If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Since I was 13, I have wanted to go to Boston, Massachusetts. It has been my dream place to visit, I never felt the desire to go anywhere else. There is just something about New England that enchants me, whether it be the history or the coast, there has always been something that kept up my interest with the region. However, being from Arkansas, it has not been a simple trip to plan considering the distance. This summer we took a family trip and I got to see the place I had only seen in pictures for 8 years.

Day 1

We left home at 2pm, and landed at the airport in Boston at 1am. We didn’t make it to our hotel until 2. We stayed at the Godfrey Hotel which was located right in the heart of the city. When we made it to our room there was a gift on the nightstand- we were given gifts! A hat, a Boston lobster stuffie, some postcards, and a little bottle of champagne. Once the initial excitement of finally arriving to our vacation destination, we all went to bed. I however, was so amped up with excitement that I got no sleep at all.

I watched the sunrise from the hotel and looked out on the street as the people of Boston woke up and got going for the day.

After a nice breakfast at a cafe, we took a Lyft over towards Cambridge and walked around there. Then we ventured on a hike to JFK’s birthplace.

We walked through the city, over some bridges, into a town, and through a neighborhood to finally reach the house. It was a whole adventure in itself. We took the tour and it was very fun for me, because I am a JFK history buff, I think my mom and brother were mostly happy to be out of the heat.

Day 2

Another early morning means an early start to walk the Freedom Trail, which takes you on a walking tour (self guided or by a tour guide) of Boston’s historical monuments.

We stopped at some of the oldest cemeteries in New England and the oldest in Massachusetts. Here you can find the graves of Benjamin Franklin’s parents, Paul Revere, and the victims of the Boston Massacre just to name a few. What interested me was the engravings on the top of the graves- the skulls dominated instead of angels or biblical imagery, which is the case for more modern grave markings.

Much farther down on the trail was Paul Revere’s house! We did not go inside because it cost money to enter but it was definitely one of the highlights while we ventured past the little Italy sector of Boston, filled with the aromas of pasta and fresh bread. I almost wish we got to take a stop and eat what our Lyft driver described as the best Italian food in the United States.

While we didn’t get any Italian food, we did experience a lot of amazing food, especially for me since I am vegan. I had a lot of options and even got to enjoy ice cream and donuts with my diet restrictions. I didn’t get a good photograph, but my favorite meal had to be a meal of vegan sausage and egg, toast, and roasted potatoes from a busy restaurant right around the corner from our hotel. Another highlight was a raspberry pineapple smoothie that I got from Fanueil Hall Marketplace along the Freedom Trail.

Day 3

On our last full day in Boston, we went on our own adventures around town. By adventures, I mean to say that we went shopping. The mall wasn’t what I was expecting, and all of the shops you really want to go to are on streets not on malls, and they are all squished together it feels like! Such an old established town, it must be hard to find space for everything that is needed. I mean, most of the land that contributes to Boston’s landmass is man made.

My favorite store had to be what I would classify as a “nerd” store haha. They had records, books, manga, plushies, Funko Pops, and anything else you can think of when you hear the term nerd store. I don’t remember the name but it was super cool to look around because I am a nerd as well!

Our last main activity that was planned before flying home was to go on a whale watching cruise. We got to the dock in time for our 2pm boarding time and it was probably one of the warmest days that we experienced on the trip. We got about an hour and a half into our trip and the captain decided that the winds were too strong, and we turned around with no whale sightings to be found. While it was warm on land, it was freezing on the water, and with the cutting winds, I had my hoodie strings scrunched around my face with only a hole to see out of.

Even though the whale watching trip was a bust, at least we got a free boat ride. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to try out any other activity but we had a lot of fun overall.

I will admit that I cried on the plane during takeoff- I didn’t want to leave! Boston is a relatively relaxed big city, or at least it was a lot more relaxed than I thought it was going to be. When I think of a big city I think of chaos, and Boston was a lot more chill. I fell in love even more with the city which is amazing to say! I am glad I loved it just as much as I thought I would and I hope I get to visit again.

Let me know what place is number one on your bucket list, or if you have visited your number one place. Thanks for reading and I will see you again soon!