Boston
 

I need help from Boston GC's. I will be there on Oct 5 and I was wondering how cold it typically is (for me cold is less than 80 degrees). I think the hotel I am staying at is called the Freemont-downtown I believe-is there a lot to do nearby? Any good dance clubs or bars? We are renting a car-any good suggesitions on places to visit that are not more than 1 hr away? I am only going to be there for 3 days so i want to try and fit as much in as possible. I am soooo excited b/c I have not really been to the Northeast (I was in Rochester one time thats it).
Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks
Karen

Karen,

1. A duck tour http://www.bostonducktours.com/.

2. walk the freedom trail (it is long, but worth it) http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

... those two will hit every historical site by land and sea in Boston.

4. RED SOX!!!!

3. Eat Italian in the North End... Mamma Maria, 3 North Square or Sage, 69 Prince St. both wonderful. There is a great pastry shop on Prince.. but I can not remember the name... I have to run to a Jr. League breakfast, but will PM it to you later.

4. Visit Faniel Hall and Quincy Market, they are both on the way to the North End. There is a club called The Rack http://www.therackboston.com/, it has live music and is well known in Boston on Thursday and weekend nights for spotting sports celebrities.

5. Visit the top of the Prudential building, which is also where you pick up the Duck tour.

6. Go on a whale watching tour out of the harbor, next the Aquarium.

7. Shop Newbury street.

8. Within an hour outside of Boston you can go South to Quincy and visit President Adams' home. Or north to Salem and visit our infamous witching area.

9. Cambridge... Harvard and MIT

I know there is lots more... but I really must run. PM me and I will give you club details for the area you are staying in. Boston is called the Walking City... because you can just about walk everywhere.

I go to school at Boston University, so I know the area pretty well:

I believe Red Sox season will be over by the time you come - but you can call and see about a tour of Fenway Park (go to the Red Sox website to see details).

North End is definitely a good idea - the pastry place is Mike's Pastries, and they have amazing cannolis. Also check out Bella Vista, Artu, Piccolo Venezia, and there are a couple of other good ones (I can't remember the name of the best one I've been to - I'll send it to you later).

For non North End food, try Legal Seafoods, Elephant Walk (weird name but good food) or even the Bull and Finch pub (the original Cheers, has the best burgers in town.

For bars - downtown bars are the best - The Place, The Rack, Bell in Hand and Hennesseys are all good choices. Places like The Kells, Common Ground, T's Pub are chill places. If you're looking for a bit more upscale crowd, go to Barcode.

I'll give more info when I get the chance.

Collin

Thanks Angel and Arrows and KSigKid-sounds like I am going to have some good italian food-ummmmmmm, better diet before i go :).

Ok this is a weird question but if you would take something home (if you lived out of state) that travels well and is uniquely Boston -what would it be? I am definitely going to get a shot glass for my collection, but what else should I get? For example in Texas I would recommend Hot Sauce or some Texas shaped memorabilia.

also, weather wise what am I looking at? I don't have a lot of sweaters-I usually don't need them- but I would assume the weather will be cold? Will it be snowing? (oh I hope so!!! though probably not since my trip is only 3 weeks away)

I wouldn't rent a car to get around Boston, most of it is easy to walk around or take the T (the subway). I would just use a car to go places out of the city.

As for outside excursions, try Salem, MA, home of the original witch trials. There are some museums and the prison where they kept the witches gives tours. Also you can tour the House of Seven Gables house in Salem. Salem is about an hour north of Boston.

About an hour south of Boston is Plymouth Plantation and the Mayflower. Here you can tour a village that was reconstructed to resemble Plymouth MA in 1620. You can also tour the Mayflower II (not the original, sorry).

If you like boats, you can take a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands or take a whale watch. Warning: if you have a weak stomach and will likely get sea sick, take Dramamine or skip it. Try the New England Aquarium for more info.

If you like museums, I would recommend the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, and the museum of science (and an Omni show).

Weather is up in the air, pack mainly jeans and sweaters and an umbrella and good walking shoes. Maybe bring a light jacket as well if you are not used to temps under 80.

Besides Italian food, try the clam chowdah at Legal seafoods.

Gotta run, I'll post more later.

Boston Sucks
 

Wear a shirt that says "Boston Sucks" and make sure you remind all the yokles that their Sox suck wicked hard.

-Rudey
--Boston Sucks!

Part II of my post.

As far as night clubs, the Thursday editions of the Boston Globe have a calandar section that tells what's going on that weekend. It has listings for clubs, theater, movies etc. Also there's some free newspaper (I think it's called the Boston Phoenix) that comes out with weekend listings on Fridays.

Also, for something uniquely Boston, maybe a beanpot, a can of clam chowdah, a Harvard shirt. Basically go to Fanual Hall marketplace and you will find tons of Boston souvenirs.

Have fun!

Re: Boston Sucks
 

I'm pretty used to rolling my eyes at some posts, but this one is really uncalled for.

Boston is one of the great metropolitan areas in this country.

Let's not confuse athletic teams with their cities. And I really think it out of line to call the residents of a city with arguably more colleges and students per capita than almost anywhere else in the U.S. "yokles."

I'm not from Boston, but every time I'm lucky enough to visit there I like it even better than the last.

The drivers are pretty out of control, though. Might want to re-think the rental car.

Thanks Deltalum, our Red Sox may be a little lacking (there's always next year!) but we do have the Patriots to brag about.

ll,

You're most welcome. I took a seminar a couple years ago sponsored by Harvard and MIT and stayed over in Cambridge, but walked across the bridge and had a great time.

Our Honeymoon was at Cape Cod in 1970 which was my/our first visit. Ohio University (alma mater) runs a summer stock theatre out there (on the cape) called the Monomy Playhouse.

Now, if you could just do something about Logan Airport...Especailly that damned tunnel leading in...

Re: Re: Boston Sucks
 

True.
I'm a diehard New York Yankees fan, but I absolutely love Boston. I've been here for four years (I'm in my senior year of college) and have spent the past two summers here, and it keeps getting better.

So while I may hate the Red Sox (although I still catch an occasional game at Fenway), I love the city.

Collin

Hm . . . Boston . . .

First - right now it's pretty hot here (city heat, humidity), in a couple weeks it could be snowing though. The weather is flighty - check weather.com a couple days before you go, and then pack some extras just in case. The weather's random.

I'll chime in on the nightlife too . . .

As far as clubs, if you want to really go clubbing there's the "world famous" Roxy, Landsdowne St has some good clubs, the ever-upscale Aria is downtown, etc. Plenty of "doot doot" Eurotrash clubs within walking distance, pretty much anywhere.

If you're looking to hit the bars, the Purple Shamrock is right by Quincy (pronounce it "KWIN-zee") Market (gov't center), that's a pretty solid place, there's some other bars around there too, Bell in Hand, the Point (YES!), etc.

If you want to strap on the Gucci and go upscale: barcode, Blue Cat Club, places like that.

If you're like me and appreciate a real bar, there's T's Pub (which is actually on campus here at BU, but isn't really a college bar), the shamrock, a bunch of places near MIT and Harvard (like the Middle East etc).

If you want a real dive, well, come join the ladies of Delta Gamma at Beckett's for last call - that's the place to be.

In terms of going out, Boston is a city that drinks - you'll have no problem finding a good bar, no matter where you are.

Hit us up with more specifics on what you're looking for though, for better advice.

Don't forget to go to Hard Rock Cafe, by the historical Church (what church is that ... the birthplace of Christmas song "O Little Town of Bethlehem")

Also you're welcome to visit our International HQ, in Lewis Wharf :D

DeltAlum, you have me laughing... though now the highway leading to that damned tunnel leading to Logan is worse!!!!!!! We often fly out of Providence now. It is 15 miles to Logan and 46 miles to T.F. Green in Providence.. 9/10 we can get to T.F. Green quicker!!!

I agree with whomever said be careful of renting a car!!!! The communter rail and T can get you North, South and West of the city in a much shorter (and less confusing) time then you. I have lived and worked (I am now a student) in this city for six years now. I drive everyday... and I often get confused with all the work going on for the Big Dig. The roads/routes change daily. There is two ways in and out of Logan, unless you are going North. The Ted Williams tunnel not taken at certain time/day.. will get you a nice fine! Take the damned tunnel DeltAlum was talking about (The Sumner)!

Everyone has mentioned Legal Seafood... The newest location (and best IMHO) is at the Boston Harbor Hotel/Aquarium. However, I personally like the Barking Crab better. Which is further down the street.

The only thing about Plymouth is you mentioned only having three days.. It will take a full day out of your trip and traffic on Rte. 3 is a parking lot.

KSigKid.. thank you.. I thought it was Mike's Pastries.. but I just couldn't remember for sure...

As for weather.. It is best to layer here... You just never know. One day it is 89, the next day it might be 56. This happens in the Summer to us, as quickly as it does in the Winter!!!

I hope you enjoy our city!!!!

Ok this is a weird question but if you would take something home (if you lived out of state) that travels well and is uniquely Boston -what would it be? I am definitely going to get a shot glass for my collection, but what else should I get? For example in Texas I would recommend Hot Sauce or some Texas shaped memorabilia. [/B][/QUOTE]

A LOBSTER... Seriously, they have special boxes to carry them on planes and everything and you can even pick out the one you want... :)

I used to live about 20 mins out of Boston and I would highly recommend going to see a comedy show in the club above Quincy Market. We always used to have a blast going there. Go to the Aquarium too if you get a chance. Well worth a visit.

Damn, all this talk about Boston is making me homesick. I can't wait for XMas so I can go home...

As for the weather. Be prepared for anything.... and bring a camera because if you are lucky Autumn will be in full effect and the trees will be many beautiful colors

Thank you guys so much. As for renting the car-we are flying into Providence and have to drive to Boston plus as Texans we would feel naked without a car -so need one for moral support even if we don't use it :). In Texas you don't walk anywhere- but drive.
I don't think I could take home a lobster as I would want to free all of the lobsters -I probably should steer clear of the seafood places;) but thanks for the suggestions when i know more specifics I will post, my friend is planning the trip.

Karen

What about Haymarket???

My friend and I had A LOT of fun at this bar called O"Reilly's that was there, yet no one mentioned it here?

Karen,
What are you going to Boston for? Fun? Work? Just because?

Hootie

for fun
 

Amy,

I am starting to travel this year-Boston in October, skiiing in December and Washington DC in January-I want to travel before I have to use a walker-he he he. One of my sorority sisters is single too and likes to travel so we have planned a few trips for this year and next :).

I want to go to Boston Soooooooooooooooooo bad. I've heard SO much wonderful stuff about it. My best friend Jeff just moved up to NH to go to Franklin Pierce Law School and he's down in Boston all the time. Another guy friend just moved up there to go to grad school at Harvard (yeah, i'm jealous! what i wouldn't give to go to Harvard Law!). I want to get up there to visit both of them, but we get no time off, so i have no long weekends. ARGH!

The other Bostonians and ex-Bostonians here pretty much have you covered.

I second the recommendation that you not rent a car. Get a taxi or airport shuttle into Boston. They don't call Massachusetts drivers "Massholes" for nothing. :) I had a car when I lived there, and I still took the T whenever possible.

Logan Airport - DeltAlum, you are right on. I used to fly out of Logan every week, and with the Big Dig, every week the approach was slightly different... the cab driver got lost on more than one occasion! The Ted Williams Tunnel helps a little with the traffic flow.

Bars - If you like beer, try the Sunset Grill & Tap. 110 beers on tap :D Also, try John Harvard's in Harvard Square.

Weather - You'll want a sweater. In New England, the rule is "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute" :) so be prepared for anything.

Enjoy your visit! :)

Wow - how the hell did I forget Sunset?

Solid bar - grab a yard of the blueberry ale, and the food's not bad either.

Talk about Logan Airport ... I lost my luggage at Logan, and yes, it sucked big time.

Boston Beer Works has some good beers too - most of them (if not all) are brewed right in the building.

Also - I went to Cactus Club last night - great margaritas, best I've had in Boston.

Collin

that should be interesting-a margarita in Boston-we Texans are very critical of our beloved margaritas :)-I will have to try one

I am just curious-are there any authentic mexican food restaurants available? I just know I am going to be in withdrawl with no mexican food for 3 days but if you don't recommend having mexican food up there I understand.

I heard boston was a sausage fest.

Heh, and it's a very fine one ;)

for shopping:
dept stores: downtown crossing (red/orange lines)
Quincy Market (haymarket on orange/green lines)
Prudential/Copley Shopping Center (green line)
Newbury Street (hynes conv or boylston depending on which way you walk it)
Harvard Square (red line)

Good places to eat:
Marche's at the Prudential (thye have good crepes)
Border cafe (great magaritas)
there are also lots of Thai restaurants and other Asian cuisine around BU/Brookline area

North End faves:
Mike's Pastry
Rabia's (excellent chicken parm, great ambiance)

Boston Duck Tour is great ( i enjoyed it, even having lived in Mass my whole life)

Museum of Fine Arts (green line MFA stop)

you should check out www.cityofboston.com to look into the various sections of boston

you should bring leather coat/flece...not "cold" out yet in early october.....taking public transportation is optimal

you should get to see the beginning of fall foliage. and i also believe it is apple picking season, if you do happen to venture out to a farm in a suburb

enjoy.

hahahaha

BU is over 70% female . . .

I don't know where you heard that, but the city's pretty heavy on college students, and the split is more toward the female side if anything (unless you're at MIT)

I heard that from co-worker. She said she loved it. She was at brandice and harvard to study.

\


Sol Azteca is the best I've had around here. Now, I've had the mexican food in Texas (TexMex I guess), and this isn't quite as good - but the food is still awesome.

Collin

Any city that is home to a band like Big Wreck has to rock!

Actually, the male/female ratio at MIT is probably around 60/40 now ... it's not as skewed as it used to be. Sadly, a lot of MIT guys refuse to date MIT women... but that's a rant for another day :)