Boston trip advice (non-timeshare)

[debraxh]

We (15yo DD & I) are making a first time trip to Boston in July for three nights. We arrive ~5pm via Amtrak on Sunday, plan to stay in Back Bay area, and our flight for home leaves ~7pm on Wed from Logan.

I've been doing some research and have come up with these things we'd like to see: Freedom Trail, Waterfront (maybe take a cruise or ferry ride), Boston Common & Public Garden, Beacon Hill and the Faneuil Hall marketplace (or is it called Quincy market?). If time permits or weather is bad we'd like to visit the Museum of Science and/or Museum of Fine Arts. The hotel is right next to the Prudential center, so we'll fit in a trip to the observatory as well.

We like to take our time and go with the flow, not run from place to place. Do you think this is doable in the time we have and any suggestions on what activities to group together to be more efficient?

We enjoy walking (wandering?) and will use the subway when needed. We don't care much for organized tours. We're not into mall-type shopping, designer or department stores (can get this all at home), but enjoy browsing galleries, boutiques and unique or funky shops. Other suggestions are welcome.

We're not foodies but like to have a nice dinner. Our favorites are Italian and simply prepared seafood. DD also loves a good burger, we both love Pizza, and I like to sample local beers & wine. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Almost forgot to ask: what's the best way from our Back Bay area hotel to the airport: taxi, car service, shuttle, other?

Thanks!

[rklein001]

Freedom Trail (I think that's what you mean) ends up in Boston's Little Italy, plenty of food choices there (have a cannoli!!) and it's not far from Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market.

In Back Bay you'll want to walk up and down Newbury Street, with its art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and bars.

If time is short you could skip the Waterfront and/or Prudential tower. On the other hand it's only a 7-minute subway from Park Street Station downtown to Harvard Square which is a great walking-around area (up and down Brattle Street).

The Museum of Fine Arts has world-class Impressionists and lots more. One of the subway lines goes there but you'll save time with a taxi (it's straight down Huntington Street from Prudential but probably too far to walk).

[debraxh]

Geez, don't know what I was thinking, but yes it's the Freedom trail I meant!

Thanks for the info. will check out Harvard Square. I assumed it was much further than a 7 min subway ride!

[shagnut]

Deb, I enjoyed the Boston aquarium and afterword go eat at Legal Seafood. Take the trolley tour, you can hop on & off all day long. shaggy

[djs]

Great resturaunts in the North End (Little Italy), for pizza a good one to try would be Pizzaria Regina on Thatcher St., in the North End. Whatever you do, don't go to the one in the Prudential Mall as that's only a food court and there is absolutly no comparison from the mall locations and the one in the North End.

MFA is dooable, there is a Venitian exhibit there right now that is interesting (MFA Exhibit. It's pretty amazing, most of the paintings in that exhibit are 400+ years old, with a few being 500 years old. If you go here, do it during the week as on Sunday it will be too crowded to enjoy, though with you arriving at 5:00 that won't really be an issue. You can either do a cab or bus/trolley. I believe the bus would cost around $1.50 each way and the trolley would cost about $2.00 each way. Both run down Huntington Ave and stop just beyond the MFA.

Right near your hotel is where the Duck Tours leave from, these are pretty interesting and comprehensive. There is another "Duck Tour" in Boston too, but this is the only one I've been on.

Legal Seafoods is a great place for seafood, but I actually prefer Atlantic Fish Company (which is on Boylston St. right near the Prudential). Both probably will set you back about $30 each at dinner, though probably less for your daughter as I assume she won't partake in any "adult drinks".

Boston is a very walkable city. You should walk through the Public Garden and the Boston Common. I'm sure I'll come up with other options for you, but feel free to ask here or PM if you have more questions (I've lived in the Boston area my whole life).

[debraxh]

Thanks Shaggy & DJS. You've given me some great ideas. Will ask more questions as I gather more info -- I'm on overload!

And you're right, DD doesn't get adult beverages but I usually let her have dessert while I finish my drink so it often ends up about the same cost

Appreciate it all.

[ctreelmom]

Union Oyster House, is, I think, one of if not the oldest restaurants in the country. Durgin Park, located in Quincy Market is also a Boston Landmark--you eat at big tables with lots of people, the waitresses are notoriously cranky, but you can't get a better prime rib anywhere if you and dd are meat eaters. It's gotten more "touristy" over the years, but I still enjoy the simple, New England food and prefer it to the chains like Legal Seafood. Any of the Italian places in the North End (Hanover and Salem Streets) are excellent and Mike's Pastries is a must after dinner. The North End is an easy walk from Quincy Market.

[swift]

We just returned from our trip to Boston and Smuggs in Vermont.

Boston Common , Public Garden, Quincy Market and the Union Oyster House are all on the trail which is only 3 1/2 miles long. We did all of this and then took the "T" to the Museum of Fine Arts which has free admission after 4:30 on Wednesdays. It was a full day but doable. We did not do a tour but I had one of my children down load a pod cast from thefreedomtrail.org We wanted the freedom to walk at our own leisure which worked out in our favor. When we arrived at the Chapel and my friend that was with us looked up one of her ansesters it turned out that he had a crept under the chapel and so we were given a private tour down there.

The next day we went to the Museum of Science and spent about 5 hours there. The kids loved it.

We found the "T" very easy to use. We purchased the $15 pass that is good for a week of unlimited use.

If you would like more info pop a PM to Beagalmom3 she was so sweet and helpful when we were planing our trip.

[rklein001]

Originally Posted by ctreelmom

Durgin Park, located in Quincy Market is also a Boston Landmark--you eat at big tables with lots of people, the waitresses are notoriously cranky.

A terrific value and experience is lunch at Durgin Park. We used to go on Saturday morning at 11:00, which is/was the start of serving hours.

If there's a long line, go into the bar on the other side, buy a beer or bloody Mary, etc. and you can carry your drink up the bar stairs to the dining room and you'll be seated immediately.

What to order (if you're not looking for a giant slab of roast beef): chowder, scrod (i.e. baby cod), and for dessert frozen pudding ice cream (sort of like rum raisin) or, if you dare, Indian Pudding (a genuine Colonial era dessert of cornmeal and molasses)

[debraxh]

Great advice all, thanks!

I think we'll plan on 1 day for the Freedom Trail which sounds like it covers much of what we want to see.

Theresa, how old are your kids? DD would like to visit the Museum of Science but was afraid it might be geared toward a younger crowd. We can do that our other full day along with browsing the Beacon Hill or Harvard Square area.

Our last day we can try the Museum of Fine Arts and/or waterfront-harbor-cruise, depending on the weather and how many museums we end up visiting in NYC the few days before!

Since we'll be staying in the back bay area, we'll be able to stroll around near the hotel when time permits.

Looks like we have recommendations for seafood, pizza and Italian covered!

Any idea about the best way from hotel to the airport? We'll walk from the train station and figured we can ask at the hotel, but would like other advice too.

[falmouth3]

I don't have kids, but we are members of the science museum. I see kids of all ages enjoying the museum. There are a lot of hands-on exhibits, a "lightening" presentation which is loud, and loads of interesting exhibits. There is also a planetarium and an Omni theater. Oh, and a butterfly house and dinosaurs. They also have special exhibits that come in for a few months. The current on is on Black Holes, Space Warps, and Time Twists.

www.mos.org

Sue

[Beaglemom3]

Originally Posted by swift

We just returned from our trip to Boston and Smuggs in Vermont.

Boston Common , Public Garden, Quincy Market and the Union Oyster House are all on the trail which is only 3 1/2 miles long. We did all of this and then took the "T" to the Museum of Fine Arts which has free admission after 4:30 on Wednesdays. It was a full day but doable. We did not do a tour but I had one of my children down load a pod cast from thefreedomtrail.org We wanted the freedom to walk at our own leisure which worked out in our favor. When we arrived at the Chapel and my friend that was with us looked up one of her ansesters it turned out that he had a crept under the chapel and so we were given a private tour down there.

The next day we went to the Museum of Science and spent about 5 hours there. The kids loved it.

We found the "T" very easy to use. We purchased the $15 pass that is good for a week of unlimited use.

If you would like more info pop a PM to Beagalmom3 she was so sweet and helpful when we were planing our trip.

My pleasure. It's very easy being nice to such a nice person. I'm glad that you enjoyed your stay.
I will work on the weather a little next time.
Glad the Museum of Science passes worked out. That's one good perk for working for a M.O.S. sponsor.

[Beaglemom3]

Originally Posted by debraxh

We (15yo DD & I) are making a first time trip to Boston in July for three nights. We arrive ~5pm via Amtrak on Sunday, plan to stay in Back Bay area, and our flight for home leaves ~7pm on Wed from Logan.

I've been doing some research and have come up with these things we'd like to see: Freedom Trail, Waterfront (maybe take a cruise or ferry ride), Boston Common & Public Garden, Beacon Hill and the Faneuil Hall marketplace (or is it called Quincy market?). If time permits or weather is bad we'd like to visit the Museum of Science and/or Museum of Fine Arts. The hotel is right next to the Prudential center, so we'll fit in a trip to the observatory as well.

We like to take our time and go with the flow, not run from place to place. Do you think this is doable in the time we have and any suggestions on what activities to group together to be more efficient?

We enjoy walking (wandering?) and will use the subway when needed. We don't care much for organized tours. We're not into mall-type shopping, designer or department stores (can get this all at home), but enjoy browsing galleries, boutiques and unique or funky shops. Other suggestions are welcome.

We're not foodies but like to have a nice dinner. Our favorites are Italian and simply prepared seafood. DD also loves a good burger, we both love Pizza, and I like to sample local beers & wine. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Almost forgot to ask: what's the best way from our Back Bay area hotel to the airport: taxi, car service, shuttle, other?

Thanks!

Please PM me if you'd like.
Love that dirty water !!!

[Numismatist]

I think you've mentioned the big things. There's also the Science Museum. Duck Tours, while silly, are really fun and the guides are quite entertaining.

Swan Boat rides in the Common. It's all within a reasonable walking distance perhaps with a few short subway rides.

A surprising many places to look at fine watches as well!

[jaym]

Originally Posted by debraxh

We (15yo DD & I) are making a first time trip to Boston in July for three nights. We arrive ~5pm via Amtrak on Sunday, plan to stay in Back Bay area, and our flight for home leaves ~7pm on Wed from Logan.
We enjoy walking (wandering?) and will use the subway when needed. We don't care much for organized tours. We're not into mall-type shopping, designer or department stores (can get this all at home), but enjoy browsing galleries, boutiques and unique or funky shops. Other suggestions are welcome.
We're not foodies but like to have a nice dinner. Our favorites are Italian and simply prepared seafood. DD also loves a good burger, we both love Pizza, and I like to sample local beers & wine. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

For unique and some upscale shops, you may enjoy Charles Street, located right between Boston Common and Public Gardens. A couple of great eateries as well (Toscano - one of our favorites). Fairly popular tourist season, some crowds, Quincy Mkt. museums, etc. Enjoy your visit.
http://www.beacon-hill-boston.com/
Also, see recent Boston Globe article on N.End shops.
http://www.boston.com/business/artic...shion_forward/

[Judith]

We're coming to Boston from the UK in September staying at the Encore b and b in the South End before going on to timeshare in Cape Cod.

Any recommendations for restaurants and getting around the city from this area would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Judith