A Magical Day on Beacon Hill & Newbury Street
In my reader survey which will be open for a few more days, you all said you’d like to see more of our local area and places we love. Luke had a month off over the holidays and we spent most of the time at home reading by the fire or walking in the woods with the dogs. We decided we wanted to take this time to do things we always say we want to do. We had a date afternoon in Boston.
I wasn’t planning to create content out of this little day trip so I’m interspersing some other photos into this post (as well as photos I took on our magical day on Beacon Hill and Newbury Street).
Will you join us in Boston?
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Getting to Boston
We really enjoy taking the ferry from Hingham into Boston. That’s my way of choice. It’s lovely. I always bring a pack of cards if we’re going in as a family and we play gin rummy on the journey. It’s approximately 45 minutes. It is a beautiful boat ride with views of the Boston Harbor Islands and Boston Harbor.
On Beacon Hill
Usually we have the boys in tow and whilst John loves to shop Conor does NOT so I never really get to look in pretty shops (or not for long at least). So we walked from the ferry at Rowe’s Wharf over to Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill is known for it’s lovely brownstones, pretty shops, village feel, and, of course, Beacon Hill Books.
A Few Hours Inside Beacon Hill Books
Below is an older photo of the exterior.
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It is the sweetest book shop across four floors. It’s so beautiful inside and out; there’s something for all the senses.
Each room is thoughtfully decorated:
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The children’s room is whimsical with a train running along the molding.
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What about some tea by the fire?
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I can only imagine this bookshop through a child’s gaze. Quite magical even for an adult.
On this top floor is a vending machine you can feed quarters into and you can get a souvenir art print of your day at the shop. I go this sweet little chickadee:
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Lunch at Beacon Hill Books Cafe
I’ve wanted to eat at Beacon Hill Books Cafe for over a year! It’s always booked! Since we were going in anyway I just thought I’d see if they had any tables available. I couldn’t believe my luck. They had 1 table for two at 1:15pm!
Here’s our table:
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The cafe is cozy and every detail is thought of: lovely chargers, atmospheric lighting, gorgeous fresh cut flowers, touches of blue and white!
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We started with a pot of tea and the warm herb popovers with caraway butter served in a Nantucket basket. I couldn’t manage to get a good photo but they were delicious!
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We both enjoyed the Quiche Lorraine along with a side order of the thick cut roasted potatoes and vegan aioli. The quiche was the BEST quiche I’ve ever eaten. It was so light and fluffy.
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The smoky bacon, tender leeks, and gruyere cheese accented with peppery arugula – it just seemed to melt in your mouth. I couldn’t believe I ate the whole slice. It was so good!
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After two courses you’d think we’d not want dessert BUT who knows when we’ll be back again? We wanted to savor our time together in the cafe so ordered some coffees and a dessert for two!
The Apple Cobbler with Rum Raisin Gelato was decadent and worth the wait. This dessert serves two and is baked to order.
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The warm cobbler was perfect for a cold winter day and the creamy gelato added just the right touch of sweetness.
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We highly recommend the cafe and bookstore. Our compliments to the chef, Colleen Suhanosky, and the owner of Beacon Hill Books, Melissa Fetter, for creating such a magical spot for everyone to celebrate books, food, and being together.
We were so stuffed that we decided to walk around Beacon Hill and then up Newbury Street.
More Places we Love on Beacon Hill
First I have to share J. Grady Home. this is an older photo but Joan and Jeff Grady have the most beautiful shop. I picked up some goodies along with the sweetest hedgehog toothpick holder. They carry our products there and have been so supportive. You might really love their Instagram. They design spectacular interiors!
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I always love looking in all the antique shops dotted along Charles Street and really enjoy the kitchen shop – Blackstones of Beacon Hill.
Let’s head over to Newbury Street…
Enjoying Newbury Street
Visiting Newbury Street always brings back the best teenage memories for me. I used to go with my mom when I was younger. We’d always have lunch and stroll all the shops. Many of the shops have since closed and new ones have taken their place so it does look a lot different than when I was young.
Some Favorite Shops & Restaurants
- La Voile – wonderful French food – we love the moules and frites
- Muji
- Anthropologie – I always need to take a look
- Trident Booksellers & Cafe
- Restoration Hardware
The Historic Building that Houses Restoration Hardware
I always love spending some time in Restoration Hardware.
This used to be the Natural History Museum in Boston and after that was Louis Boston. My mom always tells me she can remember the limos lined up to let ladies out to shop here.
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The building is so beautiful and I can spend hours looking at the lovely architectural details.
We always love to try out all the furniture at Restoration Hardware. I love to pretend I’m sitting in my own palatial living room. Our living room could never fit the large scale pieces.
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Well, I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of our day in Boston. I would also recommend Eataly on Boylston for amazing Italian and the Swan Boats in the Public Garden (when they reopen).
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Oh how I wish I had seen this in October when I was visiting Boston! I’m tucking it away for the next time!
Hi Chris, yes, save it for your next visit to Boston! Danielle xx
Hi Danielle!!!
It is fun to have a “free” day. Prescott has a wonderful multi street vintage antiques area. I just went during Christmas. Your lunch looked so yummy….and I had to laugh at Conor and his “not shopping” habits. Both my boys would agree 100% with him. I used to have to bribe them with, “Maybe we will find Legos or Star Wars!!! ” Then they caught on and said, “Yeah, we’re not falling for that!!!” lolo
I signed up for your newsletter…it’s the first I’ve seen it offered.
Stay warm!!! xx
Too funny! Conor doesn’t really like museums in addition to shops so we usually have to bribe him with lunch at the MFA or somewhere else in Boston. Ha! Ha! Hope you enjoying getting updates in your inbox. Danielle xx
I’m going to save this. That book shop looks amazing!
You would love it, Kristen!
Just catching up in my reading – your day-trip looks like it was sooo fun! The quiche was absolutely picture perfect – Julia Child would so approve.