Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Boston - how to tour?

Search

Boston - how to tour?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 8th, 2016, 12:06 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Boston - how to tour?

Hi, I'm planning a long weekend in Boston for my daughter to tour both BU and Northeastern (We will stay in a hotel within walking distance of both). Our plan is to arrive Friday night, leave Tuesday morning, so we will have 3 full days.

DAY 1 - Saturday: We could plan the college tours for the same day - one in the morning and one in the afternoon which would leave us two full days to tour Boston - does this make sense?

So for Sunday/Monday: - I'd like for her to get a feel for the city and also take in some "sights." I saw there's a hop on/hop off trolley (either BeanTown or Old Town - not sure which is better).

Thoughts? Recommendations? Insight on older teens
Thanks.
Fishnlines29 is offline  
Old Aug 8th, 2016, 12:15 PM
  #2  
nlg
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have taken the Old Town trolley tour and loved it. You can hop on and off at the different stops and explore. We had the two day ticket and that worked out great for us.
nlg is offline  
Old Aug 8th, 2016, 12:28 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, I like the two day option. What stops were your favorites?
Fishnlines29 is offline  
Old Aug 8th, 2016, 01:17 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are the colleges running tours on Saturdays?

Boston is physically small, so you can hop the Green Line at BU, go downtown and walk about to most of the freedom trail type sites.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Aug 8th, 2016, 01:41 PM
  #5  
cw
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would schedule the college tours on different days since you have that option. That way you can take notes on one school before moving on to the next.

The trolley can be handy but it depends where you are staying. Boston is pretty compact, and from Kenmore/Back Bay areas, it is only a few stops to the Boston Common on the Green Line. A good way for your daughter to become familiar with the subway. It is easy to navigate.
cw is offline  
Old Aug 8th, 2016, 02:42 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We had hop on and hop off. I used it the first day, and I know the older folks liked it. But Boston is so compact that I feel like I was wasting time on the tour bus- walked everywhere the rest of the time. I wasn't much older when I visited Boston the first time- and I just loved to walk around and explore the different areas.
marvelousmouse is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2016, 04:25 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 18,050
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
Boston is so small and walkable. Combine walking with a few rides on the "T" and you have no need for a tour. Follow the red brick line of the Freedom Trail. Lunch in North End. T to Back Bay, Copley Square, Newbury Street shops and restaurants. Go over to Cambridge on the "T" too, Harvard Square. Northeastern has a T stop.
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2016, 06:14 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 8,219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When we toured colleges, we did it on weekdays so our students could attend a class.
In Boston, we liked walking the Freedom Trail.
abram is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2016, 07:08 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Northeastern is a very short walk from the Museum of Fine Arts and the Italian palazzo of the Gardner Museum with its gorgeous central garden.
SambaChula is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2016, 08:19 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 18,050
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
"insight on older teens" She will like Newbury Street with it's small shops and boutiques. At least the teens in my family do.
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Aug 9th, 2016, 09:30 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great advice everyone on where to go, thanks! I also like the walk/subway options..
BigRuss, yes, they are both running tours that Saturday.
Fishnlines29 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pattie
United States
7
Feb 20th, 2012 07:20 AM
eninajsti
United States
7
Aug 3rd, 2009 03:12 PM
oldchevys56
Cruises
4
Jun 17th, 2009 12:24 PM
hannahsnana
United States
15
Aug 1st, 2005 12:02 PM
cabodreamin
United States
4
Aug 13th, 2003 10:48 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -