Customs House, Boston: all advice welcome!

[Jeanine]

Dear All,

We'll be at the Customs House from Friday (just my husband and I, oh frabjous day) and would appreciate any advice about the resort in particular and Boston in general.

Can one ask for a specific floor or unit? If so, which are nicer? Is there an alternative to the (no-doubt-expensive) on-site parking?

What should we do, see and eat in Boston? We were last there between Christmas and New Year, 1992, which was wonderful, but I'm sure summer has its own attractions.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Jeanine

 

[pcgirl54]

Jeanine
Go to www.boston.com and click on the visitor's link. So much to do and see, Fanueil Hall,North End,Back Bay and a must do Boston Duck Tour plus much more. There is a concierge at Custom House and you are next to Fanueil Hall and can walk to the North End(Little Italy) Get goodies at Maria's Bakery and the famous Mike's Bakery are there as well as many Italian restaurants. We did a tour with Michelle Topor that was fabulous. While there you can tour North Church and the Paul Revere House.
There are wonderful Harbor cruises and tours of the city. Freedom Trail walking tour is another option.

http://www.northendmarkettours.com/

 

[PClapham]

We're in the Custom House now, on the 23rd floor-I highly recommend it, even though you have to take 2 different elevators. The concierge, Ellen, will suggest more things than you have time to do. WE have made a reservation for the 4 course dinner at Sel de la Terre nearby, and plan to check out the ferry system to visit the islands in the national park.
Anita

 

[falmouth3]

PCgirl54 has a lot of great ideas. You may also want to consider these suggestions:
Blue Man Group is always playing and their tickets are always available at the Bostix kiosk right in Quincy Market. That's day of show for 1/2 price!

I would absolutely recommend going to Old Ironsides - one end of the Freedom Trail. You can also get there on the siightseeing trolley, otherwise it's a bit of a long walk. It's free and so is the naval museum there. The naval personnel love to talk about the history of the ship and how the crew lived and fought on it.

I like walking the Freedom Trail. You can buy a guide book for the trail for about $6 in a local book store.

If you want to wander outside of Boston, you can go to the national park in Concord. Salem is north of Boston and it's a pretty town that really emphasizes it's witch trial history.

One of my favorite places is Plimouth Plantation, about an hour south of Boston, near Plymouth. There they have a recreation of the town that the pilgrims built. Each employee there has assumed the personality (and accents) of the actual residents of the town at that time in history. I loved it there!

There are lots of museums and the aquarium if it rains, or if those types of activities appeal to you. We also have a nice science museum and two IMAX theaters right in town - one at the aquarium and one at the science museum.

Have a great time!!

 

[Jeanine]

Thank you all so much. I've printed out your suggestions. Also bought City Passes at Costco for a snip.

PC: I think we met at the MC in 2003. Nice to speak to you again.

Happy summer,

Jeanine

 

[pcgirl54]

Jeanine
We surely did. I remember both you and your husband. MC is really great. CH has the same feel and is also in a great location. You are really going to enjoy it!

 

[Bill4728]

Parking is a hugely expensive, since the subway is less than 1/4 block, I'd look into renting when you need to. There are several car rental places within 2 blocks. Check with the custom house and ask them too.

The kennedy library is also a great place to visit about 15 minutes south of downtown right on the water.

 

[cluemeister]

Get tickets for a Red Sox game.