need advise from Boston diser's

[Tink3815]

I would like to plan a late September trip to Boston ( 5 days) and up the coast a bit to see see the Fall leaves. Southwest had bargain airfare to Boston for 69.00 each way to BOS and I had vouchers soon to expire.
Thinking of staying in Boston area and using the mass transit for attractions. Hotels seem priced very high. Any one know of a decent area or hotel that would be close to a transit station and not overly priced. I really want to stay below 125.00 a night.
What are the not to miss things in Boston. I really enjoy history and have never been to this part of the country before.
Hoping Alamo will continue their 20.00 weekend special into the fall so we can get a car Sat-Sun -Mon and drive into New England. Any ideas of towns not to miss.
Thanks

 

[shamrock30]

Late September is too early to see much in the way of fall foliage in New England. Maybe far northern N.H. might have color if it's the last week of the month.

I can't really be much help with a hotel, but be aware that commuter rail lines don't run very often outside of rush hour, so you would want to be near the subway.

 

[3boymthr]

Since I live here I can't help with an actual hotel, but I can recommend Franklin, Foxboro & Mansfield as places to try. They are on the end of the commuter rail and are big areas for industrial parks (companies like Motorola and Toyota have big warehouses, etc.) so there are lots of hotels in the area. Foxboro also has Gillette Stadium so there are a number of hotels. But avoid motels on Route 1 unless they are name brand. They are going to be less expensive than places closer to the city but many of the motels in that area are shall we say "no-tell" motels. Only the end-zone motel is respectable. If you do go with that area I'd try to pick a weekend when there is an away game for the Patriots as prices in the area will soar.

For not miss in Boston, Duck Tours, Freedom Trail, Swan Boats. If raining, for indoor activities try the Museum of Science, Fine Arts Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Children's Museum (if you have kids).

Outside of Boston, hit Lexington and Concord for Walden Pond, Minuteman National Park. You could also try Quincy for the Adams Homestead. In South Boston there is also the JFK Library.

ETA - as PP mentioned you'd have to drive to Northern NH for foliage in September, but take that as a good opportunity to see the White Mountains National Forest. If you can go later Peak Season is the week leading up to Columbus Day and just after.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Consider using priceline or Hotwire to find a good hotel in town for that price. Most hotels list in the $200 a night range but you can get one in your price range on both sites. The Go! Boston card is a great deal and provides admission to some of the best tours in town. Not many Go! cards are worth it, but the one for Boston is. You can get a weekly T pass for $15 a person to cover most transportation needs you'll have in town.

 

[monorailmom]

Take a look at the Residence Inn in Woburn, MA. There is a commuter rail line across the street for access to Boston. It does run more often during rush hours, but runs every hour during the daytime and is VERY convenient. This hotel is also directly off of route 93, which is a highway that could take you right up to NH in under a half an hour, and has tremendous foliage. I am also a TA, if you'd like any other advice, you can PM me !! You'll love it here in the fall.. just don't ask me my opinion about January!!! haha

 

[RodBelding]

Try using Priceline, whenever I get a room in the city I usually get a good deal on that. I'd suggest staying right in the city, preferably Back Bay or Norh End area if you can get a good room rate. Boston's a terrific walking city, so its nice to be right in there... The DuckBoats are a fun activity, I'd also suggest walking the freedom trail, shopping on Newbury street, and catching a game at Fenway (if tickets are available on game day)... North End is great for dinner, a ton of good restaurants in a small area...

 

[shamrock30]

Just want to add that by far northern N.H., I mean the Great North Woods, not the White Mountains. The White Mountains will have very little color in late September. I go there every year.

 

[melmar136]

If you really enjoy history, try the Freedom Trail, Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth, Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, and as pp said Lexington/Concord.

 

[ashlansmom]

As far as towns where you can easily catch the MBTA - the South Shore has a big stop, Quincy Adams, as well as one in Braintree. It is about a 20 minute ride into the city on the red line, and these areas are safe. You would need a car from airport to hotel and to park at the lot though.

There are foliage maps online that can tell you the amount and level of foliage and where, so it would depend how far north you want to drive, but end of Sept, you might get some up more north. There would be just the beginnings of it in Boston and CT though. There are some great "leaf peeper" resources online and in guide books. Since I have always lived here I have never looked into them, but I do know they exist.

In the city, do not miss Fanieul Hall, Quincy Market, the freedom trail, Boston Common and Boston Garden where the swan boats are and gorgeous gardens - Cheers is through the Boston Garden on the other side if that interests you. Mike's Pastry in the North End is fabulous, if you like to shop hit Newbury Street or the Prudential Center. The Aquarium is fabulous and a nice waterfront area, you might want to do a Duck tour, much fun.... and if you like seafood, highly recommend a meal at Legal Sea Foods. If you like Dim Sum, the weekends at China Peal in Chinatown are fabulous for Dim Sum.

I think what you really should look for is a hotel on teh MBTA, far enough out that the hotel will be cheaper, but you will need a car to drive to most of the lots to park at. Don't do the purple commuter rail, do the actual MBTA subway lines for frequency.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

With college students moving in in September, Boston hotel rooms are through the roof due to parent weekends, family orientations, etc.

Maybe you could come for Halloween and go to Salem.

 

[rella's fan]

We go to Boston once or twice a year and LOVE staying at the Quincy Marriott. It's a beautiful hotel and prices are usually quite reasonable. There's a pool, free parking and a good restaurant. The redline "T" stop is very close and there's also a shuttle to get you there. There is also a car rental desk in the hotel that will arrange a rental (you can pick up and drop off right at the hotel) I've also done hop on hop off trolley tours and the trolley will pick up and drop off at that hotel.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Halloween in Salem, I live here and I don't even do it, just way way way too many people. I also live on the South Shore and highly recommend Braintree and Quincy. The Quincy Marriott is nice and so is the Braintree Sheraton and both have pools if you have kids. There are also some smaller hotels in Braintree on Wood Road that maybe offer transportation to and from the Braintree or Quincy Adams T Station - I would definitely call and ask. I would google search Wood Road Hotels in Braintree, if nothing comes up PM me and while driving around town on Saturday I can give you specific names. It's definitely too early for the fall leaves, but a GREAT time of year to visit the cape for the day (all the summer tourists are gone) and travel too and from Boston daily will be easy on the redline.

Some musts in Boston, eating in the North End, Fanuiel Hall/Quincy Market. If you really want to splurge for a meal - Top of the Hub at sunset. Aquarium, science museum, museum of fine arts. Walking the Freedom Trail.

 

[Arielle22]

If you will be walking in Boston, be careful when crossing streets! Boston drivers are very agressive and don't always obey the lights. Also at rush hour the traffic backs up into the intersections so be careful. You will also see pedestrians who walk even when the cars are moving.

I work in downtown Boston and last week managers from out of town were here for meetings. They were all amazed by the traffic and lack of respect for pedestrians. I tried to explain that it is a game of chicken, pedestrians against drivers to see who stops first.

Also the MBTA parking lots tend to get filled up quickly in the morning so you may find yourself in a bind for parking.

I suggest going to the MBTA's website and viewing where the different lines end so you can compare addresses of hotels to the stops. Keep in mind many hotels have Boston in their name but are nowhere near Boston.

I agree with the poster who mentioned the Quincy Marriott. I have stayed there and eaten there. It is nice. It is is an office complex which backs up to the Expressway (as we all know that is a misnomer) which is a main roadway. There is no direct access to the Expressway but very close to the on-ramp.

 

[Arielle22]

Halloween in Salem, I live here and I don't even do it, just way way way too many people. I also live on the South Shore and highly recommend Braintree and Quincy. The Quincy Marriott is nice and so is the Braintree Sheraton and both have pools if you have kids. There are also some smaller hotels in Braintree on Wood Road that maybe offer transportation to and from the Braintree or Quincy Adams T Station - I would definitely call and ask. I would google search Wood Road Hotels in Braintree, if nothing comes up PM me and while driving around town on Saturday I can give you specific names. It's definitely too early for the fall leaves, but a GREAT time of year to visit the cape for the day (all the summer tourists are gone) and travel too and from Boston daily will be easy on the redline.

Some musts in Boston, eating in the North End, Fanuiel Hall/Quincy Market. If you really want to splurge for a meal - Top of the Hub at sunset. Aquarium, science museum, museum of fine arts. Walking the Freedom Trail.

Deb, the Sheraton was sold and is closed while they do major renovations. It will reopen as an independent hotel.

 

[pigletto]

We're going to Boston Mother's day weekend. We found decent prices at Expedia and booked through them.
We did end up in the 220 a night range still, because it's Mother's Day weekend. The weekend before was way cheaper but it didn't work for us. We ended up booking the Radisson and the location looks great.

One thing I would HIGHLY recommend is buying the City Pass. Most of the attractions mentioned by the previous posters are included as part of the pass. We paid 100 dollars per person for a 3 day pass and it will cover all of our activites for the trip. Very worth it IMO when you look at the per attraction cost for the things we want to see.

My sister has done most of the planning but she has figured out all the transportation for us at a pretty minimal cost as well.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Deb, the Sheraton was sold and is closed while they do major renovations. It will reopen as an independent hotel.

I had no idea thanks!

 

[Tink3815]

Thank you all for the great info. Projects at work will not allow me to go later in the year so the Fall leaves may not be an option. Need to work on renting a car or using mass transportation. I am leaning towards mass transportation due to parking fees and high car rentals. (miss those Orlando deals)

 

[Maybelle]

TBoston hotels are expensive in general. You can also check Travelzoo.com for hotel deals, as they sometimes offer great specials. You may also be able to stay farther south on the T line, like in Nort Attleboro or so. Not sure about hotels though but may be worth a try.

Other posters are correct, not much in the way of foliage until later into October, but New England in the fall is really beautiful, regardless. I recommend walking the Freedom Trail. Very easy to follow and you hit many of the historical spots (Boston Common, Paul Revere's house, Old North Church, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Bunker Hill monument, SS Constitution).
Also, Sept. is a much better time to visit Salem than Halloween time, if you are interested. Also fun to visit Plimoth Plantation is you have a car. The Mayflower replica is in Plymouth as well as Plymouth Rock.
Another fun thing to do is schedule a whale watch. There are many companies that do them, so check around for the best prices. many guarantee sightings or you get to go back for free, so if you go, schedule for ealy in the visit in case you don't see anything the first time out!
The Aquarium is nice and the museum of science is a great place to visit. Also great museums.

Have fun!!

 

[alyssa810]

My wedding was at the Braintree Sheraton! My DS calls it "the castle where my parents got married."
I would also suggest the hotels in Braintree on Wood Rd; there's an extended stay america....and the Marriott in Quincy.
Another spot to check would be out in Brookline - if you aren't going to have a car you can take the green line into the city and the area is very nice as well. Being from the area, I can't speak for the prices, but it would be worth checking out for the ease of public transit, especially if you stayed somewhere on or right off Beacon St or Commonwealth Ave - there are tons of T stops to walk to.

 

[KBoopaloo]

I'd recommend the Go Boston card as well. It can seem a bit pricey up front but if you are a planner and plan ahead on how you plan to use it, you can save A LOT of money, especially if you also plan on visiting attractions outside the city. I work in the tourism industry in Boston and always recommend the Go Boston card.