Boston help?

[Missyrose]

Hi friends,
DBF has a conference in Boston next week so I'm going to hop up there to join him for a few days (mainly so I can finally go to a game at Fenway! ). But I've never been to the city and will be navigating my sightseeing alone for two days. So my question to you is, what should I do during my time up there? What sights did you love visiting? Which were totally overrated? Anyone have any great tips about the city in general?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[merlib]

Hi friends,
DBF has a conference in Boston next week so I'm going to hop up there to join him for a few days (mainly so I can finally go to a game at Fenway! ). But I've never been to the city and will be navigating my sightseeing alone for two days. So my question to you is, what should I do during my time up there? What sights did you love visiting? Which were totally overrated? Anyone have any great tips about the city in general?

Thanks so much in advance!

Do you know where you will be staying? That might help determine what types of things we suggest. The "T" (subway) is very good and goes all over Boston. You could spend time at Fanueil Hall, walking the Freedom Trail, going to the Science Museum, the Art Museum, etc. There are lots of things to do in Boston!

 

[Missyrose]

Do you know where you will be staying? That might help determine what types of things we suggest. The "T" (subway) is very good and goes all over Boston. You could spend time at Fanueil Hall, walking the Freedom Trail, going to the Science Museum, the Art Museum, etc. There are lots of things to do in Boston!

Oops, sorry! I should have included that info. We're staying at the Hyatt Regency at 1 Ave De Lafayette, it's about a block from Boston Common.

 

[Janepod]

Hey! We just got back from a few days up there (including the 100th anniversary Fenway game.) We enjoyed the Freedom Trail - we did it on our own with one of the DK books, not with a tour guide/group. We visited Fenway on the day they did the open house; while that was a one-time thing, they do offer stadium tours, which might interest a baseball fan. We also spent a good half day at the Museum of Science - would have spent longer but we had to get to Fenway for the anniversary celebration. That is really a fine museum if you have kids; I will definitely return.

We were not allowed into Faneuil Hall because they were having a swearing in of new citizens. While we were disappointed to miss the sightseeing, it was really cool to see all of the people in the plaza queuing up with their American flags - lots of smiles and hugs and tears. Really very moving.

One word of advice: Park your car somewhere and leave it there until it's time to head home. Parking in Boston is awful (and this is coming from a New Yorker.)

Enjoy your trip!

 

[englishteacha]

Take a Duck Tour! And go to the public gardens (near the common) to see the Make Way for Ducklings statues!

 

[lalijack]

Next to Fanueil Hall is Quincy Market, which has all sorts of cool shops, restaurants, and places to grab a snack. Great place to people watch!

Also, if you're going to be in that area, walk across the street to the waterfront, there are parks along the waterfront where you can have a bite to eat and hang out for a bit, or just sit and rest while you check out the view.

Have fun!

 

[Missyrose]

Hey! We just got back from a few days up there (including the 100th anniversary Fenway game.) We enjoyed the Freedom Trail - we did it on our own with one of the DK books, not with a tour guide/group. We visited Fenway on the day they did the open house; while that was a one-time thing, they do offer stadium tours, which might interest a baseball fan. We also spent a good half day at the Museum of Science - would have spent longer but we had to get to Fenway for the anniversary celebration. That is really a fine museum if you have kids; I will definitely return.

We were not allowed into Faneuil Hall because they were having a swearing in of new citizens. While we were disappointed to miss the sightseeing, it was really cool to see all of the people in the plaza queuing up with their American flags - lots of smiles and hugs and tears. Really very moving.

One word of advice: Park your car somewhere and leave it there until it's time to head home. Parking in Boston is awful (and this is coming from a New Yorker.)

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for all the awesome info Jane! The Fenway tour is at the top of my to-do list. What can I say, I'm a sports girl at heart! No worries about a car, I'm flying up there and not planning to rent a car. I've heard horror stories from friends about driving in Boston.

Take a Duck Tour! And go to the public gardens (near the common) to see the Make Way for Ducklings statues!

I saw the duckling statues in one of the guide books I took out from the library, they look so cute! Thanks for the tips!

Next to Fanueil Hall is Quincy Market, which has all sorts of cool shops, restaurants, and places to grab a snack. Great place to people watch!

Also, if you're going to be in that area, walk across the street to the waterfront, there are parks along the waterfront where you can have a bite to eat and hang out for a bit, or just sit and rest while you check out the view.

Have fun!

People watching is a favorite hobby of mine, thanks for the tips on where to do it!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Have dinner and dessert at least once in the North End.

 

[Missyrose]

Have dinner and dessert at least once in the North End.

Thanks Pea-n-Me! Got any good restaurant recommendations for that area?

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Thanks Pea-n-Me! Got any good restaurant recommendations for that area?

Giacamo's.

 

[debster812]

Thanks Pea-n-Me! Got any good restaurant recommendations for that area?

The North End is Boston's "Little Italy". The main drag is Hanover Street, and you could go into any restaurant on Hanover St and not get a bad meal. That being said, a couple of our favorites are

Trattoria il Panino on Parmenter St

La Famiglia Giorgio on Salem St

Mother Anna's at the corner of Hanover and Cross St

for dessert/coffee we like Caffe Vittoria

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Hi friends,
(mainly so I can finally go to a game at Fenway! ).

Do already have tickets for the game? They are tough to come by last minute. The Fenway tour is also very neat.

If you're in the Public Garden checking out the duckling statues, you should certainly also take the swanboat ride to see Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as well.
(Good to read or re-read Make Way for Ducklings first for full effect.)

Best way to see Boston is the Freedom Trail. You can't get lost- there is literally a red line on the ground. (You know those "follow the green line" ads? Same thing, only red, lol) You can get a book explaining the sites at probably any gift shop. (Some of the sites do have guides there, but not all.) There is also a nice app that does the same if you have a smart phone.

The trail covers most of the historic sites in town. It goes into the North End and lets you check out Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. If you want to do Museum of Science or the waterfront, they are just a quick bump off the trail.

Quincy Market for lunch is crazy and there is limited seating. If you're their at noon and it's nice out- you're fine, just eat outside. If it's cold or raining or whatever- pick another place to eat.

 

[bellanotte10]

Charles St. and Newbury St. are nice shopping streets. Very high end but GREAT for people watching and window shopping!

 

[TARDIS]

My question would be what type of tourist are you? Are you interested in history of an area or would you prefer to people watch and get a general feel for a city and shop? We have both!

I might take one of the trolley tours around the city, walk through the Boston commons and hit up the North End for food at some point. I would also definitely want to head towards Faneuil Hall. Boston is such a compact city this stuff is all very easy to get to from each other.

ETA: It's funny because as I'm saying this I have a very clear visual of everything. I've walked from Boston commons to the North end. It's not a "short walk", but it's not crazy either. On a nice day it can be rather enjoyable. The streets are not on a grid pattern, but there are some really neat cemeteries buildings along the way you may want to check out.

 

[DEA]

Do you like chocolate, or dessert in general? Finale might be worth a visit.

Another North End rec: Pagliuca's.

 

[ccgirl]

Do already have tickets for the game? They are tough to come by last minute. The Fenway tour is also very neat.

If you're in the Public Garden checking out the duckling statues, you should certainly also take the swanboat ride to see Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as well.
(Good to read or re-read Make Way for Ducklings first for full effect.)

Best way to see Boston is the Freedom Trail. You can't get lost- there is literally a red line on the ground. (You know those "follow the green line" ads? Same thing, only red, lol) You can get a book explaining the sites at probably any gift shop. (Some of the sites do have guides there, but not all.) There is also a nice app that does the same if you have a smart phone.

The trail covers most of the historic sites in town. It goes into the North End and lets you check out Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. If you want to do Museum of Science or the waterfront, they are just a quick bump off the trail.

Quincy Market for lunch is crazy and there is limited seating. If you're their at noon and it's nice out- you're fine, just eat outside. If it's cold or raining or whatever- pick another place to eat.

Bolded mine. That's what I was going to ask. As far as I know, only single seats were left to the games.

 

[merlib]

Thanks Pea-n-Me! Got any good restaurant recommendations for that area?

Al Dente --- great restaurant, but very small. You'll want to make a reservation. We ate there last year for an end of year treat for our daughter, who goes to school in Boston. This year, it will be a graduation dinner!

 

[KBoopaloo]

Bolded mine. That's what I was going to ask. As far as I know, only single seats were left to the games.

Sox tickets aren't as tough to come by as they used to be, especially for weeknight games this early in the season so OP should be able to get something as long as she is not picky or only looking for the Saturday game. I was able to pull up two tickets together for every game in the Athletics and Baltimore series' with the exception of the Saturday game.

Also, OP, if the tickets you see online aren't what you are looking for, the Sox run a "Scalp Free Zone" by Gate B, I think. Basically it is a place for people with tickets to try and unload their tickets at face value (or sometimes less) using the Sox as the middleman. I bought tickets there with a friend a few years back and basically the Sox employee asked us what pricepoint we were looking for, then he went over to the people with the tickets to see if anything matched up, then he came back and took the cash from us (it is cash only and exact change!), went over to the ticketholders and showed them the cash, took the tickets from them and then walked us to the gate to be sure that they were valid tickets. Once we were inside, he handed over the cash to the original ticketholder. It gave us a little piece of mind over dealing with a scalper on the street!

Your hotel is super close to the Freedom Trail. If you head right out of the hotel onto Ave de Lafayette and then take a right onto Washington Street, just walk a few blocks and you can pick up the trail in front of Old South Meeting House.

You are also close to Chinatown and the theater district at that hotel. If you head up to the North End, I love Dolce Vita and Antico Forno for restaurants.

 

[Missyrose]

Giacamo's.

The North End is Boston's "Little Italy". The main drag is Hanover Street, and you could go into any restaurant on Hanover St and not get a bad meal. That being said, a couple of our favorites are

Trattoria il Panino on Parmenter St

La Famiglia Giorgio on Salem St

Mother Anna's at the corner of Hanover and Cross St

for dessert/coffee we like Caffe Vittoria

Thanks for the restaurant recs!

Do already have tickets for the game? They are tough to come by last minute. The Fenway tour is also very neat.

Bolded mine. That's what I was going to ask. As far as I know, only single seats were left to the games.

Sox tickets aren't as tough to come by as they used to be, especially for weeknight games this early in the season so OP should be able to get something as long as she is not picky or only looking for the Saturday game. I was able to pull up two tickets together for every game in the Athletics and Baltimore series' with the exception of the Saturday game.

Also, OP, if the tickets you see online aren't what you are looking for, the Sox run a "Scalp Free Zone" by Gate B, I think. Basically it is a place for people with tickets to try and unload their tickets at face value (or sometimes less) using the Sox as the middleman. I bought tickets there with a friend a few years back and basically the Sox employee asked us what pricepoint we were looking for, then he went over to the people with the tickets to see if anything matched up, then he came back and took the cash from us (it is cash only and exact change!), went over to the ticketholders and showed them the cash, took the tickets from them and then walked us to the gate to be sure that they were valid tickets. Once we were inside, he handed over the cash to the original ticketholder. It gave us a little piece of mind over dealing with a scalper on the street!

Your hotel is super close to the Freedom Trail. If you head right out of the hotel onto Ave de Lafayette and then take a right onto Washington Street, just walk a few blocks and you can pick up the trail in front of Old South Meeting House.

You are also close to Chinatown and the theater district at that hotel. If you head up to the North End, I love Dolce Vita and Antico Forno for restaurants.

I've got tickets for the game. A friend of mine in Boston offered up his company's seats when I called to see if he wanted to grab dinner while I'm in town, so we turned dinner into a Fenway double date!

If you're in the Public Garden checking out the duckling statues, you should certainly also take the swanboat ride to see Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as well.
(Good to read or re-read Make Way for Ducklings first for full effect.)

Best way to see Boston is the Freedom Trail. You can't get lost- there is literally a red line on the ground. (You know those "follow the green line" ads? Same thing, only red, lol) You can get a book explaining the sites at probably any gift shop. (Some of the sites do have guides there, but not all.) There is also a nice app that does the same if you have a smart phone.

The trail covers most of the historic sites in town. It goes into the North End and lets you check out Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. If you want to do Museum of Science or the waterfront, they are just a quick bump off the trail.

Quincy Market for lunch is crazy and there is limited seating. If you're their at noon and it's nice out- you're fine, just eat outside. If it's cold or raining or whatever- pick another place to eat.

I think I'm going to try Freedom Trail on Tuesday, thanks for the tip about the phone app -- I'll have to take a look for that after I finish work tonight!

Charles St. and Newbury St. are nice shopping streets. Very high end but GREAT for people watching and window shopping!

I'm ALWAYS down for shopping!

My question would be what type of tourist are you? Are you interested in history of an area or would you prefer to people watch and get a general feel for a city and shop? We have both!

I might take one of the trolley tours around the city, walk through the Boston commons and hit up the North End for food at some point. I would also definitely want to head towards Faneuil Hall. Boston is such a compact city this stuff is all very easy to get to from each other.

ETA: It's funny because as I'm saying this I have a very clear visual of everything. I've walked from Boston commons to the North end. It's not a "short walk", but it's not crazy either. On a nice day it can be rather enjoyable. The streets are not on a grid pattern, but there are some really neat cemeteries buildings along the way you may want to check out.

I like the historical stuff, also am pretty keen on museums and shopping. On this trip (since I have so little time), I just want to soak up the city a bit. Explore the feel of Boston. I'm sure I'll be back at some point to see everything I couldn't get to this time.

I like the trolley idea!

Do you like chocolate, or dessert in general? Finale might be worth a visit.

Another North End rec: Pagliuca's.

Love desserts! Thanks.

Al Dente --- great restaurant, but very small. You'll want to make a reservation. We ate there last year for an end of year treat for our daughter, who goes to school in Boston. This year, it will be a graduation dinner!

One of my best friends just emailed me the same restaurant recommendation, I think I may just have to try it! Off to look up reservation info...


Thanks again to everyone who has chimed in. Personal experiences can help so much more when it comes to planning than words in a guide book.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Have a great time! If you are looking for a fun place to grab dinner before the game, try Tasty Burger. It is sort of behind that park near the intersection of Boylston Street and Yawkey Way. It is a converted gas station that is now a burger and fries spot. So yummy! And great milkshakes too! Boston BeerWorks is another great spot by Fenway. The only place I really wouldn't recommend around the park is Game On. It is very close so it gets a lot of business but I have always found it overpriced for mediocre food.