby’s favorite spots. She loves to explore the quintessential Beacon Hill neighborhood with narrow streets lined with gaslit lamps, flower boxes, and beautiful row houses. Surprisingly enough, Beacon Hill is deeply tranquil in spite of its location in a major city. Little streets, like Acorn, boutiques, and cafes and restaurants are all nestled in this special neighborhood where Abby highly recommends spending an afternoon. Abby’s favorite place to grab dinner is Toscano, the perfect Tuscan spot to enjoy their Rigatoni Toscano, which is entirely perfect.
Speaking of Tuscany… Abby also heads to the North End, Boston’s oldest neighborhood and the unofficial “Little Italy” of the city. Consider the North End your one-stop-shop for your Italian cravings. Stumble into any restaurant, and you’re bound to enjoy exceptional food. Abby’s favorite date night consists of drinks at Ciao Roma (best cocktails in Boston if you ask her) and taking about five steps across the street for dinner at Mamma Maria, the perfect spot for special occasions. After dinner, grab a cannoli from either Modern Pastry Shop or Mike’s Pastry, or BOTH. It’s up to you to decide which place is the King of Cannoli. So, basically, this entire night is the sauciest and dreamiest of all time with all the Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene cuteness.
When you’re not diving into a bowl of penne alla vodka, you can explore the Freedom Trail path through Boston weaving through stops at museums, churches, cemeteries, and other historical spots that played a role in the American Revolution. Paul Revere’s home and Old North Church are notable spots to visit with friends and family along the trail and make exploring the city in a historical format fun with both friends or family. National Treasurer-ing will make you hungry, and the Boston Public Market has a plethora of food vendors to satiate every palate. You can also walk along Hanover Street which is alive with cool people and music for the perfect glimpse into the soul of the North End.
For more stellar museum moments, visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Abby firmly believes it takes the throne for Boston’s best art museum, so it’s a must-see. Not only is her art collection massive, but Gardner also dreamt up the building where the works are housed which mimics a Venetian palace. Amazing paintings, sculptures, and tapestries originating from Europe, Asia, and North America reside on the walls, telling a story of Gardner’s life’s voyages. The museum is infamous for falling victim to a major heist in 1990 where 13 pieces of art valued up to $500 million were stolen, including Vermeer and Rembrandt paintings. Today, the mystery remains unsolved and the empty frames that held these pieces still hang on the walls. Despite the heist, the art and building are spectacular, Abby’s absolute favorite part being the tranquil courtyard in the midst of it all. And, if all this isn’t National Treasure-y enough for you, again, we don’t know what is!!!
Boston is filled with parks, gardens, and other transportive green spaces, but Abby’s all-time favorite is Fenway Victory Gardens. The gardens opened as an effort to relieve food insecurity pressures during World War II. The seven acres still bloom today with around 500 garden plots individually managed and tended, each space with their individual array of flowers, plants, foods, and decorations.
Abby cherishes her walks through the paths on these gardens on a beautiful day, admiring each plot’s beauty and personality. The Boston Common, considered to be the United States’ oldest public park, and Public Garden also sit side by side equipped with ponds, paths, and plenty of space to picnic, exercise, and dog/people watch. Cool fact: many of Boston’s parks and gardens create a chain linking through the city, nicknamed the “Emerald Necklace.” Never have parks and gardens sounded as lovely as Abby’s time visiting her favorites in Boston.
Are you itching to park the car in the Harvard Yard or what?! Abby knocked this one out of the park, and we’re hoping we’ve provided you a little travel inspiration to venture from your special place to hers. And, of course, it would be a shame not to tote around a Bagette in the Massachusetts pattern from our STATEment Collection. You’re going to need a place to safely stow all the cannoli you picked up on your visit!
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