Welp, like a lot of people in the US, we had a HEAT WAVE this week and it was HOT IN CLEVELAND! It was hot and humid, but we made the most of it. Did I get in shorter runs than usual? OH YES. Fewer walks? YES. But I still got in some running and lifting, plus a few days of fun with the kids to celebrate my son’s birthday!
Here’s what the week looked like:
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I love Boston! It’s a city full of history, with plenty to do, and easy to get around. Plus, Boston holds a special place in my heart — it’s where B and I met while at Boston College! I love the city, and we recently went back with our kids for the first time. I hadn’t been back since I was pregnant with FW in 2016 and found that the city is still incredibly walkable, packed with history, and surprisingly kid-friendly.
Spending time in Boston looked a little different from it did when I was in my 20s – but there were still so many fun things to do! Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning with little ones in tow, here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Boston as a family.
Boston’s public transportation system (the “T”) is easy to navigate and a fun adventure for kids. Ours loved riding the train—and bonus: kids ride free! We just purchased a week-long adult pass and we were good to go for our 7-day stay.
Whether you’re with kids or not, this charming neighborhood is a must-visit. It’s packed with Italian restaurants, and most are kid-friendly, especially if you dine out for dinner early. A few favorites:
This is bustling food hall where everyone can find something they love, or at least everyone in our family did. From orange chicken to acai bowls to hot dogs to clam chowder, there really is a great selection here. Warning – if you go on weekends it’s BUSY and hard to find a seat, but weekdays are less packed and more manageable, especially with hangry kids. There are often free samples in the market and street performers outside too!
We went in the summer, so yes, ice cream deserves a category of its own. Here are a few local spots:
A land-and-water tour with a pirate guide and lots of quacking. Super touristy, but the kids loved it. Look for early morning discounts or combo tickets with other attractions. We took the 9:30 a.m. tour to snag the early-duck discount. This was one of the highlights of the trip for sure! The kids loved “driving” the boat when it went off the land and into the water.
Ride the swan boats and visit the Make Way for Ducklings statues. A peaceful, picturesque spot for a stroll.
Follow the red line through historic sites like Paul Revere’s house. Great for older kids or history buffs. We only did some of this with our kids, since the 3-year-old couldn’t care less – but I’m hopeful my older kids will remember some of what we saw when they learn more about the American Revolution!
America’s oldest public park, and it’s perfect for running around or relaxing.
Upscale shopping and dining but there are fun kid-friendly stops like a Harry Potter store and Ben & Jerry’s. Beautiful for just walking down on your way to the Boston Public Garden.
Shops, food, and entertainment all in one place. We got souvenirs, lunch, and walked around a few times. Our kids loved the street performers (and yes, there was some breakdancing involved by my oldest, too!).
Our kids enjoy watching professional sports teams, and Boston has plenty to choose from. Since we went in the summer, we caught a baseball game at Fenway and it was great for the kids to see some ball in America’s oldest ballpark. (See a pattern? Lots of OLD things in Boston!)
There are playgrounds throughout the city, but one that we frequented a few times was right outside the Government Center T stop and made for a quick break on our way to and from the T.
If you’re near Chestnut Hill, consider a visit to Boston College! It’s where our story began! Stop by Cleveland Circle for a bite to eat at Pino’s Pizza and let me know if you want other food or coffee recs nearby.
Boston is a city best explored on foot or by T. We’ve driven and parked in our hotel before, but this time we flew into the city and took the T from the airport to our hotel. We also discovered a VERY affordable bus to and from downtown to the airport (Logan Express is FREE to downtown and just $3 to the airport). From Fenway to the North End, everything is accessible and easy to get to! And if you do make it to Mike’s Pastry, grab an extra cannoli for us, it’s now FW’s new favorite dessert!
Here’s some more inspiration from my recent Instagram reel:
I did something new this week – I got in TWO swims! My kids had swimming lessons each night, so two nights I was able to get in some short swims while they were at lessons. It was nice to do something else to supplement my running and weights, and even though my swims were short, I was proud of my attempt to get in some laps.
Otherwise, it was a pretty standard workout week – here’s what it looked like:
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The title of this blog post should definitely be sung to the tune of “Summer Loving” (Summer Nights) from Greece. Do you remember that movie? Because it’s what came to my mind as I was typing the name of the post.
While it doesn’t truly feel like SUMMER here yet (read: not too hot or humid), I have been loving the summer schedule! Kids are off school, which means I no longer have to be done running and showered/ready for my day by 6:15. I get to sleep in more than an hour (!) and have been enjoying the additional hour of sleep plus the daylight during my runs. This week, while feeling the pain of being back from a wonderful vacation, I was so happy to be able to run outside during daylight and run some new routes at home. There’s something about running during daylight to brighten your mood!
Here’s what the week looked like:
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That’s right – Boston was trip #3 for May for me! This time, it was an airplane WITH the family and for vacation. This past week was spent out of routine again, but it was great and relatively active – I was able to get in some hotel gym time, some runs, and lots of walking! And even better, I got some time off work, was able to get SLEEP and had a wonderful time with the family.
It’s funny – I got in fewer miles this week than normal, but WAYYYY more steps! That’s because we did a lot of walking so even on the days I didn’t get in some real runs, I still got in plenty of steps. I also even got in some weights in the hotel gym, which was a nice surprise!
Proof of a good vacation 🙂
Here’s what the week looked like:
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Man, I am feeling out of whack this week. From being out of town Thursday through Monday, to having the kids finish school with 2 half days Thursday and Friday, to traveling again yesterday, this week was far from normal. I did my best to get in some activity, but it wasn’t my usual schedule and I was lacking sleep, routine, and even access to my home gym some days 🙂
Here’s what the week looked like:
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I Crashed The Web 