Trident Booksellers and Cafe ( trident bookscafe . com ), the original Newbury

Comics location ( newburycomics . com ) and the Fairy Shop . We wistfully window shop as we pass by many of the street ’ s more high-end boutiques , galleries and brownstones .

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : The Hotel Commonwealth ’ s Fenway Suite ; Boston Harbor ; Yotel Boston ’ s funky lobby ; taking in the sights at Boston Common ; bacon , egg and cheese torta from Rosa Mexicano ; the Harborwalk is a forty-three-mile linear park along Boston ’ s shoreline ; the storied steps at Trident Booksellers and Cafe ; sushi and fried chicken at Blue Ribbon Sushi ; Hotel Commonwealth stands tall in Boston ’ s Back

Bay . RIGHT : Cherry blossoms in full bloom in the spring ; the Hotel Commonwealth ’ s

Fenway Suite .

FRIDAY EVENING : Following a quick return to our room to change , we head back downstairs and embark on a thirtysecond journey past the front entrance to our dinner destination : Blue Ribbon Sushi ( blueribbonsushi kenmore . com ). A new addition to Kenmore Square , Blue Ribbon offers a moody date-night atmosphere , views of the prep area from virtually every seat in the house and an all-encompassing , you guessed it , sushi menu . We start with shrimp tempura plus two rounds of the signature sake brews ( with more than twenty variations to choose from , can you blame us ?). I then dabble in some new-to-me items like the crispy rice special ( spicy tuna , avocado and truffle eel sauce ) and the Blue Ribbon maki roll ( lobster , shiso and black caviar ). Meanwhile , my friend , who ’ s not much of a seafoodie , orders the Blue Ribbon fried chicken wings , smothered in chili sauce and wasabi honey .

After dinner , we head back toward Fenway . Initially we try the Cask N ’ Flagon ( casknflagon . com ) next door , a great spot if you ’ re looking for good beer and a spirited sports bar vibe . We then make our way over to the Lansdowne Pub ( lansdownepubboston . com ), a rowdy Irish bar that has the answer to all of your “ wanna dance with somebody ” desires . A pop cover band hits the stage , and we spend the rest of the night singing and dancing our hearts out .

SATURDAY MORNING : We check out around 10 a . m . and catch a ride to our second night ’ s stay , Yotel Boston ( yotel . com ), in the city ’ s aptly named Seaport District . It ’ s a funkier spot with purple trimmings , self-check-in kiosks and a scrolling marquee of stock symbols above the front desk area . We once again are fortunate enough to score an early check-in time and are delighted to find our just-as-cool digs are outfitted with techy perks like access to the room ’ s uplighting . ( Did we try out every setting and essentially create our own rave-like light show in the process ? You betcha .)

Then it ’ s time for brunch at Rosa Mexicano ( rosamexicano . com ), an easy six-minute stroll from the hotel . Though the heat prevented us from the enjoying the lovely outdoor patio , the interior blue wall features a cascading water feature . We order what we came for : a Morning Glory cocktail ( think : a frozen Mexican twist on an Aperol spritz ) and made-to-order guac ( medium spice level , please ) right at our table . I inhale my applewood bacon , Chihuahua cheese , avocado and pickled jalapeno torta and sample my friend ’ s huevos rancheros .

SATURDAY AFTERNOON : Luckily , our next few activities require more movement . We explore Eastport | | CONTINUED ON PAGE 140

NUTS & BOLTS

Travel Time : Just over an hour from Providence .

Miles : 50 miles .

How to Get There : Take the MBTA commuter rail from Providence ( amtrak . com ), or shoot up I-95 North and follow the signs for Boston .

Best Season to Go : The summer / fall to enjoy all the warmer weather dining and happenings . Then again , you can ’ t beat the city ’ s cherry blossoms in the spring .

Bucket List for Next Time : A Red Sox game , for sure . In fact , Hotel Commonwealth offers a bunch of exclusive game packages for baseball fanatics ( hotelcommonwealth . com / offers ).

Worth a Detour : It may be half an hour away , but nothing beats the magic of Salem during this time of year ( salem . org ).

PHOTOGRAPHY , OPENER PAGE : GETTY IMAGES / HEY ENGEL ( ADIRONDACKS ). THIS PAGE , CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : COURTESY OF HOTEL COMMONWEALTH ( ALL HOTEL AND FENWAY SUITE IMAGES ); GETTY IMAGES / SEAN PAVONE ( BOSTON HARBOR ); MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF TOURISM ( BOSTON COMMON AND HARBORWALK ); GETTY IMAGES / MARCIO SILVA ( CHERRY BLOSSOMS ); ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLYN MURRAY .