Ultimate Sightseeing Guide to Boston | TRAVELTOBER

Here's another personal highlight of mine in this little Autumn "Traveltober" series for you. Last year when we went to Boston, I totally fall in love with this beautiful city. So, I decided to write the "Ultimate Sightseeing Guide to Boston" with my favourite things to do in Boston. This post also includes some "you can skip that"-points.

Let's start with my favourites!

Sky Walk Observatory

Every time I visit a new City I love to climb on a high building and check out the view from above. Most of the time you get a stunning view and get to know the place from an different angle. And the side effect: you get a better orientation - what is where? So of course Boston offers also a very nice lookout: The Sky Observatory.
It's not very crowded, you have the most amazing view and the see the whole City - the airport, Fenway Park, Downtown, the Harbour and a lot more. 
My tip: go at sunset or when the sun rises - the light will be gorgeous!  

Freedom Trail

You're just a day or two in town and you want to see as much as possible? Than the Freedom Trail is your best friend. You can do this walk in a day or just in 2 hours if you're in a rush and see most of the sightseeing attraction in Boston. Start at Boston Common (Site note: it's America's oldest public park) and follow the 2.5 miles long red line through Boston to the Bunker Hill Monument. You will pass the Quincy Market, some really old cool building, the State House, the Paul Revere House and a lot more. You learn things about Boston itself, its history and about the history of the U.S. And it's a really fun thing to do. 

Down below I put together a mal via Googlemap for you. The purple line shows you the path of the Boston Freedom Trail and each important stop on the Trail I marked with a pink-organge pin. 

       

Quincy Market

So I mentioned the Quincy Market before in the section of the Freedom Trail. But I think it's worth writing about in an extra section. Go inside and checkout the variety of food stalls. You will find the typical Lobster from Boston or exotic Asia food. The building itself is gorgeous, go upstairs and checkout the sitting-and-eating-area. 

Beacon Hill

To get to know Boston without experience the elegant neighbourhood "Beacon Hill" is impossible! The old red brick houses are a must-see. Wander around or follow the Black Heritage way to lern something about the African American history. Beacon Hill still is in another century, every things slows down over here. You will love it! 
My tip: the most instagramable street is the "Acorn Street", it's the famous old street out of bricks (the one in the teaser above :)). 

Boston Harbor

Follow the Harborwalk and discover a lot of sight which are located here at the Boston Harbor. You will pass the Boston Tea Party Ship (more about that - scroll down!), the New England Aquarium and little sweet fisher boats. You can also get on a boat for some whale watching or a harbour cruise. There are also a lot of places where you can get a yummy snack on your way. Just enjoy the sea and the atmosphere. 

Boston Public Garden

This is my last sightseeing tip for you - visit Boston Public Garden, a green oasis in the middle of the city. You stroll around or have a litte picknick. Enjoy the nature and watch the squirrels chase a nut.  

Dont's

40 Berkley Hostel

Let's begin with where we stayed. I don't know if you have noticed, but Hotels in Boston are so freaking expensive. We decided to save the many and booked the "40 Berkley Hostel". We payed for two nights about 250$. The hostel was okay, but for this money there are much nicer Hostels and Hotels out there. It's nothing special and not the cleanest. The rooms are simple and have old furniture in it. Good location with a 7/11 right across the street. 

Bunker Hill Monument during the Freedom Trail

If you don't have a lot of time, but want to do the Freedom Trail you can skip the Bunker Hill Monument at the end of the trail (if you start at Boston Common). It's a nice neighbourhood with nice houses and the Monument is also nice to look at. But it's nothing too special. So, don't be afraid to skip this sightseeing stop. 

Boston Tea Party Ship

When you think about Boston one of the first things which come to mind is the famous Boston Tea Party. At Boston Harbour you will find a replica of the original ship of the Tea Party. But in my opinion $28 for adult ticket is definitely too much and it's not worth it. You can look at it from the outside and for me this was totally fine. 

Looking for a nice place to have breakfast - read here. Or want to see a little bit about the city - watch my travel vlog here.

Acadia National Park, Maine USA - Travel Vlog | TRAVELTOBER

Welcome back to another episode of TRAVELTOBER. Today I have another travel vlog for you: Acadia National Park, Maine USA. If you have already read my blog post about the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, you know it was my absolute favourite experience during our journey through New England last year. 

So now, you can see the stunning sunrise yourself, I catched it with my camera (Yeah me :)). Besides that we explored the Ocean Path at the south end of the island. 

So don't hesitate and come along ...

➸ "The Birthplace of America" : Lexington & Concord, MA USA

Happy 4th of July everybody! For all the people who don't know what I am talking about: today is better known as the Independence Day in the US. 

For this especial occasion I have cool post for you: last year I've been to dragged by my boyfriend (he's a history and English major) to a little town called Lexington. But why is this town so special to the US history and why does it make to a special post on the 4th of July? Let me tell you ... 

The towns Lexington and Concord are famous for nothing less than being the "Birthplace of America". A pretty big burden right? But why is that? 

In Lexington took place the first fight in the American Revolutionary War between the British and the Patriots - "the Minutemen"- on the 19th April 1775. You can still visit the battle field today - the "Battle Green". Of course nowadays it's a beautiful well-groomed field with a statue of Captain Parker in the middle of the town. For everybody who's wondering: Captain Parker was the leader of the Minutemen in this battle. The first shot in this battle is known as the "shot heard 'round the world" (Ralph Waldo Emerson in his "Concord Hymn"). After this first battle, the British went on to the town of Concord. The road they took is called today "the Battle Road". 

When you walk through Lexington you will discover a lot of old (some more than 200 years!) and beautiful houses from the colonial era. For example the visit center is located in one of these houses. Also the oldest tavern in Lexington: the Buckman Tavern, which is open for tours from spring to fall. The interior today is pretty much the same as back in the days when the tavern was the headquarters of the Patriots. Another beautiful house is the Lexington Depot (the picture right after this section), which was built in 1847 and was once the social center of Lexington.

Are interested in a tour around the Battle Green? Than it's your lucky day! There are FREE tours on the weekends from April and May, and also daily from Memorial Day until the 30th October. For more information visit the website of the visitor center in Lexington. 

➸ Explore the Big Sur National Park, California USA

When you spend some time on Instagram or Pinterest, you have probably come across a picture with the wonderful view like the picture above. 

Did you ever wonder where that picture was taken? The answer is very simple: at the very instagramable Julia Pfeiffer Beach at the Big Sur State Park in the middle of California. The Big Sur is located right at the famous Highway No. 1 in the middle of Cali - THE road to take, when you're off to an road trip through California. 

What else can you explore at the Big Sur? 

Let's talk about the Highway No.1 at first. You're driving right next to the seaside at have the most stunning view at the breath taking colours of the ocean, the cliffs and just the nature. For all the drivers: don't be worry - you're not gonna miss something, there are plenty of lookout points with parking space, where you can enjoy the view, too. 

One gorgeous lookout is right behind the Bixby Creek Bridge. The bridge was built in 1932 and is 79m high. The bridge fits perfectly in the landscape and makes the view even more stunning. ... and of course it's a perfect spot to take breathtaking pictures. 

When you don't just want to be at the cliffs, but also down at the beach, I have a few options for you:

At the Jade Cove you can take a steep trail down to a nice bay. You wonder why the bay is called "Jade Cove"? That's because you can actually find jade down there - BUT unfortunately it is forbidden to take it home. 

At the Andrew Molera State Park you will not only find a lot of different hiking trails, but also sandy beaches which are 4 km long. 

Where to watch a good old sunset? 

Watching the sun saying goodbye is never getting boring, right? We watched a pretty one at the Pfeiffer Beach. The road down the is kind of adventures, but totally worth it. ( I have the feeling that I have a thing for beaches hidden like that :D ) It's not a big beach, but the sand is white and there are a huge rocks in the water. It's a cool vibe down there, so perfect to end the day with a pretty sunset.  

Where to sleep at the Big Sur?

This is also a very simple answer: at the Big Sur Campground & Cabins  - it's a beautiful camping side in the woods, some grounds are located right by the river. A little path will take you to the little "village" and with little I mean little. There are literally one store and a bar. 

If you want to read more about California, you will find here a post about the lovely town Carmel-by-the-Sea in Northern California. Feel free to leave any tipps for the Big Sur in the comments! 

➸ Grand Canyon, Arizona

Have you ever been to a place which didn't even look real in reality? When I've visited the Grand Canyon i exactly felt like this. Till today I can't believe it wasn't a reeeeaally big wallpaper! 

But let's start from the beginning. I definitely need to share a little bit of advice I wish I had back than! My friend and I booked a typical touristy bus tour departing from Las Vegas. And let me tell you: PLEASE never ever book a bus tour to the Grand Canyon. Except from the Grand Canyon itself it was a horrible experience. Just rent a car and drive out there. 

We were picked up at 6am and we were really excited because we got two front row seats at the upper deck of a double-decker bus. Unfortunately this excitement didn't last long. Half an hour later everybody had to get out of the bus and had to walk into a big storage building, where we were sorted into different groups. There were a lot people coming from different hotels - it was nuts and nobody knew what was going on. Nobody told us, that we just needed to change bus. But happily we got a really nice and funny bus driver. 

Our first stop was the Hoover Dam - a really big dam - but nothing too special. We didn't really catch the excitement about it.

After a 4 hours long drive and 2 wee-wee breaks we stopped at the National Geographic Center. Where we had 1 hours to get lunch and to wait for some people who were watching a 3D movie at the National Geographic Center. It was 2pm and we still haven't seen anything of the Grand Canyon. It was a little bit frustrating.
Half an hour later we finally arrived at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim). We had 2 hours to explore this little area. Despite from people being everywhere it was wonderful! The view is just incredible, no words needed. We walked around, took a lot pictures, had a picnic and just enjoyed this stunning landscape. 

Unfortunately, I can't give you any advice on different places around the Grand Canyon, because we've just been to the South Rim. 

After the 2 hours we all got back on the bus and were dropped off at our hotel in Las Vegas at half past 10pm.

So if you don't want to feel like a cow pushed around by so many other cows, just rent a car. And explore the Great Canyon by yourself. It is really worth it! 

Actually I can't remember the name of the company we went with, maybe there are some which are really good  - but ours wasn't. I know it's along drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, but this whole trip was so unorganised and chaotic. The view was worth the money, but the journey really wasn't (I think we payed around 80$ each).

➸ Hotel Review: Mount Liberty Lodging, Lincoln - New Hampshire, USA

During our road trip through the White Mountains last fall, we really wanted to stay at a little cabin in the woods. After a little research we decided to go with the Mount Liberty Lodging, located in Lincoln New Hampshire. 

We rented the smallest cabin (No. 3 "Carter Notch"). And it was perfectly fine. It's a really simple little cabin with everything you need: a bathroom, a little kitchen area, a very comfortable bed and even a little porch. But the Highlight: the river behind the little cabins. You can sit on the porch and have a beautiful view or you can take an 1 minute walk down to the river and sit at one of the big rocks in the water (perfect sun bathing place;)). 

The "motel" offers also a heated outdoor pool, a playground and a camp fire pit. What else can I say? It was clean, cozy and we had a really good time.

From the first moment on you will feel very welcomed, because the owners are really really nice. They turned on the heating in the cabin before we got there and gave us a tone of information about the region and some insider tips. 

Here are some of so many things you can do while you in this area: 

➸Take a drive along the Kancamagus Highway 

➸Visit Flume Gorge 

➸Just go hiking, but mind the bears! 

➸Visit the famous Mount Washington Hotel

➸Take the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to have a really amazing view 

If you want to see more of our adventures around the White Mountains you will a little video about it over here. More information about the White Mountains you will find here. 

➸ New Video Wednesday: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Todays Video Wednesday is not only one of my favourite videos so far, it's also about a very cool place: Cape Cod, USA. Famous for gorgeous beaches, the perfect summer getaway, lighthouses, lobsters and a lot more. 
We wandered around Provincetown, got delicious pastries from a Portuguese bakery and discovered a lot of beaches. But the highlight was the beautiful sunset at Chatham beach. There were even a few seals out in the water. 

Have fun! XX 

➸ New Video Wednesday: Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire

Welcome back to a new Video Wednesday :) 

Today I have one of my favourite days from our New England trip back in October! We took a tramway up to Cannon Mountain - a really stunning place to see the fall foliage. The trip with the tramway isn't that cheap ( roundtrip: 17$), but totally worth it. More information about the mountain and everything it has to offer, you will find here.

And now: Enjoy the ride! 

➸ New Video Wednesday: Portland, Maine

On our way to the Acadia National Park we stopped in Portland, Maine. We explored the Downtown Area, went on a little souvenir shopping tour and of course had THE best donut from a place called "Holy Donut". We also checked out the "Two Lighthouse State Park" and ate at the "Lobster Shack". So here is a New Video Wednesday. Have fuuuuun :) 

All about our lovely AirBnB you will find here. 

➸ Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

Today I wanna show you the most stunning and beautiful sunrise I've ever experienced in my life! At 6am we drove all the way up to the top of Cadillac Mountain at the Acadia National Park. And let me tell you, we weren't alone - I would guess that there were about 400 people waiting for the sunset. But except from the cars it wasn't crowded at all. Everyone got cozy with blankets, coffee and of course a camera. When the sun finally came up it was breathtaking. Looking over the sea with the little islands (...hearing a woman shout: Finally we hit gold!") it was so peaceful and just a perfect moment. Even when you're not a morning person, I highly recommend it - get up and drive up there - it's a lifetime experience you will never forget. For me this was my favorite moment of this whole trip! 
Fun fact: the Cadillac Mountain is the highest point at the East Coast of the States, so that means it is also the very first point which is touched by the sun in the US! 

So enjoy the picture overload :P 

➸ New Video: Road Trip New England

One of the reasons why I am all about our trip to and through New England is that we actually went on a road trip. Road Trips are always so much fun and you see so much more from the country/region you're visiting. And the best thing was we chose a Beetle to be our road companion! What a great car! 

So I edited a little video about our road trip. I hope you like it! I would really appreciate if you head over to my channel and subscribe or give it a thumbs up :) 

Have a great day! xxx Steffi 

My thoughts about the outcome of the election.

When you follow this blog for a while or know me in person, you know that I love the US. It's one of my favorite countries to travel to and I even considered moving there someday in the future. I am really not surprised that this is the outcome of the election, but I am sad anyway. Like I said in Tuesdays post: this election effects the whole world - next year is election year in Germany, too. The extreme right wing is growing and growing. Trumps win feeds them confidence and maybe even new supporters. This is a very dangerous trend, which is not just happening in our country, but in other European countries, too. 

I know there are a lot of people out there who are scared for their rights at the moments. But look around you - you are not alone! And if all of you stand together and fight for your rights and keeping up the positive vibe, you can do a lot! You have now the influence on the next generation, which can make a change in the next election! You can find a suitable candidate without a questionable past, which will beat Trump in any way (By the way I looove all the #MichelleObama2020 posts! How great would that be!! A black woman!).

I will continue sharing my experiences and adventures I have had in the US. There are so many places which are definitely too beautiful not to share. But I wanted you to know that I am very critical about the new political development and I will wait and see what is going to happen next before I book a new flight to the States. 

Lots of love xxx! 

!!!! Please USA, do the right thing today!!!

I just wanna leave this message out here for today:
 When you have the right to vote in the American election today - USE IT! Go and VOTE!!! Your decision isn't just about the politics in the U.S. today, it will effect the politics and a lot of countries all around the globe. So PLEASE be smart and do the right thing!!!! 

➸ AirBnB Recommendation: Portland, Maine

It was my second time staying in an AirBnB. And what can I say? It was gorgeous (like the first time in Porto). I am talking about this little studio in the south of Portland. We were very warm welcomed by our lovely host Olivia. She showed us around, explained everything and gave us very good suggestions what we could do and go in Portland and in the area. 

The Studio has two parts, which is separated by a wall without a door. in the one part you find a very comfortable bed and a desk. In the other part is a kitchen, a dining table, a TV and a sofa ( and of course a bathroom). The apartment is very clean and very thoughtfully furnished. In the kitchen you will even find tea and coffee. You have everything you need, really everything! From a complete kitchen to an iron to a hifi-system. On the writing desk you will find a lot of maps and information about the area and a folder with guide to the studio and Portland. 

I have honestly have nothing bad to say about this place! From the first minute we felt like coming home. You have your privacy and don't even notice that the family is living in the other part of the house. Had I known that this place would be so awesome, we would have booked it for longer. 

Also it's a perfect location in a very quiet neighbor hood. You only need about 6 minutes with the car to the downtown area, 14 minutes to the Two Lights State Park and just a few minutes to the next supermarket.

From the first minute we felt like coming to a cozy home. Had I known that this place would be so awesome, we would have booked it for longer. So if you're ever looking for an Airbnb in Portland, Maine - this is the one!