Keep me busy in Boston..

[SirDuff]

I'm here working for three weeks - have my evenings/weekends mainly free. I'm living beside Boston Common. I've been here before so I've done things like the Freedom Trail, Museums, and JFK Library. Would love a day-trip idea for the weekend (though next weekend if July 4th, so I figure things will be crazy busy and might not be a good time for a day trip).

Restaurant suggestions also appreciated! I'd love to try something in the North End, but no idea which place to try.

 

[Lisaloo]

Cape Cod! We spent a summer there a few years ago. Rented a house in Brewster and spent a couple of weekends in Boston. The drive is easy.

 

[Lisaloo]

There is a shop in the North End, Salumeria Italiana. We love a vinegar they import, Rubio, and buy it by the case. They can definitely give you some great restaurant recommendations.

 

[SirDuff]

Cape Cod! We spent a summer there a few years ago. Rented a house in Brewster and spent a couple of weekends in Boston. The drive is easy.

My family actually spends a week or two on the Cape every summer (unfortunately, they are going in August in this year, not now). Love the Cape, but know it. If a friend visits, we might do the Provincetown ferry and spend the weekend there though.

Will check out Salumeria Italiana. Love a good vinegar.

 

[leebee]

Go up to York, ME for the weekend. It's about 90 minutes drive north of Boston, but that would include slow-going in the Boston area due to traffic. Stay in York, or Portsmouth, NH. Portsmouth is a quaint seaside town, lots of shops, great places to eat, breweries/pubs, etc. York is known for its beaches, although there is a great brewery there (SoME, check out their FB page) and wonderful restaurants. Downtown York Beach is a honky-tonk throwback to the tourist trap towns of the 50s, but fun to check out. Drive up Shore Rd (amazing views, amazing properties) to Ogunquit for a more upscale seacoast town. Oh, and there's the Ogunquit Playhouse, for live theater. I'm not sure what is there right now but they get GREAT summer stock plays and musicals. If you have a car, there's also Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick (North Berwick? not sure).

 

[DISNEY1975]

Welcome to Boston!

North End recommendations.... Ristorante Saraceno on Hanover St. Delicious and Authentic...not a tourist trap.

La Galleria 33 on Salem was just overhauled by Gordon Ramsey. I havent been, but heard its good. Its on Salem St. Save room for Bova's bakery for dessert! YUMMMMMMMY!

Here is a list of events for the 4th....

http://www.bostonusa.com/harborfest/schedule/

I personally like the waterfront area and boat venues. Harbor cruises, Sailing, whale watches, deep sea fishing etc, Take a ferry to Georges island, Gloucester, Cherlestown or Provincetown for the day. Lots to do at each (well..maybe not Georges..old fort to look around. Kind of boring..)

Salem, MA is close by. Old witch town with witch museums & haunted tours..nice day trip.

Rockport, MA. is also close. Beach, sightseeing, shopping, restaurants, outdoor entertainment. LOVELY area, lots to do for the day.

If your beside the common, you must know about the theatre district. There are day of, 1/2 price ticket kiosks throughout the city. Purchase your ticket same day and get 1/2 off.

Improv (comedy show) on Hanover (north end) is fun.

Red Sox game? !!

Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. About 1.5 hour drive. Lots of shopping, restaurants, free nightly concerts and GAMBLING!

Cape Cod (though if your going on the weekend, go very early as traffic gets terrible after 8am. Hyannis / Hyannisport is my favorite area. Lots of water activities, entertainment, shopping, restaurants up and down Main St and the marina is within walking distance. Without traffic, its about a 45 minute drive.

If youre staying at a hotel, ask your concierge for recommendations.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[clori]

. For a few evening activities: 1 if you can do the beginning time - Bostonpizzatours has a pizza and historic tavern tour. 2. Museum of Science has a new temporary exhibit on Pixar opening Sunday (time tickets needed) - my kids did a study on a few of the exhibits and it looks fun) - also evening Omni shows 3 July 3rd Boston Pops rehearsal 4. walk around Assembly Square or see if there is an adult Lego night at the Lego Discovery Center 5. evening show at various theaters 6 http://www.celebrateboston.com/events/city-hall-concerts.htm has some evening events 6 paint your own pottery at the Clayroom in Brookline

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yay for Bova! We like La Famiglia Giorgio restaurant, also on Salem St. Ask for a seat near the window, either upstairs or downstairs. Tell them it's your first time there. Go hungry. You might also like the No Name on the fish pier, for fun someday. Again, get a seat near the window upstairs and you can watch the planes going in and out of Logan.

I was also going to mention the Pixar show on IMAX at the Museum of Science. We saw the Airplane movie last month and it was great. There is also an IMAX at the New England Aquarium that has some interesting sea shows and occasionally a regular movie like Star Trek or The Avengers. ) Jordan's Furniture stores in the suburbs also have IMAX theaters with decent showings.

Take a trip out to Castle Island in South Boston. You can drive there and it's free parking. There are nice beaches along the way in, too. Nearby is the JFK Museum and an Senator Edward M. Kennedy Museum now, too (not sure if it's open yet), along with the State Archives. UMass/Boston is there as well, and they have small boat rentals (not sure if it's something you need a student ID for, but you could ask). There are some other nearby beaches that are nice, like Wollaston in Quincy, or Nahant in Nahant.

Definitely go to a Red Sox game. There are also lots of places to watch a softball game in the evening - try Christopher Columbus park in the North End. They have bocci ball there, too. You can see the USS Constitution from there and it is along the Boston Harborwalk.

If you are looking for something to do on the 4th of July and want to spend a day/evening on the beach, message me and I will let you know a good way to do it. On the 3rd and 4th you can find fireworks and sometimes bonfires on most of the beaches along the coast.

Besides the pizza tours, there are chocolate tours. Yum.

Down in Sandwich, MA, there is a place called the Heritage Museum. It's a nice way to spend the day if it's not too hot. Also a liesurely ride along Rt 6A is nice with lots of shops and restaurants. Just be careful about when you go and leave, due to heavy traffic at peak times.

Plymouth, MA, has a baseball team called the Plymouth Pilgrims. On Monday nights everything is $1. Fun if you like baseball.

Consider going to Newport, RI, for the day. Lots to do there.

Kittery, ME, if you like outlet shopping.

 

[leebee]

Take a Duck Tour; they leave from the Prudential Center. Go to Sam Adams and do a brewery tour. It was LOTS of fun! I also like the Boston Museum of Art... and art isn't necessarily my thing! Blue Man Group is always fun, and you can get reduced-price day-of tickets if you search around online.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I definitely second the Museum of Science! I want to see the Pixar thing myself.

If you're looking to get out of the city for the day, we loved Hammond Castle in Gloucester (north of Boston) and we usually hike in the Blue Hills (short drive south) a couple of times a year.

Some of the towns around here are having their fireworks this weekend as well. Boston Central has a list.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My favorite restaurant in Boston is Erbaluce in Bay Village. They serve northern Italian cuisine and offer a unique menu. I especially like the Sunflower appetizer...è delizioso!

 

[mtemm]

The seaport area is so cool in the summer! Lots of great restaurants to try. Have u tried babbo pizza yet? Fabulous!!! As for the north end, we love just strolling around and then ducking into whatever restaurant strikes our fancy. Pretty much can't go wrong

The Gardner museum is gorgeous and well worth a visit.

Salem, concord & Lexington, Cambridge, Newburyport, all make great day trips. Portsmouth nh and southern coastal Maine are personal favorites and definitely worth heading up to.

What a great opportunity you have to get to know a city. Enjoy!

 

[SirDuff]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Clearly, today is not a day for any of the outside ones - but the Pixar exhibit could work (there are tickets available). I too love just wondering around the city (again, not on days like today)! I did check out Salumeria Italiana yesterday (and have some tasty food for dinner/lunches)!

 

[sue Z]

Disney Newsies is in town through the 5th if you go they do have $20 and $4o limited view seats along with full price tickets if you get a limited view seat ask for the right side you aren't missing much of the "action" I sat on the left this past weekend so I missed some stuff wasn't much action on the right

Boston Harbor islands are great to visit George's island and spectacle islands are good walking ones and then you can island hop to some of the smaller ones
Red Sox if you like baseball is a good choice can get decent seats on the web site

If you have eaten at Earl of Sandwich at DTD and like it there is one at the Boston Common

have you checked out the Swan Boats??