Need suggestions on a trip to Boston.

[Stinkerbell's Daddy]

Boston is wonderful! It is a great walking city, and for those places too far to hoof it, the T is very simple to travel.

I would definitely recommend La Familia Giorgio's (112 Salem St. in the North End). You can't go wrong with most of the Italian places in the North End. After dinner, it's a short walk to Mike's Pastry (300 Hanover St). It's a Boston landmark.

Another Boston eatery landmark is Kelly's Roast Beef. It's actually in Revere (410 Revere Beach Blvd) but it's right off the T. Grab a sandwich and enjoy it on the beach!

 

[daisax]

If you're driving (somebody had suggested Salem) you could also visit Lexington and Concord, see the Battleground and also Walden Pond, Orchard House (Where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women), etc.

I probably wouldn't want to be driving in and out of Boston, though, so you could do either one on your way to/from Boston (slightly out of the way)

 

[3boymthr]

Since you have a car, other "Boston" landmarks that we love:

The Arnold Arboraetum - Home of some really rare and unusual trees it's run by Harvard University. Open daily to the public and admission is free - just walk in. Parking is on the side streets around the arboraetum.

Lexington and Concord and Walden Pond

The Adams National Historic Site in Quincy

JFK Library and Museum (It's in South Boston but you'll need a car to get there)

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

We love Kelly's Roast Beef. There is also a Kelly's at Jordan's Furniture in Natick on Route 9. Newer and not as nostalgic but the same great food.

For downtown food, we like the Union Oyster House, too. Durgin Park is also good. Of course, for quick, but good, food just about anything in Quincy Market is very tasty.

If you are of a more "artistic" bent the Museum of Fine Arts is really nice. They have the famous portraits of George and Martha Washington.

For in town fun, we love the Duck Tours, Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market and The Freedom Trail.

The Marriott is centrally located in downtown Boston but rather pricey - there are also the hotels in the Copley Square area which are really nice.

If the downtown hotels send you into sticker shock and you are not opposed to a little traveling you can probably get a hotel in the burbs for about half the price (maybe less) where you can take a train ride in every day. Mansfield and Franklin have commuter rail lines that will take you into downtown Boston - the ride from Mansfield takes about 45 minutes to South Station from Franklin about an hour - drive time is about the same on off peak times (after 9AM).

 

[DISNEY1975]

My family owns a timeshare at the Marriott Custom House, across the street from the Longwarf. I just came back from a weeks trip (and I live 20 minutes away!!)

Must dos on our weeks in Boston are....

Neighborhood: North End
3 Mechanic St
(between Hanover Pl & Sumner Tunl)
Boston, MA 02113

(617) 523-0015

A 3 - 5 minute walk fro the Marriotts. This is a tiny tiny place nobody really knows about. It is in an alley and looks like a town house. You eat what used to be the living room. There are only 5 tables in there so reservations are a must. They are only open 3 days per week Thu/Fri/Sat for 3 hours each night 5 - 8. This is not a tourist trap!! True authentic Italian. They only accept cash, but the prices are super reasonable for HUGE portions and being in Boston! (Approx 15 - 20 per entree, 6 per appetizer). Dont forget Mikes Pastrys for a Cannoli on Hanover street for dessert!!! (Idas doesnt serve dessert)

Second is....

http://www.mysterycafe.com/

Another less than 5 minute walk from the hotel, at the Club Quarter's Elephant and Castle restaurant. This is a fun murder mystery show. Every couple of months they change the show. Now playing is a spoof of the Red Sox where someone kills pitcher Roger Lemons (last time is was American Homicidal, a spoof of American Idol where someone killed of the person who was about to win). Audience participation is as much as you want it to be. Fully involved or just watching! Food is good and for the price per person, you cant do much better for that in a regular Boston restaurant and be entertained!

We used to do the Fenway tours, but it is old school to us now. If you plan on doing trolleys, you should order

http://www.smartdestinations.com/attractionList.ep?filters=_d_Bos_Vip&pass=go

for $54 for one day or $79 for two days, you can ride all the trolleys, harbor cruises, duck tours you want. It also includes many of the museums for free admission and gives discounts at many restaurants. We use this card every time we go.

Last...I highly suggest Durgin Park in Fanuiel Hall. Its a tourist trap, but a great BOSTON restaurant. Prices are great, with great Bostonian food...Yankee Pot Roast, Seafood Platter, Baked Beans etc... (Bread pudding for dessert is to die for).

Oh..one more thing. If you have kids under 12, take them on the carousel across from the hotel before eating at Oceanas (restaurant inside Mariott Longwarf). The $3 carousel ride will get you a coupon for kids eat free at Oceanas.

ENJOY!

 

[DISNEY1975]

If you guys had to pick the aquarium or the museum of science, which do you think would be better for three adults?

And do you think either of them are worth it?

TIA

Personally I dont like either, but then again, its a case of doing it too many times. Seen one fish, youve seen them all!

Museum of Science sometimes has unique/special exhibits, but its all what you are into. See my post above about the GoBoston card and you could get into all the attractions you want plus the trolley and duck tours etc...

Funny reading back at all the posts now how many of us mentioned Mikes Pastry!!!!!!!! Although I love Mikes, Im more of a frosting girl and salivate looking at the case in Quincy Market food court...Carol Annes Bakery!

 

[MNT568]

Check out the Langham Hotel, they have a Chocolate brunch on Sundays that is SO GOOD!

 

[phorsenuf]

Funny reading back at all the posts now how many of us mentioned Mikes Pastry!!!!!!!! Although I love Mikes, Im more of a frosting girl and salivate looking at the case in Quincy Market food court...Carol Annes Bakery!

Must be an Italian thing.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Another vote for the Museum of Science. Lots to do there.

I also LOVE Fanueil Hall...what's not to love about a giant corridor of food??

Quincy Market is also another favorite, lots of interesting things to see/buy.

The USS Constitution is always fun too.

Last but not least, a tour of Fenway Park. This one is always fun but then again I've got brothers and a Dad obsessed with the Red Sox!

Seriously there is SO much to do in Boston. Have a great time!

 

[DisneyBlonde]

We did the Duck Tours a few years ago, loved it so much that we've done a duck tour in every city that offers it since.

 

[TIAMOMMA]

I would definitely recommend Pizzeria Regina's on Thatcher Street, absolutely delicious pizza!

I'd also recommend a lobster roll from Yankee Lobster, also very yummy and very reasonably priced (for a lobster roll).

My family also really enjoyed the Blue Man Group and you can almost always get tickets for 1/2 off at Bostix kiosks (at Faneuil and at Copley).

Have fun!

 

[Disney Doll]

Duck Tour, by all means.

I love to wander through the Quincy Market/Faneiul Hall area just shopping and people watching....it is within walking distance of where you're staying IIRC, so that should be fun.

Absolutely have dinner one of the nights in the North End and dessert at Mike's Pastry...that is a must do.

We always like the Kennedy Museum. It gives a good snapshot of what the world was like during that time, as seen through the eyes of President Kennedy's admiistration ond ancestors, of course, but still a lot of history is presented. I think it's very well done. You don't have to be a raving President Kennedy fan to enjoy it.

I always enjoy wandering around the Boston Common area as well...Newbury Street is interesting, as is wandering in Beacon Hill.

Boston is a great wandering city I think.