Category: Massachusetts

Happy Thanksgiving (and my favorite fall pictures)!

11/24/2015

Hooray - it's Thanksgiving week! For me, this week marks the beginning of a month of celebrations (holidays! birthdays! parties!). Sadly, it also means the end of autumn (well, not officially but all the leaves have fallen and I almost slipped on black ice today so...yeah...winter has arrived in New England). As we bid adieu to our most colorful season, I'll leave you with my favorite pictures from this fall, starting with my sweet little boy:)

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to all!

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Brahmins of Boston Tour with Context Travel & WITS

4/1/2015

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Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Women In Travel Summit (WITS) in Boston, a gathering of hundreds of female travel bloggers, entrepreneurs and travel enthusiasts. Attendees who arrived early could participate in several tours organized by WITS and Context Travel - a company that specializes in walking tours in cities around the world.

I attended Context Travel's "Brahmins of Boston", a three-hour walking tour. Despite the ghastly weather - torrential rain at times - I'm really glad I attended this event. I learned a lot about my city!

Before I describe the tour, I'll answer three questions you may be pondering:

1) What is a Boston Brahmin?
Associated with the upper crust of society, Brahmins were often descendants of early colonists from England. While many considered them elitist, the Brahmins contributed significantly to the development of our country and culture, and were especially influential on the east coast.

2) What is the origin of the name "Brahmin"?
While it sounds like someone with a heavy Boston accent saying barman - it has nothing to do with the famous Boston dropped "r". In the traditional Hindu caste system, Brahmin refers to the highest ranking class. Writer Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. first referred to these elite New England families as Brahmins in an Atlantic Monthly article from 1860, and the name stuck.

3) Who are the most famous Brahmins?
You'd recognize many of these names from US history, especially if you've spent time in New England. Many of the the street names, cities and notable landmarks in New England are named after a Brahmin family. Examples include Adams, Forbes, Cabot, Jackson, Lowell, Quincy, and Winthrop.

Paul Revere's gravestones (looks like he got an upgrade at some point). While he wasn't considered a Brahmin, the man who sent him on his famous midnight ride - Dr. Joseph Warren - was.

Our tour guide was named Jessica Del Russo - a born & bred Bostonian - who had somewhat of a modern day Brahmin upbringing. Like many a Brahmin, she was raised in the North End and attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, followed by Harvard University. She was extremely knowledgable about the city's history and, as a shareholder in the Boston Athenaeum, she gave us an insider's tour of this library which houses beautiful artwork and rare books including George Washington's personal collection. Most of our walk was concentrated in the area around Downtown Crossing, Boston Common and the State House. However, I felt like Jessica may have altered her typical route a bit due to the unfortunate weather.

Here are a few fun tidbits I learned on the tour:

Ben Franklin was possibly expelled from grade school. He attended the prestigious Boston Latin School (USA's first public school) for just two years. Many experts claim he left because his father could no longer afford to send him to school. However, Jessica offered another theory - Ben was outspoken and questioned the school's viewpoint on God, and was thus expelled. Regardless of the reason, Ben never completed his education here. Despite this fact, there is a large statue of Ben Franklin in front of Boston Latin School today.

Ben Franklin, standing in front of Boston Latin School, appearing far more intimidating than any present-day disciplinarian and significantly more judgmental than most teenagers. Way to uphold those Brahmin standards!

Downtown Crossing was once a water source. Downtown Crossing - one of the earliest neighborhoods in the city - owes its location to a natural underground spring that provided fresh water. It still flows beneath the streets of Boston, and you can supposedly hear it in parts of Beacon Hill.

This sign can be found along the aptly named "Spring Street" in Downtown Crossing.

The colors of the T lines actually mean something. Boston was the first city in the USA to establish a subway, and Park Street was the first stop. The names of the four major lines are colors that represent each line's purpose:

Blue Line: This train travels underwater and to the beach.
Orange Line: Runs along Washington Street which was originally called "Orange Street".
Red Line: Named for the Harvard Crimson because it used to end at the Harvard station.
Green Line: This line goes out to the green fields of the country - aka Newton.

Park Street T stop - the first subway stop in the USA. The subway entrances are often referred to as mausoleums.

The Puritans were pretty darn intolerant. Although the Puritans left England to escape religious persecution, it didn't stop them from persecuting others. They pushed out immigrants of other religious denominations upon arrival in Boston, most of them moving west or south. Until the King's Chapel was built, most of the religious establishments in Boston were Puritan Congregationalists.

Many Brahmins belonged to the King's Chapel. When England established a governor in Boston, they built a church that reflected the religion of the King (hence the name). The church, built in 1754, is the first granite structure in Boston and its interior architecture is influenced by European churches of the time - double columns, baroque details, and a wine glass pulpit. The church philosophy and practice became a hybrid of sorts: Congregationalist in governance, Episcopalian in worship and Unitarian Christian in theology.

Notice many famous Brahmin names on this plaque that is located in the church.

The church had a governor's pew and it was here that George Washington sat during service.

wine glass pulpit at kings chapel boston

The wine glass pulpit

The King's Chapel was the first church in the US with an organ.

The seats in the pews are lined with horsehair which still make a crunchy sound when you sit down.

The King's Chapel Common Prayer book is the only one of its kind. Members of this congregation were very liberal and edited the traditional Common Prayer book to only include the stuff they believed in.

These prayer books are truly unique to this church.

Boston Brahmins were known for their accents which were very different from those of the working-class Bostonians. Many associate this accent with snobbery. Current examples of Brahmin accents include John Kerry and - my favorite pop culture reference - George Feeny from Boy Meets World.

Toward the end of our tour, Jessica brought us to the Boston Athenaenum, an institution with the mission of preserving rare books and works of art. It was here that we saw George Washington's private library. Even after living in Boston for several years I never knew this beautiful library existed!

[Above] View of the Old Granary Burying Ground, where John Hancock, Paul Revere and Sam Adams are buried.
[Below] You can see down several levels of the Athenaeum in the stairwell and the stacks.

[Above] Washington's private library including copies of New York Magazine from the late 1700's

Thank you Jessica, Context Travel and the WITS crew for this wonderful experience! I also want to give a shout out to my tour mates - Alison from Green with Renvy , Shobha from Just Go Places and Melissa from Write Travel Grow.

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Live Like A Local, Boston: Marissa

3/15/2015

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Last week, I featured a list of Boston recommendations from local ladies Lisa & Jen as a part of our Live LIke a Local, Boston series. Today I have the pleasure of introducing Marissa - my favorite coffee & tea connoisseur, fellow traveler, and Rachel Bilson doppelganger.

Marissa
Boston native; food and fitness enthusiast; loves to maximize life at all times!

Favorite Local Shop: Gifted in the South End for you guessed it, gifts; also David's Tea in the South End for fun, seasonal teas.

Favorite Restaurant: It's so hard to pick just one! A favorite that is always fantastic is Island Creek Oyster. My favorite NEW restaurant to the Boston scene is Bastille Kitchen in Fort Point - especially the short rib wellington!

Favorite Place To Work Out: Equinox--one stop shop for cardio, barre, spin, etc.

Best Photo Opp: Walking home at sunset over the Mass Ave bridge.

Favorite Day Trip: Ogunquit, Maine

What I Love Most About Boston: The seasons, walkability, and proximity to Cape Cod.

Where To go For Seafood: Island Creek, Row 34 or B&G Oyster; If you're ever on the Cape you must get the giant lobster roll at The Raw Bar in Mashpee.

Best Juice Bar: Jugos at Back Bay Station: it's a hidden gem and they make the best juices.

Grab a Drink At: Drink in Fort Point for custom mixed cocktails. Tell them the ingredients you typically enjoy and their bartenders will surprise you with a new concoction!

Where I Go For Cheap Eats: Sweet Green for a fresh salad.

I've added Marissa's recommendations to the Live Like a Local Boston interactive map. Enjoy!

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Live Like A Local, Boston: Jen

3/11/2015

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Earlier this week, I introduced the Live Like a Local series with Lisa who shared fabulous Boston tips like hiking trails near the city and where/when to find $1 oysters. Today I have the pleasure of introducing Jen - an artsy marathon runner and and bonafide ass-kicker (no joke, I've seen her at MMA class!).

Jen

Craft Ninja, Wanderer, Non-runner who happens to run marathons

Where to Go for Seafood: Island Creek Oyster in Kenmore Square (from brunch to late night eats, everything is perfection!)

Favorite Place to Workout: Redline Fight Sports in Central Square. Redline is an MMA gym that makes you feel empowered (and like a badass!) without feeling intimidated.

Where I Go for Cheap Eats: Veggie Galaxy in Central Square has GIANT, delicious vegan/vegetarian meals and desserts for a steal!

Best Photo Opp in Boston: Anywhere in Beacon Hill, more accurately, at the top of Acorn Street, or Louisburg Square in the springtime when the wisteria are creeping up the beautiful brownstones.

On a Rainy/Snowy Day I Like to: Go to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Boston has so many fantastic museums and galleries but this former private residence is a complete jewel! Gardner was a woman far ahead of her time and her story, as well as the story of the museum as a whole is fascinating. I could visit every day and still spot something I've never seen before.

Favorite Local Shop: December Thieves in the South End and on Charles St. Thoughtfully curated jewelry, small home goods, accessories, and curiosities from around the globe.

Favorite Restaurant: I'm hesitant to share because it's my hidden gem! Euno in the North End is a tiny Italian eatery that is romantic, cozy, and everything is completely fresh and homemade. I adore this restaurant! Shhh! Don't tell anyone ;)

Most Peaceful Spot: I walk my dog to a tiny dock that sits at the finish line of the Head of the Charles Regatta on the Boston side of the Charles River. For hours we will dangle our respective paws and legs over the edge and watch rowers, geese, and ducks glide by on the river. Really, anywhere along the Charles is a piece of heaven amidst a bustling city but this little dock is my sanctuary.

What I Love Most About Boston: I am always enchanted by Boston's rich history and how the old nestles quite comfortably with the modern. From its architecture; The Old State House, built in 1710, to the LEED certified Fraunhofer Center in the Seaport District, where some of the world's leading sustainable technologies are developed, to its residents; young co-eds coexisting with Boston Brahmins whose pedigrees date back to the Mayflower, Boston is a study of a beautiful dichotomy set against an even more beautiful backdrop.

Best Insider Tip for Visitors: Despite being packed with colleges and a zillion districts and neighborhoods, Boston is a very small city. If you have the better part of an afternoon, a walk throughout the whole city is completely doable and a great way to see the area. Take time to wander on foot and stumble upon things that are off the beaten path of Faneuil Hall and Newbury St. Grab a map, snacks, and a camera and make a day of seeing the sights that are outdoors!

Check out Jen and Lisa's recommendations on our interactive map:

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Live Like a Local: Lisa's Boston

3/9/2015

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In just a few weeks hundreds of female travelers will be visiting Boston for Go Girl Network's annual Women In Travel Summit (or WITS). Experienced and enthusiastic adventurers will gather to share stories, tips, and advice. Being a travel junkie myself, I'm looking forward to meeting these women and hope to come away with new inspiration.

Some of the best travel experiences result from a local guide, especially when it's a friend (new or old) since we often share similar tastes and interests. Since the conference is in my home base of Boston, I reached out to a handful of Boston's local ladies and asked them about their favorite things to do in the city. These women are seasoned travelers and truly enjoy everything this city has to offer so I think they make great virtual guides. First up is Lisa:

Lisa Shen
Graduate Student, Mom, Enthusiastic Omnivore, City Biker

Favorite Local Shop
Looks in Harvard Square

Where I Go for a Cup of Joe
Darwin's LTD in Harvard Square has the best coffee

Favorite Restaurant
Rialto in Harvard Square and any of Barbara Lynch's restaurants: No. 9 Park, Sportello, B&G Oyster, The Butcher Shop, Menton

Boston Band on My Playlist
Guster or Aerosmith

Favorite Place to Work Out
Running along the Charles River

Most Peaceful Spot
Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Hiking in the Fells or the Blue Hills

Best Photo Opp in Boston
Anywhere on the Charles River (take a Duck Tour or rent a sailboat to get to the middle)

Favorite Day Trip
The north shore beaches like Crane's Beach in Ipswich or Singing Beach in Manchester. Or Salem for the Peabody-Essex Museum, history, and witchcraft.

Favorite Dive Bar
The BHP (Beacon Hill Pub) or The Sevens

On a Rainy/Snowy Day, I Like To...
Go to a movie at The Common or one of the new Deluxe Movie Theaters in Dedham or Chestnut Hill; also shopping at the Natick Mall

Where I Go For Cheap Eats
The Asian food court at the Porter Exchange

Grab a Drink At
Marliave

What I Love Most About Boston:
Boston/Cambridge is mostly flat, so it's incredibly walkable and bike-able.

Where to Go For Seafood:
Row 34, Legal Harborside, or many restaurants in Chinatown (e.g. East Ocean City)

Insider Tip for Visitors:
Many fabulous restaurants offer $1 oysters on off nights (e.g. Mondays) or off times (4-6 p.m.), such as Rialto, Marliave, Les Zygomates, etc.

THANK YOU for sharing your recommendations, Lisa! I especially love her tip on $1 oyster happy hour! Check out Lisa's recommendations on our Live LIke a Local interactive map:

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Thanksgiving Weekend Round-Up

12/8/2014

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Thanksgiving weekend brought us chilly, but colorful weather in New England. In just a few days I was fortunate enough to see an otherworldly sunrise in Massachusetts and a sky exploding with color in coastal Connecticut. Here are a few of my favorite shots from our New England weekend:

[Above] Sunrise over a fresh coat of snow on Thanksgiving morning in central Massachusetts. [Below] Pictures from our sunset walk around Cove Island in Stamford, Connecticut.

[Below] Thirty-something family members packed into my parent's house on Thanksgiving day. My cousin, Frances, said it best: "It's the first year without our matriarch, Grandma Bernie, but we still managed to get most of the family together for another amazing Thanksgiving." I like to think Grandma was there with us in spirit, smiling at the wonderful family she and Grandpa created:)

Special thanks to both Chris' parents and my parents for hosting a very special holiday. We know it was a lot of work and we really appreciate it!

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Happy Thanksgiving (and my favorite fall pictures)!

Brahmins of Boston Tour with Context Travel & WITS

Live Like A Local, Boston: Marissa

Marissa
Boston native; food and fitness enthusiast; loves to maximize life at all times!

Live Like A Local, Boston: Jen

Jen

Craft Ninja, Wanderer, Non-runner who happens to run marathons

Live Like a Local: Lisa's Boston

Thanksgiving Weekend Round-Up

Author

Archives

Categories

Happy Thanksgiving (and my favorite fall pictures)!

Brahmins of Boston Tour with Context Travel & WITS

Live Like A Local, Boston: Marissa

MarissaBoston native; food and fitness enthusiast; loves to maximize life at all times!

Live Like A Local, Boston: Jen

Jen Craft Ninja, Wanderer, Non-runner who happens to run marathons

Live Like a Local: Lisa's Boston

Thanksgiving Weekend Round-Up

Author

Archives

Categories

Marissa
Boston native; food and fitness enthusiast; loves to maximize life at all times!

Jen

Craft Ninja, Wanderer, Non-runner who happens to run marathons