Whether you're traveling abroad or just across the town, there is adventure wherever you look! Check out this blog for travel destinations, ideas and experiences abroad as well as hidden food spots and activities in your very own city!
Staying quarantine at home is hard, but it’s even harder for people who love to be out and about. I am one of those people. I need to get out and get some fresh air, go somewhere new or just do something out of routine. Staying inside and at home all day long makes me very sluggish, unmotivated and moody. So I put a list together for all the travel lovers out there (as well as for myself) for all the fun travel-like activities you can do during this quarantine season! Check it out!
1 Pick up a book! As a travel lover, you must have already been to several places that holds so much history that you are not aware of. So, what better thing to do than to pick up a book that teaches you so much history about a place you have visited (or one you would like to visit in the future). I love reading through Rick Steve’s, Lonely Planet and other similar travel info books. I also love semi travel-related fiction stories that teach me about cultures, animals and more!
2 Backyard Adventure When you step out into your backyard, there lies a whole new world of adventure. If you like to travel, you are most likely to be an outdoor person. You can do so many things in the backyard, such as planting a vegetable garden (perfect timing to do so!), planting flowers or a even a tree! If you don’t have a green thumb, you can still do more things. You can always take your children/pets out to play (and build immunity), work on making your backyard prettier or build a bird bath or feeder!
3 Learn Geography Did you know that 11 percent of the young citizens in the USA cannot locate USA on the world map? I was dumbfounded upon learning this from a National Geographic’s survey. This is a great time to educate your children AND yourself about world geography! I can stare at maps all day long, especially huge world maps! Looking at where countries are in relation to each other and learning geography makes time fly! I guess this goes along with the love of travel. Let’s make it a mission during this quarantine to brush up on our geography. (At least so that we can relate to it when CNN tells us about the countries with the coronavirus!)
4 Learn a New Language With all the FREE resources we have available online, you don’t need to go into a classroom to learn a new language. There are tons of books and YouTube videos on how to learn any language. Many people (including myself) don’t know how to write or read in their mother tongue fluently. You can work on improving your native language as well as learn other common languages or phrases around the world. The more spoken languages throughout the world besides English are Mandarin, Spanish, Hindi, French and Arabic! Learning small phrases in different languages go a long way when traveling!
5 Explore Cultures This is one of my favorite things to do, regardless if there is a quarantine or not. I love a culture filled country and people who are full of culture and ethnicity. One way to do this is to watch movies or documentaries about a particular culture. I love watching National Geographic and watching travel YouTube videos just to see what a place is all about. Another way to learn about cultures is to do some research online! There are so many great educational websites that gives you culture and history on countries around the world.
6 Cook an International Dish Cooking is not one of my favorite things to do, but I do love experimenting with international dishes. After our trip to Italy, we were all about making lasagna and pastas (By we, I mean my husband makes it and I am his assistant). After Thailand, all I wanted was some Thai curry and sticky rice. Learning how to make these international dishes are so much more fun and exciting for me.
Hike up to Volcano Arenal was no joke. -Costa Rica
7 Work Out You might ask why this is on the list for travelers. Believe it or not, when you are traveling, you need a lot of energy, strength and endurance. We were supposed to be hiking a volcano trail in Guatemala at the moment I am writing this. Adventures activities such as hiking takes more than just a little effort and we had been preparing for it the past few weeks. Well, why not keep working out and be ready for an adventure at any time?
8 Practice Minimalism ( &Spring Cleaning) We travelers have learned over time that having less things to show and more stories to tell is the way to go. Over the past five years of traveling, I have learned that I need much less than I think I do. I also learned to adjust with what I have, minimize my uses for every day things and use resources more efficiently. This is a great time to go through all your things, donate what you can and toss the rest. We also have the time to really get into some deep cleaning, one room at a time.
9 Budget & Financing This is one of the most important things you can do or catch up on, during the quarantine! This is a perfect time to revisit those travel expenses, finances and future plans. Budgeting travel into your annual expenses is an important thing to do if you want to travel often. This helps to keep your overall budget in check and helps you to prioritize your traveling. Since I haven’t been keeping up with this as often as I should, I’ll also be working on it this week!
Do you have any other ideas for my travel lovers? If so, comment below and let me know!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Anyone planning to travel to Europe in the future? Well, make those trips happen now! 2020 is the last year to travel to Europe without needing a VISA. Starting 2021, US citizens will need a Schengen visa or ETIAS visa waiver to travel to the European Union!
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is a border control system put in place by the European Union to better protect it’s countries. If your stay is less than 90 days, you can apply for the ETIAS visa waiver, which is the new type of travel authorization to enter Europe. This VISA waiver will be valid for 3 years from the day of approval and can be used for multiple entries to the Schengen countries (see list below). ** limit of 90 days within every 180 day period.
If you are staying for more than 90 days, US citizens will have to apply for a Schengen visa.
The 26 Schengen Countries include:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania are not part of the Schengen countries even though they are part of the European Countries. They have a separate set of requirements and rules for entering those countries.
Why is the the European Union making this change now? They are doing this to improve security and safety of their citizens and visitors. It is also an effort to cut down on illegal immigration and terrorism.
Requirements & Rules for applying:
Apply via the ETIAS website by submitting an online form.
A valid passport
passport may not be more than 10 years old
passport must be valid for three months after the planned stay
When someone tells me about traveling abroad, one of the things I ask them is if they have applied for the STEP Program. As a citizen of the United States, the US is responsible for your safety while you are in another country. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program allows the US embassy to keep track of when you arrive and depart from the country. It only takes a few minutes to fill out (have your passports ready). And the best part? It’s FREE!
Tip: There is a US embassy in almost every country, with the exception of a few. (The few you should probably hold off on traveling to.) Before each trip, I jot down the phone number, physical address and email address of the US embassy in that country.
Why sign up?
Undercover Travel Pouch
In this time and age, you don’t know what to expect regardless of where you are! The main reason to sign up is for your safety and security. For events like getting your passport stolen or lost, or expired, you can contact the embassy and they will be able to assist you. In the case of any emergencies such as natural disasters, civil chaos or unrest, you will get notifications on what to do and updates on what is going on. In certain situations, the US embassy might also assist with getting you safely out of the country (let’s hope no one needs that assistance while on vacation). But you never know! So, better safe than sorry.
Travel notepad
I sign up with this program every time I travel and I make sure each person traveling with me also signs up. The process is quick and easy; you’ll need your passport and the information of an emergency contact. I even do this while I travel to Kerala, even though I speak the language and have relatives living there. It makes me feel a little better knowing that I have the US embassy to rely on in case something goes wrong.
Tip: You can also follow TravelGov on Twitter and Facebook for updates.
BEST SELLER Anti-theft, light weight shoulder bag
Side Note: I checked the Travel Advisory for Spain and Morocco, both which happens to be a level 2, which is Exercise Increased Caution. Keep this kind of information in your mind, however don’t let it stop you from enjoying your trip, wherever you are traveling!
We often hear people say ‘what a small world’… but in reality, the world is not small at all. We are. And when we start traveling around the world, we begin to see that. We begin to realize what little space we occupy in this world and how tiny we are in relation to other living things. Begin to learn that the world doesn’t actually revolve around us! We realize how little of the world, in all it’s beauty and natural wonders, we have experienced so far. We notice how tiny we and our problems are in comparison to that of the rest of the world. Most of all, we start to realize that our time on this Earth is very limited. But that there is soo much still left to see and do! That is why I encourage traveling as often as you can. No matter which stage of life or situation you are in. After all “Travel is never a matter of money but of courage” as quoted by Paulo Coelho in his book, Aleph.
I’ve made a personal goal of traveling to at least one new country, one state in the United States, and a few nearby cities each year. This way, I hope to visit and experience at least a small portion of this beautiful world. Comment below if have any similar goals! Or if you’re just not sure how to get started or where to start traveling and need some advice.
There are many new and creative gadgets and items for those who love to travel. Some of these are fun things you can collect, but most are practical items that will make your travel abroad a lot easier and more efficient! All the things below are the must have things I own or use on almost all of my trips regardless if its out of country or to a neighboring state. There are also several great gift ideas for your wanderlust friends and family!
I bought some packing cubes from Target that are very similar to these and I love them. Packing this way has honestly changed my travel in a major way and I love it. During my first several trips, I would pack a check-in luggage, but after discovering this and a few other techniques, I am able to travel anywhere with just my carry on! For our 9 day in Italy next week, I am trying out plastic covers from bed sheets along with the packing cubes I have.
Update: The plastic covers (from bed sheet covers) worked out great!! I was able to pack 6-7 pairs of outfit in one medium sized cube! The best part, it’s free!
2. The Right Backpack
This is a tough one, because everyone’s needs vary.. . I own the G4Free 50L outdoor backpack and though its a hiking backpack, I use it for all my trips. I used it for my 5 days in Dominican Republic, mostly staying in one place.. across the US for road trips and on flights as carry on, and even for a 6 day adventure in Costa Rica, moving from city to city every few days. It fits a whole lot, especially while using packing cubes and it hasn’t given up or me yet. I haven’t even noticed any wear or tear after these 3 years, so I think this one will stay with me for a while. We’ll see how it goes with our 9 day Europe trip soon!
Update: Held up great during the trip, definitely recommend it!
If you are looking for a personal bag in addition to your carry on or check in, my bro-in-law loves this Anti-theft Laptop Daypack and uses it on most of our trips. It’s essentially a laptop bag for college, but he has been using it for 3-4 years and it works great. It is anti-theft, so it can’t be cut or damaged.. it as a USB charging port and it’s water repellent and shockproof!
Need another type of bag?
Another carry on option is this foldable travel duffle bag tote, which has a large capacity of 30L. My friend bought one online and said it was much cuter than she expected. It is also compact and can fit a lot into it without being too bulky. She said it came in a small pouch that’s very tiny when folded and takes up very little space. It can be used to travel when you know you’ll have more things flying back! (That’s everywhere for me!)
This sling backpack is the ideal backpack for traveling, hiking and other outdoor adventure. It’s light weight and can hold up to 10L. It’ll come in handy on day trips where you need to pack water bottles and more. The shoulder strap also has a pocket for your phone, which sits right below you for easy access.
3. Power Adapter + Converters
My husband found a similar adapter set which I have been using for the past year. It contains worldwide plug adapters, so you wont have to worry about buying an adapter each time you fly. This universal travel adapter however cannot be used as a power convertor and does not convert the units. Therefore, you can’t plug high voltage electronics like hair dryers, straighteners, heaters etc. into it. You can however use smaller items, like charging phones, laptops, etc. *Please check the voltage on all items before you charge so your electronic does not blow out.
Another option to this is to buy the power adapter + converter in one piece. Although this is more expensive, its definitely worth the extra bucks if you travel often! This Universal Travel Converter comes with a voltage converter and worldwide plug adapters. This one comes with 2 USB ports and it can charge many things at one time. You can convert from 220V to 110V and can be used for bigger items such as laptops, blow driers and other appliances.
Waterproof phone case is one of the most important things to have with you, especially if you are going to the beach or planning on doing any water activities. I used my phone case all throughout one trip, even during the non water activities! It kept my phone (and credit card) on me without tying up my hands. I was able to use it while snorkeling in Thailand and swimming with the nurse sharks in Belize and it has not gotten any water in the case. Definitely a must have during adventurous activities! **Prior to using it, make sure there is no leak or holes by placing some tissue in the case and submerging it into a bucket of water. If the tissue stays dry, you’re good to go!
5. Cameras
Now, everyone has their take on which kind of camera to bring while on vacation…It really depends on the destination. I used to take my dslr for my first few trips, but soon realized it held me back from enjoying my time to the fullest. I then started to use my phone camera and take less pictures altogether. It has helped me to live more in the moment and worry less about getting the right shot.
With that being said, the dslr I used to take abroad is the Canon T3i which is now discontinued. I still take it with me for all my domestic travels and while going to events right here in Dallas! This Canon T5 is a great model to take with you as its not so bulky and offers both complex and simple features. Even if you’re a newbie to dslr, it’s easy to operate and get good shots.
My photographer friend owns one of these Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Cameraand I love it! He took a picture of us and printed it right away, in a matter of minutes. This would be an awesome gadget to travel with if you like to socialize with the locals there and give back in some way! People, especially young kids, in less fortunate countries would love if they would be able to get a picture to keep for themselves. It can get a little pricey with the films and all, but the memory attached to it is priceless!
** When bringing a dslr, be sure you have 1. Extra battery packs and 2. Extra SD card. I was at the entrance of Taj Mahal when my dslr battery died!!! Since then, I never went anywhere without the extra battery packs.
Two 32GB pack micro SD
Two replacement battery packs
** For the Fujifilm, you will need the Fujifilm film pack, which comes in packs of 20. Buying in bulk allows you to save a little more; this set also comes with decorative stickers to add to the 2x3in wallet size photo.
6.Water Bottles
Collapsible water bottle are ideal for long trips as they are flexible and easy to carry. You can always fill water in hotels, water fountains, or anywhere you have access to drinking water and hook it onto your backpack. Then fold and tuck away when you don’t need to use it, so it doesn’t take up too much space. Another great option is this fold-able, flexible and slightly cheaperVapur Element water bottle. My husband was gifted this by two of our friends and we use it all the time now!
7. Pillowcase(My main must have item!)
I take a pillowcase on all my travels because no matter how great the hotel or Airbnb, I feel more comfortable putting my head on my own pillowcase. After the trip, I usually put all my used clothing in the pillowcase to bring them back home. I bought this silk pillowcase which Is also very gentle on the hair. Traveling or not, this is the only pillowcase I must have and I won’t go back!!
8. Travel size containers
If you are going on short/backpacking trips with just a carry on, I would highly recommend getting this TSA approved 3oz leak proof travel bottles, which comes in a packet of 4. Not only do you not have to worry about placing wrappers and tape on your travel bottles, but you also don’t have to worry about any leakage or spills. For all my travels prior to this, I used to buy travel sized bottles (which are also more expensive considering the quantity you are getting) and tape them up. Coming back home however was a challenge since I never brought tape with me. My friend used these bottles and it worked like a charm! You can use it for shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, body soap, sunscreen, lotions and so much more. Instead of buying new bottles, just clean and refill your bottles after each trip!
This is a must have if you are traveling long distances. It will help you during flights, train rides and even during road trips in car. You want to keep your neck straight and head in line to prevent soreness, aching and muscle straining when you reach your destination.
Traveling includes doing a lot of things you don’t usually do in your every day life. And new experiences also equal new challenges, so you should be prepared the best you can, so that you can keep moving. If I am traveling anywhere outside of the US, one must have thing I Always pack is a medication kit. I have a kit just for travel which I look through often and replace if anything expires. Having this kit has helped me in many ways and I have a feeling that as I get older, this kit will only get bigger.. yikes!
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A. Pain killer. Definitely a must. I usually have a small bottle of Aleve with me and it has helped me to get through the day with bearable leg pain. After a full day of walking and a touring a new place, it comes in handy when your legs need some relief. I also have Excedrin for headaches/migraines.
B. Claritin Again, a must have when it comes to traveling abroad, as we’re not sure about what kind of allergens we will come in contact with that our body does not like! My whole family uses Claritin and it helps to reduce allergies so we can focus on more important things while traveling!
C. Nausea medicine
If you live in the US, you might only need nausea medication for any plane or boat rides. However in other countries, even a short 5 minute ride from one side of the town to another can be a bumpy one because of the road conditions. Even train rides are bumpy and not always pleasant in some less fortunate countries. Although there are a few OTC nausea meds, its probably best to get some through your doctor.
D. Tummy meds I always have a Pepto-Bismol on me while traveling abroad, even though I have a pretty strong stomach. I have not yet used it, but I think I feel more comfortable knowing I have it with me in case I was to get sick. TUMS is also highly recommended to temporarily help those who have heart burns. Hey, no one wants a grumpy travel mate!
E. Antibiotic cream
I carry a small tube of Neosporin to prevent infection in case of minor cuts or scratches. It can also be used for rashes or skin irritation. This is one of my top must have items in this list.
F. Tooth numbing medication When I was having tooth/gum problems, this is something I had with me all the time. The worst thing to have while traveling and site seeing is a bad toothache. Though this won’t solve your problem completely, it will help relieve your pain until you get back home or get medical help. This Orajel pain relief swabs work great for tooth and gum pain.
G. Band-aids/Alcohol swabs Its always a good idea to carry a few different sizes band-aids and alcohol pads with you, so you don’t have to pay ridiculous prices for it while traveling. I use band-aids to prevent blisters on the back of the heels from all the walking.
H. Earbuds/Cotton balls/Gauze
Although it’s not a must, as someone who has done wound care for a few years, I always have at least one of these three on me. It can be used to apply medication, clean a wound, cover open skin, apply oral medication, etc. If you are debating whether to pack some or not, it really depends on how adventurous the trip will be and how susceptible you are to injury. If you’ll be doing a lot of outdoor activities and you’re the one to always get hurt, I recommend you pack this extra .1 pounds of items in your medication kit.. you won’t regret it! Side note; If you are traveling in groups, not everyone needs to bring their medication kit, some of it can be shared; so split out the items that can be shared and save room while packing!
(***Disclaimer alert: This is NOT medical advice or encouraging medical drug use; please ask your MD prior to using any of these medications. See disclosure below.)
11. Water shoes
During our road trip to Broken Bow Cabins in Oklahoma, my sister and bro in law had a pair of Miashansha Water shoeswhich they loved! It was light weight, easily packable, stylish, quick drying and most of all comfortable during our light hike through the forest and streams. This also makes for a great gift for someone who likes to travel or do a lot of water activities!
12. Repellents
To make the most of any trip, you want to make sure you are well protected against the sun and any mosquitos. I bought theKinven Anti Mosquito Repellent Bundle years ago for less than 15 bucks and I’ve been using the same one over and over for all my trips and it works great! As for sunscreen, my favorite brand is the banana boat and I found these Banana Boat travel packets that are great while on the go! Another brand I started using this part year is the Repel Insect Repellent With 40% deet and I like it. However, I feel it’s much stronger, so I probably would not use too much of it and definitely not on kids.
Until my last trip, this didn’t seem like something I would need or even think of using. During the 9 hour plane ride to Italy, I noticed my shoes got tighter and harder to put on. Once we landed, my legs also ached tremendously, confirming it wasn’t a problem with my shoes, but rather with my legs… they were swelling up! Because there was a lot of walking involved in Italy, my legs and feet were aching almost daily. I now wear these compression foot sleeves when I travel a lot and even when I have a long day of work. It has helped reduce the swelling and pain and is comfortable to wear all day! This is my must have at all times.
It’s hard to say no to buying souvenirs despite how little space you have in your luggage to go back home. Staying under the packing limit is a serious challenge for all travelers, especially when you go back to your hometown (or when you travel somewhere ridiculously cheap)! This digital scale is a great device to have, especially for international flights where you can be charged a fee for overweight luggage.
My husband bought us these fast charging cables for the go since we are on the road a lot. I now use it in my car on a daily basis. It’s made from strong material, which is also very flexible and long at over 6 ft’ (which is good to reach to the backseat). It transfers quickly and charges faster than any of the previous chargers I have owned. Definitely recommend this must have item if you travel on the road a lot and you use your phone often.
Here is a cute way to charge your phone on the go! This is a great option to have while traveling because it keeps all your things together. You can carry your ID card, credit cards, passport, cash and phone all in one place. You can also charge your phone without having to go look for an outlet. There is also a place to neatly store the wires when you’re done. This neat and stylish holder also makes for a great gift for someone who loves to travel!
16. TSA approved items
I love anything TSA approved, because that is one less thing to worry about getting through checking and it makes the process a whole lot quicker. These locks andplastic toiletry pouches are so convenient and easy to use!
My husband bought me one similar to this and I love it! We scratched off the countries we’ve been to, framed it and hung it up. We take it down after a couple of trips and scratch some more off. The USA section is even divided by states, which is great for those who do a lot of road trips and in country trips. A great gift for any age!
(Christin, my travel friend who toured all of Thailand with me, loves this Scratch off Map which has a beautiful black backdrop and flags on the bottom portion.)
18. Games
Travel Question Game
Keeping your kids busy during travel is important, so that you will also enjoy your trip! This is mainly for the long flight abroad, that long layover or travel time between two places, where your children just can’t sit still.
SmartGames that test your IQ!
Connect Four
What I do on flights and layovers? … Keep reading!
19. Books
I read a travel guide book while I am traveling to a new place. This helps me to learn as much as I can about the culture, behaviors and customs before I get there. I also try to learn a few phrases that will help me along the way. Below are some of the books I own and love to read, even when I am done visiting those places!
20. Travel Themed Office Items
Most people who like to travel also have their offices and homes set up with some cute travel items. Here are a few great ideas that’ll add that an instant travel theme and makes a cute gift for that travelmania friend!
Travel themed Pillow set
Travel themed Pillow set
World Map Decor
Travel Notebook Diary
Travel themed notepads
Notebook
Travel Themed Mouse Pad
Kid’s Storage box-travel themed
Paris themed Ottoman Cube
Suitcase decor
21. T-Shirts
You can never have enough T-shirts… and travel themed ones? Bring it on!!!
Not sure who made these shirts, but it’s like having your pinterest travel section in your wardrobe!
22. Travel Must Have Gift Items
There are many cute travel items that make the perfect gift for anyone! From passport holders to coffee mugs, check out this list of my top favorites!
Champlain Globe Now, if you’re really serious about globes, this is the real deal right here!
More travel essentials and gift ideas coming soon! If you never leave home without a travel item, post it in the comments below! Check out myBargaining Tips & Hackspost next!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Boston is a great place for a getaway trip, with so much US history and outdoor fun! Make sure to spend more than a weekend there, because there is just so much to see and do. To get the most of this great city, you can pick up a city pass and visit up to 4 of the top site seeing attractions OR get a Go Boston card and get access to around 40 sites and attractions! Both the times I visited Boston, I was on a time crunch and so I went to the following places and bought my tickets individually (most were free!).
Inside the Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library Courtyard
1. Visit the Boston Public Library
Even if you don’t crack open a book, this library will make you want to stay there as long as you can. The beautiful architecture of the building alone is breathtaking, but if that’s not enough, there are luscious gardens and more walkways and sceneries to explore, all for free! Address: 700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 Cost; FREE! Hours; Open 9AM-9PM Mon-Thu, Closes at 5pm Fri-Sun, Opens 1pm on Sundays.
2. Travel along the Boston Freedom Trail
If you enjoy traveling through history, this is the perfect day activity for you. The Boston Freedom Trail includes many museums, parks, churches, historic places, statues and more. There are plenty of guided tours offered, but if you like to go on your own pace, you can take this tour without a guide. The sites include; – The Boston Common (includes many statues and attractions, includes the Boston Public Gardens) * Go here first and pick up a map from the visitor center. – The Granary Burying Ground (across the street from the Boston Common) – Benjamin Franklin Statue – The Faneiul Hall (go in the evenings) – Bunker Hill Monument – Paul Revere House (Has a fee to enter; cash only) – USS Constitution (Fee to enter the actual museum, but all other parts of it are free) – Massachusetts State House (Free) – King’s Chapel and Burying Ground – Old Corner Bookstore – Park Street Church – Old South Meeting House – Boston Massacre Memorial – Old North Church – Copp’s Hill Burying Ground – Old State House Here are some pictures of some of the attractions along the Freedom trail!
The George Washington Statue in the Boston Common
The Make Way for Ducklings Statue in the Boston Common
Bunker Hill Monument
If you’re doing the tour on foot, you’ll cross this bridge to get to a few of the sites.
Not a part of the Freedom Trail, but this church was so beautiful and on the way!
3. Visit the Mapparium
The Mapparium is located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library and its a nice little activity, if you like geography and history. Although it was smaller than I expected, it’s a neat 3D set up, where as if you are looking out from inside a globe. You can’t go inside and explore on your own, but they have guided tours every 20 minutes, so it’s not a long wait.
Address: 200 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115 Hours: 10AM-5PM daily Cost: $6 for full ticket. Reduced $4 for seniors, children/youth, students with ID, military and any special needs assistants.
4. Bike along the Minuteman Bikeway during the Fall!
One morning, we set out to explore Lexington and any historical sites there. We started off in the Lexington Visitors Center (open 9-5 daily) and were able to get a map and lots of information about the area. Soon later, we came across some minuteman bikes, which were only a dollar per hour! Once we saw the beautiful scenery ahead of us, there was no doubt… we downloaded the bike app, got our bikes and started off on the bikeway. The vibrant colors of the leaves and the sound and just everything about it was breath taking. I don’t think these pictures do justice to how beautiful it actually was.
5. EAT Seafood
Seafood is the must try food in Boston because of it’s easy access to the fresh seafood at any time of the year. After a morning of biking, we stopped for a quick lunch at Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant on Massachusetts Ave in Lexington, which also houses many other wonderful stores and restaurants. It was a little chilly, so we had their clam chowder, which was delicious!
Later that evening, we walked through Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which consists of many stores and restaurants along with souvenir shops and a variety of food booths. They have many seafood, American and even Asian options to choose from. After trying a few booths, we also had several desserts to make up for all that hard biking we did earlier that day;)
From Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant
From a stand in the Marketplace
6. Museum of Science
The museum of Science in Cambridge is a large museum with 3 floors cut off into different sections, some of which included pre-historic era, Science and space. We bought tickets for the exhibitions and a 4D experience and it was definitely worth it. Along with 4D films, they also have IMAX informational films, a butterfly garden and planetarium shows. We ended up spending about 3-4 hours here and doing all the small fun activities they offered, including heat and light experiments, sound/motion games and questionnaires on birds and animals.
Address: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114 Cost: Exhibition Halls are $28, additional for other sections. Hours: 9AM-5PM daily, 9AM-9PM on Fridays. You can check on their website for any additional section closings on their official website.
7. Fenway Park Even though we didn’t get to make a stop here, the Fenway Baseball Park is one of the most visited sites in Boston. Home to the Boston Red Sox and as one of the oldest ballparks in the MLB, its highly recommended for both baseball fans. Tours start around $20 to see the baseball stadium and tickets to games vary from $20 to $500, depending on the game and seating area.
