Jon_V

We will be driving into Boston in two weeks, we would like to find public parking near the water front. We like eating drinking and water views. We would consider taxi rides as we have some mobility problems...(we're old).

Thanks, Jonvet

china_cat

There is lots of public parking along the waterfront, some of it is quite expensive (like the lot for the New England Aquarium). But its a large area. Not sure what you want to be close to? If you want to park and take a taxi, park at one of the hotels, like the Seaport Hotel, because that's the easiest place to grab one.

If mobility is the main issue, and you need to be near something, I'm trying to understand what you want to be near. Do you have a restaurant in mind, or are you asking about that too? what meal, and what budget? You could park at the Boston Harbor Hotel and have brunch there, with lovely views.

yk

ditto what China Cat says. You need to be more specific. Are you looking for overnight parking? for day time parking? for entire day or just a few hours? For how many days? Weekday or weekends? Which part of waterfront? Where are you staying?

Ackislander

On the weekend, you can park at the Post Office Square garage under the park for very little money, and you are about three blocks from the water, three blocks from the T, and three blocks from Quincy Market.

As China Cat notes, the Aquarium Garage is always outrageously expensive. There is waterfront parking past Christopher Columbus Park on Commercial Street, convenient to the North End.

On a weekday, expect to spend $30-$40. On a weekend, half that, or less at PO Square.

Jon_V

Thanks for all this information. We're be there during the week for one day and then go back outside Boston to the hotel. Any recommendation for a seafood restaurant with views?

china_cat

you know, there are surprisingly few restaurants with a nice water view. it's a shame really. I'm having trouble thinking of one....

Anthony's Pier 4 has a great view, but its a pretty bad restaurant. Well, I don't like it much...overpriced and snooty service.

the restaurant at the Boston Harbor Hotel, called Meritage is fantastic and has a lovely view. it's very pricey, but good.

cw

You can look at www.boston.bestparking.com to find garages and the rates.

I have only had lunches at Pier 4 lately--group lunches with a set menu. The food is good not remarkable but the views are wonderful and the parking there is free for the time when you are dining. I didn't eat in the main dining room but our service was fine. People who worked there were friendly and welcoming.

It's not rated high as a restaurant these days probably because the menu hasn't changed much over the years. But friends have gone for family dinners and the seafood has always been good.

yk

I'm not sure if I'd recommend Anthony Pier 4, as it gets rather poor reviews on chowhound.

You can consider Miel at the New Intercontinental Hotel at the waterfront. It supposedly has a nice view of the harbor, though I have never been.
http://www.intercontinentalboston.co...boston-ma-miel

Jon_V

Boy you guys are great. if you need any info on San Francisco feel free to [email protected].
One last question. For the walk around drive around water front area is it better on the Atlantic Av side of the harbor or the Pier 4 side also we were thinking of taking a boat tour.

Thanks again, Jon V

yk

Definitely the Atlantic Ave side - along Boston Harbor Hotel, Aquarium etc. However, it'll be a walk as you can't see much driving on the road as there are buildings all along the waterfront between the road and the harbor. (The walk path is next to the water).

Personally, I prefer the view of the Charles River and downtown Boston; from Cambridge (near MIT) riverfront; or from the Esplanade. Sunset views are quite nice along the Charles.

What type of boat tour are you thinking of?

cw

Jon, If you take a boat ride, you'll get a great view of the city from the water. That is essentially the view you would get from the Pier 4 side--looking back at the city and off towards the airport.

You can walk along the harbor in the downtown area. It's interesting to see the different wharfs, hotels, and parks. You don't have to make it a long walk either. Some of the harbor tour boats leave from that area. Downtown Boston is really quite compact.

yk

P.S., if you decide to walk along Atlantic Ave, the 75 State Street garage offers decent rates in the evening and weekends:
http://www.75statestreetgarage.com/rates.htm

Another advantage of walking along Atlantic Ave, is that you can walk along the Harbor for one direction, and the Rose Kennedy Greeway back.
http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/

china_cat

Are you planning any other sightseeing? because it might be fun to take the water taxi from the harbor over to Charleston where you could tour the USS Constitution. That would give you a nice ride with the views of the water.

http://www.citywatertaxi.com/taxi_stops.html