Anyone been to Boston?

[DisdreamerUK]

Well, after suffering from post-holiday stress disorder for a couple of weeks I couldn't hold out ANY longer.

We've always fancied a winter holiday so we thought we'd go to Boston and then drive up to Vermont for skiing (not that we've ever done it before!!)

Can you believe I priced up a week skiing in France and it came out at £2500. I managed to get flights to Boston with American Airlines for £770 for all 4 of us.............I love a bargain!!!

Anyone who's got any Boston tips let us know?????

 

[debster812]

Hmmmm--I'm not from the UK--but I AM from the Boston area, and I LOVE coming over here and lurking on the UK CB.

When will you be coming?

What resort in Vermont will you be visiting?

How long do you plan to stay in Boston before heading north?

There is a winter break in New England in February, and Easter this year is also early (March) so there could still be lots of snow that late. So, if you've not already booked your resort in Vermont, I would look at that rather quickly.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, any other specific questions, just ask away!!!

Debbie

 

[KayleeUK]

Haven't been, but wow what a wonderful holiday

 

[DisdreamerUK]

Thanks Debbie.

We fly out on Feb 10th, 3 nights in Boston in the Sheraton Hotel and then we drive up to Stowe for 5 nights. We're stopping off in Concord on the way back and fly home on the 20th.

We couldn't decide between Killington or Stowe, have we made the right choice?

Any tips for things to see & do in Boston would be gratefully received. We've got 2 girls - they'll be 11 & 8 then.

Cheers....................

Jen

 

[debster812]

Jen--you won't go wrong with either Killington or Stowe. Both are top notch resorts in Vt. I am not a skiier, but I will check with some skiing afficionados and see what they think of Stowe. It's lovely up there, really gorgeous.

Hmmmm 3 nights in Boston, perhaps you might want to see if the Lion King will still be in town? (The Broadway show). It's playing at the Opera House in Boston.

Let's in the winter in Boston, you are a little more limited because walking around is not quite so enjoyable, but there are the museums (Children's [your girls might be a bit old for this], Science, New England Aquarium, Museum of Fine Arts [very child friendly]). There is Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market also. All of these suggestions are easily accessible on the T (our subway system). If you go to www.mbta.com you will find route maps, etc.

If you fancy Italian food, you MUST go to the North End for a meal (that's our Little Italy) walk down Hanover St and go into whatever restaurant catches your fancy. You will NOT get a bad meal.

Let me think some more. I could go on and on and on and on....

Oh, and most importantly--you are the week BEFORE the Massachusetts Winter Break, so you should not have horrific crowds at Stowe.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Winter in Boston is not that good take it from me...!!
Sorry couldn't resist......

Mick.

 

[TracyK]

I went to Boston last August and am going again in 3 weeks. Absolutely lovely city. Unfortunately the majority of the things we did were more suited to the summer months. It is a great city to get about on foot. There are some really good shops. If you like a bargain I would recommend a visit to Filene's Dept store. It has a great basement full of bargains.
You must visit the Cheers bar. We ate there a couple of times, food reasonably priced and some good cocktails. Also visit Quincy Market there is a half price theatre ticket booth there. Debster812 has already made some good suggestions. We liked the Children's museum and the aquarium. You could also use the Beantown trolley to get about. We have bought a Go Boston card for this year as it covers so many attractions. This card comes with a free 2 day trolley pass www.gobostoncard.com.
Tracy

 

[elise72]

I have been to Boston 3 times,I absolutely love it..I would go and live there tomorrow.
I am on my way out so haven't got time to give you any tips but will give you all the details when I get back!

My first tip is thank goodness you are going skiing and will have all the gear as it gets soooooo cold!
I have been for New Year and in February and it is freezing.
I think your hotel is joined to the Copley Centre,there are loads of walkways so you can get around to a point,without getting too cold.There is a really good place to eat..it's very disney,my family loved it there!
see website for details

www.marcheusa.com/tour_marcheboston.htm
I wish I was going!


Elise

 

[DisdreamerUK]

Cheers everyone for your advice.

Unfortunately, the Lion King finishes end of Dec,never mind. But I'm sure we'll find enough to do, and we're all up for a bit of bargain shopping!!

Now, just tell me how cold is COLD???? I mean, coming from the English Riviera, even our winters aren't that bad. We don't even get snow down here very often, and if we do it turns into brown sludge in 10mins!!

Looking forward to our first skiing trip, gonna have a couple of lessons on the dry slope before we go. Knowing me I'll probably do myself an injury on that!!!!

And, of course, when we return I'll be back into planning mode for 2nd Disney trip 2006...........

 

[ILUVDXL]

Boston weather is very hard to predict. They can get as cold as days on end of sub-zero temperatures to other years when the winter is down-right balmy (that's anything above 32 for us).. Best advice is to check the weather on line for a couple of weeks before you leave. Remember, Vermont being farther north it can be even colder there. Make sure you pack lots of woolies. On a more pleasant note, the Sheraton connects through the Prudential Center to Coply Place. If shopping is your thing you can do so till you drop without ever having to go outside. Shops, movie theaters and restaurants galore all in a climate controlled atmosphere. I'm sure you'll have a great time. Contrary to popular opinion, Bostonias are warm, fiendly people who are alway happy to help a traveler find their way. Enjoy!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Skiing in New England can be incredibly cold if you get one of the frequent sweeps of artic air coming down from the continental interior. On the very coldest days you are advised not to touch metal with bare skin as you can freeze onto it. I've heard a story of some kid who licked a chairlift bar with his tongue for a dare, and ended up having to rip his tongue off the bar leaving a fair amount of skin in the process. It's proabably a bit of an urban myth, but it does give you an idea of how cold it can get! On the other hand, towards the end of the ski season New England get get warm and wet - not ideal conditions for skiing - so you never can tell when you're in the mountains.

Regards

Rob