I enjoyed trying my first “real” cannoli during my recent trip to Boston. My experience with cannoli so far has been the frozen type you find at catered events, so needless to say I was blown away by an authentic cannoli!
Mike’s Pastry & Their Famous Cannoli!
Mike’s Pastry has been located in Boston’s North End since 1946 and they are known for their one-of-a-kind cannoli. Just touring the streets of Boston I passed so many people with the famous Mike’s Pastry boxes in their hands. Going to Mike’s is something of a tradition when you visit Boston and I’m certainly glad I didn’t miss out. You aren’t just limited to Boston’s North End to enjoy Mike’s Pastry, they have 3 other locations in MA, and they ship their famous cannoli (and other pastries) worldwide. Check out their website here!
Cannoli!
The cannoli shells at Mike’s Pastry are handmade in-house and there are so many filling options to choose from. My husband and I kept it simple and went with Plain Ricotta & Chocolate Ricotta. They were both finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar. While I don’t have the biggest sweet tooth, these pastries were delicious! I couldn’t make it through a whole one, it was so good but just too much for me.
I highly recommend you check out Mike’s Pastry on your next trip to Boston. I’m no cannoli expert but I do know good food when I taste it, and these are not to be missed!
Other New England Posts You Might Enjoy:
Boston, Massachusetts
My recent New England trip started in Boston, Massachusetts, and while I only spent a few days in the city, I fell in love! One of the oldest cities in the US, Boston is the perfect blend of history and modernity. I enjoyed strolling the streets and seeing the colonial-style buildings right beside modern buildings. Boston provided the ideal first stop on my New England tour. The city satisfied my history buff side, my foodie side, and my adventurous side!
Boston Harbor Hotel
During our brief time in Boston, we stayed at the beautiful Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf. Boston Harbor is a 5-star luxury hotel located right on the waterfront, overlooking the Boston Harbor. The hotel was an easy commute from Logan Airport and it’s centrally located to numerous Boston attractions. The rooms were spacious and well-appointed and the service was everything you would expect from a 5-star hotel. At check-in, the front desk agent asked if it was my first visit to Boston, and upon learning it was, he kindly and generously upgraded my room to a harbor view suite! Be sure to check my IG page for views from my room!
The Tea on Beantown
Did you know the nickname “Beantown” came as a result of a love among the city’s earliest settlers of baked beans in molasses? I was able to discover so many fun facts about Boston during my time. I’ll share some of my favorites with you!
- We’re all familiar with the Boston Tea Party, right? Well did you know that every year on December 16, there is a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party?
- Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are located on the Historic Freedom Trail and are totally free to visit! Be sure to check my post about my time at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market.
- Fenway Park, Home of the Boston Red Sox is the oldest original Major League Baseball stadium still in use. It opened in 1912! I wasn’t able to catch a game during my visit, but I did enjoy visiting the historic stadium. Fenway Park is now my second MLB stadium, I caught a Cubs game at Wrigley Field last year!
- Did you know Harvard University is the first college in North America? The University was founded in 1636 and we all know its reputation today! It was so much fun visiting this historic campus!
So Much History, So Little Time!
We were able to squeeze in a visit to Old State House and stand on the spot of the Boston Massacre. Old State House is where the Declaration of Independence was first proclaimed on July 18 from its balcony. I continue to be blown away by how much American History there is to discover in Boston. I was also very pleased to see that Boston features African American History heavily as well. There was an awesome Black History display in Faneuil Hall that was very moving. I was deeply touched by the New England Holocaust Memorial as well. With no prior knowledge of the Memorial, I discovered it just by walking the streets of the city! It was so special to “accidentally” discover the memorial. I wish I had more time in the city to explore even more historic sites!
Thanks For Touring Boston With Me!
Thank you so much for joining me on this brief tour of Boston, Massachusetts. Be sure to come back for more of New England, I’ve got lots to share!
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Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market is a well-known mixed-used marketplace in Downtown Boston. There are over 80 businesses located inside the marketplace and they range from unique, local businesses to nationally recognized shops. During my recent trip to Boston, Faneuil Hall was on my “must-do” list and I’m so glad I got to experience it!
A Brief Boston History Lesson…
Quoted directly from the Faneuil Hall website…
“In 1742, Peter Faneuil, one of Boston’s wealthiest merchants, built Faneuil Hall as a gift to the city. The building would serve as a meeting hall and a permanent central marketplace. The building was home to merchants, fishermen, and meat and produce sellers, and provided a platform for the country’s most famous orators. It became home to the town government and served as a public hall for concerts, banquets, and ceremonies.”
I really valued how the Faneuil Hall website included the following statement:
“The building was named in Faneuil’s honor but a significant portion of his wealth came directly as well as indirectly from human enslavement.”
Kudos to the folks at Faneuil Hall for including the dark history of the marketplace along with the vibrant present!
Faneuil Hall, 1826 – 1976
In 1826, Faneuil Hall expanded to include Quincy Market when Boston’s rapid growth required a larger marketplace. Quincy Market was named after Josiah Quincy, who organized the construction of the Market without any tax or debt. The South and North Market buildings were completed in 1827.
By 1976, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market were in bad shape and slated for demolition. A group of Bostonians stepped in and revitalized the buildings into what we know and love today!
Present Day
Today, Faneuil Hall is at the top of the list of places to visit in Boston. It is a very “touristy” destination but it’s also a fun, one-of-a-kind experience. Adding in the rich (and at times dark) history of the place makes it a must-see for any trip to Downtown Boston!
Chowda!
Quincy Market is essentially a giant food hall. They offer American, Asian, Breakfast, Italian, Mexican, Salads, Seafood, Sandwiches, and Dessert. There is truly something for every palate at Quincy Market!
My favorite dish at Quincy Market was definitely the clam “chowda” from Boston Chowda Company! It was everything I expected my first taste of authentic clam chowder to be. The clam chowder was creamy, salty (in the best possible way), and full of clams in every bite!
Thanks!
Thanks for experiencing Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market with me! I’ll have more Boston posts coming soon, so do stay tuned. As always, I love hearing from you all so be sure to leave me a comment about your summer trips!
Other Posts You Might Enjoy:
- My Brief Love Affair With Boston
- Enjoying Life One Lighthouse At A Time – Portland Head Light Lighthouse
- The Great Lobster Roll Debate!
- I Experienced The Coolest Playground On The Planet!
- Haunted History, My Time at Monticello
- Don’t Miss Out On The Fun in Greensboro, NC!
- Gone to Key West, Be Back Never!
- Take Me Out To The Ball Game!
