Massachusetts travel questions ...

[jkp464]

We're going to Massachusetts this summer, but I'm having a hard time trying to decide where to stay. We will spend a few days in Boston as we want to go to Fenway Park and take in some of the history of the city. Then I was thinking of staying a week in Cape Cod. Any suggestions on where to stay here? We are a family of 6 with kids ranging from 23-16. Any suggestions/insights would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[kldmom2000]

I live about 30 min. east of Cape Cod and 35 min. south of Boston..... as far as staying in Boston, I wouldn't know how to advise as I've never stayed overnight there-it's usually a day trip thing for us but there are tons of things to see and do there... the aquarium, Fenway park, Museum of Science, Faneuil Hall/Quincy market, the Freedom Trail, Duck Tours, etc....

As far as the Cape, have you considered renting a cottage/home? Sometimes it's more economical than staying in a hotel. Our favorite place to rent is in West Dennis near West Dennis Beach, though if you don't mind being further away from the hustle and bustle (anyplace between the canal and Harwich is generally a massive traffic jam on the main roadways), you might consider Truro or the surrounding areas-very beachy You can always check cyberrentals for homes and reviews from previous renters... We like the West Dennis/Dennis/Yarmouth area because you're close to the beach as well as Hyannis for shopping and such

Good luck in your planning!!!

 

[roadtripper]

We live an hour outside Boston, and it's REALLY expensive to stay there. Try www.quikbook.com or priceline for deals, but read biddingfortravel so that you know the neighborhoods and where you want to stay. I agree with trying to rent a cottage on the Cape--much cheaper, and chances of getting closer to the beach. Many parts of the Cape require a drive to the beach, and most motels are on the main roads--to get the real Cape experience, rent a place. Don't know if you're doing any college searching, but Cambridge and Harvard Square (across the river) is worth a trip, I think. Happy planning!

 

[mguilford1]

We stayed at The Griffin House in Boston. Maybe 1/4 mile to Fenway. We loved it! There are suites w/kitchens, fireplaces, etc... you would have to call to see how many people fit in a room.

 

[jerseygirl81]

Chatham is a nice town in Cape Cod, they have a baseball team very casual they don't charge to get in just pass the bucket if you want to throw in any money. Concerts in the park, a nice town with shops to stroll through, nice beaches. I also think a rental house would be good with a large family.

 

[3boymthr]

Okay, as a PP suggested, you may want to consider renting a cottage on the Cape and then driving to boston for your day trips. If you stay in an area near the bridges you will be close enough to make a day trip into Boston. (It's 120 miles from P-town/Truro to Boston, but only about an hour drive from Sandwich to Fenway (without traffic - you do need to time your drive or take the T).

If you are going to stay in Boston, be prepare to pay a lot of money. There's no place cheap. But you can stay outside of Boston in Braintree, Quincy, or one of the surrounding towns on the T and save a ton of money and still be fairly close.

If you want to see the national seashore I recommend hitting this website: http://www.easthamchamber.com/visitors/places-to-stay

There are links to lots of local places. Most of them are really nice. We usually stay in a cottage (we're renting from Smith Heights this coming summer) but I've stayed at both the Sheraton Four Points Hotel and the Cove Bluffs Motel and really enjoyed both stays. The Sheraton is a true hotel with a restaurant and indoor pool and Cove Bluffs is the kind of place where you get to know your neighbors, there's a place to BBQ and do laundry and the owners live on site and will give great pointers on places to go and things to see. The rooms have kitchenettes and have a small studio apartment feel. There are other places of similar style in that listing above.

 

[3kidsfordis]

If you are coming to the Cape, try to drive down on a weekday. If you have to travel on a Saturday go very early or very late, the traffic is bad. Dennis, Yarmouth and Harwich are where I like to stay (I have younger kids). From one of these towns we can easily travel to other parts or to Martha's Vineyard.

My favorite beaches are on the East side of Dennis. Mayflower beach is great for younger kids. Great tidal pools at low tide. For older kids, you definitely want to check out the National Seashore and some of these beaches-just beautiful and lots of surf! I would strongly recommend going on a whale watch. We did one a few years ago out of Hyannis. There are also many out of Provincetown. They all go to the same spots in the ocean so it wouldn't matter which one you took. It was a fabulous outing and one I will do again.

You can also take a short boat ride to Martha's Vineyard from Hyannis or Woods Hole (Falmouth). Hyannis also has a sightseeing cruise that goes by the Kennedy Compound. You only see it from a distance but it's a nice boat ride. There is also a boat ride through the Cape Cod Canal. I haven't done it but want too. The Cape Cod Canal is a great place to bike or rollerblade. There is a nice. paved path along both sides. There is a dinner train that goes along the canl and through parts of Sandwich.

There are fishing excursions out of Hyannis an Harwich. Harwich has a boat that takes you out to see seals (Monomoy Island-I think). There was a boat out of Chatham that takes you to one of the barrier beaches. It was really nice and peaceful there.

I live in Boston so don't know where I'd stay. Weekends are fairly quiet in the city during July and August-everyone heads to the Cape-so I'd bet you could get a deal.

Fenway has sightseeing tours. The Freedom trail is a marked walk through Boston that takes you to historical sights of the Revolution.

So, If you had time, I'd recommend you spend the weekend in town and midweek on the Cape! Have fun-hope you get a great weather week!

 

[Alice's Mommy]

I agree with the previous posters... staying in Boston is pretty pricey. There are tons of cities nearby that are right on the T so getting in and out is easy.

A couple of posters said to stay on the Cape and just commute back to Boston. Its totally doable but you can't really go that much farther south than Falmouth or your commute starts to get long.

Make sure to visit Martha's Vineyard and ride the carousel. Kids love reaching for the brass rings. And there are inside horses for kids with smaller arms (my 4 and 5 year old were able to pull rings off from those horses)

Boston is hands down my favorite city. Here are some links to some of my favorites:
www.bostonharborcruises.com
www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail
www.bostonislands.com
www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com
mlb.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp
www.unionoysterhouse.com

 

[swilshire]

We always spend a week on Nantucket, but we've combined it with a week in Boston one year (I loved it, DH hated it) and another year a week near Stockbridge. We enjoyed both trips very much.

Sheila

 

[kathmzh]

I also think a weekend in Boston and the rest of the week on the Cape would work nicely -- don't forget to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston and see Paul Revere's house, the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument. For more history, it's a short drive to the Lexington/Concord Battlefield (for literary buffs, Louisa May Alcott's house is nearby as well.) We also like to go to the top of the Prudential building for an amazing view of the city.
What about Hotwire for rooms? They will book rooms that sleep four, so you can book two rooms for your party. Travelzoo also has deals sometimes. Boston is a very walkable city, with good public tranportation, so getting around is easy, in my opinion..
As for the Cape, rent a cottage, as many have said, or check out capecodtravelguide.com for packages and deals.
And on your way down Route 3 from Boston to the Cape, stop in Plymouth to see Plimouth Plantation, beautiful Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II!

 

[hatter]

If you are willing to stay outside the city of Boston, The Marriott Crown Colony in Quincy, MA is a very nice, reasonable hotel. It is close to the T that will take you into Boston and they often have family specials that include sightseeing tours to the city and free breakfasts.

The Cape is a great getaway and there are many options to choose from. Have fun!

 

[beansmom]

i would go to Newport, RI one day...it's lovely in the summer and has nice beaches, historic mansions and a beautiful ocean drive.

 

[jkp464]

Love all the suggestions -- thanks everyone!!

 

[jkp464]

I have another question - since you were all so helpful before! I've found a few house rentals on the Cape that interest me. One in particular has a pool and is on a pond. This will cost a little extra money to rent, but I figured we'd spend more time here too (and less money elsewhere) with a pool & pond to enjoy. However, I've read a few comments on sites that it is too cool in June to enjoy swimming - is this true? I realize whether can vary a bit -- but as a general rule, is it warm enough to swim in MA in mid June?

 

[3boymthr]

I have another question - since you were all so helpful before! I've found a few house rentals on the Cape that interest me. One in particular has a pool and is on a pond. This will cost a little extra money to rent, but I figured we'd spend more time here too (and less money elsewhere) with a pool & pond to enjoy. However, I've read a few comments on sites that it is too cool in June to enjoy swimming - is this true? I realize whether can vary a bit -- but as a general rule, is it warm enough to swim in MA in mid June?

It definitely varies widely. The water in the pool, unless heated will definitely be on the cool side as the days leading up to June usually are still in the 70s. But the actual temps can be quite high in June making it so you don't mind the cold water.

Would I personally spend the extra money, no, but since the beach is soooo close I'd be going to the beach if it was hot enough to go swimming.

One thing to keep in mind about the Cape/New England - it is NOT like going to the beach anywhere else in the country. Even if you choose a house a 5 or 6 miles away from the shore, You can usually get to the beach fairly easily as all towns on the Cape have a town beach and hotels do not build right on the beach and there are very, very few areas with gated communities which prevent access to the beach.

 

[DaveClan]

If price isn't a huge issue, you should check out the Red Jacket Resorts in Yarmouth down the cape. We love staying at the Riviera Beach Resort.

www.redjacketresorts.com

 

[mountdew1]

It definitely varies widely. The water in the pool, unless heated will definitely be on the cool side as the days leading up to June usually are still in the 70s. But the actual temps can be quite high in June making it so you don't mind the cold water.

Would I personally spend the extra money, no, but since the beach is soooo close I'd be going to the beach if it was hot enough to go swimming.

One thing to keep in mind about the Cape/New England - it is NOT like going to the beach anywhere else in the country. Even if you choose a house a 5 or 6 miles away from the shore, You can usually get to the beach fairly easily as all towns on the Cape have a town beach and hotels do not build right on the beach and there are very, very few areas with gated communities which prevent access to the beach.

The weather on the Cape is notoriously finicky. My DW's parents own a B&B down there, and if one is out running errands another town over, they will often comment that the weather was completely different while they were out. Sunny vs rainy, cool vs hot, etc. Definitely bring a hoodie with you as it will cool down at night. I do agree with the PP, if the pool isn't heated, it may end up being a tad cold.

I believe that every town does have town beaches. Some are large beaches with lots of parking, and others are just the width of the road, sandwiched between two private beaches.

A house rental will probably be much more affordable than a B&B or hotel. One possible downside is that a good B&B owner will be able to point you to worthwhile restaurants/attractions. There is a lot of good places to visit and eat on the Cape, but there are also a lot of tourist places, which are ok, but others are much better. We go down a few times a year, and greatly prefer the little holes in the wall over the well promoted places.

Regarding Boston, staying in town as PP's said can be very expensive. It's fairly easy to get into town if you stay elsewhere.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What price range are you looking for to stay in Boston?

 

[okeydokey]

If you really want to see Fenway, tickets go on sale TODAY to the general public. They will all be gone by early afternoon, except for standing room.

 

[tweedlemom]

So glad I found this thread! We just secured our Red Sox tickets this morning and are looking to spend 3 days/2 nights (M-W) in the Boston area this July. Please keep the suggestions coming!