CARE TO LOOK

What a weekend to be in Boston! We got to experience the city’s first snow of the season, marvel at the Christmas decorations, and even visit Cambridge.

To be honest, Boston was never really on my top travel bucket list, but I never had a reason why. I now owe the entire city of Boston an apology. This city won me over. Ben thinks my view was slightly altered by all the Christmas lights and decorations (he knows how pathetic I am in the cold), but hey, either way, it was a wonderful weekend.

We drove to Raleigh early Saturday morning and hopped on a flight. I thought we were going to get delayed in D.C. due to the snow but thank goodness everything was on time. We landed in a winter wonderland and made our way straight to Faneuil Hall for some lunch. I loved the 5 million choices of food and especially loved the Christmas tree out front.  

After lunch, we stumbled upon a Christmas market on our way to the Boston Common. 

At this point, the snow was really coming down. The faster it came down, the faster snowmen started popping up all over the park. It literally looked like every kid’s (and grown-ups) dream! I shed a frozen tear or two because it was just so magical.

Really soaking it all in ^^ What a cutie ^

Walking through the park was straight out of a movie. Everywhere you looked there were kids running through the snow, people ice skating, lights shining through the snow, and snowmen. It was stunning.That evening we watched the Army Navy game (with an unfortunate outcome) before making our way back to the hotel.

Sunday morning we went back to a coffee shop we spotted the day before called the Thinking Cup. It was cozy and warm. We even landed perfect window seats to watch the passers by as we sipped our morning coffee. I realized, while chatting with Ben, that that exact feeling is one of my most favorite. You know, that feeling of waking up with a city. The one of walking down a street early in the morning as neighbors leave their house or the one where you pass the man walking his dogs with coffee cup in hand. I love knowing that everyone is collectively “rising and shining” and the entire city is waking up. Don’t get me wrong, I love the feeling of waking up to the crisp air in the mountains, or the stillness of a lake house. But there is something to be said with waking up in a city, sipping your coffee in a cozy coffee shop, and watching the passers by.

Onward we walked through the park again and up towards Beacon Hill. As wonderful as the snow falling the day before was, it was equally grand to have the sun shining on our faces all morning. 

We spent the afternoon wandering the streets of the north end, splitting a pizza, and grabbing a cannoli at Mike’s Pastry. I loved the character of the buildings and the history woven throughout each street.

We then caught the T down to the South End to pay a visit to the Isabel Stuart Gardner Museum and it was stunning. Essentially the most unique and beautiful collections of art I have ever seen. Seriously, go if you can!

Since we were so close, we popped over the Museum of Fine Arts! Just like every other art museum we go into we got lost in the maze of galleries but loved every minute of it. We spent the evening popping in and out of shops and bookstores and finally decided we wanted something warm for dinner, so Thai food it was ;)

After dinner, we decided to give Wally’s Cafe, a cozy jazz club tucked away in the city, a try. A little unknown fact about the Radfords– we love a good jazz club. It was such a treat and the jazz band was so incredibly talented! A perfect ending to a perfect day. Monday morning we hit up South End Buttery for coffee and breakfast while I got some work done. Just like the day before, we hit up the window seats.

Then it was off to Cambridge on the T! As soon as we stepped off the train my little England loving heart skipped a beat. It truly felt like we stepped right into an English town similar to so many we had visited. Something about the old buildings and similar charm. It was lovely. We spent the day around the campus and checking out a few bookstores and shops along the way. 

Then it was back to Boston to pick up our bags and head to the airport.

The weekend was just what we needed. This fall and winter our calendars and weekends were filled with events, weddings, and holidays. Although all wonderful things, we were always on the move for a specific purpose. This weekend was different. There was no purpose in mind, no agenda to fill. We simply spent the weekend exploring a new city together, playing in the snow, and sipping several cups of coffee. I think we will spend the rest of our lives perfecting the art of weekend getaways, and that is quite all right by me.

I’ll also take any excuse to spend time with this guy before our lives change, once again, in January. Boston, you were grand and just what we needed. (And I’m sorry for ever doubting your greatness.)