Advice needed on Boston

Hello everyone,

I'm planning a trip to Boston with my Dad and I at some point next year (May/June-ish). I've never been before, and was wondering what a reasonable amount of time to spend there was. I was initially thinking of seven days but I get the feeling it doesn't have quite the same amount of "things to do" as say, NYC or Chicago would to fill that sort of time.

Neither of us are particularly sporty, so I'm thinking of taking in the Freedom Trail & some day trips to the coast (any suggestions?). Sorry if I'm being a little vague.

There are several threads on 'things to do in Boston' so have a look at those

For a day trip I suggest getting the train from North Station to Salem (about 30 minutes and ~$15 return but watch the schedule as there can be gaps in the service). It's an under rated town with a fascinating maritime history (which many people are ignorant about because of the whole witch thing) and the excellent Peabody-Essex museum plus some good places to eat and drink.


I'm not sporty either but I did enjoy the tour of the Fenway Park baseball ground.

do you specifically mean in boston - or around boston?
Its only a small place (reminds me a lot of Cardiff size wise) and quite easy to get around.
Sightseeing wise there probably isn't much (again like Cardiff!)
You could always get out to cape cod.
Watching the Red Sox should be a thing worthwhile - even if you dont like sports, its good to mix in an authentic american past time!

A thread on Boston can be found here.

Thank you all.

Hi Slimpy

Boston is a town my wife and I know pretty well. In the last 10 years we have used it as our first night stopover before renting a car and touring New England each Autumn. In addition we have spent two vacations , each of a week, just in Boston itself. The last one was last November

Not sure what your interests are but there is alot to do in a week in Boston. There are lots of museums, the best being the MFA and the Isabella Stewart Museum. Also a visit to the incredible Mapparium in the Christian Science Building is worth it. Built in 1935 I think, you can walk inside the glass globe and see the world as it was then.

Boston is a smallish city and relatively flat , so it is easy to get around. Think you will find the Freedom Trail worth it.Lots of stops on the way where you can have a beer and people watch !

Also a day spent at the JFK Memorial Library on the banks of the Charles river is a must we think as is a visit and tour around the Campus of Harvard .

Last November,we took a day and caught the Metro to the homes of John Adams, the second President of the U.S. That was good and well worth doing.

Lots of good shops if that is your thing , especially along Newbury Street and alot going on each day and evening around the area of Faneuil Hall.

Finally Boston is full of very good restaurants and bars. Especially in North End where there are alot of very good Italian restaurants. Our particular favourite is Mama Maria .If you like fish , there is Legal Seafoods overlooking the Harbour and Ostra. Both recommended. Also it would be good to eat at Union Oyster House which I believe is the oldest restaurant in the U.S. I think JFK and Bobby Kennedy reguarly dined there when they were young

May we also recommend XV Beacon hotel which is in the heart of the city and a 5 minute walk from Boston Common. From the hotel, you can walk the historic Beacon Hill district and have a peek at some lovely old houses owned by very wealthy people. Believe one of them is owned by John Kerrys missus....heiress to the Heinz Empire. There are lots of big flashy hotels in Beantown but if you fancy something small and quiet and classy, XV Beacon would be good. If you push you can get good deals out of Season especially for the slightly smaller "Classic " rooms which are fine.

I'm sure there are lots of people on here who know more about Boston than we do but I think that's enough to be going on with ! Hope it helps to make your mind up

Thank you very much indeed Francis, cheers for typing all that out

You are welcome Slimpy

Apologies for not spotting it earlier but I have just noticed that your original post mentioned " trips to the coast " from Boston.

If you choose to spend a week in Boston, may I also suggest renting a car for the day and driving to Cape Cod. On a weekday, it would be about a 2 hour drive from Boston. Keep clear of a Friday or Saturday when the traffic can be pretty busy.

We are now on our sixteenth trip to the East Coast of the US ( all on VS ! ) since retiring 10 years ago. In 2011 we discovered the wonderful Cape Cod and now always spend our final week there after touring Maine and Vermont.

I think you and your Dad would love the Cape as we do. It truly is a special place we think. Lots of lovely little towns and villages. Our particular favourite is Wellfleet. Also the many incredible beaches that are usually deserted in May or later in the year, in October. We have spent many happy days just walking the beaches gazing out at the great Atlantic rollers coming in. If you like bird spotting then the Audobon Sanctuary just outside Wellfleet is a must .

And that's all before catching a ferry and visiting Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

Sorry for the over the top stuff here but we love it and we think you might just too.

Frank

Boston is a good base but I wouldn't do a 7 day city break. I would do a couple of nights on the Cape or one might do if you take the ferry to Provincetown.
Duck boat tour is good for a laugh
Don't forget to cross the river to Cambridge to see Harvard.
The aquarium is fantastic.
A trip to Fenway for a game is a must do if one is on and it's not against the Yankees( no chance of a ticket).
Enjoy