Anyone been to Boston in the US?

[PudseyChancer]

As some of my facebook friends may have seen, I've been following the Pilgrims Trail across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. After I've been to Southampton and Plymouth, this leaves the American side of the trip to do!

I'm looking to go over to Boston, do the Freedom Trail and visit Adams National Park; then looking to get the train down to Plymouth and visit the Plantation and see the Mayflower II. I'll probably base myself in Boston and am looking to stay for five or so days.

Just wondered if any of you have been to Boston before, whens the best/cheapest time to go and which hotel you stayed at, recommended restaurants etc. I would prefer to stay near to the Freedom Trail so appreciate that I will probably pay more than staying on the outskirts of Boston.

Any ideas/recommendations?

 

[disneyholic family]

only advice? don't go in the winter...

 

[Jets fan]

only advice? don't go in the winter...

Totally agree, we went in December 2008 and it was friggin freezing, -6 during the day.

Cannot comment on hotels as we stayed at one opposite a huge shopping mall, which was what we wanted. Have travelled all over New England in the fall and summer, which was nice. Maybe the fall would suit you, as the trees look absolutely amazing. We stayed in Killington and Stowe when we went in the fall, which took about 2/3 hours to drive to from Boston.

Whenever you go you'll enjoy it

Have fun.

Tina

 

[PrincessInOz]

I would recommend staying in the financial district, north end or near Beacon hill. There are hotels near the Theatre end and Logan airport. But if you want to do the Freedom Trail, then stay in the downtown area. It's also quite nice at the waterfront side of Fanieul Hall and Quincy Market. There were hotels there - but I can't remember which chain (could be Sheraton).

There's a free freedom trail info walk from the Boston Common - tips expected. It was informative. We had a 7 year old with us; so we had to bail when he got bored. You can walk it yourself but I thought this guided walk was good. They advertise it as a 1 hour walk. We bailed close at the 2 hour mark (and believe that they were close to finishing at this point).
We also took the Boston Duck tour as an alternative. It was great to get on the River and see a different perspective of Boston but I thought the free trail walk was better.
Boston Common is nice to walk around; as is Beacon Hill. We just meandered through and made our way to the Cheer's Bar here (the real one). There is also another Cheer's bar (the fake one but looks real) in around Quincy Hall.

We ate at the North End side of town twice - Italian food there. Can't remember the names of the restaurants but we ended up picking restaurants that looked busy and could fit us in. For desert, go to Mike's Pastry for Cannolli - either the cream filled ones or the ricotta filled ones are excellent. The walk back from North End to Faneiull Hall can take you past the Holocaust columns. They list/etch out the names of holocaust victims in glass columns.

We also ate in ChinaTown. A friend took us there and I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant.

Public transport/trains is dependable. We took the train out to Harvard. It's not quite Oxford or Cambridge but interesting in it's own way. Avoid the student led free tours, which you will find when you get out of Harvard station. Far better to pay for a better organised, more informed tour and not one so frat/brat in style.

We were there in June.

(And I managed to get this all done without mentioning the Cricket )

 

[Neoshoegal]

We did Boston late October one year (were there for Halloween). We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton overlooking the Boston Common (it's now a Taj Hotel), which was an excellent location and we managed to see most of the sites on foot. The only reason we were able to stay at such an expensive hotel was due to a little mistake on their website where they forgot to add a zero to certain room rates, giving us a room overlooking the Boston Common for $48/night instead of $480!
I'd recommend going October time, but a bit earlier as the whole area is so beautiful with all the autumn foliage. We took a train out to Concord for a day, which was lovely. I'd also recommend visiting the USS Constitution, Fanieul Hall (both are free to visit and had free guided tours) and Quincy Market. If you do a bit of research regarding the Freedom Trail, you can just do it yourself, no need for a guided tour.
Going up to the top of the Prudential Tower is also great, but make sure to do it on a clear day, the view is amazing!

 

[laluna]

Went in May 1997 and March 2000. Would agree that the spring months are a lovely time to visit. We stayed around Copely Square which we found to be a good location as accessible to everywhere really. The second time stayed a little further out at the Mid Town Hotel. Both were fine; the latter a little bit more basic. Enjoyed a trip to Cape Cod and really loved walking to Harvard from the city ( a very long walk but nice). Really love Boston; def. one of fav. US cities!

 

[alyssa810]

Hi there! I live south of Boston, and my in-laws and dad are down in Wareham, which is next to Plymouth, so if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. (now, as to why I'm peeking on the UK planning board- that's another question!)
I'd say to come in the summer! Boston is a great city and there's so much to see and do, and it's very easy to get around on public transportation. While I can't say that I've stayed in many hotels in Boston, I've been to many and can give you tips or suggestions too. I also work in Quincy, where the Adams National Park is...

 

[Kath2003]

I went in August a few years back and found it dull, especially compared to NYC and Washington DC. It's pretty but it's very much like the UK - all we heard were Americans remarking on how fantastically "European" it was

We did most of the typical tourist things you've heard mentioned above - the Freedom Trail, Boston Common, Harvard, Duck Tours etc. - it was all nice but nothing amazing. In fact, we were there for four days and the best day we had was our trip out to Salem - and then only because we had enjoyed studying The Crucible when we were at school

It's easy to get around and the people are very friendly but I wouldn't bother to return; in the North East, NYC or even Washington DC are much more fun

 

[pampat]

One of our very favourite US cities! Make sure you check out a game at Fenway Park, if possible, or do the tour - really interesting. We always used to stay on DVC points at the Boston Harbor Hotel, but it is no longer part of the Concierge Collection, so when we go in June we will be staying at the Marriott Long Wharf. There are endless restaurants, shops and tours, but it is a wonderful city to just walk around and drink in the atmosphere. There are historial sites everywhere and this year we are looking forward to a harbour cruise. In the past we have done whale watching, which is amazing. Unless you are travelling out of the city (and it sounds like you are) you really shouldn't have a car, its like any city - a pain with a car!

Pam

 

[DjdBrit]

I too live just south of Boston and am an ex-pat. Boston is a wonderful city with so much to do.

I doesn't say whether you are travelling with kids or not this could change you plans quite a bit. Staying need the "Freedom Trail" is an interesting concept since its over 9 miles long, I have done this a few times and its alot of walking. Along the tour its self there are many different things to check out including the USS Consititution

Just a few things I would recommend:
Red Sox (Game or Tour)
Duck Tour (the easiest way to see the city)
Freedom Trail (personally I wouldn't pay to do the guided tour)
Many museums...
Science
Childrens
JFK


Zoo's and aquairum


Plymouth itself offers mych to do, from Plimouth Plantation to the Mayflower II, depending on the time of year the beaches are great! Note these things are not close together!

Travelling north you could go to Salem and start all over again with the HUGE list of things to check out.

If you need any help feel free to PM me. I have my friends and relatives visit all the time and are constantly looking for things to do. Old fav's and new ideas

Good luck and Happy planning!

 

[PudseyChancer]

First of all, thanks for all the replies, it's certainly got me even more excited about going over to Boston even more so than I was already, if that is possible!

Still not sure of where to stay, the hotels in the centre are pretty expensive, but to be perfectly honest, don't want to stay on the outskirts, I've heard that there are some pretty good bed and breakfast places as an alternative.

There certainly looks like there's loads to do!