As someone who has never been north of the Colorado/ Tennessee border in the US, I was extremely excited to visit New England for the first time!
June is a fantastic month to explore up the northeast with its mid 70s-80s temperatures.
Upon landing in Boston, I immediately hoped in a rental car and headed 2 1/2 hours north to Maine (Otisfield, Maine specifically as I have family there).
I have to say, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Maine, but I was very pleasantly surprised! This state is beautiful!
Kayaking in a glacier fed lake – the water was chilly and so clear!
This lake was a little slice of paradise!
Maine has so much to offer: from hiking trails, canoeing/kayaking trips, to skiing in the mountains, you will find plenty of activities to fill up your schedule in any season.
I highly recommend kayaking/boating, driving around to other small towns, and eating some amazing seafood!
After 2 1/2 days in Maine, I then headed back to Boston (to visit with other family)
You will notice that Boston is expensive compared to many other US states. A glass of wine at a restaurant here is about $12, which is ridiculous. I can buy a bottle Be mindful of this when eating out and try to search for more hole in the wall places instead of upscale restaurants if you’re on a budget!
Now, you’re probably thinking about accommodation. Where do I stay since it’s expensive? Luckily there are MANY options for budget friendly hotels and hostels, just search on hostelworld.com & hotels.com.
Since I was with family that decided to show me the best of Boston, we ended up staying at the Park Plaza next to the Boston Commons. Yeah ritzy, I know.
Below is a list of Fun Things & Must Dos Boston
Transport: Metro/Underground from Airport
This is simplest way to get around downtown Boston. A day pass is about $12.
Walk around the Boston Commons & Public Gardens
This area is really nice to just hangout and relax. There are several food trucks around so take your pick on what to eat!
Coppersmith Gastropub
A great place for brunch on the weekend! Great atmosphere and food, but be sure to get here early as this place fills up fast!
Walk along the Charles River Esplanade
Easily walk able or bike if you prefer along the esplanade! This has great views of the Charles river where you can see the row teams practice and other spectators sailing away!
JP Licks Ice cream
If you have a sweet tooth like me, JP Licks just north of the Commons will satisfy your craving! A perfect small cup of this ice cream is well worth the walk!
The Upper Crust Pizzeria
Some of the best pizza I’ve ever eaten! You get some of the best pizza here for such a cheap price! This place can barely fit 20 customers in it; it’s an absolute hole in the wall place which is probably what made it so good! 100% recommend! Don’t miss out on this.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
I found this to be one of the most entertaining parts of downtown Boston. There’s tons of people performing and playing music around every corner. Well worth walking around here but be aware of the inflated food and shopping prices.
Take a trip across the river to Cambridge
Go hangout in upscale Cambridge where MIT and Harvard are located if that’s your scene!
The picture above was one of the highlights of this entire trip. Just simply walking along the Esplanade or the Gardens was so peaceful. I absolutely love walking and believe it really is one of the best ways to see any new place! So put on some comfortable shoes and get going!
For more travel guides within the US, check out my post Austin in 48 hours
