After attending Blizzcon back in November 2013, it's pretty difficult to top one of the most popular gaming conventions in the US. Alas my adventure brings me to PAX East out in downtown Boston with my cousin. Family trip ftw!
PAX East stands for the Penny Arcade eXpo and started back in 2004. It's a gaming convention hosted in Boston around March. This year was our first time together to PAX EAST! Also her first convention (YAY STREET PASS).
We boarded an early flight, right on-time to depart. As a note, if you have your PIV badge as a federal employee, you can enter the "Employee Only" line at Terminal 1 at the MSP airport. I didn't run to my gate for once.
TLDR; aka Summary
Day 1: Arriving in Boston | PAX DAY 1
Arrived at Boston Airport
Food at Legal Seafood
Shuttle to Hotel.
Shuttle to PAX EAST
Shuttle back to Hotel
Day 2: Enjoying Boston
Freedom Trail - about 1.5 hours long? Wasn't too bad
Legal Seafood-MIT
Mike's Pastry - CASH ONLY
Day 3: Relax on Sunday | PAX DAY 2
Shuttle to PAX
Dinner at Ristorante Fiore
Day 4: Left for MN
Chinatown - Sushi
Explore Boston
Subway ride to Airport
Advice:
Do not drive in downtown Boston - crazy streets and people. Utilize the subway system and hotel shuttles!
All the cool kids play 2048.
Bring your 3DS to any nerd event.
You'll never know the kind of people you'll meet. :)
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| BIRD JESUS. The best part is that he always stayed in character lolol |
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| Impressive women's restroom at BOS. Seriously magnifying mirror extension? |
First stop was food. Legal Seafood. Chain out in the Northeast Region. Think Red Lobster, but quality is much better than that.
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| Crab meat. Sorry no imitations allowed! |
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| Love love loveee lobster rolls! |
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| Clam Chowda |
Finally, day 1 of our PAX adventure and... we arrived late :(
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| Board Game section |
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| State Fair meet Gamers |
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I sat up front and got to be a contestant in an adult version of 'mad libs'. Stage presence makes me nervous unless it's traditional dance. |
We only had passes for Friday and Sunday, which works out because Saturday was our exploring day!
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| Such quiet :( |
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| Good night PAX :) |
Hello gorgeous Saturday! Why couldn't MN be in the 70s in March? That's unheard of, almost.
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| I like their transit a lot more than most states. Not NYC though. That's still my favorite. |
Commence Freedom Trail!
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| You'll notice his insignia has three "cocks" and a hand. Haa... That's what our tour said at least. |
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| You saw it right! Mac-n-Cheese with BACON in a SANDWICH. |
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| A stand that won't rip you off plus he was a part of the tour |
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| Boston Massacre y'all. Happened RIGHT here... |
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| That's all folks! End of the Freedom Trail :) Would recommend at least once for the history nut. |
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| Street performers |
More foods :)
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| Popcorn shrimp with popcorn and popcorn shrimp. Also sriracha. |
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| Lobster bisque |
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| Server selfies! |
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| Crabmeat Roll |
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| Tuna burger |
After foods, I adventured around Cambridge area :)
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| Welcome to MIT |
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| Inside the student center |
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| Geez.. tourist |
Reminded me a lot of the UMN, but more historical and mismatched in modern society. The campus has an air of time travel considering it was built way back in the 1600s. It's a bit strange because outside the institution is a lot more modern. Also I'm not use to it I'm sure.
Next stop is visiting the Bodega shop. Found this gem on reddit and decided to take a look at it myself. I spared a good ten minutes before it closed - not like I was going to buy anything.
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| The thing is this "supermarket" crowded look is a front (also a store) because when you go behind the VENDING machine, you find the hottest kicks! |
Pretty small shop - not like these type of shops are suppose to be huge anyways. I enjoyed the novelty of it. :) Plus the people there are hellla friendly and knowledegable.
Running would be so gorgeous out there.
At night... we feast to a long (but quick) line to eat at Mike's Pastry.. to-go of course!
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| Ps. Anyone watch Arrested Development? He looks like George Bluth! |
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| They're known for their cannoli |
Lovely evening with desserts :)
Hello PAX Sunday! lolol
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| I end up missing the fighting tournament where swoozie played :( |
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| Shaq-Fu at OCRemix |
Welcome to dinner!
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| Best waitress ever! Brianna, you are one awesome lady! |
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| Ginger drink! |
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| Glad I ate the red velvet whoopie pie at the station.. I would have turned right around. Thanks for the recommendation Patrick! |
Good morning Monday! Time to go home... after we explore!
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| Couldn't leave home without sweets right? |
Overall I enjoyed this food - filled vacation with my cousin. Glad we both made it out... as family and alive lol. Would recommend PAX and I would try buying the 3-Day Pass. I barely interacted in this con compared to Blizzcon - on a gaming level, but I loved participating on more of a convention merit (attending panels, dressing up, watching tournaments, etc). Too bad Nintendo or Sony wasn't present :( Enjoyed my SWAGS and new peoples :) Also you can bring food inside. Saw someone waiting for a panel with a box of pizza... FOR ONE!
Boston gave me a different feel for the East Coast. Much different than NYC or D.C.I love the East Coast because it's really distinct for each city and state yet the states are knit tight and driving 4 hours NSEW could bring you someplace completely different. Plus FOOD. FRESH SEAFOOD!
I enjoyed the down to earth folks mixed with the tourist. Almost felt like I was home but the camera flashing and slow walkers reminded me I'm not in MN. Drivers and streets are aggressive. I'd wouldn't mind trying to drive there. I think it's worst than L.A traffic, not as gridlock as NYC, it's just dysfunctional, but functional enough to maneuver from A to B, alive.
Love the seafood. Compared to MN, yes, I absolutely love the seafood here! Oysters especially. Unfortunately no photos, but I definitely eating FRESH oysters. Still love my seafood buffet at Valley View in San Diego though and.. LV buffets... mmmm
Anyways, till the next adventure.. PAX PRIME?! Hello, Seattle ;)?
