New England in the Fall… It instantly brings to mind bright leaves of red, yellow, and orange, coffee, clam chowder, cozy fisherman sweaters, and football.
And, Boston is the hub.
We were lucky enough to snag tickets to a Patriots/Cowboys game at Gillette Stadium, and we decided to make a long weekend of it.
It was definitely a weekend of bright leaves, coffee, seafood, football, and fun.
Here’s our take of Beantown.
The Freedom Trail
Stopping by 16 famous sites in the history of Boston and the United States, taking the Freedom Trail is also an amazing way to explore multiple neighborhoods. I love how the city has created a trail with all of the most important historic sites and posted signage, a red path to follow, and bits of history throughout. It makes it like a fun scavenger hunt for kids and adults alike. We enjoyed seeing the main sites, following the “red” brick road, and taking in tons of the city on (and off) the beaten path. There are many blogs that go into further details about the Freedom Trail. This post from Me and Mr. Jones was my favorite as I was planning our trip.
Neighborhoods explored on the Freedom Trail:
- Downtown Boston
- Charlestown
- North End
- West End
- Chinatown
- Beacon Hill
- Bunker Hill
- Waterfront
- South Boston
- (We stayed in the Seaport District and recommend checking it out too!)
Sites to see on the Freedom Trail!
- Boston Common
- State House
- Park Street Church
- Granary Burying Ground
- King’s Chapel
- Benjamin Franklin Statue at the Boston Latin School site
- Old Corner Bookstore
- Old South Meeting House
- Old State House
- Boston Massacre site
- Faneuil Hall
- Paul Revere House
- Old North Church
- Copp’s Hill Burial Ground
- U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides)
- Bunker Hill Monument
Breweries, Coffee and Food, oh my!
We had to have some “toasts” in Boston, and beer is the drink of the city. Which was a good fit for a football weekend!
Home to Sam Adams, Boston lager is known around the world. But, Bostonians will almost always tell you that their favorite brew is Harpoon IPA.
Boston is also home to Distraction, Democracy, Turtle Swamp, Trillium, Dorchester, Aeronaut, Winter Hill, Jack’s Abbey, Downeast Cider, Cambridge, Nightshift, and Notch. Needless to say, you can find a crafted ale almost anywhere in the city.
We only had a day and a half, so we narrowed this list down to Sam Adams and Harpoon, but we also enjoyed some local beers from Trillium and Jack’s Abbey at City Tap, The Bell in Hand Tavern, and Yankee Lobster.
I really enjoyed the vibe at Sam Adams, and their taproom is the only place where you can try their more experimental brews. Harpoon is also the home to UFO Brewing and Clown Shoes, which means that even friends who only enjoy ciders, sours, and seltzers will be a fan.
And, when in Boston, you have to stop by The Bell in Hand – supposedly the oldest Tavern in the USA – it’s steeped in history, a one-of-a-kind cream ale, and friendly staff.
In Boston, the clam chowder is amazing, the stuffed clams are pillows of seafood dreams, and the Blue Point oysters are, in my opinion, the best in the world. And lobster rolls – yeah – they got that too!
Foxborough: Pats Territory
Our primary mission was to go to the Dallas Cowboys game at Gillette Stadium. I’ve enjoyed watching the Patriots for the past 20 years, and Noah has loved the Cowboys his whole life. So, when we saw they were playing each other, and it was only a train ride away, we had to go.
Notice, I didn’t say that I was a “Pats Fan.” I’ve learned that although I do enjoy watching them, I will NEVER be a Pats “fan.” The crowds at Gillette taught me that I’m in the little league of fandom. They take football to a whole new level. They are fun, rowdy, loud, in-your-face, and incredibly proud of their 20 year legacy. I wasn’t expecting it from the subdued and puritan-based city to our north. But, they do know how to party at Gillette Stadium!
Unfortunately, Dallas won… Which meant our train ride from Foxborough back to Boston, on top of being INCREDIBLY slow, was also full of jabs and jokes towards Noah in his Dak Prescott jersey. He brought it on himself…It was Pats territory.
Brews, Bakeries, and Having a “Ball” in Beantown
We really enjoyed Boston. It had all of the pieces of a city that bring us joy: history, culture, food and drink, artisans, arts and artists, and a strong pride within the people and culture.
If given a chance to get to Boston – go! It’s a big small-town that’s inviting, engaging, and incredibly fun. And, even better, take the train from New York City! Passing through beautiful coastal towns in Rhode Island and Connecticut made it even more enjoyable and beautiful.
Other Posts About our East Coast Adventures
- What to Pack for Your First Trip to NYC
- Toasting Romance in Baltimore
- Toasting Beacon and the Hudson River Valley
- Toasting the Moon in North Fork, Long Island
- Top of the Rock, The Edge, One World and the Empire State Building
As always, don’t forget to Toast The Moon to all of your international travels by visiting our store, and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and the ‘gram to catch all of our latest posts and adventures!
Cheers,
Noah and Majhon