Need helping planning budget trip to Boston

[Leshaface]

So my DH and I have free airline tickets that we want to use in July (I know, next month already, but haven't had much time to plan)

What we're thinking about doing is flying from LAX to BWI and visiting my Grandmother in York, PA for a few nights. And from there we want to drive to Boston, making an overnighter halfway somewhere.

But I need help figuring out what we can do, where to eat, where to stay while we're in Boston without breaking the bank.

We'll be renting a car out of BWI and returning it to the Boston airport (flying out of Boston) unless there is a cheaper way of getting to Boston via train, etc and flying out of BWI.

Any help and suggestions would be wonderful! Thanks friends!

 

[Diegosmom]

And from there we want to drive to Boston, making an overnighter halfway somewhere.

You do realize that it isnt really that far of a drive from PA to Boston. Its only like 270 from Philly to Boston so even driving at 60MPH it would only take like 4.5 hours. Not sure exactlly where you will be in PA but I can't really like of a great option halfway, maybe Hartford CT.

 

[Leshaface]

You do realize that it isnt really that far of a drive from PA to Boston. Its only like 270 from Philly to Boston so even driving at 60MPH it would only take like 4.5 hours. Not sure exactlly where you will be in PA but I can't really like of a great option halfway, maybe Hartford CT.

According to google maps, it would take us 7 1/2 hours to get to Boston. So we just figured why don't we just make an overnight stop somewhere (and I was actually thinking of Bridgeport CT) and kinda sightsee around that area?

 

[pigletto]

One thing that might kill your budget in Boston is that parking is outrageous in the city and you'll get slammed with it.
There is EXCELLENT city transportation. In fact we used the subway to go everywhere. It was extremely easy to navigate and it even went to the airport!

Depending on what you want to do while there please look into the Boston City Pass. It offers a discount on just a ton of major attractions and was the best money we spent while there.

We didn't want to sacrafice location on the hotel so we ended up paying about 200 a night for the Raddisson. It was Mothers Day weekend though, and I noticed other weekends were about half that price on sites like Expedia. It's one block from Boston Common and 2 subway stops. It was clean and decent. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.. but do the City Pass. It saved us a small fortune.

ETA.. I looked up the boston City Pass and only saw a one day option on the website. Then remembered it wasn't the City Pass at all.. It was the "Go Boston" card. We got it for three days .. it's wonderful>

http://www.smartdestinations.com/boston-attractions-and-tours/_d_Bos-p1.html?pass=Bos_Prod_Go

 

[Leshaface]

One thing that might kill your budget in Boston is that parking is outrageous in the city and you'll get slammed with it.
There is EXCELLENT city transportation. In fact we used the subway to go everywhere. It was extremely easy to navigate and it even went to the airport!

Depending on what you want to do while there please look into the Boston City Pass. It offers a discount on just a ton of major attractions and was the best money we spent while there.

We didn't want to sacrafice location on the hotel so we ended up paying about 200 a night for the Raddisson. It was Mothers Day weekend though, and I noticed other weekends were about half that price on sites like Expedia. It's one block from Boston Common and 2 subway stops. It was clean and decent. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.. but do the City Pass. It saved us a small fortune.

ETA.. I looked up the boston City Pass and only saw a one day option on the website. Then remembered it wasn't the City Pass at all.. It was the "Go Boston" card. We got it for three days .. it's wonderful>

http://www.smartdestinations.com/boston-attractions-and-tours/_d_Bos-p1.html?pass=Bos_Prod_Go

I was thinking about booking a hotel through Priceline via "Name your own Price" but wasn't sure which area to stay in. Do you know which area I should be looking for?

And thank you so much for that website! I'll check that out for sure!



ETA: Some things we really want to see are Little Italy (my friend said they have some awesome pasta in that area) and to check out Mike's Pastry for the cannolis? Do you know which area of Boston this would be?

 

[meg8017]

ETA: Some things we really want to see are Little Italy (my friend said they have some awesome pasta in that area) and to check out Mike's Pastry for the cannolis? Do you know which area of Boston this would be?

This is the North End, sooo good. LOTS of yummy restaurants. Mike's is good, but I'd recommend Modern Pastry. (Locals are split between the 2). The line at Mike's is always outrageous. (as in through the whole store and out the door). No matter where you go you can't go wrong! It's a very convenient area to take the T/walk to (whatever you do, DO NOT try and drive in the North End!!) Very close to Fanueil Hall, another good area to see. Have a great time!

 

[Evi]

if you get a hotel in the city make sure parking is included so you don't get slammed with parking fees. You can definitely buy a city pass or I believe we still have museum passes in the city if that's the way you want to spend the day. Good places to check out for more info are

things to do this summer in Boston http://www.cityofboston.gov/summer/

If you've been to Boston before not to knock it because I love this City but summer is the time to check out some of the other places close by. Spend a day on the cape or a day trip to Gloucester a whale watch or even visit the harbor islands for a clambake. There really are tons of things to do on a budget most museums have free hours after a certain time but you need to check out there websites to find them. On the cities page you can find out about festivals and open markets. Do take advantage of the great outdoor activities the city has to offer, Free movies on the esplanade, concerts in the parks etc. You should also check out sites like buywithme, groupon, eversave for discounts on dinner and other activities.

 

[shan136]

According to google maps, it would take us 7 1/2 hours to get to Boston. So we just figured why don't we just make an overnight stop somewhere (and I was actually thinking of Bridgeport CT) and kinda sightsee around that area?

There really isn't anything to do around Bridgeport unfortunately. Also, taking the 95 route between PA and Boston might be the longest way to go. It you look into a northern route over I-84 to the Mass Turnpike you will probably cut a few hours off. However, it is a very hilly ride in some areas.

If you do go I-95, plan on stopping in the Groton/Mystic area, the downtown is a fun overnight stop. Mystic Pizza, YUM, and the Mermaid Inn takes 1 night reservations even in the Summer and the owner cooks an awesome breakfast.

 

[clori]

for budget - if you happen to have a local museum membership see if it offers any recipricality for Boston area attractions such as the Museum of Science. Some cheap places to visit in Boston for history - USS Constitution and Museum, Old State House Museum, and Old South Meeting House. I think tours of Fenway park are relatively cheap.

 

[3boymthr]

According to google maps, it would take us 7 1/2 hours to get to Boston. So we just figured why don't we just make an overnight stop somewhere (and I was actually thinking of Bridgeport CT) and kinda sightsee around that area?

We live in MA and drive to Delaware all the time sometimes coming home via Philly. Google Maps is correct - the drive is definitely in the 7 - 8 hour range but it's absolutely doable to drive that in one day. We do it at least once a year. If you are planning on stopping you'd want to stop somewhere around NYC but it's very expensive to stay in that area. Unless you have something definite you want to see at a midway point I'd recommend just leaving really early and pushing on thru to Boston.

I've used Priceline before for other states and it will get you some good prices. Since we live here I've never used them for a hotel in this area so I can't say what you'll get, but I just checked the neighborhoods for the Boston region. Avoid the "South Boston" and "Medford/Somerville" areas as well as "Revere/Logan Airport". If you choose to bid for a hotel in the Boston MetroWest or Boston South regions all of the suburbs that are included are for the most part nice and most of them will have relatively easy access to the commuter rail or subway.

 

[VAfamily1998]

ETA: Some things we really want to see are Little Italy (my friend said they have some awesome pasta in that area) and to check out Mike's Pastry for the cannolis? Do you know which area of Boston this would be?

Yes, the North End is the "little Italy". Since you're going in the summer, see if you'll be there for any of the feast day celebrations
http://www.lafamigliagiorgio.com/northendfeasts.htm
We were there last year for the Madonna Della Cava Feast Celebration!

It is also where Paul Revere's House is and the Old North Church. They are both stops on "The Freedom Trail", which begins in Boston Common.
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/maps/pdfs/boston-nps-map.pdf

While in Boston Common, ride the Swan Boats just across the way in the Public Garden
http://www.swanboats.com/
It's only $2.75 per person.

 

[MamaJessie]

According to google maps, it would take us 7 1/2 hours to get to Boston. So we just figured why don't we just make an overnight stop somewhere (and I was actually thinking of Bridgeport CT) and kinda sightsee around that area?

just go to youtube and search family guy bridgeport

Anyway we ate at Spike's in Boston and it was cheap and we loved it, as long as you like hot dogs. I love the reuben dog.

 

[pigletto]

So funny you should bring up Mike's pastry. On the weekend we were there we saw those little pastry boxes everywhere we went. Literally I must have seen 40 people who had them in their hand in one afternoon!
Then when we went to the North End and Paul Revere's house we walked by.. the pp is correct. The line up was down the block. I just didn't have it in me to wait in that line. I wish I had though.. it seems the place is legendary.

One thing I can highly recommend is Faneuil Hall marketplace. There are several indoor counter places (maybe 30 of them) set up with every type of food you could possibly imagine. We ate there 5 times and never had anything twice. We got a Boston Cream pastry that was to die for. Easily one of the best desserts I have eaten in my life! And the prices were really reasonable. Seating indoors can be an issue. But if you wander out the back entrance towards the water, and go up the stairs (where the Gap is) there are several outdoor tables on the upper level that were always empty

As far as where to stay, we were in the theater district at the Radisson. It was very central to everything. Someone may be able to give you a better idea of where might be cheaper. But the location was fabulous and it may come up on Priceline.

Another thing we did was get a week long subway pass. I think it was around 20 dollars and it covered all of our transportation for the week.. including when we needed to switch to buses. The only thing we paid extra for was when we went to Salem. Even then we took the subway to North Station and I think it was only another 10 dollars to get to Salem and back to North Station.


ETA) There really is something special about Boston. It's probably one of my favorite cities I've visited. There is so much to see. Next time we go (I imagine we'll go several times) Dh and I will eat in the North End in one of the Italian places for sure. The neighborhood was just full of them and they all looked fabulous. I'll need to research more before I take my husband.

 

[Leshaface]

Thank you guys so much for the awesome tips! Need to print out this page and show my DH so we can figure out what to do!

 

[PatsMom]

Do a duck tour. They are awesome! If you Google Boston Duck Tour you will find all the info. There is also a haunted Boston tour that goes to various graveyards. That is lots of fun.

If you are a baseball fan, there are guided tours of Fenway Park.

 

[MomtoGKC]

Mmmmm....you are making me hungry talking about the North End! There are a ton of good restaurants there, but one that we love is Dolce Vita - we went there for my mom's birthday a few years ago. The food is delicious and the owner walks around singing. I agree, try Modern Pastry if you don't want to wait in the line for Mikes.

Sorry, don't have any ideas for budget hotels, I am from the area so i never stayed there. Well, I actually did for a wedding, but it was the Boston Harbor Hotel - beautiful but not budget!

 

[mandyanne04]

OP, I live near and work in Boston, and have lived/worked here for about 6 years now. I love this city! There really is so much to do in and around the city, depending on your interests.

For budget-friendly tips, the best one is to stay in a hotel that is not in Boston Proper (which is what you think of as Boston), but in a neighboring town that is on the T (our subway). Its not as costly, and you can easily take the subway into and around the city (which others have mentioned).

Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions I can answer.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

We just stayed at the Boston Harbor Hotel for our anniversary. Agree w/ pp beautiful and SO convenient but def. not budget. You can easily walk to Mike's. We actually walked there one morning for breakfast so fantastic walked right in and sat by the window w/ coffee and delicious cream puff pastry- brought cannolis and tiramasu home YUM
Also it's right across the street from Fannueil Hall. We also ate there a couple of times. I think I had the best lobster roll at Boston Chowda ( really spelled that way) LOL. You definately have to do a Duck Tour - SO FUN!! Not just for kids. We also ate at Union Oyster House- Delicious! The atmosphere is awesome in this place I think it's like the oldest restaurant in the U.S. Have FUN!!

 

[debbiecarr98]

http://www.boston.com/travel/explor...ns/boston/galleries/25freethingstodoinBoston/

 

[MinnieForMe]

Have you thought about just flying from Philly to Boston? Southwest offers summer rates all the time around $49-69 a person. It might be cheaper if it's just the two of you to fly, skip the rental car in Boston and use public transportation.