Heading to Boston next week! Any "must do's?"

[KarenB]

Hi! We (DH, DSs 13 and 15, myself) are taking a quick 4 day trip to Boston next week.

We have a few things we don't want to miss like walking the Freedom Trial, Quincy Market, public gardens, etc but we really like to get off the beaten path. We want to eat one night in the North End----any suggestions where? Possibly take in a Whale Watch out of Boston or head up to Gloucster.

We are staying in the theater district (great prices for the middle of the week!) so we will be right in the city.

It has been a very long time since I have been there and our children were tiny.

Anything that we really must do?

Thanks!
Karen

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

I'm going to Boston in Oct. for a wedding & would love any "hints" as well! I've never been. The weddings at the Harvard Club, anything fun to do on that side of town??
Where's the best shoppinng there???? What's Quincy Market??
I hope we get some good tips KarenB!!!!!!

 

[WilmaBud]

I always found the John F. Kennedy Library to be fascinating. I always thought public transportation was easy to use in Boston, so it's really easy to get around. Boston is one of my favorite cities.

 

[ILUVDXL]

With only 4 days there's way too much to see in such a short time. My suggestion is take the Old Town Trolley around town. I'm sure the concierge can arrange the tickets. The trollys stop at major hotels and you can get on and off all day. Some of the points of interest they will take you too is Paul Revere's House the N.E. Aquarium, USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Ols State House, just mentions a few. It's a great opportunity to get the lay of the land, We do this on the first day in any major city we go to.

 

[aprincessmom]

Personally I would skip the aquarium and take a boat out to some of the harbor islands...you can actually swim at some of them and the view looking back at the city is breathtaking. You can hike and explore to your heart's content. It's really fun.

And I second the JFK library recommendation.

I highly recommend Euno's in the North End...the food is phenomenal and the atmosphere is great.

The Fogg Museum at Harvard in Cambridge is wonderful and a little off the regular tourist route.

 

[izzy]

Karen,

I just got back from Boston a few weeks ago and had a GREAT time. I asked the same question on the boards about a month ago and got some great responses. (Sorry, I don't know how to link, or I'd try to link you to the thread. If you do a search on my name "Izzy" you'll find it easily.)

Anyway, I ended up doing the Duck Tour and the whale watching as well as a lot of walking around. I thoroughly enjoyed both. Also be sure to get to the North End if you like Italian food - yum!

Have fun!

Izzy

 

[JESW]

Boston is a great walking city! If the weather cooperates and you want some exercise, grab a map and head out!

The duck tours are a lot of fun! You ride in an old army amphibious (sp?) vehicle. Part of your tour is on land through the streets of the city, and part is on water. Cool!

Go to the top of the prudential tour and see the city from a different perspective.

Head over to Harvard or MIT and get your pics taken in front and you can tell everyone you went to Harvard!

Harvard Square is a funky place to walk around. Haven't been there in years but before it had different shops and restaurants.

If your kids read Make Way for Ducklings, there are statues of Mama Duck and her babies on the Boston common over by Newbury street I believe. The swan boats are also near there.

If you have museums and aquariums in your own state you may want to skip ours. They are good, but with such a short time here you may want to see more of the city and the surroundings.

Hope you have fun!

Jill

 

[s&k'smom]

First thing you have to do is drop all the r sounds in your accent! Try the Museum of Science or the New England Aquarium. And you've got to eat in the North End. Quincy Market is great to people watch. If you kids like seafood well can I say your going to the best city in the world for it.

 

[MNT568]

You have to go to Mike's Pastry in the North End, they have the best desserts! Also, try to take in a festival in the North End. The Museum of Science is great, they have some really neat shows. I believe the Kennedy museum has an exhibit right now with Jackie's wedding dress on display. The duck tours are fun. There is also a really fun trolley ride at night (dusk), I forget the exact name but it is something like the mysteries of Boston or the great crimes of Boston. It goes around the city and shows locations for Saco & Venzetti (sp?), the Brinks Job, the Boston strangler and a couple more, there are actors that hop on and off the trolley, it is really fun. If you head up to the Gloucester area, check out Rockport, a quaint little area with nice shops. If you have a car available to you, the Patriots training sessions are open to the public in Foxboro, just check out their website. Also, some evenings there are concerts on City Hall Plaza in the summer. If you go to bostonusa.com they usually have listings of all types of events. They even have some discount coupons.

Have a great time!

 

[Kallison]

QUACK-QUACK The Duck Truck!! My kids loved it! Make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time or early in the day. They sell out fast.

We loved seeing the original Cheers -- there is a repro Cheers in Fanuil Hall (sp?)

We spent 1/2 day in Quincy, MA. The Adams homesteads are fabulous if you are into history or read John Adams by McCullough.

As others said don't be afraid of using the subway.

Oh and don't forget to wear Yankees hats !!

 

[TonyB]

Don't forget the Pru (as the locals call it). The Prudential Building has an observation deck at the top of the building.