Visit Massachusetts: Lobster Trap Trees

During our visit to Massachusetts last year, I discovered a New England holiday tradition:  Lobster Trap Trees!

We stumbled upon one at the Plymouth Town Wharf, where about 180 lobster traps were used to create the tree.

It's such a fun sight, and definitely a great photo op!

If you find yourself in New England for the holidays, keep an eye out for them!

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Visit Plymouth: Leyden Street - The Oldest Street in America

While in Plymouth, we drove onto Leyden Street, which is believed to be the oldest street in America.

Originally known as First Street, this street is where the Pilgrims built their homes beginning in the 1620s.

We did not get out to walk around (it was way too cold), but it was pretty neat to be driving on the oldest street in the nation!

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Visit Plymouth: National Monument to the Forefathers

While in Plymouth, we stopped at the National Monument to the Forefathers.

The 81-foot tall monument can be found on Allerton Street in Plymouth, in a park in a residential area.

The monument was created to depict "a Victorian era interpretation of the pursuits that motivated the Pilgrims to leave England and start their own colony."

This tribute to pilgrims is considered the largest granite monument in the world.  

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Visit Boston: Make Way for Ducklings

In Boston Public Gardens you'll find Make Way for Ducklings, bronze statues created in honor of the popular children's book of the same name, by Robert McCloskey.

I admit - I never read the book, but it's so endearing to see the statues.  I thought it was especially cute that in the winter, the ducks were adorned with hats and festive holiday gear.

Make Way for Ducklings

Boston Public Gardens
4 Charles St S

Boston, MA 02116
(617) 969-7214

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Visit Massachusetts: Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Salem is known for the witch trials of 1692. We stopped at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, where granite benches stated the name of each victim, how the victim died, and when the victim died.

Walking through the memorial was quite emotionally heavy, as I read the names of each and the method of execution. 

At the entrance of the memorial are words engraved that were taken from court transcripts.  They are purposely "incomplete," to represent how the lives of the victims were cut short.

After visiting, I'm now eager to learn more about the witch trials.

Salem Witch Trials Memorial
24 Liberty St

Salem, MA 01970, USA

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Visit Boston: Legal Sea Foods

Legal Sea Foods is one of the most popular chain restaurants in Boston.  We dined there two years ago, and even though we try to visit new places whenever we travel, we knew we would end up with a satisfying meal, so we dined there again - this time at the Copley Place location.

Turns out - we ended up ordering nearly the same things as our first visit.

Hot Lump Crab Dip

Although my Hot Lump Crab Dip didn't come out first - in fact it came out last, after everyone was just about done with lunch, I still enjoyed it.  The dip came out bubbling hot, and I just loved the creaminess!

Lobster Bisque

I thought the Lobster Bisque was good, but not as good as one that I had tried a few days earlier at a different restaurant.

Crabmeat Roll

 A kids menu is available.

Cheese Ravioli with Red Sauce

Macaroni & Cheese

Despite my dip being "forgotten," service was really great, and we were satisfied with our meals.

Legal Sea Foods
Copley Place
100 Huntington Avenue

Copley Pl, Boston, MA 02116

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Visit Boston: Southwest Corridor Park's Train Park

Southwest Corridor Park is a 4.1 mile park that runs alongside the train station.  An aptly named Train Park is home to a playground (one of eleven playgrounds in Southwest Corridor Park), and we stopped there one morning.

The cold weather did not deter the kids (or at least two of them, anyway) from enjoying themselves.

It was a fairly small playground, but there was enough equipment for the kids to have fun on - slides, swings, and more. 

Southwest Corridor Park
38 New Heath St

Boston, MA 02130
(617) 727-0057

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Visit Massachusetts: Nelson Memorial Park

We stopped at Nelson Memorial Park in Plymouth one morning.

It was a very quick stop, because it was way too cold!

There is a splash pad (that wasn't in operation, for obvious reasons), and a nice playground adjacent to the beach.  

The kids had fun at the playground, and it's just too bad it was too cold, because it's a nice playground with a fantastic view!

It was relaxing to just gaze out at the ocean and watch all the geese and seagulls.  

But I could only appreciate the view for just a few seconds before I retreated into the car to warm up.   

Nelson Memorial Park

235 Water St

Plymouth, MA 02360

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Visit Plymouth: KKatie's Burger Bar

On New Year's Day, we went to KKatie's Burger Bar in Plymouth. 

The Rock

The Rock is enormous, consisting of FOUR patties, each stacked with bacon and cheese, and topped with onion rings. 

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

Frickled Pickles and Peppers

This popular dish was addicting.  I couldn't stop eating the fried pickles and peppers!

KKatie's Steak & Bean Chili

I was craving something warm and hearty, and the Chili fit the bill!  It was full of beef, beans, and cheese, and it was very flavorful. 

A kids menu is available, and meals include a drink and a cup of Hoodsie Ice Cream!

Chicken Fingers

Service was great and the food was too.

I highly recommend a visit if you're in Plymouth!

KKatie's Burger Bar
38 Main St Ext

Plymouth, MA 02360
(774) 773-9444

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Visit Boston: Shiki

On New Year's Day I was craving ramen. We went to a ramen shop only to be told the wait was an hour! We looked for another nearby restaurant, and found Shiki, an izakaya.

Agedashi Tofu

Ume Ochazuke

Nori Ochazuke

Chicken Karaage

Rainbow Maki

Ebi Karaage

Edamame

Takoyaki

We ordered a variety of small plates, and my faves were the Chicken Karaage, Agedashi Tofu, and Takoyaki.

I also loved the Nori Ochazuke - it was just what I was craving - something warm and comforting.

The service was okay, and the prices were on the high side, but we were glad to be able to find somewhere to dine on New Year's Day while getting a little taste of home.



Shiki
9 Babcock St

Brookline, MA 02446

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Visit Boston: Howl Splitsville Topgolf

Howl Splitsville Topgolf in Patriot Place offered a brief respite from the extremely chilly weather.

The venue is a combination bar, bowling alley, and virtual golf center (other sports offered as well).

We went to Howl Splitsville Topgolf primarily to bowl.

There are three separate bowling areas throughout the bar.

It was a two-hour wait for a lane, so after roaming through Patriot Place, we got a text saying our lane was ready.

There is a table and seating area right behind the lane, so you can drink and eat in between turns at a strike.

It was a fun (and warm!) way to spend an afternoon!

Howl Splitsville Topgolf
220 Patriot Pl

Foxborough, MA 02035

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Visit Boston: World of Beer

The weather was bad one day in Boston (the first ice storm I've ever experienced), and we ended up going to CambridgeSide so we could spend some time indoors.

We ended up having lunch at World of Beer.

$5 Monday Special

 On Mondays, World of Beer offers a special - just $5 for a burger and a side!

Beer Cheese Nachos

I ended up ordering Beer Cheese Nachos and added Green Chili Chicken for extra.  The nachos were pretty basic, and the chicken was cold, which I thought was a little odd.

A kids menu is available, with everything just $5 (meals include a drink).

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Mac & Cheese

Service was fine, and the food was too.  I'm sure beer drinkers would enjoy the place more than non-beer drinkers.  I'm just happy World of Beer provided a respite from the crazy weather for a bit.


World of Beer
100 Cambridgeside Pl

Cambridge, MA 02141

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