Our Mixed Up days in Boston
I went to Boston with G… and I have thoughts.
Naturally.
Boston is one of those places that feels calm and charming… until it’s not. One minute you’re enjoying history, the next you’re in a crowd wondering where you’re supposed to stand and why everyone else seems to know.
The Boston airport? Amazing.
Clean bathrooms, clear signs, lots of space. We got our bags easily and found an Uber without any issues.
Anxiety: low
We stayed at the Omni Parker House.
Loved it.
Check-in was so easy. I was nervous, but the staff member was incredibly helpful. Our room was ready early, but there was a $75 early check-in fee.
Totally worth it.
We didn’t eat at the hotel restaurant- it felt too formal. Tablecloths. A very serious-looking maître d’. It just felt like… a lot.
But they will mail postcards for you, which is such a sweet touch.
This felt like a small, quiet kind of magic.
After the initial “this place is fancy and gold and intimidating” moment, we actually felt really comfortable there.
The only thing I can complain about? There were stairs. Yes- stairs. In the hallway to our room. Just… why?
The dreaded stairs… we meet again.
Anxiety: low.
We used the subway to get around the city.
Clean subway. Kind people. Emotionally complicated elevators.
Since G can’t walk long distances, we bought a 7-day pass for $22. I didn’t even realize Boston had such an easy subway system.
G and I showing off our subway cards like we knew exactly what we were doing.
It was clean, easy to navigate, and the staff were kind and helpful.
The only downside- some elevators weren’t working, which meant stairs… and that’s really hard for G.
But overall? One of the smartest decisions we made.
Anxiety: low.
It felt like a movie set… with absolutely no plan.
The North End was our first stop.
And I’ll be honest… it was a mistake.
Not the place- but how we did it.
Do not go there without a plan.
At minimum, know where you want to eat. We thought we could just wander and figure it out. We could not.
It’s beautiful- shops, history, architecture- but also crowded and confusing.
We ended up eating at a random place, Antico Forno (we were the only ones there… which is never a great sign). The pasta was not good. The pizza was decent.
Spaghetti Carbonara: Spaghetti pasta, pancetta, egg, parmesan cheese, black pepper…$29. Not good. It was mushy, it was icky, and I kept trying to convince myself it was fine… it was not fine.
AI Funghi: Fresh mozzarella, wild mushrooms, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, fresh arugula…$22.50. The pizza was okay. The crust was amazing, and the toppings just kind of… disappeared.
We got desserts at another shop, but I walked in and out three times before I was brave enough to actually order.
We got completely lost. Didn’t find Paul Revere’s house- just a statue.
The Paul Revere statue. Where is it? No idea. Why is it there? Also no idea. But there it is.
Anxiety: sky high.
Lesson learned: planning matters here.
We saw Suffs at the Emerson Colonial Theatre.
I have no words to describe how beautiful the theater is… and I always have words.
Theater environments can be tough with anxiety- crowds, unclear lines, lots of people just… standing around.
But the staff were wonderful.
They kept everything moving, helped us find the right door (which, by the way, were not labeled), and one kind man even took our picture.
The bathroom line moved quickly because there was an attendant managing it (bless).
The show was incredible. The audience was respectful. The whole night felt joyful.
Anxiety: low.
Bakey was near our hotel…
This one is on us.
We walked in- beautiful space, warm, inviting- and… no menu.
There was a drink menu. QR codes on the tables. I thought, great- menu.
Nope. It was for employee recognition (which is lovely, but not helpful in the moment).
A calm, rational person would have sat down and looked up the menu online.
We did not do that.
I stood in line and ordered two completely random sandwiches. They were actually pretty good.
Avocado Bagel: Our soft, fluffy challah bagel with fresh avocado, cream cheese, Fresno chilis, salt, and pepper…$8.50. Very tasty. Could not bite into it at all, so I ate it with a fork. But it looked like a smiling frog… and that made me happy.
Then I waited forever for a plain coffee (they did apologize).
Then I had to get back in line because- of course- I forgot dessert.
Chocolate Babka: Slice of our rich, moist chocolate babka, made with hazelnut praline spread and topped with vanilla syrup…$6.90. Soooo delicious. I could have eaten five and not even thought twice. And the babkas come in different flavors… which is both exciting and a problem.
Would I go back? Yes.
But I would go in with a plan.
Anxiety: high.
This place is magic.
We went first thing Thursday morning- quiet, calm, beautiful. Four stories of books. It felt like a little storybook world.
There’s an elevator (thank goodness), so G didn’t have to take the narrow stairs.
Bathrooms on the first and fourth floors (though the first floor one sometimes closes for inventory).
It felt like a place for actual readers.
Anxiety: low.
A quiet little storybook world… if you get there early.
We went back Saturday morning.
Completely different experience.
It was packed. People taking selfies, filming, crowding every space.
It’s still beautiful- but it felt more like a photo stop than a bookstore.
We walked in, looked around quickly, and left.
Anxiety: high.
Tip: go early. Weekday mornings.
Beacon Hill Café was our favorite place we ate.
Yes, the tables are close together.
Yes, it’s a little overpriced.
But the atmosphere made up for it.
We ordered soup and popovers, shared a brownie, and did the tea service for two.
Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup: $8 a cup. Add a popover +$4. The soup was so good I could have taken a bath in it—and honestly, I thought about it.
The scones? So good.
Cream Tea: Pot of tea for two, 2 scones, jam, housemade clotted cream…$20. The scones were perfectly sconey. The cream, however, was in very limited supply. G and I absolutely battled for the last speck.
I would go back just for the tea.
Anxiety: low.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe was… interesting.
Let me start with this: I absolutely love the food. Adore it. The muesli bowl? Honestly—heaven in a bowl.
Muesli: Whipped Greek yogurt topped with housemade granola, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, pear, apple, honey, and black sesame…$7.25 a cup and $9.75 a bowl. My love. I’d eat this every day—happily.
But…
It is very hard for people with anxiety.
We went to two different locations, and it was the same experience at both. Tatte is popular—and because it’s popular, it’s crowded. Very crowded.
People everywhere.
Waiting to order.
Waiting for drinks.
Waiting for a table.
Waiting for food.
Waiting for water.
You get the idea.
There are a lot of moving parts happening all at once, and it’s a lot to process.
And there’s only one bathroom for customers… so yes, we waited in line for that too.
Now- here’s where G and I differ.
I think the stress is worth it for the food.
G does not agree.
Anxiety: high.
Okay, so we’re in Boston for only three days. There’s so much to see. So many places to eat.
So naturally…
We took an Amtrak train to Portland, Maine.
Stay tuned.
