Despite hours in the car and boatloads of New York traffic, we had a terrific weekend in Boston. It’s hard to believe we moved from Boston in 2011, and have only been back once! I wish we could have spent a whole week there, visiting the restaurants and our old hood, but we had people to see!
We visited friends from grad school up in Winchester on Thursday and Friday, and then friends from Davidson in Boston on Saturday. Both couples have had babies since we’ve last seen them and this was our first time meeting their little ones! My friend Lauren’s little girl is only a bit younger than Emerson and they had the best time playing and running around together. We had a low-key dinner on Thursday, and then while the men worked on Friday, we went on a long walk into town, made salads, and took the girls to a splash park.
Friday night was a real treat, as Lauren’s mom babysat so we could enjoy an epic dinner (our favorite pastime with these friends!) at a cute little Italian restaurant. We shared lots of small plates, including a peach risotto and two pasta dishes that the chef prepared gluten free! It was divine.
After a little exercise, and a breakfast of bacon and eggs, we made the short trip down to Charlestown to visit our Davidson friends. We gave the kids lunch and then went to a fun brewery for the afternoon while the kids napped in their strollers (and people took turns pushing said strollers in the parking lot – ha). It was so much fun until Emerson woke up and immediately threw a giant fit on the floor of the brewery (we have no idea why!):) After checking into our AirB&B, we went back to our friends’ house, gave the kids dinner and a communal bath, put Em down in a pack ‘n play, and then settled in for a night of cheese, wine, steak tips, and ice cream! Our friends have a roof deck with a nice view and grilling station – Almost made me want to move back to Boston.
Sunday, we woke up dreading the long drive home, but we fueled with goodies from the new Boston Public Market. They had an allergy free bakery stall, and we got a donut as a snack, a cookie for the drive, and then I had this awesome salted bagel for lunch. Emerson played in the park/fountain and we got her nice and tired for the drive home; she gifted us with a 3 hour car nap!! We made it home in a little under 6 hours and were so happy to be out of that rental car for good!
It was a lovely weekend, and I’m so glad we made the effort to see some wonderful friends. Now if we could all just live a bit closer.
LAF
August 7, 2018 at 2:57 pmKnow the area well. My Mom was born in Winchester and I still have lots of family up in the Boston area. That meat tray looks delicious! What was the name of that restaurant? Would like to try it next time we are in the area. Also, where is the “new” Boston Public Market. Use to get great munchies at the Public Market a couple of blocks from Faneuil Hall. Six hour drive back to NYC does not sound like fun. Traffic along that Boston to NYC corridor seems to be getting worse with each passing year. Sometimes takes a lot of the fun out of a getaway weekend . . .
Laura
August 9, 2018 at 1:43 pmIt was called A Tavola. The market is a couple of blocks from Faneuil Hall, but it def. wasn’t there in 2011 (or maybe it was renovated??).
LA Filer
August 9, 2018 at 2:50 pmThanks Laura for the name of the restaurant. Will check it out next time we are up in Massachusetts. You are correct, the market was not there in 2011. Opened in 2015. Love that place . . .
Barbara Younger
August 8, 2018 at 10:04 amSo glad you had a good time and three cheers to Lauren’s mom for babysitting! Let’s hear it for the grandmothers of the world.
Katie
August 11, 2018 at 10:31 amI’ll be in Boston in a few weeks with my friend who has celiacs! Any other gf places you’d recommend??
Laura
August 11, 2018 at 11:24 amNot that I know of! We didn’t have a chance to explore at all, but that bakery is great for bagels and other baked goods