Northeastern Road Trip

Today I set out from my hometown of New York to go visit my sister in Ann Arbor, Michigan for her birthday. Though I love seeing my sister, I absolutely hate driving out to visit her. It's pretty much just sitting in a car for nine hours, spending a day in town, then hopping back in my car and coming home. Doesn't that sound like fun to you? So this year, since I'll be sitting in a car anyways, I've decided to change things up and get the most out of visiting my sister by taking as long as I possibly can to go visit her.

Taking off from New York, my first stop was Boston, Mass. Every time I'm out that way, one of my must-dos is stopping at the Rat Pack Cafe just outside the city in Framingham. I found this swinging little joint on Yahoo! Mobile last year while driving to Boston and about to pass out from hunger. If you ever check it out, hit up the Baby Shrimp & Blue Cheese pizza. You'll thank me for it later.

With a full stomach, I made my way into Boston to stretch my legs. If you're never been  here before, all I can say is it's wicked ahh-some. Although probably best known as a college town, Boston is home to lots of great history, seafood, and some of the most intense sports fans out there.

After checking in to the hotel, I hit the street to walk off my pizza and build an appetite for dinner. One of the cool things about Boston is that you can pretty much walk everywhere. And as long as I was walking I figured I'd learn something too, so it was off to the Boston Common for the start of the Freedom Trail. For all you history buffs, this is a great walk and a nice way to see downtown Boston. In addition to visiting all the landmarks, be sure to walk the whole three miles and check out the U.S. Constitution at the end of the line.

Heading back to the waterfront, I visited the Boston Sail Loft  for some authentic New England seafood. I love everything about this restaurant from the old-style fishing decor to the tourist free atmosphere. And of course, the always delicious lobster.

The only thing I would complain about Boston is that I can't stick around here longer. As much as I'd like to, there's a big day of driving ahead tomorrow. Next stop, the Great White North!