Mattituck

Labour day weekend was last weekend and provided the perfect excuse to get out of the city and enjoy the warm weather while it’s still around. We’ve been keen to check out Long Island all Summer and decided on North Fork rather than the more popular Hamptons. With beaches and wineries on offer how could you go wrong! Aside from enjoying the incredible pool at our accommodation we loved exploring on bikes and managed to check out a few of the neighbouring towns and of course a few of those wineries! The main street of Mattituck, Love Lane, has not only the cutest name but a curated selection of adorable small town stores and restaurants. Greenport is a bustling town just twenty minutes drive from Mattituck which was well worth checking out for the dinner options. Packed with families, super yachts, restaurants and shops it was a little busier than Love Lane! A completely relaxing and most enjoyable end to the Summer.  

London

Having visited Londontown many a time before this trip was all about seeing friends and family. Of course the week involved lots of eating and drinking but I also managed to get some casual sightseeing in there. Walking past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the London Eye will never stop being impressive. While markets like Camden and Broadway will always ensure a lovely afternoon and lots of interesting browsing. Getting out of the city to visit Windsor was a first and well worth it, not only for the catch ups but for that quaint English village experience. Another favourite activity was forgoing the viewing platforms for a bar with a view instead. The Sky Garden has the most amazing views and cocktails, highly recommended if you’re visiting London! Plus I came back to New York with some tastes of home…rashuns, pineapple lumps and squiggles, yes please and thanks London!

Rhode Island

We’ve discovered that getting out of the city during Summer is somewhat essential from time to time…to avoid going crazy by heat! Thus we ticked off another state, the smallest in the country in fact, with a weekend visit to Rhode Island. We were in a small seaside town, boasting a yacht club, convenience store and liquor store, so I can’t tell you much about the area except that what we saw was beautiful! If you’re lucky enough to get out on a boat when you’re in the area I would highly recommend it, plus it seems like the thing to do. Of course there are lovely beaches, and some of the most quaint, adorable homes I’ve ever seen…so a pool is also a great option. Overall a much nicer experience than being in New York on a 35 degree weekend!

Boston

Another long weekend, another new city, this time to celebrate fourth of July. Boston turned it on with a huge dose of American history, amazing food and impressive fireworks display. A must do is walking the Freedom Trail, a 4km long journey that takes you through the city while highlighting key locations in American history. We did a guided tour which was well worth it for us novices on the topic! A visit to Harvard also raised our intellect just by being in the presence of greatness…a truly inspiring and beautiful place well worth checking out. 

Catching a ball game at Fenway Park was a highlight, at over 100 years old it’s the oldest ballpark in the major league. And be sure to visit the North End for some authentic Italian food and famous cannoli from Mike’s Pastry, yum! Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a vibrant area that has served the city as a meeting hall and marketplace since 1743, and today offers an abundance of food options and street performers. If your feet can manage more walking I highly recommend a stroll through the beautiful Boston Public Garden, adjacent to Boston Common the oldest park in America, to Beacon Hill where you can admire some of the most expensive real estate in the city. 

Washington D.C.

We made the most of our first long weekend in a while and took a bus to the nation’s capital. Washington D.C. surpassed our expectations with its beauty, large open spaces and multitude of grand buildings and monuments. Seeing The White House was definitely a highlight and the National Mall is not to be missed…covering 146 acres and housing The Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, war memorials and flanked by multiple museums, be prepared for some walking to see it all! 

Tidal Basin is a scenic spot and provides a beautiful walk between the Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials…especially in cherry blossom season which unfortunately we missed. Visiting neighbouring state, Virginia, to take in Arlington National Cemetery and the Kennedy’s final resting place was especially moving during Memorial Day weekend. And a last minute trip to Mount Vernon and the plantation home of George Washington was an unexpected highlight. Dating back to 1735 the mansion and it’s grounds give a real insight into life in the 18th century amongst breathtaking views and scenery.