48 Hours in Boston, Massachusetts

To kick off November 2023, I took a weekend trip up to Boston, Massachusetts (!!!!). My cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole live in the nearby Boston suburbs and were amazing hostesses (which I am ALSO so grateful for them opening their home up to me, too!) and I got to also meet some Instagram besties of mine and have them become in real life friends (if you know, you know!). My trip to Boston was SUCH A BLESSING to me and I am OH SO GLAD that I was *finally* able to make this trip happen. The idea of me visiting Boston on my own has been in my head for … 9 years now, and I am very happy that I have been able to make it happen almost a decade later. While in Boston, I was able to see many of the sights that this New England hub has to offer, ranging from points of interest all along the Freedom Trail, Newbury Street, Beacon Hill (including the iconic Acorn Street), North End aka Little Italy, the waterfront, all the way to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. My first full day in Boston, I walked 18,000+ steps and found myself crashed on the air mattress that night – LOL! Overall, I am SO happy and blessed that I was able to visit my cousin Sabrina and Nicole and have an incredible time up in New England (see snippets from my trip to New England in 2022 here, here, here, and here!).

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

Getting There:

Living in the Washington, DC area allows me to have MANY MANY MANY flight options for getting to and from Boston, given nearby airports and airlines. I ended up using Delta flight vouchers that I had from cancelled trips to the Carolina’s over the summer and paying $5 (!!!!!!!) out of pocket round trip out of Reagan National Airport (DCA) which is Metro-accessible for me and super close to Washington, DC. I chose to fly to Boston on a Friday evening and fly back to Washington, DC on a Monday morning, to allow for a bit of a vacation post-vacation. Over the years, I have decided to mainly stick with Delta and United Airlines (and their partner airlines) for flights, given that I have a rewards account with each and want to accumulate miles over time. The BEST PART?! Given my rewards account through Delta airlines, *somehow*, I got a free upgrade to Comfort+ heading home and found out when I went to gate check my bag which is the rows behind First Class and got to enjoy many many fun perks during my quick flight back home. I LOVED the incredible service that Delta provided on my flights both to and from Boston and look forward to flying Delta again in the future!

What I Did:

When in Boston, live as fellow Bostonians do! I REALLY enjoyed getting a taste of Boston over the weekend that I was there! The first day I was in Boston, I walked over 18,000 steps and then crashed when I got back to my cousin’s apartment – LOL! Anyhow, I LOVED getting to see SOOO many incredible sites to see here in Boston, including the many points of interest alongside the Freedom Trail, the stunning Beacon Hill neighborhood, Newbury Street, North End (including the waterfront!), and the iconic Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I also enjoyed getting to meet up with not one but 3 (!!!!) Bostonian Instagram besties of mine – Griffin, Timmy, and Mikayla – while in town and getting to see their incredible city from their perspectives. Truly, I LOVED getting to see Boston for the first time as an adult and learn to love this stunning, charming, and historic New England city.

While there, I mostly used public transportation via their subway system known as the T. I purchased a 1 ride or 2 ride pass which was either $2.40 or $4.80, respectively. I will note that, over time, the T has become a bit more unreliable to local Bostonians, given that the trains can be super slow and delayed, which can be an issue for those with commitments and commuting to and from work. However, the T is GREAT for not having to drive in and out of the city and around the city as well as saving on Uber/Lyft fares. Compared to Washington, DC’s Metro’s fares, the T’s fares are *pretty close* to what I pay per ride on the weekends.

Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden was probably my FAVORITE spot in all of Boston (!!!!!). Indeed, it felt *just* as if I was walking through a mini Central Park …. But I was in Boston! I truly loved getting to enjoy the vibes of locals, tourists, musicians, and everyone in between in this beautiful and central spot in the city. The city skyline of Boston was also a stunning aspect of the Boston Public Garden, too! I sat on a bench in the Boston Public Garden not once, but twice, and LOVED getting to literally cool my heels and take it all in, whether it be the people-watching, crisp Fall air, or city vibes.

Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill feels like Boston’s version of Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood HOWEVER it has a much much much more colonial and historical feel to it. Just like Georgetown, Beacon Hill has several shops, both locally owned and bigger known names, restaurants, cafes, and several stunning windy cobblestone streets. I popped into the stunning Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, Benefit Cosmetics, Upstairs Downstairs Home, and *of course* Starbucks. I also walked down the iconic Acorn Street – which according to my cousin Sabrina is one of the most photographed streets in the United States. Acorn Street is a historical cobblestone alley essentially that still holds its colonial charm to this very day. The best part?! I ran into my friend Joelle on a whim while wondering the streets of Beacon Hill, and I was SOOOO glad I ran into Joelle and got to see her in Boston where she’s recently relocated while on this trip!

Upstairs Downstairs Home

Acorn Street

Freedom Trail

My fellow Instagram turned in-real life (!!!!) bestie Mikayla of @blissandbows gave me a walking tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail when we met up! We walked the Boston Common to the Old City Hall (which is a favorite of mine weirdly enough!) ALLL the way to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. And, *of course* passing a prominent cemetery in between it all. I had a GREAT time getting to meet up with Mikayla in-person and see her incredible city from her perspective. Earlier in the day with my friends Griffin and Timmy, we walked by the Massachusetts State House, which was another super cool site to see. Boston’s Freedom Trail is spread out throughout the city yet it still somewhat centralized, too. I found it SO unique that Boston has sites from the colonial days still standing to this very day as well as tall buildings representing the big city vibe era of today.

Newbury Street

I *of course* did some shopping here on Newbury Street! Newbury Street feels like the shopping street of Boston. I popped into the stunning Lilly Pulitzer store which I had seen SO MANY photos of for many years. The ladies at the Lilly Pulitzer there were SO sweet, too! I enjoyed checking out some of the New Arrivals in-person and chatting with the Lilly ladies of Boston. Then, I headed to Kendra Scott which was such a STUNNING store and all decked out for Christmas, too, (just like Lilly Pulitzer was!!) and *of course* did a little bit of damage, getting the Emerald Elisa necklace. I truly LOVED the interiors of both Lilly Pulitzer’s and Kendra Scott’s storefronts. Like much of Boston, the storefronts of Newbury Street are in older buildings and possess such unique charm on both the interiors and exteriors.

Another neat aspect of Newbury Street was passing religious buildings of all kinds, whether a synagogue, church, or temple, that are still in use today. The biggest theme of all of these religious buildings was the fact that they all brought everyone together. Each place of worship had signs to show that they are a safe place for people of all walks of life, whether LGBTQ+, BIPOC, etc. It truly was a beautiful thing to see the love and acceptance and inclusivity in the air ALL around Boston.

North End

Mikayla and I walked ALL the way to North End from the Freedom Trail. Our first stop was the Boston Waterfront, which was STUNNING. We, then, strolled along the beautiful streets to dinner via Mikayla’s amazing recommendation of BenCotto (more on that below!). North End is known at Boston’s Little Italy neighborhood and is a very popular place for visitors and locals, alike to dine,

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is probably THE BEST museum that I have ever visited, alongside the Louvre in Paris and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence (!!!!!). The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is actually late 1800’s-early 1900’s Boston socialite Isabella Stewart Gardner’s mansion-turned-museum. Isabella Stewart Gardner was an avid world traveler and extremely educated and bright woman for her time. Stewart Gardner learned to read and had tens of thousands of books in her collection, alongside artworks from her international travels, including to Asia, Europe, and all across the United States. Honestly, her collection of artwork and books was STUNNING (!!!!). I was truly in awe of Stewart Gardner’s collection that still prevails to this day and attracts many many many visitors year after year. I went with my cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole who both have been to the museum in the past and LOVE it. We ended up chatting with a local Bostonian who is a fellow Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum member. He ended up telling us some really neat antidotes and facts about the iconic Isabella Stewart Gardner, who had several friends at Harvard University in nearby Cambridge, Massachusetts where she was able to be inspired to pursue her lifelong passion for learning. What a woman Stewart Gardner was before her time. I left this museum feeling beyond empowered, inspired, and in awe!

Where I Ate:

Bistro du Midi

My Instagram turned in real life (!!!!) besties Griffin and Timmy suggested that we try Bistro du Midi – a delicious French spot right alongside the Boston Public Garden – for *none other than* brunch! It was SUCH AN HONOR to be able to meet both Griffin and Timmy in-person for the first time. We had an amazing time at Bistro du Midi, too. I tried raw clams for the first time ever and enjoyed a delicious omelette with some amazing pommes frites. I also have to mention that the atmosphere at Bistro du Midi is EVERYTHING, from the bar to the second story (where we ate!) to everything in between. I also had a great time with GREAT company, too!!

Bencotto

Mikayla suggested we try Bencotto and I am SO glad that we went! Bencotto is located in Boston’s North End where Italian cuisines reign, as previously mentioned, and was such a treat. One of my highlights of Bencotto was getting to spend time with Mikayla and learn more about a restaurant that she and her family LOVE to dine at and celebrate occasions together at, too. I *surprise* got an Aperol Spritz with *none other than* a specialty pizza for dinner. Needless to say, my pizza and Aperol Spritz and pizza were well-earned and deserved after walking 18,000+ steps around town that day!

Tous Les Jours

While it is a nationwide franchise, Tous Les Jours is a favorite spot of my cousin Sabrina’s alongside her girlfriend Nicole. And, both Sabrina and Nicole take loved ones to Tous Les Jours when they come to visit them! Before Boston, I had never dined at a Tous Les Jours location and was very impressed by its unique experience. Essentially, Tous Les Jours is a French-Japanese pastry shop and cafe fusion, offering a variety of both sweet and savory pastries. Guests upon entry grab a set of tongs and can select the pastries of their choosing AND order a coffee or tea at the register when they go to pay. I got a savory quiche and a sweet chocolate-filled croissant alongside a pumpkin spice latte!

Pressed Cafe

After wondering and being in literal heaven at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Sabrina, Nicole, and I headed to Pressed Cafe located at Prudential Center. A New England/Northern-based breakfast and Mediterranean like cafe chain, Pressed Cafe was SO gorgeous on the inside and offered something literally for everyone! I definitely enjoyed the vibes at Pressed Cafe and the market-like array of goods such as hummus and freshly pressed juices for guests to purchase and take home with them. Pressed Cafe was definitely a unique spot that I would try again when in New England!

Wrap-Up:

Overall, I LOVED getting to *finally* visit Boston as an adult. The last time I went to Boston before this trip was when I was 15 and couldn’t really go off on my own and do my own thing. And, since that trip as a 15 year old, I had been wanting to go back to Boston and do *none other than* my own thing on a trip there. I am SO glad I got to do my own thing on this trip … a whopping 9 years later! This trip, I got to explore the stunning Beacon Hill neighborhood, shop and browse the gorgeous stores there at my own pace, explore the historic sites to see alongside the Freedom Trail, and visit a new-to-me museum that I fell IN LOVE with.

At the same time, I am SO SO SO grateful to have many loved ones in Boston, including my cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole who were incredible hosts during this trip. I LOVED getting to finally meet my Instagram friends Griffin, Timmy, and Mikayla and have them become in real life friends. Needless to say, I feel SOOO much gratitude for this trip and to be able to fall in love with another place in New England (growing up I spent summers up in Maine!). I ALSO am so so so excited for visiting Boston and other parts of New England in the future, as I have some friends in Boston and Newport, Rhode Island that I have yet to meet up with in their respective homes. New England is probably my favorite place in the world, given its charm and stunning coastlines to mountainous skylines. Moving forward, I aspire to visit New England at least once a year!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadee1 Comment

6 Hours in Bar Harbor, Maine

If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you probably know that a couple of weeks ago I went on vacation with my Papa to Maine and Canada (see more here and here!) and most recently to Boston, Massachusetts (here). While in Maine, I just knew that a visit to Acadia National Park in via our 6 hours in Bar Harbor, Maine was a must-see!

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

My Experience:

From where we were staying at my family’s homestead in the Northern Maine town of Houlton, I knew that going to Bar Harbor would be at least a 3 hour drive each way. Luckily for Papa, he is an early bird so that meant that we could easily make a half a day at Bar Harbor worth our while. For the duration of the half a day, Papa and I focused on the Cadillac Mountain Summit at Acadia National Park and the iconic downtown Bar Harbor, Maine.

Papa and I also brought our dog Rosie to Bar Harbor with us. Bar Harbor is a SUPER dog-friendly town. Acadia National Park offers many places where dogs can go on a leash, including Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain Summit, and much more! The only place that was not dog friendly was Sand Beach (sadly – it’s gorgeous there). The downtown of Bar Harbor offers a pet store and outdoor restaurant seating for dogs, too. Bar Harbor also has a stunning town park with a fountain where MANY dogs can go to hang on their leashes with their owners.

As the main Maine planner for this trip (including our 6 hours in Bar Harbor, Maine!), I reserved a timed Cadillac Mountain Summit pass just a few weeks in advance for $6. A special thanks to my Instagram friend Kellie of @classickellie (definitely go give her a follow!!!) for letting me know that this was the case for visiting Cadillac Mountain. With the timed Cadillac Mountain Summit pass, it is one ticket PER CAR and not person – thank goodness! – and each car can enter the summit for as long as they’d like within a half hour of their timed entry pass’s timing. Since Papa and I were coming from 3 hours away, I opted for a 9am pass as opposed to the iconic sunrise which our dog walker for Rosie and her daughter had suggested to us. Personally, I LOVED being able to see the breathtaking views of Acadia National Park’s trees, lakes, mountains, and coastline from up above that it didn’t matter if it was via a sunrise or when I could see it all clearly from up above.

I felt REALLY lucky that we were able to see everything view-wise that Cadillac Mountain Summit had to offer when we went, since it was a pretty clear day. When a car gets to Cadillac Mountain Summit, presents their ticket for their vehicle at the gate, and goes up the summit, there are SEVERAL scenic views to take in on your way to the top. Papa and I stopped at several of them – both of which faced the iconic Jordan Pond where the Roosevelt’s would have tea and the gorgeous coastline filled with arrays of boats and islands. We even met a former Meredith College classmate of mine’s family friend while taking in the scenic views and asking for pictures – what a SMALL world! At the top, there’s A TON of places for parking and *of course* taking in ALLLL the scenic views. I loved that part of it as you felt ON TOP of the world. I really enjoyed see all of the stunning views of Acadia National Park and beyond from up above. Papa did, too. In fact, going to Cadillac Mountain Summit was his favorite part of the trip. Which, for me, was a major WIN-WIN, since I was nervous about being in the car 6+ hours each way just to even see the entrance to Cadillac Mountain Summit.

After going to Cadillac Mountain Summit, Papa and I tried to go to Jordan Pond BUT parking there was more than ridiculous as lines and lines and lines of cars were trying to get in. SO, to downtown Bar Harbor we went! Downtown Bar Harbor was gorgeous and had A LOT more parking opportunities than Jordan Pond or even what felt like the entirety of Acadia National Park, since we went during peak tourist times. Bar Harbor has a ton of shops, restaurants, cafes, and gorgeous colorful buildings. Papa and I went to Testa’s Bar & Grill – located on Main Street – as it was dog-friendly and *EVEN* had a pooch menu for Rosie, lobster, and outdoor seating. While pretty pricey, Papa and I LOVED the experience of getting to enjoy the downtown Bar Harbor atmosphere with Rosie while enjoying some Maine delights.

After lunch, Papa and I enjoyed some local shopping and strolls alongside downtown Bar Harbor’s Main Street. My favorite shop was The Acadia Shops, as it offers local Maine and more specifically Bar Harbor goods. I ended up buying some maple syrup for myself and Papa as well as our neighbor and friend Angela, a blueberry chocolate bar, and a stuffed lobster. Needless to say, I was tempted to buy more, yet proudly refrained from it!! I also really enjoyed browsing through the gorgeous Geddy’s Shop (they also have a restaurant on Main Street!) which carries brands such as SCOUT Bags, Hadley, and local Bar Harbor merchandise. Geddy’s definitely felt like me in a shop – LOL! As for the town park (located on Main Street, too!) where Papa and Rosie spent most of their time, the views are none other than BREATHTAKING.

Wrap-Up:

Although Papa and I were initially hesitant about a visit to Bar Harbor, we were both so glad that we did it and brought Rosie along. This visit was Papa’s first ever to see the Maine coastline, which made it ALLL that more worth it, along with a highlight for us both of the trip. Sometimes, taking that risk and longer-than-preferred day trip aka 6 hours in Bar Harbor, Maine is SOOO worth it in the end!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadee2 Comments

I Visited the LL Bean Flagship Store!

Whether you’re into preppy fashion or not, a trip to the LL Bean flagship store is nothing BUT a must-see when in the state of Maine! Growing up, my family and I spent summers on end up in Northern Maine. HOWEVER, we rarely visited the LL Bean Flagship store with the *iconic* LL Bean (Bean) boot in the front for ALL of your Instagrammable needs located in Freeport, Maine (I had been before, yet it has been at least 5 years since!!). So, when Papa wanted to go visit on our way up to Northern Maine, I knew *yet* another visit to the LL Bean Flagship store was in the cards for me (see more of our Maine adventures here and here)!

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

About:

In case you didn’t already know, LL Bean is an outdoorsy fashion house that is Maine-based with many of its products being made and even handcrafted right in the state. LL Bean also carries several preppy and classic fashion staples. The Bean boot (pictured in the sculpture in front of the flagship store and linked below) is one of its well-known designs. I own a pair of Bean boots, too, and LOVE them! LL Bean also offers customizable canvas totes and bags, hiking gear, women’s and men’s clothing (whether it be outerwear for hiking/cold Maine-like winters or day-to-day life), back to school gear (I had and still have an LL Bean monogrammed backpack!), and winter gear. Not to mention the fact that LL Bean sells kayaks, hammocks, tumblers, fishing gear, camping gear, and much more! You can explore their website more here: https://www.llbean.com/?&qs=3085166&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq4n7w_bx-QIVgoTICh0crQygEAAYASAAEgLULfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Getting There:

LL Bean is headquartered in Freeport – a town located just North of the Maine’s biggest city of Portland and easily accessible off of I-295 (it only took us about 3 minutes to get to the store from the highway!). Like Portland, Freeport is aligned on the Maine coastline. Along with LL Bean, Freeport also offers a variety of other shops, including: Patagonia and J. Crew Factory. At the same time, the town offers a plethora of local Mainer-owned gift shops and restaurants and even a whoopie shop called Wicked Whoopies. Papa and I went to Wicked Whoopies, a bakery honoring the well-known Maine dessert of the whoopie pie, that sells whoopie pies in flavors of ALL kinds (I got the peanut butter and Papa got the original!). When in Freeport, Maine, you will see several murals, beautiful Maine streets, LL Bean kayaks hanging practically EVERYWHERE, and food trucks selling lobster ALL because: when in Maine, do as the Mainers do and enjoy it all!!!

Our Experience:

Upon entering the LL Bean Flagship store, you will see a HUGE LL Bean Boot sculpture and red backpack with likely a line of folks waiting to snap a photo in front of it before they enter the store, themselves. I am not super sure about later times in the day or weekends, but Papa and I had a quick wait in line (1-2 parties and snapped photos for others, too) as we arrived on a Tuesday around 10am. After snapping our photo with my dog Rosie who came along for the adventure, we headed into the store. The BEST part?! ALL LL Bean stores (like many outdoor equipment stores such as Cabela’s) ARE dog-friendly!, so Rosie went shopping, too!

The LL Bean Flagship store is probably the biggest LL Bean store out there! It has a WHOLE section for monogrammed goods (a customized tote with a funny saying courtesy of Instagram amiright?!) with a sewing booth done the day of, outdoor gear, women’s clothing, men’s clothing, children’s clothing, Back to School lunch bags and backpacks hanging ALL across the walls, and much more! The store ALSO had some tumblers, winter coats ON SALE (VERYYYY tempting!!!), and kayaks. Right across the street, LL Bean has a home goods store, too. We didn’t check that store out, but if I had more time, I would have done just that. Below, I have linked some of my favorite LL Bean pieces!

Wrap-Up:

Til next time, LL Bean (with *hopefully* a visit to the home goods store, too!!)!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadee1 Comment

An Afternoon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!), I shared and have been sharing A LOT of my trip to Maine and Canada with my Papa and dog Rosie. HOWEVER, along our way to Maine, we stopped in the gorgeous town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to spend the night. I had been to Portsmouth as a kid and have since always wanted to go back. We actually booked our hotel there (the Hampton Inn downtown!) just a week beforehand and it was a GREAT decision, too.

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

So, flashback to summer 2009 and I am ten years old with my cousins Jack, Laura, and Chris and my brother Will along with my Great Aunts Margaret and Alice and my Mom. We are on the way up to Maine for the summer and decided to do a week of New England sightseeing beforehand, which my Great Aunt Margaret had planned for us kids to join her on. Before Portsmouth, we had stopped in Lexington, Massachusetts and Concord, New Hampshire to see ALL the historic sights there via the Revolutionary War. We had climbed trees and explored the parks. Upon arrival in Portsmouth, we had explored the town with ALLL of us kids running up and down the historic town’s streets. And, the next day, we went to the iconic Wentworth By The Sea hotel for breakfast and all of us got all dressed up in our Sunday’s best attire for the occasion on a Wednesday morning. I remember at that time complaining because many of the other kids having breakfast at the Wentworth By The Sea hotel had had t-shirts and pajamas on, but looking back, my Aunt Margaret LOVED that hotel and dressing up which made it much more special. I have SOOOO many memories from that day and our entire week of sightseeing. After Portsmouth, we went to Bath, Maine and Owls Head Lighthouse in Maine. SO, needless to say, going back to Portsmouth, New Hampshire *even* to walk around for a few hours was bittersweet!

When Papa and Rosie and I arrived at our downtown Hampton Inn hotel for the night, I was more than pleased to see that we were just a block away from the main downtown Portsmouth area. Papa isn’t nearly as much into the downtown city sightseeing that I am (even though Portsmouth is a town and NOT a city haha!), so I went downtown on my own while he walked Rosie. Compared to my time there 2009, ALL my then-ten year old self remembered was walking around the gorgeous town in my teal GAP hoodie thinking that I was the coolest kid on the block, and then, *of course* breakfast at the Wentworth By The Sea. I really enjoyed downtown Portsmouth. The whole entire town is very European-inspired, since it is a port city along the East Coast. There’s a sign close to the Hampton Inn about Lafayette’s visit to the town during his days in history. One of my FAVORITE sights to see in Portsmouth was its Music Hall which happened to be PINK!!!! I mean, my blog’s name IS The Pink Chickadee, so my excitement was REAL strong. At the same time, Portsmouth is VERY diverse and a multicultural hub. I saw a ton of people who spoke different languages, which was super neat and restaurants of all kinds, ranging from Indian cuisines to Mexican cuisines to tiny Italian pizza places to your typical New England seafood joints (which is what Papa and I opted for as we cannot find as good of a bowl of clam chowder close to home!). All in all, I was VERY impressed with this small yet mighty town.

Portsmouth Music Hall

A fun fact about Portsmouth, New Hampshire is that it’s the last exit on I-95 before you enter the state of Maine, since it connects via a bridge to the town of Kittery, Maine. I could see Kittery when looking out over the Portsmouth waterfront while enjoying my cup of ice cream before dinner. At the same time, I really admired how much of the town’s history and original architecture is still present and flourishing to this day. Along with preserving its rich history, Portsmouth is also a very welcoming and progressive city. Several of the town’s many many many small businesses (whether it be restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors, or stores) had signs embracing love and acceptance of everyone, such as Black Lives Matter, Love is Love, All Are Welcome, and much more. Even the town’s North Church of Portsmouth, located in the main downtown area, is notorious for being affirming of ALL people and had an LGBTQ+ pride flag to show its love for all. Portsmouth truly embraces both the old and new and it’s truly a beautiful thing.

One of the most unique things about the New England coast is the fact that the coastlines are super rugged and hilly. A fun fact about the state of Maine is that it has more miles of coastline than the whole state of California! Maine’s coastline is super rugged and gorgeous and (guess what?!) there’s SOOOO much of it, too. Portsmouth’s coastline is similar to Maine’s, too, with its VERY close proximity to the state and connection to being a twin town with Kittery, Maine. That all being said, Portsmouth is a hilly town, given its similar-to-Maine rugged coastline. Personally, I really enjoyed the town’s hilly terrain, as I got a GREAT workout in after being in the car for 10+ hours earlier that day!!

After having gone to Portsmouth for the second time since a big family trip years before, I can see why my Aunt Margaret loved this sweet little town so much. Its New England charm, stunning coastline, and gorgeous buildings make it ALL worthwhile of a visit for anyone, whether it be for an afternoon, evening on the town, or a weekend getaway. I definitely want to live out my true Aunt Margaret someday and enjoy a meal at the Wentworth By The Sea like I did with her at the age of 10 AND *of course* get all dressed up. Til next time, Portsmouth!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment