Budget Trip to Boston

[Arielle22]

If she is going to One Direction this may or may not apply as they are there from Thursday to Saturday. If she is going to Luke Bryan it definitely won't apply.

I was thinking of the big Country concert. Isn't that in August? My DD went to Taylor Swift at Gillette last year and the Country concert. Given the traffic DH and I took turns driving even though she has her license. It took me 2 hours just to get down Rt 1 (and that was driving in the breakdown lane).

I told DD that if she went to another concert, we were getting a room at the hotel and she could walk over when the concert was done.

I have stayed at the Marriott near Quincy Adams and it is nice. Parking at Quincy Adams usually fills up quickly on weekdays (as does Braintree) due to Quincy Center parking lot being closed.

I would avoid the aquarium, It didn't impress me at all the two times I went. MOS is nice if your children like science. I believe there are also walking tours of Boston you can join. I have seen them when I take a walk at lunch. I have also seen Segway tours but that might be out of your budget.

 

[3boymthr]

I was thinking of the big Country concert. Isn't that in August? My DD went to Taylor Swift at Gillette last year and the Country concert. Given the traffic DH and I took turns driving even though she has her license. It took me 2 hours just to get down Rt 1 (and that was driving in the breakdown lane).

I told DD that if she went to another concert, we were getting a room at the hotel and she could walk over when the concert was done.

I have stayed at the Marriott near Quincy Adams and it is nice. Parking at Quincy Adams usually fills up quickly on weekdays (as does Braintree) due to Quincy Center parking lot being closed.

I would avoid the aquarium, It didn't impress me at all the two times I went. MOS is nice if your children like science. I believe there are also walking tours of Boston you can join. I have seen them when I take a walk at lunch. I have also seen Segway tours but that might be out of your budget.

The Country Concert is Luke Bryan, which is on the 10th of August which is a Sunday. One Direction is there from the 7-9th which is why I had said if she was going there the free Bank of America admission at museums wouldn't apply.

And that two hours of traffic is why you'd definitely want to stay at the Renaissance if you can get a room (but as of right now no rooms are available for any of those dates) and can afford it. If not, it's why Mansfield is good. There is also another hotel right on Route 1 within walking distance (it used to be the End Zone but I'm not sure of the name now) which is OK but not someplace I'd want to stay with kids. The Route 140 ramp puts you on Route 1 at Dunkin Donuts/Chase Lumber both of which are within walking distance of the stadium - a long walk but still walking distance. They park cars in the lots immediately after the ramps.

 

[Arielle22]

The Country Concert is Luke Bryan, which is on the 10th of August which is a Sunday. One Direction is there from the 7-9th which is why I had said if she was going there the free Bank of America admission at museums wouldn't apply.

And that two hours of traffic is why you'd definitely want to stay at the Renaissance if you can get a room (but as of right now no rooms are available for any of those dates) and can afford it. If not, it's why Mansfield is good. There is also another hotel right on Route 1 within walking distance (it used to be the End Zone but I'm not sure of the name now) which is OK but not someplace I'd want to stay with kids. The Route 140 ramp puts you on Route 1 at Dunkin Donuts/Chase Lumber both of which are within walking distance of the stadium - a long walk but still walking distance. They park cars in the lots immediately after the ramps.

I agree about the End Zone. It is a motel rather than a hotel. I was amazed at how many people walked in from motels when I dropped by DD off.

 

[handicap18]

though parking at MOS is not hard

Yes, parking at MOS is not hard. It's the driving to MOS if your not familiar with Boston that is hard.

For the aquarium, I can take it or leave it.

As for Whale Watches. I love them. I like watching the tourists almost as much as watching for whales. Especially those tourists from land locked states who are all gung-ho about going on a boat ride only to realize that once you get past Boston Light that it's not a lake or pond boat ride.

Whales are VERY large animals (they breathe air, they are not fish). And they live in a VERY VERY large ocean. Not a pond or lake. If anyone goes on one thinking its a nice simple boat ride, well I guess you flunked geography.

Staying in Mansfield is probably the best suggestion. Easy to get to/from both Gillette Stadium and Boston.

 

[Eureka]

Quincy Market would be good for lunch but be warned it can get crowded. It is a like a big food court with good food options. If you want a sit down place and really experience Boston/New England, Durgin Park has good old fashion Yankee cooking. It is also located by Quincy Market. Honestly, you will not starve in Boston!

We lived in the Boston area years ago. Reading threads like this make me homesick!

I was also going to recommend Quincy Market especially if you have only a day. Tons of shops and food and it's near the T and the Freedom Trail. On a nice day, just wandering around there is fun. Have not eaten at Durgin Park in really long time but I remember it being good.

 

[abmitch01]

also, the T (subway) is a very easy way to get around, the maps are good and the T, so far when I've been on it, has been clean and safe

the Fodor's books are nice and come with a great map. I always check them out of my library before going

 

[trinchick]

I'll just reiterate what many others have said:

Huge NO to the aquarium
Modified yes to the duck tour (fun but can be pricey)

SUPER YES to the Freedom Trail. Follow along for as much or as little as you'd like to see, spending as much time at each "attraction" as you'd like. You can finish in the North End and grab lunch or coffee/pastry. Galleria Umberto is good and incredibly CHEAP. Get takeout and head to the Rose Kennedy Greenway for a great picnic and good people watching. Walk back to the South Station area along the Harbor Walk.

Yes to the Public Garden/swan boats. Puts you right at Newbury Street for shopping/lunch/people walking.

Yes to the Museum of Science only if the weather is really poor or you have a real science fan in your party.

 

[briand1023]

Definetly do the duck tours Fun time and you learn some history about boston.

 

[my2disneyboys]

I am from Boston and my brother is a duck boat driver - so I will say it truly is a great tour - both in the water and on land. These drivers really know thier stuff!

Touring Fenway Park is a really fun thing to do (its free or cheap - i can't remember) and I also think the swan boats in the public garden is fun and a must do.

If you love Disney like me, then you probaly like Earl of Sandwich and the Boston Common just opened one smack in the middle of the common - Perfect place for lunch!!

A stop to the north end and Mike's pastries is also a boston must do....

Enjoy

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

You will be in my home town. . There is a hotel next to the stadium. The Raddison I am fairly sure. My friend who comes home to visit stays there. It is clean, close,and once there no traffic. The next day you can drive to the Braintree T station and head into Boston. It is not a bad commute at all. The subway will take you all over. Get off at park st and take the Freedom trail with a character in costume. When done take a swan boat ride and check ou make way for ducklings statue. Head to the north end and eat pizza. We pizza hop and have a slice at many places. Mos and aquarium are ok but. With limited time I would stick with the freedom trail.

 

[abmitch01]

just remember not to call the Freedom Trail Guy a cast member or ask how to get fast passes, lol

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

I used to be a member at the mos for 10 years. Yes, it is better than the aquarium. They have special exhibits that rotate through check to see what is coming. Having been there too many times, I can tell you it can get crazy busy. It is one price for all day parking. you could go in and then tour Boston from there as well. It would be very pricey though. Also, if the parking lot is full you are sol and would pay more for other parking. Not sure where you live but being from the Boston area I have to agree with what they say we drive like crazy people.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

just remember not to call the Freedom Trail Guy a cast member or ask how to get fast passes, lol

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

We will be going to Boston/Foxborough in the beginning of November. Have NEVER been there. We have an airline credit to use that was supposed to be from our Disney World trip and we wanted to see our favorite football team(Broncos) at a different stadium so we thought the Patriots would be an awesome game to go to and we'll use our airline credit for that.

We have a 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 year old (they will almost be 4 and 6). My MIL will also be joining us and she has offered to use her timeshare. It's for the Wyndham and there are 3 within 20 miles.

Do we get a rental car? Use public transit? I understand parking is expensive near the stadium but I'm seeing a cab from the hotel could cost $100? I'd like some help too!

Also, we plan to get in Saturday late afternoon and stay until Tuesday. What do you all suggest to do with children this age? Would they enjoy the Freedom Trail, museum etc.?

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We will be going to Boston/Foxborough in the beginning of November. Have NEVER been there. We have an airline credit to use that was supposed to be from our Disney World trip and we wanted to see our favorite football team(Broncos) at a different stadium so we thought the Patriots would be an awesome game to go to and we'll use our airline credit for that.

We have a 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 year old (they will almost be 4 and 6). My MIL will also be joining us and she has offered to use her timeshare. It's for the Wyndham and there are 3 within 20 miles.

Do we get a rental car? Use public transit? I understand parking is expensive near the stadium but I'm seeing a cab from the hotel could cost $100? I'd like some help too!

Also, we plan to get in Saturday late afternoon and stay until Tuesday. What do you all suggest to do with children this age? Would they enjoy the Freedom Trail, museum etc.?

I hope you already have your Pat's tickets because they can be very tough to get. There is a Boston Children's Museum that is great. Also, a Duck Tour would be wonderful for your kid's ages. Walking around Boston Common and going to see the the Ducks from the book Make Way for Ducklings is fun. I am not sure if the Swan boats will be running in November.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I hope you already have your Pat's tickets because they can be very tough to get. There is a Boston Children's Museum that is great. Also, a Duck Tour would be wonderful for your kid's ages. Walking around Boston Common and going to see the the Ducks from the book Make Way for Ducklings is fun. I am not sure if the Swan boats will be running in November.

We don't - however, my husband works in ticket sales for a professional sport's team and knows many, many people from different professional sports organizations and brokers.

Thanks for the advice on things to do!

I'm still not sure about transportation...

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I would absolutely rent a car.

 

[leebee]

I grew up outside of Boston but went into the city every weekend during the last two years of high school to take classes at MIT. We'd go to Cambridge, go to school, then head for the Commons for the afternoon. I also used to work in Kenmore Square, in the building with the Citgo sign on it that you can see over beyond right/center field from Fenway Park!

We love the Duck Tours, but they can be expensive. What I loved most was being able to see the city. When we go into Boston, we always take the T in, so never see the city buildings. The Duck Tour drivers are fun and know their stuff. We thought it was worth the money.

We also really like the Boston Museum of FIne Arts, which was a shock to me as I am not an "artsy" type of girl. Loved it, though!

If you walk the Freedom Trail, make sure you have your comfy shoes on- it can be a hike! We thought it was worth the money to take the guided tour for the history lessons, rather than just roam through the city, following the red line.

One of our favorite things to do is go see the USS Constitution. You can take the water shuttle, which is part of the T system, from the dock by the Aquarium. You get a great ride through Boston Harbor with an amazing view of the city skyline. When you get to the Charlestown dock, you can self-tour the Constitution, which gets you on the upper deck. However, if you wait and go through the security check, you get a guided tour which takes you below decks for an amazing view of how these guys lived on ship and fought the war. Both options are free, but we feel it's well worth the wait to take the guided, below-decks tour. ANd oh yes, there's a ColdStone Creamery right nearby!

City traffic is a nightmare, and I grew up driving in it. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I drove into Times Square, and decided it's easier to drive in Manhattan at 4pm on a weekday than it is to drive in Boston ANY day. Definitely take the T into the city!

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I would absolutely rent a car.

Thank you!

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

There is no public transportation in Foxboro. It is a small town that just happens to have a stadium. I will tell you there is a train that runs from Boston just on game days. I don't know much about it except it stops right behind the stadium only on game days. It has just a few pick up and drop offs as it was never really a true stop. Wyndham Becon Hill is your best bet if that is the chain you want to stay use. There is a hotel connected to the stadium. The traffic to the game will be tough. For the young ages the Children's Museum of Boston is great. The duck boats will be closed.