gr8travels

I am going to be in Boston for 2 days in early November. I’ll be arriving around noon, so I have a half day and then have to leave by noon the next day. I am staying at the Doubletree on Soldiers Field Road in Allston and am going to a concert at the Agganis Arena at Boston University the night I am in town.

I’m looking for dining recommendations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I read good things about East Coast Grill & Raw Bar in Cambridge for dinner and it seems like it will be pretty easy to get to for dinner and back to the concert at BU. Is it good? I definitely want to do seafood for dinner. Any suggestion for a place local to the Doubletree for breakfast, I’m more of a granola/yogurt person than bacon/eggs.

Any suggestions for what sights to see – there is just so much. I like getting out and walking around a city and I think I’ll be okay temperature wise in early Nov. Shopping is not a huge draw, I like historical sites and learning about the city I’m in, but don’t want to spend hours in a museum since I don’t have much time in Boston. Some of the places I have on my list are Harvard Square, Bunker Hill Monument, Minute Man Park, Freedom Trial, USS Constitution – but I haven’t mapped them out yet to see how much is really doable.

Thanks for any suggestions you have!
Jennifer

wyatt92

Unfortunately your hotel isn't in an area where you can really walk to things. Maybe someone will have breakfast recs in the area, I'm not sure what's around there.

The East Coast Grill is good but what might be easier before the concert is Great Bay at the Hotel Commonwealth. Great Bay is in Kenmore sq and depending on the weather is a nice walk or easy T ride to Agganis Arena, there's a stop right at Hotel Commonwealth and right in front of the arena.

You should do the Freedom Trail, as it contains most things on your list. You could also easily do Harvard Sq before or after.

wyatt92

Another thought. Are you set on that hotel? If not, try the Holiday Inn in on Beacon St in Brookline. You can walk to Agannis and also walk to Coolidge Corner which has lots of options for breakfast, etc.

china_cat

East Coast Grill is one of my very favorite restaurants in Cambridge. If you go, the white pepper crusted tuna is outstanding. are you driving? its not hard to find street parking nearby, and they even have a small parking lot that costs $5.

Great Bay is also an excellent suggestion, although its likely to cost a bit more.

You can certainly do some of the freedom trail. How long it takes really depends on how much time you spend at some of the buildings and poking around. It starts at Boston Common, and ends at the USS Constitution (or maybe Bunker Hill, I forget), but I think its pretty hard to do the entire thing unless you make few stops. You might be able to do the Common-to the North end in the afternoon , and then go back and see the USS Constitution before you leave the next day.

Minute Man park in Concord is well outside the city, and while it's interesting, you don't really have enough time to get out there.

TKT

If you do go to East Coast a,so try 1369 for coffee or Christie's for ice cream, they are on the same block.

If I had 2 days in Boston I would spend my time eating and shopping on 3 streets, Charles Street on Beacon Hill, Newbury Street in the Back Bay and Hanover Street in the North End.
That will give you many options and a real flavor for the city. It will alos be easier to get to the arena from these areas, just take the B Green Line outbound, Westbound, and it will bring you right to the arena.

escargot

look on the site
thefreedomtrail.org
you can see the map, and all the sites along it, and can use this to figure what are your definite stops since you only have 1/2 day to do this. The web site gives you all the info, approx times, etc so it should help you plan according to your interests.

Than the next 1/2 day you have you can spend in Cambrige/Harvard Square.

You may also want to consider a duck tour, if you are finding yourself cramped for time - bostonducktours.com - you might have to bundle up in November, and would want a nice, brisk day, but check out the web site and see what sites it takes you by.

As China Cat said Minute Man park is out of your way on this trip, unless you are driving in from that area and stop on your way.

For food: If you have your heart set on seafood,, and only have one evening to eat in the city - why don't you consider having your seafood as a lunch on the day you arrive - tht might open up your options - seafood lunch and freedom trail/duck tour would give you more options in downtown area (legal seafoods, mccormick, lots more) and at night, have italian at Carlos Cucina Italiana, small but good italian at 131 Brighton St in Allston and we often eat there before a show at Agganis and walk to the show from dinner.

carlyshells

Hi Jennifer - Since you have such a short amount of time in Boston, I would not even bother going over to the East Coast Grill in Cambridge. Whether you are driving or taking the T, it will be a hassle to get there. Driving in Boston is probably the worst experience for someone who does not live here. I've lived in the city for 5 years and I still get frustrated with lack of street signs and the roundabout ways of getting places. Taking the T will bring you into downtown Boston via Green Line and then out to Cambridge via Red Line and the restaurant is still a good 15 minute walk from Central Sq T stop. With so little time to enjoy our city, this seems like a waste of time. I guess you could walk over to Cambridge from the DoubleTree, but that would still probably take at least 1/2 an hour to walk to East Coast Grill. Your best bet would be to take a cab there and back if you decide you still want to go there before the concert, but cabs in this city are outrageously expensive. Even more so than NYC.

I agree with a previous poster about changing your hotel if possible. The DoubleTree might be close to Agannis, but it is definitely not in a great area for visiting Boston, especially when you really only have one full day to see things. Unfortunately, I do not know that area well so can't give any recommendations for places to eat breakfast right around there.

As far as places to see - you might also want to check out the Copley Sq. area. The old section of the Boston Public Library is beautiful, as well as Trinity Church. It's a quick walk to the Public Garden and Newbury St. is right there too. It is difficult to choose one thing over another to recommend for you to do. Hopefully you will want to come back and visit Boston at a more leisurely pace!

gr8travels

China Cat, TKT, escargot, carlyshells – Thanks so much for all of your suggestions on dining and sightseeing. I can’t tell you how helpful it is to have all of this information. It is always so hard to get a grip on the location of all the sights/dining/shops of a new city that you want to see. I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

Wyatt92 – Thanks for the Great Bay suggestion, it looks fantastic. I am using points for my hotel stay, so it has to be a Hilton property. I chose the Doubletree because it is the closest to Agganis Arena. There is also a Hilton Boston Back Bay on Dalton St. near the Prudential Center. That will cost me additional points. Do you think it will make sightseeing a lot more convenient? I think I may change to that hotel.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions. I’ll probably be back with more questions as I continue planning!

Jennifer

escargot

I would rather see you change to the Dalton St address - you will be more convenient for things on the day of arrival, and the next day - I wouldn't base where I'd stay on just getting to the concert at night - changing locations opens up an entirely new list of places for breakfast, lunch, dinner -you'll be w/in easy walking distance of Prudential, copley, Newbury, Boylston, Boston Common, Public gardens, for getting on the duck tour if you decide to do that, walking Freedom Trail, everything - you can still take the T to the Agannis , it's an easy ride there and back.

socialworker

Back Bay!! I cannot tell you how un-Boston like the Soldier's Field Road location is. You could be in Omaha there (no offense to NE! ! We lived across the river in Cambridge for 8 years and you will not be happy staying there. Have a great trip.

gail

The reason that Doubletree is less expensive by points or dollars is the reasons mentioned above - it is not near anything except a train yard, it is not convenient to public transportation, and is nowhere near downtown.

TKT

In traveling time the Doubletree is further from the arena. There is also the possibilty of traffic jams near the Doubletree. At Dalton you will be surrounded by nighlife/food/sights.

china_cat

definitely take the Back Bay location. you will have lots more interesting dining choices in walking distance. You can easily get a cab to the Agganis Arena from there. It will save you time, and be more enjoyable, and worth the extra points.

gr8travels

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I have changed my hotel to the Back Bay location. Planning on arriving midday and seeing as much as I can. Newbury St, Public Library, Trinity Church, Copley Square, Public Garden, Boston Common, some of the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Fall, Quincy Market. That leaves Cambridge and Harvard Square for the next morning.

Now I’m looking for suggestions on where to get dinner. I’d like to be somewhat close to the hotel as I plan on sightseeing, going to dinner, then back to the hotel to freshen up before the concert at Agganis. Would like to do seafood, but it doesn’t have to be exclusively seafood. I’m looking for good food, but in a casual setting, not looking for a super fancy dining room (I’ll probably be in jeans/casual dress from sightseeing). I’ve read that many of the Back Bay restaurants can be overpriced for mediocre food. I’ve got Laurel, Stephanie’s and Tapeo on my list. Any other suggestions? Should I consider going to the South End? Or maybe a restaurant closer to Boston Common since I’ll be sightseeing in that area?

Thanks again to everyone for your helpful advice and suggestions.

bennnie

For seafood, Sasper White's Summer Shack is right by your hotel. Also short walks to Legal Seafood and others on Boyleston St. Glad to see you've changed your location. I've stayed at the Back Bay Hilton twice now and have enjoyed my stays. You can walk to a Green Line station ( I think the Prudential Center is the closest stop) and hop on the T to get to your concert. (head Outbound)

escargot

Bennie gave you good suggestions - just for your info when looking it up, it is Jasper White's with a J - we all type too fast sometimes even bennie !

you will much prefer your new location - have fun

wyatt92

Skipjack's and Atlantic Fish are both excellent seafood restaurants that are close to your hotel.

I also like Stephanie's and Tapeo. Match is a great newer restaurant on the corner of Mass Ave and Newbury St (so very close to your hotel), very hip place with great food and martinis!

snowrooster

We were in Boston recently and followed the recommendation on this board for SkipJacks for lunch and were very pleased. I'm not sure where you live, but when I am in Boston I love to eat Lobster Rolls! They seem to be hard to find outside the area (at least in the midwest) and I think they are such a treat. Basically tons of lobster salad on a sub roll (more lobster than anything!). You can get them at Quincy Market at some of the food stalls. It's a casual way to sample what I consider one of Boston's greatest attributes!

We also did the Duck Tour (I have been to Boston many times - was actually born there - so this was something different). It was a lot of fun and you get to see the city from land and by water!

cantstayhome

Good move changing the hotel!

Legal's, Skipjacks, Jasper White's Summer Shack are all good recommendations for seafood, as is Great Bay. I would skip Laurel. After hearing rave reviews forever from one of my friends I went about 3 years ago. We were asked to finish our coffee and dessert at the bar because they "needed the table." And, there were no seats at the bar, by the way. Sorry, but that is never appropriate for a restaurant to do that and I will never, never, never return and never, never, never recommend that place.

I have always enjoyed brunch at Brasserie Jo, at the Colonnade Hotel, not far from you. If you just want something small, there is a Finagle a Bagel on Boylston, I believe. Good bagels. They even have a whole wheat one if you're really interested in being good for breakfast (a bit dense, however).

Will you be in town for lunch the day you leave and plan to go over to Harvard Square? If you like Indian, try Tamarind Bay - really amazing, fantastic Indian food. Not all pre-cooked - everyone I take there goes nuts about the place! I sometimes take a 2 hour lunch and go all the way over there just to satisfy my craving. Lunch time will likely be a buffet, though, but it's still great and worth a trip.

Feel silly asking, but where is the Aggannis arena? I've lived here how long and my husband went to BU law and I have no idea where it is! Is that the hockey rink on Comm. Ave.? If so, then consider Brown Sugar Cafe for Thai before the concert. Get there plenty early as it is popular. Great food, though!

There are so many great places in the South End. If you switch gears and head over there for a meal, you pretty much cannot go wrong.

Have a great time!

escargot

cantstayhome:
agganisarena.com
yes, hockey games there and some great concerts throughout the year and it is a beautiful venue.