For the first time in years, we decided to stay overnight in Boston on our way to see my family in New Hampshire. And oh my goodness, I’m so glad we did!
Instead of flying in and heading north, we took a little time to enjoy the city. There was delicious Italian food, an amazing evening at the symphony, coffee worth walking through the rain for, and another chance to see Wicked. Yes, again. 🙂
The weather? Let’s just say Boston gave us plenty of opportunities to use an umbrella. But we loved our time there anyway, and it reminded me how much you can enjoy with just one overnight stop.
Our visit continued with family time in New Hampshire, a few more coffee stops (of course), Greek food with friends, and a trip to Maine for what my mom called the best lobster roll she’s ever had.
Here’s where we stayed, what we loved, and the places I’d recommend if you’re planning a similar New England trip.
Staying at The Colonnade Hotel in Back Bay
After flying into Boston, we took an Uber to The Colonnade Hotel, which was beautiful. It was such a lovely place to start our trip, and the location worked wonderfully for what we wanted to do.
One little detail I especially appreciated: the hotel had big umbrellas we could borrow. When you’re planning to walk around Boston, and the forecast has other ideas, that is a very useful amenity!
We walked to dinner, walked to breakfast and coffee the next morning, and walked back from Symphony Hall after the concert. Having a hotel that made those outings easy was a big part of why we enjoyed our stay so much.
Why Back Bay Is Such a Good Place to Stay in Boston
If you’re deciding where to stay in Boston, consider Back Bay. For our short visit, it was a convenient home base, especially since we wanted to walk rather than drive for every outing.
Back Bay is known for its beautiful brownstones, shopping, and landmarks around Copley Square, including the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church. Newbury Street is another draw, with shops and places to stop along the way. The Newbury
From The Colonnade, you’re close to the Prudential Center and Copley Place, with Newbury Street and other Back Bay sights within walking reach. The hotel also puts you in a useful spot for an evening at Symphony Hall. The Colonnade Hotel
If you have more time than we did, a few places to put on your list are:
- Newbury Street: Browse shops and take a leisurely walk with a coffee in hand. The Newbury
- Copley Square: For seeing the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church.
- The Prudential Center and Copley Place: Convenient shopping options, especially when the weather isn’t cooperating.
- Boston Public Garden and Boston Common: For a longer walk beyond the immediate hotel area and some time outdoors.
- Symphony Hall: A great option if you want to plan your visit around a concert. https://www.bso.org
We didn’t fit all of those into this trip, but they’re good reasons to leave yourself an extra day. You can explore the neighborhood, stop for something to eat, and head back to your hotel to get ready for the evening without making every outing a major production.
For me, that’s a very appealing way to visit a city.
Italian Dinner at Gigi—Yes, We Walked in the Rain
Our first food stop was Gigi, an Italian restaurant in Boston’s South End. We walked there from the hotel, in the rain. Apparently, we were committed to getting our steps in whether the weather approved or not. 🙂
The food was authentic and delicious, and we were so happy with our choice.
If you’re staying in Back Bay and want to venture into the neighboring South End for Italian food, I’d happily put this on your list. It was a delicious start to our little Boston getaway.
An Amazing Evening at the Boston Symphony
After dinner, we took an Uber to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra. With the rain still coming down, that felt like a very good decision!
We heard a Mahler symphony, and the performance was amazing. What a wonderful way to spend an evening in Boston.
The setting is part of the experience, too. Symphony Hall opened in 1900, and being in a place with that much history made the evening feel even more special. The History of Symphony Hall
If you’re interested in learning about the building, the BSO offers Symphony Hall tours, including pre-concert tours on selected dates. Check the schedule before your visit; pre-concert tours require a reservation and a ticket to the corresponding concert. Symphony Hall Tours
By the time the performance was over, the rain had stopped. Yay! We walked back to The Colonnade, and it only took us about seven or eight minutes. That short walk back was another reason I appreciated where we were staying.
Sunday Morning at Farmers Horse Coffee
Sunday morning, we headed out for breakfast and coffee. In the rain. Again.
Thank goodness for those hotel umbrellas!
We went to Farmers Horse Coffee, and it was busy, but we managed to get a seat. The coffee was amazing, and we really enjoyed our breakfast.
My daughter had a bagel-and-egg sandwich, and I had a bagel with avocado. Add a delicious cup of coffee, and I was a happy girl.
You know how some coffee stops are just a way to get caffeine, and others become a place you remember from the trip? This was one of those for me. I would absolutely go back.
A Second Coffee Stop at Blank Street
On our way back to The Colonnade to shower and get ready, we decided we wanted more coffee.
Naturally. 🙂
This time, we stopped at Blank Street. The coffee was good, and I enjoyed trying it, but if I’m choosing between the two, Farmers Horse gets my vote.
That’s just my opinion, of course. Coffee preferences are personal, and part of my vacation itinerary involves forming opinions about multiple cups before lunchtime. Yes, I’m a bit of a coffee connoisseur. Lol.
Seeing Wicked—for the Fourth Time!
After we got ready, my sister picked us up, and we went to see Wicked at the Boston Opera House.
This was our fourth time seeing it, and we still loved it!
Some shows are worth seeing again, and Wicked is clearly one of those for me. Between the symphony the night before and the theater on Sunday, we managed to fit a lot of wonderful music into our Boston stop.
Then we headed to New Hampshire to spend time with my family.
Our New Hampshire Coffee Stops: Revelstoke and William & Sons
Whenever we’re in New Hampshire, we always stop at Revelstoke Coffee in downtown Concord. It’s one of those places that has become part of our visits, and I look forward to going back.
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This time, we also tried William & Sons Coffee in Concord. I like trying somewhere new, especially when coffee is involved, but Revelstoke is still my personal favorite.
So there you have it: Farmers Horse was my Boston favorite on this trip, and Revelstoke remains my go-to in New Hampshire.
I promise we did things besides drink coffee. But good coffee definitely deserves a mention. Or several.
Greek Food with Friends at Yamas in Concord
While we were in New Hampshire, I also enjoyed a meal with friends at Yamas, a new Greek restaurant in downtown Concord. I totally recommend it! If you go, you have to try the lemon potatoes!
It was lovely to catch up with friends over a good meal, and Yamas was a great addition to this visit. If you’re spending time in Concord and looking for somewhere to eat, it’s worth considering.
A Maine Detour for “Lobstah” Rolls
One day, we drove to Kittery, Maine, so my daughter and my parents could get a lobster roll. Or, since we’re talking about New England, a “lobstah” roll. 🙂
We went to State Line Lobster, and my mom said it was the best lobster roll she’s ever had. That is quite an endorsement!
I don’t eat seafood, but I was still very happy with my food. Their salad with lemon vinaigrette was amazing, and the chicken tenders had the kind of batter you’d typically find on fried fish. They were delicious.
So if you’re traveling with seafood lovers but don’t eat it yourself, I can tell you I enjoyed my meal as much as everyone else.
The restaurant is small. I wouldn’t call it a hole-in-the-wall place, but we might not have picked it if we hadn’t read the reviews first. I’m so glad we did, because the food and staff were both wonderful.
They also had root beer on tap, which my family loved. They described it as delicious, old-timey root beer. Between that and the lobster rolls, everyone was pretty pleased with this stop!
Take the Scenic Route Along the Coast
If you have time while you’re in this part of New England, I highly recommend a coastal drive around Rye, New Hampshire, and York, Maine. It’s lovely and worth leaving room for in your plans.
One helpful detail when mapping your drive: Route 1 works for traveling between towns, but for the oceanfront stretch through Rye, take Route 1A along New Hampshire’s Coastal Byway. Around York, coastal detours like Route 1A take you toward the beaches instead of keeping you on the main road. Coastal Byway
Take time to enjoy the scenery instead of rushing to the next stop. A good meal and a beautiful coastal drive make a pretty wonderful day out.
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Would I Stay Overnight in Boston Again?
Absolutely!
I’m so glad we spent a little time in Boston before heading to see my family. One night gave us a beautiful hotel stay, delicious Italian food, an amazing symphony performance, excellent coffee, and another chance to enjoy Wicked.
And yes, there was rain. Plenty of it. But it didn’t keep us from having a wonderful time.
If you usually fly into Boston and head straight to your next destination, consider staying overnight. Back Bay worked so well for us, and I’d happily stay there again.
Have you spent time in Boston? Tell me your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or place to stay in the comments. I’m already collecting ideas for next time! And subscribe to Diary of a Self Help Addict for more travel favorites, recipes, and the everyday things I’m trying and loving.
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