Boston Summer Vacation - Update post #31 page 3

[okeydokey]

Do you have transportation? A whale watch would be great!!

 

[Crankyshank]

Thanks - I noticed you suggested it in a previous post. Now I am obsessing over a beach to visit, and notice you mentioned some around Narragansett - I found a great site on Wheeler. Other than a rougher surf, what is the difference between it and Scarborough? What is Block Island?

THanks

Wheeler is a much nicer beach than Scarborough. I find Scarborough to be much more crowded. It's rocky though. If you want something a bit more active - 2nd beach in Newport is nice, smaller, calmer, but definitely touristy.
I enjoy Galilee (now the Salty Brine Beach). It's got a more old time New England seaport feel to it.
Block Island is just that - an island. There isn't much to do there but it is beautiful, very quintessential New England, and has great places to eat and relax.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Wheeler is a much nicer beach than Scarborough. I find Scarborough to be much more crowded. It's rocky though. If you want something a bit more active - 2nd beach in Newport is nice, smaller, calmer, but definitely touristy.
I enjoy Galilee (now the Salty Brine Beach). It's got a more old time New England seaport feel to it.
Block Island is just that - an island. There isn't much to do there but it is beautiful, very quintessential New England, and has great places to eat and relax.

Thanks! Wheeler looks great, but we did want some waves and heard something about Narragansett Town Beach? Does Salty Brine have waves and/or facilities? We also heard about Breakwater Village??

thanks!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

The Charlie cards/tickets are good on the buses and certain ferries, as well. It even includes commuter rail lines through Zone 1 (zone maps areavailable on the MBTA website). The 7 day unlimited pass for $15 is a fantastic deal. There are kiosks in the baggage claim areas at Logan where you can use an ATM card (or cash) to purchase the passes.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for all your great help! I love your "Life is Good - Fenway" avatar. Isn't their flagship/first store in Boston?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Now I am obsessing over a beach to visit

My DH wanted to tell you to consider going to Castle Island in South Boston if you want to split one of your days up, ie beach in am and touring pm. If you check out a map, it's accessible by public transportation (or a fairly easy drive by car) and is a neat place to visit. There is a big playground and a historic fort at the very end, as well as a small fried food type place. Beachy - right in the heart of Boston. http://www.celebrateboston.com/daytrips/castleisland.htm

If you're still wondering about another beach for a day trip, consider Hampton Beach, NH. http://hamptonbeach.org/

 

[PatsGirl]

Hampton Beach is a fun boardwalk-type beach area and lots of honky-tonk fun ~ we go every year the last week of June. Beach is excellent but not big waves.

Horseneck Beach in Dartmouth is a state park and usually pretty good surf.

Scusset in Plymouth is also a state park beach and you can walk the Cape Cod Canal, go fishing, etc. or just lay on the beach.

All three are within one hour of Boston and worth taking the trip. Plymouth is a great town to explore, Hampton is a fun vacation spot, and Horseneck Beach is just beautiful although not much else to do around there.

Hope you have fun whatever you choose. If you don't mind driving a bit more, beaches on the Lower Cape are fantastic! If you are looking for surf, nowhere beats the National Seashore! Of course, it's about 2 hours from Boston.

 

[Just Jan]

OOO I never go to Scussett beach. The water is just too ICEY cold for me.
I Love to bike and walk on the canal. (well not on the canal on the paves area lol)

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Thanks for the great ideas! Keep them coming! Finding something close to Boston for a short 1/2 day would be great. We're still thinking of renting a car one day and driving to RI and finding a beach around Narragansett too.

Had planned to take the bus tour up to Maine that is included on our GO Boston Card. But now I want to rent a car to do that too!

I am losing sleep over picking the right stuff to keep the boys happy! We have a lot planned around the city, and the Red Sox game, and I want to see Maine - so much to see!

 

[LindaG4458]

NEWS FLASH!!

After researching and researching, I nervously pushed the "book now" button on Hotwire for what I was 99% sure was the Westin Copley (Back Bay) Place and indeed it was, and I got it for $134 a night. For end of July, that is quite a great deal! So excited! Still looking into a good day trip to the beach - thanks for all the great input so far!

Congratulations! We stayed there last November for my niece's Bat Mitzvah. We paid a lot more than $134 a night, though. It's a very nice hotel and the location can't be beat. We were on the 19th floor and had a view toward the harbor. We will stay there again when we have to go to Boston for other family functions.