Weekend Getaway: Boston

By Holly

Fall semester is in full swing and it’s starting to feel like you’re doing the same thing every week. Class. Study. Drink. Hangover. Poor Theme Party Costume Choice. Homework. Switch things up by taking advantage of a long weekend or your fall break (if you’re that lucky) by checking out our Weekend Getaway guides. First up is America’s college town, Boston. Keep on the lookout for the other 4 must-visit cities.

Beantown. The Walking City. The Cradle of Liberty. Boston is not only one of the oldest cities in America, but it’s also one of the most memorable. Looking for a getaway unlike any other? Come spend a few days trying to see everything this city has to offer. We say trying, because seeing this amazing city in one weekend is close to impossible — but here are my recommendations on all the things you gotta see. And the best part, all of these attractions are accessible by Boston’s super affordable subway system, the T.

Must-Sees

The best way to absorb all of the history of Boston in a few brief hours is to take a promenade down the Freedom Trail. See Paul Revere’s house and the site of the Boston Massacre among many other attractions. Tours start in the Boston Common. You can get a guide for a few dollars, or just follow the red line throughout the city and improvise.

Don’t feel like walking? Take a Duck Tour and cruise the city in style. You’ll even drive into the Charles River. There is no more perfect afternoon than driving around Beantown and screaming “Quack!” to pedestrians. Trust me.

If you’re over history and just want to do something really cool (and cute), the New England Aquarium is perfect. The whole first floor is nothing but a huge penguin exhibit, with 80 different little cuties just tottering around. It will make your heart melt. Continue spiraling through the levels of the aquarium though, and you’ll eventually find a man-eating shark or two. Just to even things out.

Food

There is something for absolutely everyone in this city. Hop on the T for a short subway ride to Cambridge if you’re looking for something truly unique. For the pickiest eater among you, I recommend Veggie Planet for its vegetarian and vegan options. Even if you love your red meat, the one-of-a-kind items and their descriptions that pack their menu will send even the fussiest girl’s mouth watering. Henry’s Dinner, for the record, is out of this world.

Looking for a total change from pizza and sloppy joes? Try something exotic at Tantric, an Indian bistro in the Theater District with a reputation for great portions at incredible prices. Stop in their lounge for a few drinks — whether you want a hot chai or a cold beer after a hard day of shopping on Newbury Street, it will be the perfect place to relax.

End up wanting pizza after all? No worries. Via Matta is the place for Italian food with an urban twist. Whether you want your S.O. to take you for a nice seafood dinner of your group just wants to sit at the bar with a few pizzas, Via Matta can accommodate you. Their inventive recipes made with only the best and freshest ingredients from all of New England will have you coming back again and again.

Nightlife

Want to spend an evening with Kim Kardashian? The Gypsy Bar is notorious for having all sorts of celebrity guests dropping in from time to time. Check the website ahead of time to see who plans to bar hop in Beantown. No matter who the guest is, you’re bound to love the atmosphere of this place.

For as unique as Boston restaurants are, the club scene is no less diverse. Check out the Royale for an amazing mix of classic architecture and design with some amazing contemporary music. Just want to let it all out? Check out the Havana Club for the most fun and intense salsa dancing to be had amongst Yankee bluebloods.

For something a little tamer, swing by the Boston Opera House. Contrary to its name, it hosts some of the hottest Broadway shows touring and some incredible ballet shows, depending on when you plan on visiting. Stop by the box office an hour and a half before any show, and enter a ticket lottery. 20 orchestra seats for $25 each are raffled off before every show. Be forewarned, the raffle is cash only!

Hotels

Finally ready to crash for the evening? Your best bet is to check the Chinatown/Theatre District area, which, luckily for you, is where most of these attractions are located. There’s a beautiful Hilton DoubleTree, a Courtyard Mariott, and a Best Western within several blocks of each other. If you really want to live the high life, the higher you go up Boylston Street, the ritzier the hotels. At the end, you’ll find The Mandarin Oriental. Hey, we can charge it dream, right?

If you can cram all of this into a few days, you are some extraordinary ladies. Chances are, once you’ll visit Boston, you’ll want to keep coming back. Because chances are on the way to these attractions, a million other ones will grab your eye.