Boston help

[KarenB]

We (DH, DSs 15 and 13, myself) went to Boston for 4 wonderful days in August. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of where we stayed (if you want to know, PM me and I'll ask DH when he comes home!).

Anyway, it was right in the center of the city. We parked the car and never used it. There was a parking garage in the hotel and we were only charged about $20/day. We walked EVERYWHERE!! We had a blast and saw so much!!!!

One thing I have to recommend besides good walking shoes, is the Duck Tours. It looks kind of goofy and touristy but it is great-and we learned a lot too. Make reservations before hand because it sells out quickly!!!

Have a wonderful time!
Karen

 

[Pooh's Pal]

I also recommend NOT having a car in Boston....Unless you are driving right in and out of the city. I just wanted to say have a wonderful trip and wondering where you will be when you hit the Cape?

 

[macs4us]

I am beginning to find that things are already booking up, so I am trying to figure out a loose schedule of what to do when and pin down which days we will stay in Boston. It looks like the third weekend in October, which will probably be pretty busy. I thought the weekend before we would do Salem (do a House of the 7 Gables Lantern tour) and get to Acadia. Then we would head to the Cape, and camp at Nickerson State Park - if it is open, as it wasn't this winter.

Any other "musts" I should know about to add to my schedule?

Thanks....

 

[disney cathy]

DocRafiki,
The NCEA is the National Catholic School Educators Association and it is a BIG convention. We will be there April 12-16.

 

[dejr_8]

Make sure you purchase tickets to the House of the Seven Gables in advance. They are rarely available on a walk-up basis.

Are you aware of how long the drives are going to be?

From Salem to Acadia is probably 4 hours and then Acadia to the Cape is going to be about 6 - 7 hours.

Do you know that there is a cruise to Nova Scotia from Bar Habor? (If you are looking for something else to do).

 

[Mouseteacher]

To those of you coming to the NCEA convention in April - Welcome!! I am co-chairing a committee for the NCEA and the Convention is really looking good! The Park Plaza is conveniently located to the Hynes Auditorium. A few of the teachers from my school are staying there, also. I was able to get in at the Sheraton. I am earning Starwood points for my next WDW Dolphin stay!

Any questions on the Convention, don't hesitate to PM me. See you in April!

 

[Dana49]

We stayed in Boston from December 29 - January 1. I booked a room at the Tremont Wyndham, The hotel is a beautifully restored building located in the heart of the Theater District. It's within easy walking distance to Fenway Park, the Prudential Center, Quincy Market, the North End, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Common, the Boston Public Gardens, and Beacon Hill. If you wish to learn of Boston's history, take the Olde Town Trolley tour. We have taken the tour twice and enjoyed it each time.

The Boston Park Plaza is two blocks from the Theater District. It's also a beautifully restored hotel but slightly more expensive than the Tremont Wyndham. In fact, the Park Plaza is considered to be one of the city's best. We stayed there about 4-years ago and enjoyed it very much. We changed to the Tremont Wyndham this time because the Park Plaza was the city's headquarters for "First Night" and the rooms were extremely expensive.

Boston is a great city. If you get the opportunity, have dinner in the North End at one of the best Italian restaurants you'll ever visit, "La Famiglia Georgio" on Salem St. It's very reasonable and the food is outstanding (bring your appetite). Have a great trip!

 

[macs4us]

Originally posted by dejr_8
Are you aware of how long the drives are going to be?

From Salem to Acadia is probably 4 hours and then Acadia to the Cape is going to be about 6 - 7 hours.

I have to giggle, because my husband drives four hours a day in traffic to and from work. Good old SoCal...

Since we often drive to WDW (just drove to New Orleans for Mardi Gras), the drive shouldn't be too bad - the scenery will be great. But I appreciate you telling me, as it helps in my scheduling (to be "realistic" about how much we can do).

Also, thanks about the tips re: 7 Gables and the Nova Scotia cruise. The cruise sounds wonderful, and I will definitely get my tix in advance for the lantern tour.

Everyone has given me such good info - please keep it coming!!!

 

[LUVDSNY04]

Thank you for all the information about the Boston Park Plaza. It's going to be a fun convention!

Mouseteacher,
What is happening the first night? Where do I go for tickets for the book company parties?

 

[Kallison]

The subway is real easy to use in Boston. They were so nice about explaining it all to us (nothing like NYC!) even though we were all wearing Yankees hats!

If you like history you might like to make a side trip to Quincy, Mass to see all the John Adams houses. They are incredible.

Don't forget to go to the real Cheers. We had a blast there, that was always one of our favorite shows.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Here's a couple of Cape Cod links...hope they help!
Nickerson State Park:
http://www.state.ma.us/dem/parks/nick.htm
Cape Cod:
www.capecodchamber.org
National Park ServiceIncludes the beautiful National Seashore!)
http://www.nps.gov/caco

The fall is a great time to visit the Cape.
you should have a great time..not too busy, except Columbus day weekend.(Try to stop by Plymouth, Mass and see "the rock"!
I work in a great seafood place, but it's in the center of the Cape, in the village of Hyannis, (within the town of Barnstable) called Barbyann's.
If you come into Hyannis (www.hyannis.com) to see the Kennedy compound, JFK Memorial, the JFK museum, or take the ferry over to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard...email me and I'll help you out with directions if you need them...

Are you driving from the West Coast???

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by disney cathy
DocRafiki,
The NCEA is the National Catholic School Educators Association and it is a BIG convention. We will be there April 12-16.

Thanks so much. Could one of you tell me what the official hotels are for the convention?

 

[macs4us]

Originally posted by Pooh's Pal
Are you driving from the West Coast???

Not this trip - we are flying JetBlue. We want to have more time to explore the Northeast, and my husband hates to miss more than 2 weeks of work. Usually we take the redeye, and then we are tired enough to go to sleep on eastern time by the end of the day.

I just found out my husband needs to go to Kansas City again on business in a couple of weeks, and wants me to drive and bring the kitties. Guess I'll have to get on that trip this weekend...

 

[Mouseteacher]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Thanks so much. Could one of you tell me what the official hotels are for the convention?

Official Hotel is the Sheraton Boston. The Westin and the Marriott are in close proximity to the Hynes Convention Center and designated as Convention hotels so they fill up, too. Some of the Convention sessions are held at these hotels in addition to the Sheraton. We are expecting over14,000 people that week. Then, the Boston Marathon comes in for the following Monday. There will probably be some overlap in hotel crowding from these 2 events.

LUVDSNY04~ I believe the book companies will give out invites to any hospitality rooms or dinners they are hosting at the Exhibitor's Hall. Also, ask your principal for the publishers you use - they like to schmooze their own to keep the business. Sometimes, invites are sent to schools directly. Maybe we DISers should wear lime green ribbons on our convention badges, too! I'll be manning the Volunteer sign-in desk near room 207 - drop by and say "hello"!

Please excuse the NCEA Convention interuption on your thread, mac! You are getting some good advice from us New Englanders. There is such a change in landscaping here - from the city (Boston) to the suburbs(Salem, Concord, Lexington) to the Cape (seashore) to the mountains/lakes (NH, Maine and Vermont). It is truly New England at its finest. Just be careful about the traffic and crowds in the north country on weekends - many, many "leaf-peepers" are out and about.

 

[dejr_8]

One more stop... Kittery Maine has some major brand outlets. If you are into L L Bean this is where they are based. They have a company store plus a factory store so you can get some good deals. Kittery is on the drive from Salem to Acadia...

 

[macs4us]

Thanks for the heads up on the shopping!!!! I have got to go there...

And no worries about any "interruptions" mouseteacher - I hope everyone going to Boston takes advantage of the wonderful advice I have gotten so far.

 

[MK Familystone]

HI!
MAY I offer the following:
Try and get a AAA Foliage timing map which is printed every year which has suggested routes and predicted times that the peak foliage color will occor in the NorthEast.
The Peak colors move form northern NH thru MA. to the Cape/RI at weekly Intervals.
Boston can be very colorful with and without the leaves on the trees. You are able to see more of the buildings.
In Boston on or around Columus Day Weekend is a very large womens 10K road race which takes up alot of the rooms in downtown.
In NH, we do the North Conway, MT. Washington, Cannon Mountain scenic route. staying at The Red Jacket or Comfort Inn and Suites in north Conway,NH.
YOU MUST BOOK NOW!
First, the Democratic National Convention is comming to Boston and once the delegates get the drift of the area and hear about the foliage trip idea they will book while they are there.
Second, NH in foliage season is like trying to get into WDW for Christmas and Easter.

On the Cape , we stay at The Red Jacket also, it is a sister Resort.
located in Harwich, both are on the web .
Small note,if you go all the way out to the tip of the Cape. Provencetown, there is a tourist center where you can see the Boston sky line on a clear day.
Maine , The Clift House in Ogunquin, on the web also ,
Living only 30 miles from Boston we don't spend much time lodging in town.
If you have any questions just ask.
"ENJOY!!!"
"the MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"