When Eric and I got married I was mortified to find out that Eric had zero interest in vacations or exploring the world! I finally convinced him to go on a cruise for our 2nd anniversary (as in- I went to a travel agent and put half the money down and told Eric we were going!) Ever since then he has loved planning where we will go next! Last year we went on quite a few mini trips, and a week long trip to California, all with Mia in tow! We had soooo much fun and Mia was amazing to travel with! This year the travel bug has hit me hard and I'm ready to go!! But I must admit that it hasn't hit me any harder than in years past... oh how I hope we hit it big someday so that we can afford all of my traveling dreams, ha ha! But I digress.
This year Eric and I are planning to go on our own vacation, leaving Mia behind. This is the first time I've ever dreaded and yearned for a vacation all at the same time. I am so excited at the idea of getting out of town, exploring with my love and just spend quality time together.... but I die a little inside thinking of leaving Mia. I haven't spent a night away from her yet and that band aid really needs to be ripped off sooner than later (girls/bloggers weekend anyone?? Ha!) So we are hoping to plan the most amazing vacation ever so that we don't miss Mia to the point of pain and depression instead of enjoying ourselves (I know, I'm that totally obsessed, crazy momma)!
Is anyone dying to know where we are going?.... BOSTON! It's no secret that Eric is a huge Red Sox fan, so he's been itching to go watch a game at Fenway Park! We are also planning to spend a day in NYC which has been a dream of mine for like, ever! I still have a hard time believing that we are actually going, this year!!
BUT we would love some help planning this trip! What are the "must sees" in Boston?? Best places to eat?! We wouldn't mind traveling a bit to enjoy a beach day, which beach?! Tell me everything we need to know to have the best vacation EVER in Boston! Oh, and most importantly (to Eric, of course) how the heck do we get our hands on tickets seating us on the green monster? We can't seem to find them available online?! I think we've got New York City planned out... but if you had one day to spend there (especially since I'm a first timer) where would you insist I go, see, eat??
Thanks in advance for all the advice!! And someone, please tell me that it won't be so bad leaving Mia for a few days!?!
25 comments:
Ohhh, Courtney!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR YALL!! This will be great for yall to get away, just the two of you!! eeeek :)
My daughters are 9 and 6 and my husband and I are JUST NOW planning our first trip away from them. It's taken me much longer to rip that band-aid off!! I'm terrified and so excited at the same time. We can do this...right?
You're coming to my neck of the woods! I am a die-hard Red Sox fan and Fenway is one of my favorite places on the planet so let me start there. The Red Sox don't just sell tickets on top of the Green Monster... you have to enter a lottery to even be considered. I actually think that lottery might be going on right now so check their website. If you win that lottery, then you go online at a selected time and you can try for Green Monster tickets. But, I'll tell you this... it's honestly not my favorite place to watch a game. I feel so far away from the action up there. I always sit in the box seats, the first few rows anywhere between the Red Sox and the visitors dugout... you can't go wrong there. And they generally don't sell those tickets online either. One year I was about to drop $500 for two of those seats on a broker because I thought they were sold out... on a whim I called the ticket office and they told me they don't sell those online and I was able to buy them right then and there for half the price I was going to spend on a broker. While you're there, you should definitely do a ballpark tour... and here's a little hint, you definitely want to go first thing in the morning to the ballpark and buy tickets for that day's batting practice tour. It's a few dollars more but it's the last tour of the day and with this one you get to watch batting practice from on top of the Green Monster. So even if you aren't able to sit up there for the game, you can hang out up there for a bit and hopefully catch a ball from batting practice. You can't buy tickets ahead of time though, you have to buy them that day in person. So just go in the am and get them for later on that day. And one last tidbit... there's a bar that opens out into Center Field at Fenway... you'd never know it's there unless you're from here but it's called The Bleacher Bar and a portion of their back wall opens (with a screen) to center field. It's a great place to grab lunch as you can sit right next to that screen and watch all the goings-on on the field. Go earlier in the afternoon though, the closer it gets to game time the more packed it is. (https://res.cloudinary.com/roadtrippers/image/upload/c_fill,h_350,w_925/v1372436210/bleacher-bar-50a48029af2f4f17750002b1.jpg) You will LOVE Boston - the North End is my favorite area to walk around but it's just all so historic and pretty... you'll love it! If you have any more questions about the city or Fenway, don't hesitate to ask!
I have never ever been to boston. But you guys are going to have SO MUCH FUN!! And a little romantic weekend without Mia- it'll be sheer perfection!
I've been to both Boston and NYC before because I grew up about 3 hours from NYC. Boston seems to be a lot cleaner of a city. We did the Freedom Trail because my dad is into history. It was cool to see, but if you aren't into that type of thing is gets boring. There is so much that you have to see in NYC. Time square, Rockefeller center, 9/11 memorial, Statue of Liberty, and the toys r us in times square. Definitely go on the Staten Island Ferry. It is free and it gives you a gorgeous view of the city. And it is nice to have a couple minutes to just relax and take in the city after all of the walking that you have done. The view from the top of the empire state building is amazing. Central park is pretty, and it is cool to be able to say that you have been there, but at the same time it is just a park.. Grand central station is neat, but isn't the end of the world if you don't get to see it. The Brooklyn Bridge is cool to walk. You will have so much fun that you won't even have time to miss Mia!
Hey Courtney!
Tyler and I went to Boston last year for our getaway trip. We had a blast! I think exploring the North End was one of my favorite things to do. You must go to Mike's Pastries. We also ate at this amazing restaurant there called Giacomo’s Ristorante. You will have to wait in line and it is cash only, but it was well worth it. I hope you enjoy your trip!
We went on the freedom trail in boston. You can pay for a guided tour or just go yourself. There's a red line painted on the ground and you just follow that and it takes you to all the places. That way you can go as fast as you want and don't have to listen to the guides. At the end of the trail there is a really cool ship you can go up to. It was a bit of a walk but a really cool tour of the ship, I think it was from the revolutionary war. One of the historic buildings, I think the town hall, has been turned into a food court place, that's where we ate lunch. It was nothing fancy but really good food.
Oh Boston! There's a gondola ride on the Charles. Book it for around sunset. Beyond amazing. LOVE it. Go across the river and get ice cream at Toscanini's near MIT. IT'S WORTH IT. I PROMISE. Freedom Trail for sure. Italian food in the North End can't be missed. Have an AMAZING trip... and teach me your ways. My hubs doesn't love vacations and adventures either... and I DEFINITELY have the travel bug!
I cannot help at ALL--but this is so exciting! I have always wanted to go to boston! And no doubt he will love seeing a game at fenway!
The Boston temple is awesome and has beautiful gardens around it. We went to Cambridge and went to the harvard campus.
Have fun! We're leaving Shelby this weekend for the 5th time since she was born and we're excited!! :)
A vacation will be wonderful for you both! you'll come back recharged and so will Mia when She gets to hold you again. I'd love to vaca but we haven't left the girls either. Who knows when???
fun! It's hard leaving them, but then when you get there and you're with your hubby,you'll just enjoy yourself and talk about Mia a LOT. Then when you get home, the look on her face when she see's you again is priceless!
I wondered if you were going to boston when I saw a post somewhere on a status or something about fenway park! You guys will have an amazing time, I'm sure!! Of course you'll have to take a bajillion pictures! :)
You will love it here!!!! There are so many amazing things to do, especially when it's nice out! The North End (restaurants: The Florentine, Caffe Pompei for late night pizza, Mike's Pastry - cannolis are serious, are some of my fave and Ward 8 just opened and I haven't tried it but have been hearing amazing things from friends that have) and Faneuil Hall are awesome for walking around and eating and are within walking distance of each other. Newbury St and Back Bay area are great for shopping but on the higher end. If you want to see a lot of the city but not do a ton of walking, you can do a Duck Tour on the Duck Boats. It will take you all over by land and then right into the Charles River.
The Fenway area is a lot of fun before and after the games, too. Yawkey Way and Lansdowne St have tons going on. The bars get a little jammed but Cask'n Flagon, Boston Beer Works or Game On are all kinda rowdy places to grab a beer before or after a game. The Sausage Guy is a highlight for me... hot sausage, pepper, and onion subs outside the park. haha I always grab one when I'm there. I can't not. Fenway isn't really the kind of park that you can just buy tickets the day of, it's usually almost entirely sold out but stubhub.com is a good local site for tickets. Not sure about green monster seats but definitely check.
As for beaches, personally, I grew up 10 minutes north of Boston and always went to Nahant Beach, which is the best option for a simple, clean beach with cheap parking. If you want to go further north, Good Harbor in Gloucester is nice but parking can be tricky and it's further from the city. Depending on how far you're willing to drive, the Cape is about 1.5 hours south of Boston and totally worth the day trip. It's packed there in the summer but gorgeous and lots to do.
Where are you staying? How long? We need to meet up!! Email me if you have any other questions! I'm sure I could go on and on and on!
You are going to love getting away with just the hubs and you.
Once a year my hubby and I try to take at least one little vacation without our little guy. It's such a great time to reconnect as husband and wife. After a few days we both miss our little man like crazy, but it's so wonderful coming home refreshed.
I've never been to Boston, but have wanted to go for a long time. Can't wait to hear all about your trip!
Will hated vacations too! I'm sure we've talked about that lol. Boston is super fun! We went to the Cheers bar, and then just walked until we found a pub that had live music. It was just a guy with a guitar, but I like that because I hate music you can't talk over. They also had really good Shepard's Pie, which is a must in Boston ;)
Ohhhh! I can't wait to hear all about this trip! I've never been to Boston or NYC! I've been wanting to go to NY forever!
Ohhhh! I can't wait to hear all about this trip! I've never been to Boston or NYC! I've been wanting to go to NY forever!
Ohhhh! I can't wait to hear all about this trip! I've never been to Boston or NYC! I've been wanting to go to NY forever!
That's so exciting! Those two cities have always been on my list!
this is waaay late but hopefully you'll still see it!
boston is one of my favorite cities on the planet! i've only been once but fell in LOVE and have been dying to go back! We were only there for 2 days so we didn't have a whole lot of time BUT, we ate at the original cheers which was pretty cool. there are two, so if you're interested just make sure it's the "originial" one. we also went to quincy market and i loved that! we paid for the freedom trail but i feel like it wasn't worth the money we paid ($30/person) so i just say explore by yourself. i would have loved to go see the temple and my parents say harvard campus is AMAZING! have SO much fun, i'm so jealous!!
I remember spending our first night away from Kaden. Aaron and I took Corbin camping and left Kaden with my cousin (he was a bit too young and it was chilly at Kolob.) We missed him so much, but Corbin so needed mommy and daddy alone time.
As for your NYC trip....JEALOUS! I have been dreaming of seeing the broadway musical "wicked" on broadway since high school. So go see it, or any musical for me, ok? :)
Cannoli s in little Italy! They're the best thing I've tasted my whole life. I'd pay for a flight just to buy one if I could.! The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway was amazing too!
We spent some time in boston last summer and I FELL IN LOVE! You will love it.. especially since we share the same love for the Red Sox! :) We toured Boston through the Duck tours.. it was awesome cuz basically they are just buses that stop at all the sites in Boston, and you can get off, or stay on depending on what you are wanting to see. It was a great way to get around the whole town with out having to walk miles and miles. We also did the hike up the bunker hill.. you can actually hike to the very top and overlook Boston, and that was cool! But.. a work out too :) Don't forget to stop at Mike's Pastries.. You will die when you see the size of their Canolies and Lobster tails! HUGE! We didnt tour Fenway and that is my one regret of the trip. You will absolutely fall in love with the red sox after watching a game at fenway. Make sure to spend some time on Yawkey way before and after the game! Our seats were just to the left of the Green Monster..in a non alcohol family zone along the third base line. Not sure how we managed that but it was actually really nice since they were playing the Yankees and it was a little intense :)...but all the people around us were sober and families.. which either way would not have been a problem but i was glad we were at where we were. I loved our seats cuz i felt close to the field, and i had the perfect view of the green monster. Check out tickets along the thirdbase line. Just try not to get behind a pole! We also had lunch at Quincey Market... lots of different food choice and a good place to just relax. Plus there is some good shopping in that area.. :) Have so much fun! I am JEALOUS!
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