Spending time in Boston taught me a few lessons about one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Chief among them were: Boston is extremely walkable, history permeates everything in the city and a Starbucks addiction can be easily sated with the tell-tail, I mean tell-tale, mermaid signage every few feet. Not that I know anything about that…*quickly shoves Starbucks Gold Card in pocket.*
With so many things to do and only three days to see the entire city, it was tough deciding which sights were at the top of my list; but here are the best things I experienced in Boston.

1. Touring the Public Garden—I’m a total sucker for gardens of any type and size. The stunning Public Garden offered a cute pond with two majestic swans, which I later learned are fancifully named Romeo and Juliet. The ducks, the bridge and the well-manicured landscape charmed me instantly.

2. Taking a Duck Tour— These amphibious vehicles formerly used in the military now tow sightseers across the city. Sights included Cheers on Beacon Hill, the Old State House, Trinity Church, Bunker Hill Monument and a quick dip in the Charles River.

3. Walking the Freedom Trail— This historic trek took me from the Boston Common all the way to the U.S.S. Constitution. A more detailed description of this walk will be posted soon.

4. Inhaling (figuratively-speaking) a cannoli from Mike’s Pastry—Located in the North End of Boston, Mike’s Pastry is so popular that locals and tourists alike form lines 40 people long outside the building. It was definitely worth the wait, though. I split the hand-sized chocolate-chip cannoli with my husband and only regretted sharing the sugary confection a teensy bit.

5. Watching the penguins at the New England Aquarium— The New England Aquarium offers 70 engaging exhibits. My personal favorite was the penguins, with the Atlantic Harbor Seals coming in at a close second. The aquarium is a perfect spot to take your family on a rainy Boston day.

6. Glimpsing part of the R.I.P.D. movie set— Fun travel experiences don’t always involve the ones mentioned in the guidebook. While venturing to Faneuil Hall, my husband and I saw a huge vehicle pileup blocking a major intersection. We then realized that tons of crashed cars lined the streets and people were taking pictures—we were on the set of the 2013 action movie, R.I.P.D.

7. Eating genuine New England Clam Chowder at Ned Devine’s — After craving New England Clam Chowder the entire trip, my patience was rewarded at Ned Devine’s Irish Pub. The restaurant is sandwiched between the many stores and eateries in Quincy Market’s bustling shopping area. The chowder was thick and creamy, and I devoured it in a flash.

8. Visiting the Boston Public Library— Libraries probably don’t make most people’s must-see travel lists, but anyone who appreciates architecture, design and history should visit the Boston Public Library. It was the first library to allow its members to borrow books and ranks as the largest public library in the U.S. after the Library of Congress.

Post a comment and tell us about your top experiences in Boston!