Boston and Maine Guide to Family Friendly Eats

A guide to visiting Boston and Maine along with kid-friendly restaurant and hotel suggestions the whole family will enjoy.

Earlier this month, our family of four flew across the country to introduce baby Jacob to my husband’s side of the family who are all born and raised in Bah-ston.

They are an incredibly warm, loving, Italian American family that doesn’t pronounce their “r’s” and cooks enough food to feed a small army at every meal.

And that’s exactly why we decided it was worth it to juggle four flights, two connections and many missed naps and flight delays with our 2 year old and 6 month old. Jacob loved looking out the window during his first ever flight.

We spent the first half of our trip in Peabody, 10 miles north of Boston, staying with my brother in law Brian and his wife Jenn.

Their son, Kyle (on the left), is a year older than Asher and they always get along like two peas in a pod.

If you’re ever north of the city, you must head to The Blue Ox in Lynn. The tuna tartar was the best I’ve ever had and I am still dreaming about the homemade pickles and house-made crispy potato chips.

Aside from seeing family, I will use any excuse to see my old college friends. It’s hard to believe we graduated from Boston University 12 years ago already!

Many of us have kids of our own now and in fact, one of my dearest friends Briana had her second boy the very same week that I had Jacob. There is really never enough time with these people but I am happy to say, KT, the pretty red head to my right is visiting me in Michigan next month and I can’t. freaking. wait. PS: She works at Harvard. She’s wicked smaht.

After spending a couple days north of the city, we headed downtown to check in to the Copley Marriott for the remainder of our trip. Centrally located in Copley Square, it is kid-friendly and offers stunning views of the back bay. When I graduated from Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, Marriott was one of the first brands to hire me for my first real job. I ended up working for Marriott hotels for 7 years. It’s an amazing company and will forever have a special place in my heart.

Special bonus? My girl Kelley from Mountain Mama Cooks happened to be visiting Boston the very same time we were in town and ended up staying at the same hotel. This was our second time meeting in person but this time I got to meet one of her boys. My oldest son actually hugged him when he saw them and even called Kelley Mom at one point. Don’t ask…

Speaking of Copley Square, the summer after my junior year I had just returned from studying abroad in London and decided to stay in the city to intern at the Boston CVB. During that time, I was able to learn about all of the hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions throughout the Boston area. I hardly made any money at all but every day I got to head outside and eat lunch outside Trinity Church. I could stare at the reflection into the Hancock Tower for hours. It is simply stunning.

Of course, aside from friends and family, our trip back to the East Coast is always about the food. Oh, the food… it pains me to think about the nine years that I lived in Boston and took for granted being a quick taxi or T ride away from authentic Italian food in the North End or a big platter of steamers and fried whole belly clams. Photographed above: our Father’s Day dinner at one of our favorites, Antico Forno in the North End.

While West Michigan does have a lot of incredible authentic Mexican, Asian and Lebanese food, one thing we are lacking is Italian food and good seafood. With that in mind, we tried to eat those two cuisines as much as possible during our 5 day visit.

One meal I won’t soon forget is the impossibly delicious, yet simple Lobster BLT from Alisson’s Restaurant in Kennebunkport, Maine. You see that mug in the background? My husband’s clam chowder was served in it. Perfection, right?

Speaking of seafood, this beautiful feast is from Woodman’s of Essex located on the coast, about an hour north of Boston, has the BEST clams in the world, hands down.

We also are incapable of visiting Boston without having a meal at Legal Seafood’s. Their clam chowder has been served at every single Presidential Inauguration for who knows how long. They have all of the classics from lobster to steamers to fried clams and more. Plus, Mama can have a cocktail with her girlfriends who also happen to be free entertainment for flirty toddlers. Win Win! (Thank you Kristin!)

Our last day in Boston was spent as a family walking around and soaking up the beautiful weather and warm sunshine. We even traced back the steps of our very first date when my husband and I met in December of 2001. It was a freezing snowy day and I needed to find a scarf. He pretended he didn’t mind spending the entire day shopping and went in and out of countless shops as we walked down Newbury Street, through the Public Garden, on to the Boston Common then through Downtown Crossing all the way to Faneuil Hall.

When my husband and I were dating and living in Boston, I knew we would end up in Michigan but always dreamed of returning to Boston later in life and showing our kids where their parents met.

It is hard to believe my dream has come true and I pinch myself every day when I think about how lucky I am. Heading back to Boston is always a reminder of how blessed we are and I can’t wait to do it again soon.

Have you ever been to Boston? What are your favorite things to do and eat? I would love to hear from you.