We've just got back! (DC and Boston)
And we have decided that Boston is our favourite, metropolitan, US location. (I say metropolitan to distinguish from Florida/Orlando, which is our favourite trip - based on the amount of times we go back anyway!)
Why do we like it?
Well, it's just the right size. Easily walkable from the financial area to Back Bay. It's big but no too big, if you know what I mean.
And the T (underground) is easy and cheap. We got a 7 day pass for $18 each for when the feet got sore - or it was just too cold!
Shopping is good; nice, indoor shopping centres at the Prudential Centre and Copley Place. And Newbury Street is great for shopping outdoors! No so much last week - it was freezing!
There is a mall at Cambridge, the Galleria. Last stop on the Green Line T - Leechmere I think. There are some shops downtown but it isn't as nice there - there's a Macys and a few other places.
MIT is supposed to be a good visit, although we've not been.
Food is good and plentiful - obviously. We eat in bars mainly and can best advise on beer rather than food!! Sam Adams Red Brick is particularly good...
But we like Atlantic Fish on Bolyston. We drink at Whiskeys
http://www.whiskeysboston.com - cheap and cheerful, (and close to stagger back to the hotel...)
Quincy Market is an amazing food-court. A nightmare if you have trouble choosing!! It's close to Government Centre. Touristy but that isn't always a bad thing.
We've been to see the Boston Celtics before - tickets are surprisingly cheap - and readily available on Ticketmaster or StubHub. Kids will love the spectacle!! (Plus its another opportunity for a Sam Adams for the dads... ):
Fenway Park is close too for a Red Sox game - haven't been ourselves - we're always there in winter!
We took in a couple of films last week; Robocop - not as bad as I thought it would be but not as good as the original and American Hustle - excellent.
The cinema is just off Boston Common - it's an AMC, easy to Google.
The parks are nice for a stroll - even in the winter!
In terms of where to stay; we've stayed at the Colonnade twice now. It's in Back Bay - just opposite the Prudential Centre and a T stop. Virgin Holidays were the best value again, (really!). We've also stayed at the Sheraton and what was called Jurys but has now changed names...
Hotels are all about personal preference though, ours being;
Comfy bed
Good gym
Free Wifi
And we like to stay in the Back Bay area.
Outside of Boston; haven't been out of the city for years but we're thinking about doing it in spring sometime.
I like to drive in the states so I'm happy exploring. Cap Code is nice - I remember Province Town being a cool place.
It's also worth exploring Salem for a day - just north of Boston.
And Whale Watching! Places along the Cape Cod coastline to do this plus from Boston itself.
Overall, the people are always friendly, it's easy, has a nice feel, and is relatively close.
And if you struggle to find 'G' availability we've flown into JFK and JetBlued up to Logan - which isn't much hassle and is cheap.
Hope this helps a little!
