Boston Summer Vacation - Update post #31 page 3

[npmommie]

Also - tell me the scoop on the ferry from Boston to Provincetown in Cape Cod. Should we do that or drive?

If you take the ferry to Provincetown you could do without a car, you will be right in town and can walk to shops restaurants etc, i think there are trollies to get you to a beach i am not positive but i think you could get out to race point by trolly, and there is always a cab, but trolley can get you all around town but depending on what you want to do out there you may not need it. provincetown is a great destination

Understand why you picked Norwood. Still would recommend staying near the beach somewhere. If it was the middle of January or something, it wouldn't matter much. But July is prime beach season and we have lots of beautiful ones. In Norwood, you are quite a ways away from any beaches or beach towns. Look along the coast.

I have to agree, i wouldn't stay out in norwood, there are reasonable hotels in other locations too.

what do you want to do on the majority of your time in the boston area

 

[kpm76]

Check out Travelzoo. I just got an email that includes a great deal on the Park Plaza hotel in Boston. It is a beautiful hotel (I have stayed there) and the location is wonderful.

As for RI beaches, I love them all, but I think Narragansett Town Beach, which is adjacent to the Towers, is a fun beach with great surf. I like Galilee too. I don't usually concern myself with the water because it's always too cold for me to swim. From Galilee you could take the ferry to Block Island and spend a few hours there. Galilee has some nice little seafood places too. Roger Wheeler is a great family beach as the water is not very rough. If you are experienced swimmers and like rough surf, go to East Matunuck or South Kingstown Town Beach.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Just checked out the John Carver Inn in Plymouth - very cool! Trying to get the Cape Codder page to load.

We're planning to go to a Red Sox game, yes I know we will pay BIG $$$ for that, but that is big draw for the boys and hubby. We'll tour Fenway as well. Would like to do the Freedom Trail and maybe Duck Tours. I would love to spend a lot of time at the beach, but my youngest one can be a bit impatient and restless with the "relaxing" type of activities - so it wouldn't be the main focus.

Thanks for helping me think outside the box. Keep the suggestions coming!

 

[librarygal]

Just got back from Boston yesterday. I would suggest you stay in the city a few nights. Why commute from far away in the suburbs? We got the Hyatt Regency on Priceline for $65. You can take the T from the airport into the city, stay a few nights and then pick up the car in town. We used Alamo near the Aquarium. The car rental prices at Logan were sky high.

We went up to Portsmouth, NH and enjoyed it but it does not have much for kids.

 

[KAMLEM]

You should also be aware that the Residence Inn in Norwood is right on Route 1 and the traffic can be awful at times. I commute that way every day so I know from first hand experience!

 

[puffkin]

I would suggest staying in Boston a few days and then staying near a beach a few days. We stayed at the DoubleTree Boston Bayside (near UMass) a few years ago. It was a very easy T-ride into town....the station was right across the street from the hotel. Our primary purpose was to see a few games at Fenway and we found this location to be pretty good and a bit cheaper than staying in the city. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again unless I could get something cheaper in the city.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Just got back from Boston yesterday. I would suggest you stay in the city a few nights. Why commute from far away in the suburbs? We got the Hyatt Regency on Priceline for $65. You can take the T from the airport into the city, stay a few nights and then pick up the car in town. We used Alamo near the Aquarium. The car rental prices at Logan were sky high.

Actually I was just looking into Hotwire, and that just might be the best idea for the city. We have to have two beds for four people however, so I am a bit worried about that. Hotwire is supposed to honor that when you bid where as Priceline can't from what I understand.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I would recommend staying at the ROYAL SONESTA. in Cambbridge.

and use that as your jumping of point.

 

[debster812]

The Marriott in Quincy might not be a bad idea. VERY close to a couple of stops on the T (Red Line) Quincy Adams and Braintree. Close to a decent sized mall, and movie theater. There is a beach in Quincy (Wollaston) but it's not exactly a great swimming beach. But it's a nice walk, and there are a couple of great Clam Shops on the beach. Nantasket Beach is in Hull (about a 25 minute drive south) and that is a better swimming beach, but a little further out, and not quite as picturesque.

You can also take a ferry from Quincy (the old Quincy shipyard) to the Boston waterfront. It's technically the airport shuttle, but also stops at Rowe's Wharf in Boston. That's called the Harbor Express.

The NE Aquarium does a very nice job on Whale Watches. We've done that several times. We'll take the Quincy Water shuttle to Rowe's Wharf (Aquarium is right there) then go on the Whale Watch.

The Tall Ships are also coming to Boston this summer, but I think you'll miss them, as they're only here from the 8th to the 12th.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

I booked our flights and got a pretty good rate at Marriott's Residence in Tudor Wharf. I know the location could be improved, but for the $$, it's the best I could do. I may keep looking at Hotwire, but I like the fact that the Marriott has two Queen Beds and a little kitchen set up.

Thanks for all the great advice! Now we just need to figure out that beach/Cape Cod part of the trip!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

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!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The only thing worth visiting in Revere is Kelly's... for clam rolls and lobster rolls. Carry on.

Just don't go to Revere!
although that is based from my experiences in the 80's so maybe it's nicer now?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

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!

The back bay is a great base. Close to Fenway, close to the Common, downtown crossing, etc. If it's your first trip there's a lot to see within the city. Don't forget a visit to the north end for pasta and/or pastries.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

If you are planning all these activities I suggest you get the "Go Boston" card which includes admissions to all of these things (and more) for the number of days you'll be there. It's a cheap way to pre-pay touristy things at a substantial discount. Not all Go! cards are a good deal, but the one for Boston really is. Further, if you like a particular attraction, you can do it again the next day without paying additional fees. It's a great deal.

Make sure you head to the Common to get on a walking tour group of the Freedom Trail. The individual leading the tour will be in period garb and know a LOT about what you're seeing. It really does make the entire walk more interesting. Also, the Go Card gains you admission to all the historical sites along the way (otherwise you'd be paying separately).

Getting a T pass or charlie ticket/card for everyone for the duration of your stay is a great way to get around while you're there. The MBTA website has a lot of options.

PS- Boston in July isn't any worse than Orlando any time of year...

Just checked out the John Carver Inn in Plymouth - very cool! Trying to get the Cape Codder page to load.

We're planning to go to a Red Sox game, yes I know we will pay BIG $$$ for that, but that is big draw for the boys and hubby. We'll tour Fenway as well. Would like to do the Freedom Trail and maybe Duck Tours. I would love to spend a lot of time at the beach, but my youngest one can be a bit impatient and restless with the "relaxing" type of activities - so it wouldn't be the main focus.

Thanks for helping me think outside the box. Keep the suggestions coming!

 

[momrek06]

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!

You did AMAZING!! That hotel is awesome. It is very $$$$! It usually runs around $300.00 per night!

Have a blast in BEANTOWN!!!!!!!!!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

If you are planning all these activities I suggest you get the "Go Boston" card which includes admissions to all of these things (and more) for the number of days you'll be there. It's a cheap way to pre-pay touristy things at a substantial discount. Got it already - and at 25% off too

Getting a T pass or charlie ticket/card for everyone for the duration of your stay is a great way to get around while you're there. The MBTA website has a lot of options. I really need to figure this out! Would like a pass for a week - does that include the buses too?
PS- Boston in July isn't any worse than Orlando any time of year... That's what I am afraid of! Notice all our Florida/Caribbean trips have been in Nov. or Dec

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

You did AMAZING!! That hotel is awesome. It is very $$$$! It usually runs around $300.00 per night!

Have a blast in BEANTOWN!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Momrek06 - I really wanted someone to realize what a great deal I got and do the happy dance with me! Thank you sooo much for obliging!

 

[npmommie]

Awesome!!! You got a great deal, and the Back Bay is a great spot!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Awesome!!! You got a great deal, and the Back Bay is a great spot!

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

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

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.

If you are particularly adventurous you can take the Silver line to the Red line to the Green line to travel from the airport to your hotel. It's actually easier than it sounds and considering the taxi fare to the backbay area ($45 - mostly because of tunnel surcharges) from the airport it's a great way to save a few dollars!

Have a great trip!