When the Boston skies decide to open up, don’t panic—rain doesn’t ruin a trip here, it just reshapes it. Instead of trudging through wet cobblestones, lean into Boston’s cozy side: markets full of local food, libraries that feel like cathedrals, hidden bookstores, and restaurants that are practically made for rainy nights. This is my exact guide to making the most of a rainy day in Boston. If you’re short on time, use my 24 Hours in Boston itinerary to plan a cozy day indoors.
There’s no better place to start a rainy day than indoors at Boston Public Market, where you can create your own food crawl without stepping outside. Here’s how I did it:
Bagel Guild – Their sourdough bagels are some of the best I’ve had, and the everything bagel breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and bacon is the perfect way to anchor your morning.
Red Apple Farm – Get the apple cider doughnuts. They’re warm, soft, and absolutely essential.
Mother Juice – After all that carb-loading, I like to grab a fresh-squeezed juice or smoothie here for balance.
The Popover Lady – Flaky, buttery popovers you’ll dream about later. Trust me, it’s worth squeezing in one more bite.
While you’re there, make time for these stops too:
Curio Spice Co. – Pick up a jar of their Kampot & Salt. I put it on everything from roasted vegetables to summer tomatoes.
Q’s Nuts – They hand out samples, and once you try them, you’ll be carrying home a bag of your favorite flavor.
It’s the kind of breakfast you can graze through slowly while the rain taps on the roof.
From the market, hop on the T to Copley Place, which connects to the Prudential Center. Together, they’re one of Boston’s best indoor escapes, especially on a wet day.
Highlights:
Läderach Chocolatier – They hand out free samples of their bark, and I still think about the caramel salt chocolate bark I bought here.
RelaxxA Bodywork – After walking through the mall, a chair massage here is exactly what your shoulders need.
Eataly – Whenever there’s an Eataly, I go. Boston’s outpost sprawls across three floors with restaurants, gelato, espresso counters, grocery aisles, and even a mozzarella lab. You could easily spend an entire rainy afternoon here just eating and browsing.
If shopping isn’t your thing, skip the malls and head straight for the Boston Public Library.
The Boston Public Library isn’t just for bookworms—it’s one of the most beautiful places to spend a rainy day in the city.
Book a reservation for Afternoon Tea in the Courtyard Tea Room. You’ll get finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts, all served in a setting that feels refined without being stuffy. The standout for me was the scone paired with their Ras Chai Latte—a malty tea blended with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s the kind of tea you think about long after you leave.
After tea, wander through the library’s historic architecture: the grand staircases, murals, and that serene courtyard. Bring a book, linger for a while, and enjoy the feeling of being tucked away from the rain.
If you’re still up for exploring, take the T across the river to Harvard Square. Rainy days are perfect for little adventures:
Studs – Feeling spontaneous? I walked in for a quick ear piercing.
Lovestruck Books – Right next door, this cozy bookstore doubles as a café. It’s the ideal spot to sip tea, flip through a book, and listen to the rain outside.
It’s simple, unexpected, and the perfect way to reset before dinner.
By evening, you’ll want something warm, hearty, and indoors. Head to Wusong Tiki Bar in Cambridge.
The space is fun and atmospheric, with glowing tiki décor and a menu that doesn’t disappoint. My picks:
Cucumber salad – Crisp, light, and refreshing.
Lemongrass lotus dumplings – Flavorful and delicate.
Pulled pork char siu bao – The buns are pig-shaped, which is reason enough to order them.
Fried rice – Whether you go for the char siu pork or vegetable and egg, it’s a solid choice.
If you’re a mocktail person, you’ll love the drinks here. If not, I’m sure their cocktails are just as creative.
No rainy Boston day should end without the famous North End cannoli showdown:
Modern Pastry – Cash only. The Boston cream cupcake is fantastic, but my favorite is the mini traditional ricotta cannoli with chocolate chips. Their cannoli shells come from Golden Cannoli, a third-generation business nearby that produces the #1 shells in the U.S.
Mike’s Pastry – Also cash only. Their shells are made in-house, and their traditional ricotta cannoli is as classic as it gets.
Yes, you’ll probably get a little wet walking to these bakeries, but by the end of the night, it won’t matter. Standing on Hanover Street with a paper-wrapped cannoli in hand is the perfect Boston moment, rain and all.
Transit: The T is your best friend on rainy days. Most of these stops are close to stations, so you won’t be stuck walking long distances in the rain. Use rideshare at night or if the weather is really pouring.
What to Bring: Waterproof shoes with traction, a light rain jacket, and a compact umbrella (Boston wind loves to flip umbrellas). Bring cash for the North End bakeries.
What to Book in Advance: Afternoon Tea at the Boston Public Library and a dinner table at Wusong Tiki Bar, especially on weekends.
Breakfast: Boston Public Market (Bagel Guild → Red Apple Farm → Mother Juice → The Popover Lady)
Late Morning: Copley Place + Prudential Center (Läderach → RelaxxA → Eataly) or Afternoon Tea at Boston Public Library
Afternoon: Harvard Square (Studs → Lovestruck Books)
Dinner: Wusong Tiki Bar
Dessert: Modern Pastry vs. Mike’s Pastry cannoli face-off
Boston doesn’t shut down when it rains—it just shifts indoors. On one of my rainiest trips here, I ate my way through the Public Market, shopped and snacked my way through Copley, sipped tea in the library courtyard, ducked into a bookstore in Cambridge, and ended the night with a North End cannoli in hand. Rain or not, it’s one of my favorite Boston days I’ve ever had.
Once the sun comes out again, you’ll want my Top 5 Things to Do in Boston.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos don’t capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they don’t know they’re in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But that’s also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. 🌷
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. 🌷
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes I’ve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Here’s what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
Café Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davie’s Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (it’s not ketchup, and it’s better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what I’d skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️
✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
