Tell me about traveling to Boston, Mass, please.

[emer95]

We'd like to take our two girls there to visit the American Girl place before they grow up and aren't into American Girl Dolls. They are 8 and 10 so it's going to happen soon. We live in Buffalo, and we will be driving to Boston. I know there are other AG places but I've always wanted to visit Boston so that's where we'd like to go.

I know nothing about where to stay, or what to do. We'll probably be staying two nights and we'd like to do this on a budget, if possible. Should I use Priceline for a hotel? I've never done it before so I'm a little nervous about it!

Any advice anyone can offer would be great. Thank you!

 

[canadianjovigirl]

We'd like to take our two girls there to visit the American Girl place before they grow up and aren't into American Girl Dolls. They are 8 and 10 so it's going to happen soon. We live in Buffalo, and we will be driving to Boston. I know there are other AG places but I've always wanted to visit Boston so that's where we'd like to go.

I know nothing about where to stay, or what to do. We'll probably be staying two nights and we'd like to do this on a budget, if possible. Should I use Priceline for a hotel? I've never done it before so I'm a little nervous about it!

Any advice anyone can offer would be great. Thank you!

I went to Boston last July and had a great time....never realized how historical Boston was being from Western Canada. I did use priceline for my hotel and got a great hotel at a great price!!! A must do is a Boston Duck Tour....alot of fun and a great way to see the sites....we stayed right near Faneuil Marketplace and also did the Freedom trail, Newbury Street, swan boats at the public gardens, ...I spent a week there and was busy busy....enjoy its a great place.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

With and 8 and 10 year old, do the Museum of Science and the Duck Tours (you can do this all from one location). The USS Constitution would be pretty fun for them. If you have a car, go to Plimoth Village, that's a blast with kids. The public gardens are great for kids, any time of the year. In summer bring a change of clothes - kids can play in all the fountains (and do).
Also, if you have a car, you can NOT miss Louisa May Alcott's house out in Concord. There's some good little shops on the town square in Concord and you can take them out to Walden Pond as well (they may not appreciate it now, but one day. . .) Lexington nearby mostly has fun shopping. . .

If you have more than a day or two, hit Salem. It's fun in kinda' schlocky way. There's the Bewitched statue, and lots of rather. . .ahem. . .kitschy quasi museums. And there's mariner stuff, and the House of the Seven Gables. (Another thing they won't appreciate until later, but the tour is still fun for all ages.)

The New England Aquarium is right on the wharf - it's fun to go to, and afterwards grab a bite to eat. The harbor tours are right there. You can go out and recreate or see Brewster Lighthouse or Georges Island with the (supposedly) haunted Fort Warren.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Oh, as for hotels. I'd totally do Priceline. Hotels in the heart of Boston or the close-in, tonier 'burbs will set you back $$$$.

 

[KPeveler]

My whole family lives there...

Hint one: Dont try to drive in Boston

Hint two: do NOT try to drive in Boston.

Hint three: Use the T.

Hint four: figure out when the Red Sox/Celtics/Bruins are playing, and avoid the T at those times. They WILL be mobbed.

The T is wonderful - you can get ANYWHERE in the city!

Check out he duck tours and the Freedom Trail. Museum of Science and the Aquarium.

Have fun!

 

[mtemm]

AG store is actually not in boston, its in Natick, which is about 40 minutes or so, depending on traffic, west of the city (I live about 15 minutes or so from the store, my daughter loves going there!).

There is a lot to do and explore in and around boston. you might consider spending a day outside of the city on your AG store day and hit a few spots they might enjoy. have they ever seen/read Little Women? you can tour orchard house in concord, where louisa may alcott used to live. its a cute tour, and really interesting (of course, I have loved the movies and the book since I was little, so that probably helps!). you can see some other sites in concord as well while you are there...the old north bridge and such are cute. if you are adventurous you can canoe down the river, which is a really pretty area.

in boston the duck tours are a ton of fun, and the science museum and aquarium are both huge hits with my kids. depending on time of year, you can do a whale watch. my kids love hanging out in faneuil hall and watching the street performers. head over to the north end for pizza at reginas, and maybe stop at a bakery like mikes or modern for a treat.

 

[cepmom]

the American Girl Place isn't right in Boston...it's in Natick, so keep that in mind when you are planning your itinerary. If you are staying in a hotel right in Boston, you'll need to drive to the AG Place.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Freedom Trail Tour, excellent walk in history of US.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Stay at the royal Sonesta Boston/Cambridge. kids summer package includes ice cream socail it is a 2 block walk to the museaum of Science, and the duck tours same location. Directly across the street DIRECTLY the Cambridge side mall galleria for the food court for the kids.

They have a free shuttle to the Aquarium. and fanueil hall marketplace. Where you can then walk to the freedom trail
Then you will only need the car to get to American girl in Natick.
Also 50 minutes south of the city Plymouth plantation for the kids.
Lots of fun stuff to do. but definately the Royal sonesta is where I would park myself.

 

[hal001]

My mom was born in the north end of boston, i lived in new england my whole life (till i moved to nc 8 yrs ago ) and went to college in boston. we just recently took our kids (8 and 5) to visit family and catch a sox game. here's my advice:

*most of us love tourists, but please don't try to drive around boston proper. the roads are crowded, unpredictable and other drivers can be impatient just take the T - it'll get you pretty much everywhere you want to go. go to www.mbta.com to get familiar w/ the routes and maps. you really don't need a car - i commuted to college every day from 1hr away using the rail and T no problem.

*priceline is fine for hotels. nicer parts of town are copley/prudential, back bay, cambridge, south station, around newbury st. stay away from ruggles/roxbury, chinatown, downtown crossing, and maybe even kenmore sq (all are fine to visit during the day but intimidating at night). we actually stayed in the midtown hotel last april - its not fancy but fine for location and price.

*kids loved the duck tour! lots of good info - go early in your trip and you will learn a lot and be more familiar w/ the way the city is arranged. they have a website: www.bostonducktours.com

*my son emphatically states that pizzeria regina (in the north end; get off @ haymarket) has the best pizza he has ever tasted - and he's tasted a lot the original restaurant is pretty small tho and popular for lunch and dinner - go at an off time like 2p for lunch

*haulocaust memorial really struck my 8yo. eye-opening to read words and stories. I was surprised how much he was touched.

*museum of science must see (green line to science park). aquarium not bad either although i like the aquarium in atlanta better. children's museum has some interesting stuff. fenuil hall, haymarket/quincy market lots of fun w/ street performers , shopping, dining. check out fenway park if anyone is into that(get off T at kemore, not fenway right now until they fix the walkways). can take a tour for $20 and get to the historic green monster.

*boston common for swan boat rides and freedom trail as well as lots of other stuff that goes on there weather permitting. the original "cheers" is accross the st on beacon hill if grown ups want to check it out. its actually called the "bull and finch" and its real small, but the food is good and lots of memorabilia from the show.

*there's lots of cruises around the harbor too.

*make sure to check the city website and websites for sports teams that may be playing while you're there. if you want to go see, great, but if you dont you may be frustrated by the crowds.

there's so many tour books out there for boston and there's way too much to see it all. just pick the stuff you're fam is most interested in. sorry so wordy but - love my city! you can pm me if you need specifics.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

If it's in Natick. . .ahhhh. My old stomping grounds! I was often v. v. bad in Natick. The shopping is heavenly.

You can also do the Wayside Inn - heck, if you're in Natick, why not just STAY at the Wayside? It's totally do-able and fun. (Another English Lit thing your kids won't thank you for until later.) The Wayside is even, supposedly, haunted (she's friendly). The Wayside Inn Foundation (Not sure what it's called - there's a whole bunch of buildings, all owned by a trust set up by Henry Ford, back in the day) includes the school that was the inspiration for the school in the "Mary Had a Little Lamb" song. There's a real, working grist mill and a church there as well.

If you do Orchard house - that's Louisa May Alcott's home - watch the movie first. The house in the movie was built to be identical to the real Orchard house. The book is also pretty accessible to kids. (I read it when I was 8.)

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

We are going there ourselves in a few weeks! In addition to all this great advice, take a look at Trip Advisor dot com at the forum section.

We got the Westin Copley from Hotwire for $134 a night.

Now if I could only find seats for the Red Sox game that easily. (I am looking at Stub Hub, but they don't give the seat numbers, and all those poles to worry about!)

We are also driving to Maine one day (only day that we will rent a car)

Can't wait!!!

OH - and Pizzeri Regina is top of this list.

 

[golfgal]

My whole family lives there...

Hint one: Dont try to drive in Boston

Hint two: do NOT try to drive in Boston.

Hint three: Use the T.

Hint four: figure out when the Red Sox/Celtics/Bruins are playing, and avoid the T at those times. They WILL be mobbed.

The T is wonderful - you can get ANYWHERE in the city!

Check out he duck tours and the Freedom Trail. Museum of Science and the Aquarium.

Have fun!

I will add--DON'T drive in Boston. There are no rules for drivers there. It seems perfectly acceptable to run every red light, turn left from the far right lane across 6 lanes of traffic, make a U-Turn any time you want... Don't drive there.

Yes, use Priceline for your hotel. Hotels in Boston are very expensive. Go to bidding for travel.com first to see what hotels are going for in the area.

 

[kldmom2000]

We just went to the Natick AG store on Friday for my DD's bday Just my little tip on the AG store... if you want to eat in the Bistro, MAKE ADVANCE reservations I had intentions to do so, but we weren't sure which day we were heading up there. The morning of, there were just odd times left, so I didn't bother and figured we'd eat at the Cheesecake Factory next door Of course when we got there, my DD's saw the girls with their dolls in the special doll booster seats attached to the table and wanted to do that too.... I asked if they had any cancellations because the store was not as crowded as it was when we went in the winter. They said they could fit us in @ 2:30 (it was 11:50am when I asked ) That wouldn't work... so she said we could sit at the dessert bar and order desserts/appetizers. We chose that option. The prices were $$$$$$$$$$$$ so we didn't bother with the apps... I just let each girl get a dessert for lunch (their dream lunch )

I agree with everyone else as far as avoiding driving in Boston... perhaps you can stay outside of Boston so that you can access the AG store by car and then go into Boston via the "T"??? My DD's have twice yearly appointments for follow ups at MGH and Boston Children's Hospital and I can get us to MGH (white-knuckled on the steering wheel ) but I make DH take a day out of work to get us to Children's because I just can't navigate the way

Lots of stuff to do in Boston I don't know if you have any zoos/aquariums nearby where you can get an AZA reciprocal membership??? I looked on the site and saw there's a Science Museum and Aquarium near you I believe??? Anyhow, we have the Museum of Science Boston annual membership~it was $100 for the year and it gives us admission to that museum as well as quite a few zoos in our area (Providence, RI, NewBedford, Attleboro, etc). You might want to look into that option if you decide to visit the Science Museum We make our money's worth in 2 visits if you frequent the sites near you(It is not valid though at the Boston Aquarium).

http://www.mos.org/members/levels_and_benefits/reciprocal_admission#NY

Make sure you go to Faneuil Hall for lunch one day My girls love the massive variety of offerings

Have a fun trip!!!

 

[Epcot4Me]

I grew up outside of Boston, and then lived there for 5 years after college before moving to Switzerland last year.

I also went to school near you (in Rochester) and can tell you- that drive is AWFUL. There is absolutely nothing to see, and it is one road for 8 hours. Just a warning- I always liked to break up the drive- go off the NY Thruway for lunch at a real restaurant rather than staying on the road for so long.

I agree with everyone else that the duck tours and Museum of Science are great in Boston.

I'd also recommend a whale watch if you are going at a nicer time of year.

Depending on how long you are going for, there's plenty to see outside of Boston- Sturbridge Village, Gloucester, the Cape, beaches (I love Ogunquit, ME, and it is doable for a day trip). With a car, I'd actually recommend a hotel outside the city if cost is a factor- they are much, much cheaper and if you drive not at rush hour, it isn't too bad. Yes, driving in Boston is difficult and annoying. But if you stay to the north or west of the city, driving to Alewife on the red line is not terrible at all, involves no city driving, and parking is I think only 6 bucks a day. In the summer, the garage never filled up, but in the fall or winter it tends to do so by about 9 or 930.

In the summer, there are some really great free things. On Friday nights, there is a free movie, typically geared towards children, shown at the Hatch Shell. Also on Friday nights, at the Boston Harbour Hotel, there is a "free" movie shown on the water. It's typically a classic (I've seen Casablanca and Devil Without a Cause there). It's "free" because anyone can go watch it, but if you want to guarantee a seat, you have to eat at the cafe out there. Good food, but can be a bit pricey. There are also several free concerts at the Hatch Shell in the summer.

I'd also really recommend trying to see a Red Sox game and a tour of Fenway, even if you don't like baseball. They are always packed and a ton of fun because Boston fans really get into it.

Enjoy! It's a really great city

 

[dejr_8]

My whole family lives there...

Hint one: Dont try to drive in Boston

Hint two: do NOT try to drive in Boston.

Hint three: Use the T.

I would second (and third) that as well. I lived in the Boston area for almost 10 years and I can count on one hand the number of times I drove into Boston.

 

[kaytieeldr]

In addition to don't drive in Boston, do NOT drive in Boston, and use the T - I would like to add: PLEASE use crosswalks and, wherever they exist, walk lights.

 

[Disney Doll]

If you are only planning 2 days, assume that one of them will betaken up with the AG Doll stuff, which is in Natick which seems to be a 40 minute drive from Boston.

So, you effectively have one day in Boston, unless you extend your trip by another day or two.

I would probably go to the AG Doll place first, do the day in and around Natick, spend that night in or around Natick. The next day get yourself to Boston...the Royal Sonesta someone suggested sounds like a good hotel choice. Do the Duck Tour first...it will let you see a lot of Boston, it's a lot of fun for kids, and gives you an idea of what you might want to go back to see after the tour is over. Realistically, for a day and evening in Boston, I'd probably go to Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall, see what's up over there...there's shopping, restaurants, street entertainment usually... you can walk to the Aquarium from there and the North End if you want really good Italian food. You can take a ferry over to the USS Constitution from that vicinity too, if anyone is so inclined.

 

[okeydokey]

My DD is 11 and is just getting into American Girl dolls now and wants one for Chrsstmas. I grew up in the Boston area and will be back to visit next summer. What is the AG place like in Natick. Is it just a store or are there activities you can do?

I agree about the Duck tour. It's a great way to see the city and loads of fun! The Museum of Science is a favorite of ours too.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

We drove to a train station in mass and parked the car there, took the train into Boston. Stayed near Copley Square, that's where my son had a class. The hotels are expensive and I agree that if you can priceline or hotwire them you might save some money.

We used the subway, a little confusing at first but you will pick it up quickly.

I second the Duck Tours, we had a blast.