School is back in full swing, the mornings are getting chillier, and pumpkin spice is everywhere, which can only mean one thing – fall is well underway. There’s something special about this season here in Boston. With the bustling of students, remarkable fall foliage, and festivals galore, the city truly comes to life. There’s so much life, in fact, that it would be impossible to fit it all into one day. We wouldn’t dare to try, but we would dare to fill you in on some of the essentials. So bring your best layers (because we never trust the weather) and a great big appetite, because we’re going to take you through the perfect fall day in our favorite city.
First, Coffee & Pastries
If you’re starting near Brookline like me, I’d recommend beginning your day at Clear Flour Bakery. This unique spot, nestled on a cozy side street just minutes from the Harvard Ave T stop, offers a variety of specialty pastries and seasonal drinks. Some notable fan favorites include their chocolate croissant, walnut maple scone, French baguette, and German pretzels, each baked fresh and rotated throughout the week. And don’t underestimate their coffee game – sourcing coffee beans from local Massachusetts roaster Tiny Arms Coffee, Clear Flour’s cafe whips up one of the best cappuccinos in town. But if you’re not a huge coffee girl, they’ve also got a delicious spicy chai and rich, ceremonial grade matcha offerings (& complimentary simple syrup). So, grab some pastries and a warm cup to go before you head downtown.
A Picturesque Picnic for Lunch
Once you’ve made it to one of the most beautiful spots in the city, Boston Public Garden, take in a deep breath of the fresh fall air and spend some time wandering the winding paths around the pond. You can spend hours just admiring the foliage and community here or venturing through the many shops surrounding the garden and park. With Newbury Street and the Prudential Center just steps away from this little lush escape, there are plenty of spots to grab a snack or get a head start on some holiday shopping. And one area you really can’t miss is Beacon Hill. Full of cozy shops and famously photographed brick streets, this neighborhood is the perfect place to admire the coziness of a Boston fall. When it’s time to recharge with some lunch, head back toward the Public Garden, where you’ll find Flour Bakery & Kitchen right in the middle of Boston Common. With plenty of sandwiches, salads, and seasonal pastries and drinks, Flour is the perfect place to grab a bite for lunch before finding a spot in the park to set up for a dreamy autumn picnic. If you’re really in the spirit, grab their Smoked Turkey + Stuffing Sandwich with juicy cranberry chutney on fresh, homemade sourdough. Flour Bakery, not to be confused with Clear Flour Bakery, is another local favorite for a reason.
A Pasta Lover’s Dream
Next, it’s time to head into Boston’s charming North End neighborhood for some sight seeing followed by a delicious bowl of dreamy pasta to warm the soul. I mean, really, what could be better? There’s plenty of things to fill your time before your next meal here: the Old North Church, the Paul Revere House, and Copps Hill Burial Ground, just to name a few along the famous Freedom Trail. But once you’ve tired yourself out yet again, just be glad that you have led yourself to the heart of Little Italy. In this neighborhood, there is no shortage of delicious, traditional Italian dishes to round out your culinary adventure. One of my favorites is Lucia Ristorante, located near the end of Hanover St. and just steps from the waterfront. At this homey, intimate restaurant, you’ll find an abundance of mouthwatering traditional pasta dishes and entrees, classic soups, and fresh salads. If you’re a tortellini lover like me, this is the place to get it. Coated in a perfectly nutty and garlicky pesto and stuffed with rich cheeses, I’d come back time and time again just for this dish. And before you round out the night for good, stop by Caffe Vittoria, Boston’s first Italian cafe, for an after dinner coffee or hot chocolate, or visit one of the North End’s many famous bakeries for some of the best cannoli money can buy.
Now it’s your Turn
So although we hear a lot about Autumn in New York, I’d take Boston first any day. Nothing beats the cozy, charming streets of the city when it’s decorated in all the golden beauty of fall. Pumpkins and holiday lights line the streets, crunchy leaves are piled everywhere you look, and there’s no shortage of hearty, comforting meals to bring everyone together. So, if you find yourself in Boston at its best time of the year, be sure to make the most of it and eat to your heart’s content.