First time to Boston - will this work?
May 11th, 2009, 07:51 PM
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First time to Boston - will this work?
Hello - my husband and I will be in Boston for 4 nights and Rockport for 2, June 7 - 12. I cannot believe how much there is to do and see in Boston - I had no idea. As I mentioned in another post - my husband had knee replacement surgery in March. This may slow him down slightly. I'm trying not to plan something for every single minute we're gone - but it's very hard because there's so much I want to see. How does this look? How are our restaurant choices - am I leaving anything out that we just have to do?
Day 1
Arrive Sunday late afternoon. Check into hotel (we're staying in Newton at Hotel Indigo). Sunday evening take Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise. Have dinner at Giacomos.
Day 2
Take Beantown Trolley Tour. We want to visit Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and can hop on and off.
Question: What to do for lunch? I've read that the food at Faneuil Hall isn't that great. I also love old buildings and think the Omni Hotel looks neat. I was thinking perhaps the Last Hurrah would be good for lunch? Looks like they have good sandwiches and appetizers.
Dinner at Atlantic Fish Co. and maybe some shopping in the area - I think this is near Copley Square where there's good shopping?
Day 3
Breakfast at Charlies Sandwich Shoppe because we enjoy diners. Shop at Harvard Square. Maybe go to the MIT Museum. Head over to JFK Library. End with an early dinner at Myers + Chang (we love asian food). Or should we head to Chinatown?
Day 4
Day trip to Plymouth to go to Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower II. Need a suggestion for a light lunch?? How long will this take? Do people spend an entire day at the Plantation? For dinner am thinking about Solstice in Kingston or Fat Cat in Quincy - one of my goals is to have lobster mac and cheese at least once and I hear they have a good version of it.
Day 5
Check out of hotel and head to Rockport, stopping in Salem on the way. VIsit Peabody Essex Museum. We are staying at the Beach and King Street Bed and Breakfast. Need to grab a quick lunch somewhere on the way. Looking for a special place for dinner in/near Rockport because it's my birthday. Am thinking about Franklin Cafe or Duckworth. Duckworth's menu looks limited. But welcome any other suggestions!
Day 6
Relax! Want to go on a whale watching tour. Nothing else planned. Promised my husband good fried seafood - Clam Box or Farnham's for dinner? Suggestions?
Day 7
Check out of B&B and start trip back to Michigan. Thinking about taking a detour to Portland Maine. Or is it pretty much the same feel as Rockport/Gloucester area? If we do stop we will have lunch at Duckfat.
Thanks for you suggestions!
Day 1
Arrive Sunday late afternoon. Check into hotel (we're staying in Newton at Hotel Indigo). Sunday evening take Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise. Have dinner at Giacomos.
Day 2
Take Beantown Trolley Tour. We want to visit Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and can hop on and off.
Question: What to do for lunch? I've read that the food at Faneuil Hall isn't that great. I also love old buildings and think the Omni Hotel looks neat. I was thinking perhaps the Last Hurrah would be good for lunch? Looks like they have good sandwiches and appetizers.
Dinner at Atlantic Fish Co. and maybe some shopping in the area - I think this is near Copley Square where there's good shopping?
Day 3
Breakfast at Charlies Sandwich Shoppe because we enjoy diners. Shop at Harvard Square. Maybe go to the MIT Museum. Head over to JFK Library. End with an early dinner at Myers + Chang (we love asian food). Or should we head to Chinatown?
Day 4
Day trip to Plymouth to go to Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower II. Need a suggestion for a light lunch?? How long will this take? Do people spend an entire day at the Plantation? For dinner am thinking about Solstice in Kingston or Fat Cat in Quincy - one of my goals is to have lobster mac and cheese at least once and I hear they have a good version of it.
Day 5
Check out of hotel and head to Rockport, stopping in Salem on the way. VIsit Peabody Essex Museum. We are staying at the Beach and King Street Bed and Breakfast. Need to grab a quick lunch somewhere on the way. Looking for a special place for dinner in/near Rockport because it's my birthday. Am thinking about Franklin Cafe or Duckworth. Duckworth's menu looks limited. But welcome any other suggestions!
Day 6
Relax! Want to go on a whale watching tour. Nothing else planned. Promised my husband good fried seafood - Clam Box or Farnham's for dinner? Suggestions?
Day 7
Check out of B&B and start trip back to Michigan. Thinking about taking a detour to Portland Maine. Or is it pretty much the same feel as Rockport/Gloucester area? If we do stop we will have lunch at Duckfat.
Thanks for you suggestions!
May 11th, 2009, 09:37 PM
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I am so jealous! I LOVE Boston and Rockport! (I stayed at the best b&b in Rockport ... but yours looks LOVELY! I took some great pics at Front Beach) Have you heard about the lobster shack on Bearskin Neck? EAT THERE! (Sit on crates out back or take it to go and eat on the beach)
You do have A LOT planned and I am not sure if you will be able to do it all - but you can try I guess. Can I just make a few more suggestions for Boston?
The aquarium is really (REALLY) nice! It is one of my favorites! Also, you HAVE TO take a ride on a Swan Boat!
Definitely (and I MEAN IT!) go to Maria's Bakery in the North End. I get their biscotti (chocolate dipped) mailed to me (that is how much I LOVE them) They have the BEST cannoli you will ever eat (at least in the U.S.) and their tiramisu is to die for! (they have a website!
Also, if you want to eat a sandwich that you will dream about for the rest of your life, you have to go to Chacarero and get the combo sandwich (www.chacarero.com)
Blue Man Group is AWESOME! I saw them 2x on different trips to Boston.
Faneuil Hall is ok. I guess you need to see it at least. - But it isn't great. It won't take you long to wander through. You won't want to spend much time there. Spend more time around Harvard Square - or better yet, the MIT museum.
Yes, there is A LOT to do!! You may need to plan a second trip! (I have been there 4 times!) ;-)
You do have A LOT planned and I am not sure if you will be able to do it all - but you can try I guess. Can I just make a few more suggestions for Boston?
The aquarium is really (REALLY) nice! It is one of my favorites! Also, you HAVE TO take a ride on a Swan Boat!
Definitely (and I MEAN IT!) go to Maria's Bakery in the North End. I get their biscotti (chocolate dipped) mailed to me (that is how much I LOVE them) They have the BEST cannoli you will ever eat (at least in the U.S.) and their tiramisu is to die for! (they have a website!
Also, if you want to eat a sandwich that you will dream about for the rest of your life, you have to go to Chacarero and get the combo sandwich (www.chacarero.com)
Blue Man Group is AWESOME! I saw them 2x on different trips to Boston.
Faneuil Hall is ok. I guess you need to see it at least. - But it isn't great. It won't take you long to wander through. You won't want to spend much time there. Spend more time around Harvard Square - or better yet, the MIT museum.
Yes, there is A LOT to do!! You may need to plan a second trip! (I have been there 4 times!) ;-)
May 12th, 2009, 01:48 AM
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The Paul Revere House is in Boston's North End. I second the suggestion to visit Maria's which, if I recall correctly, is at the beginning of the North End within walking distance of Fanueil Hall. If your timing is right, you could get an Italian sandwich lunch, maybe take-out, in the North End. We took the Culinary Tour of Boston's North End a couple of years ago. Some of the little shops have great take-out food.
It sounds like you are driving back to Michigan. Your return date is great timing for the lupine festival in NH's White Mountains. If you went to Portland ME which I think is different from the Rockport area you could head to the mountains (about an hour to the Conway area from Portland). There are also areas in Maine which have fields of these beautiful wildflowers but I think they are much further north than Portland (remember lots in the Searsport area). You could go from Rockport to Portland for lunch then overnight in the White Mountains. There's a lot blooming around Polly's Pancake Parlor.
The Peabody Essex Museum has a pretty good cafeteria. We liked lunch there. Also liked the Indian restaurant but had a friend who helped us make menu selections. A quick lunch with local flavor could also be had at Red's in Salem. I think we walked from the parking area at the wharf. It's very crowded but quick service. Good food, lots of menu choices (but no mac and lobster).
It sounds like you are driving back to Michigan. Your return date is great timing for the lupine festival in NH's White Mountains. If you went to Portland ME which I think is different from the Rockport area you could head to the mountains (about an hour to the Conway area from Portland). There are also areas in Maine which have fields of these beautiful wildflowers but I think they are much further north than Portland (remember lots in the Searsport area). You could go from Rockport to Portland for lunch then overnight in the White Mountains. There's a lot blooming around Polly's Pancake Parlor.
The Peabody Essex Museum has a pretty good cafeteria. We liked lunch there. Also liked the Indian restaurant but had a friend who helped us make menu selections. A quick lunch with local flavor could also be had at Red's in Salem. I think we walked from the parking area at the wharf. It's very crowded but quick service. Good food, lots of menu choices (but no mac and lobster).
May 12th, 2009, 03:35 AM
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I noticed that on Day 3 you have Harvard, MIT, and the Kennedy Library. Since the Kennedy Library is in Dorchester, on the southern side of Boston, I'd recommend that you start there, so you don't get involved with rush-hour traffic, which starts about 3:00. Charlie's Sandiwch Shoppe, in the South End, isn't near anything else you've planned but is near Copley Square so you might go there on Day 2 instead.
I'm concerned because you seem to assume that you can easily find parking near everything you've planned, which is not the case especially in Cambridge, Beacon Hill, and the North End.
People often use the term "Faneuil Hall" to refer to the entire complex that includes Quincy Marketplace which has dozens of places to eat, of varying themes and quality. And the Omni is still referred to by locals as the Parker House.
I'm concerned because you seem to assume that you can easily find parking near everything you've planned, which is not the case especially in Cambridge, Beacon Hill, and the North End.
People often use the term "Faneuil Hall" to refer to the entire complex that includes Quincy Marketplace which has dozens of places to eat, of varying themes and quality. And the Omni is still referred to by locals as the Parker House.
May 12th, 2009, 03:47 AM
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Your DH may have some trouble with Plimouth Plantation - there are some hills and while not hugely spread out, it is more than the walking tolerance you mentioned in an earlier post.
Day 2 lunch - I would leave this open and wherever you happen to be on the hop on/hop off tour grab something. Qyuincy Market area is fine for routine lunch - if it is nice you can sit outside and people watch - just to minimize distances walked.
Although I like Portland, ME it may not be worth the detour. Picturesque harbor, a nice ride to see some lighthouses and lots of fun and quirky little shops down a couple of long alleyways - not exactly walker friendly either. Although others have differed, there is an art museum that was so bad it was funny, although I have heard there are some newer exhibits.
Day 2 lunch - I would leave this open and wherever you happen to be on the hop on/hop off tour grab something. Qyuincy Market area is fine for routine lunch - if it is nice you can sit outside and people watch - just to minimize distances walked.
Although I like Portland, ME it may not be worth the detour. Picturesque harbor, a nice ride to see some lighthouses and lots of fun and quirky little shops down a couple of long alleyways - not exactly walker friendly either. Although others have differed, there is an art museum that was so bad it was funny, although I have heard there are some newer exhibits.
May 12th, 2009, 04:48 AM
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This is exactly what I was looking for - great feedback. Thanks! I am thinking that maybe we should skip Plimouth Plantation and have another day in Boston. I really wanted to go to the aquarium and that will leave more time for wandering around, shopping, etc.
I thought Charlies was near Cambridge....but maybe I'm thinking of Mikes City Diner - is that near Cambridge?
Maria's Bakery sounds great. And we love to people watch.
I thought Charlies was near Cambridge....but maybe I'm thinking of Mikes City Diner - is that near Cambridge?
Maria's Bakery sounds great. And we love to people watch.
May 12th, 2009, 05:42 AM
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Yes, skip Plimouth Plantation for an extra day in Boston but I'd go to the MFA or the ICA rather than the aquarium unless you're particularly fond of fish.
Bear in mind the aquarium is a long inclined winding walk around a central cylindrical tank so if you husband finds it easier to walk downhill take the elevator to the top and walk down ... or vice versa
Bear in mind the aquarium is a long inclined winding walk around a central cylindrical tank so if you husband finds it easier to walk downhill take the elevator to the top and walk down ... or vice versa
May 12th, 2009, 05:59 AM
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I'll only comment on Days 2 and 3. I assume you plan to use public transport on Days 1, 2 and 3, right???
Day 2
Take Beantown Trolley Tour. We want to visit Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and can hop on and off.
Question: What to do for lunch? I've read that the food at Faneuil Hall isn't that great. I also love old buildings and think the Omni Hotel looks neat. I was thinking perhaps the Last Hurrah would be good for lunch? Looks like they have good sandwiches and appetizers.
Dinner at Atlantic Fish Co. and maybe some shopping in the area - I think this is near Copley Square where there's good shopping?
I always recommend Neptune Oyster in the North End. Their lobster roll (not cheap) is rated as the best in Boston. That can be your lunch stop.
http://www.neptuneoyster.com/
For shopping, it depends on what you're looking for. It may be more fun to stroll down Newbury Street for shopping/window-shopping.
http://www.newbury-st.com/
However, stores close around 6 or 7pm; while the 2 malls (Copley Place and Prudential Center) open until 8pm I think. (double check). So you definitely need to do shopping before dinner.
Day 3
Breakfast at Charlies Sandwich Shoppe because we enjoy diners. Shop at Harvard Square. Maybe go to the MIT Museum. Head over to JFK Library. End with an early dinner at Myers + Chang (we love asian food). Or should we head to Chinatown?
Again, I assume you plan to use public transport to get to all these places today?
I don't know what your interests are, but choosing MIT Museum is an odd choice. Harvard has several museums as well. Their Art museum is currently under renovation, but the "best of the bunch" are still on view. There's also the Havard Museum of Naturual History.
I wouldn't bother going to Myers + Chang. Reviews of M+C has been plus and minus. Also, it's in the South End which is really out of the way (and a pain to get to by public transit). If you really like Asian food, I'd go to the authentic places in Chinatown - for much better food and much less money. Some places I recommend in Chinatown are:
Gourmet Dumpling House or Taiwan Cafe for Taiwanese food
Peach Farm for Cantonese
Xinh Xinh for Vietnamese
Penang for Malaysian
Montien for Thai
If you feel adventurous, you can try one of the 2 shabu-shabu places in Chinatown. Shabu Zen or Kaze Shabu Shabu.
Day 2
Take Beantown Trolley Tour. We want to visit Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and can hop on and off.
Question: What to do for lunch? I've read that the food at Faneuil Hall isn't that great. I also love old buildings and think the Omni Hotel looks neat. I was thinking perhaps the Last Hurrah would be good for lunch? Looks like they have good sandwiches and appetizers.
Dinner at Atlantic Fish Co. and maybe some shopping in the area - I think this is near Copley Square where there's good shopping?
I always recommend Neptune Oyster in the North End. Their lobster roll (not cheap) is rated as the best in Boston. That can be your lunch stop.
http://www.neptuneoyster.com/
For shopping, it depends on what you're looking for. It may be more fun to stroll down Newbury Street for shopping/window-shopping.
http://www.newbury-st.com/
However, stores close around 6 or 7pm; while the 2 malls (Copley Place and Prudential Center) open until 8pm I think. (double check). So you definitely need to do shopping before dinner.
Day 3
Breakfast at Charlies Sandwich Shoppe because we enjoy diners. Shop at Harvard Square. Maybe go to the MIT Museum. Head over to JFK Library. End with an early dinner at Myers + Chang (we love asian food). Or should we head to Chinatown?
Again, I assume you plan to use public transport to get to all these places today?
I don't know what your interests are, but choosing MIT Museum is an odd choice. Harvard has several museums as well. Their Art museum is currently under renovation, but the "best of the bunch" are still on view. There's also the Havard Museum of Naturual History.
I wouldn't bother going to Myers + Chang. Reviews of M+C has been plus and minus. Also, it's in the South End which is really out of the way (and a pain to get to by public transit). If you really like Asian food, I'd go to the authentic places in Chinatown - for much better food and much less money. Some places I recommend in Chinatown are:
Gourmet Dumpling House or Taiwan Cafe for Taiwanese food
Peach Farm for Cantonese
Xinh Xinh for Vietnamese
Penang for Malaysian
Montien for Thai
If you feel adventurous, you can try one of the 2 shabu-shabu places in Chinatown. Shabu Zen or Kaze Shabu Shabu.
May 12th, 2009, 09:14 AM
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Harvard Square has wonderful restaurants, www.harvardsquare.com. My favorite is Upstairs on the Square.
Also when you're at Harvard Square, you're just a few minutes walk across the historic campus from the extraordinary Harvard museums-- dinosaurs and the Glass Flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, exploring cultures of six continents at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology, or the Harvard Art Museum at the Sackler, with Picasso --so much to see. More info here: http://www.harvard.edu/museums/index.php
Also when you're at Harvard Square, you're just a few minutes walk across the historic campus from the extraordinary Harvard museums-- dinosaurs and the Glass Flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, exploring cultures of six continents at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology, or the Harvard Art Museum at the Sackler, with Picasso --so much to see. More info here: http://www.harvard.edu/museums/index.php
May 12th, 2009, 11:25 AM
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<Day 2
Take Beantown Trolley Tour. We want to visit Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and can hop on and off.>
May I suggest that you take the Old Town Trolley Tour (orange and green trolleys) instead of the Beantown? Every time I've taken visitors on a trolley tour other than Old Town I've always regretted it. The Old Town Trolley has the largest number of trolleys so you don't have to wait very long for the next one to come along. I've also thought the driver/guides were better on Old Town.
I like yk's list of alternative restaurants instead of Myers + Chang.
Take Beantown Trolley Tour. We want to visit Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and can hop on and off.>
May I suggest that you take the Old Town Trolley Tour (orange and green trolleys) instead of the Beantown? Every time I've taken visitors on a trolley tour other than Old Town I've always regretted it. The Old Town Trolley has the largest number of trolleys so you don't have to wait very long for the next one to come along. I've also thought the driver/guides were better on Old Town.
I like yk's list of alternative restaurants instead of Myers + Chang.
May 12th, 2009, 12:14 PM
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I just called your hotel, because I was curious. For transportation you can either take the green line at Riverside, which we both agree is about a 45 minute ride, or you can take a cab. Neither of us agreed when I mentioned the website stating that they were a 10 minute trip to Boston. Some marketing genious likely did a miracle trip to the closest city limit.
So on the day to visit Harvard, you will likely travel 40 minutes to the red line and then 10 minutes to Harvard Square, not accounting for time waiting for a train. The same would be for Kennedy Library. Green line to red line in the opposite direction.
Given time travel, your husbands recovery, and the cost of commuting, you may be better off biting a higher tarriff to stay in Boston. That way you are nearby your hotel for an afternoon rest before dinner, etc. The train in from Riverside has many many stops, and the hotel thought they have no express lines.
Your plan asks too much for a healing knee.
Rockport is a fantastic area.
Giaccomos in the Northend has become a bit of a tourist trap, with long lines and unpredictable quality. However we are regulars at the southend restaurant which is spot on and a much calmer, neighborhood environment.
Please, Indigo looks like a great place to stay, but it really isn't convenient when one begins one of the most walkable cities in the country with a handicap.
best
g
So on the day to visit Harvard, you will likely travel 40 minutes to the red line and then 10 minutes to Harvard Square, not accounting for time waiting for a train. The same would be for Kennedy Library. Green line to red line in the opposite direction.
Given time travel, your husbands recovery, and the cost of commuting, you may be better off biting a higher tarriff to stay in Boston. That way you are nearby your hotel for an afternoon rest before dinner, etc. The train in from Riverside has many many stops, and the hotel thought they have no express lines.
Your plan asks too much for a healing knee.
Rockport is a fantastic area.
Giaccomos in the Northend has become a bit of a tourist trap, with long lines and unpredictable quality. However we are regulars at the southend restaurant which is spot on and a much calmer, neighborhood environment.
Please, Indigo looks like a great place to stay, but it really isn't convenient when one begins one of the most walkable cities in the country with a handicap.
best
g
May 12th, 2009, 12:21 PM
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I just checked the Sox schedule. They are playing the Yankees the 7th thru 10th. The subway will be insane as those games are sellouts and will be quite rowdy. These trains are shoulder to shoulder before and after the game. Restaurants / bars near Fenway will also be packed.
May 12th, 2009, 12:43 PM
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I live near Riverside Station and therefore very familiar with the location of Hotel Indigo and riding the Green Line D into town.
1) The pro of the hotel is FREE PARKING.
2) There are 2 options to get into town via public transit:
a) Green Line D train - it is about 35 minutes to Kenmore, 40-45 minutes to Park Street station
b) EXPRESS BUSES.
Express Bus 500 runs 7 times a day (M-F). It goes on Mass Pike and you can be in town within 33 minutes. It makes 2 stops in town:
Stop 1 is Lincoln & Beach - in between Chinatown and South Station, handy for the REd Line
Stop 2 is Federal & Lincoln - handy for Old State House and picking up Freedom Trail
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...tes/?route=500
Express Bus 555 runs in the evening only and takes 34 minutes. It has 2 stops in town.
Stop 1 is Federal & Lincoln (see above)
Stop 2 is St James and Dartmouth @ Copley. This will be handy for you to get home on Day 2 after dinner at Atlantic Fish.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...tes/?route=555
Express Bus 558 runs slightly more frequently than 500 and 555. However, it loops through Waltham before going on Mass Pike so it takes longer @ 45 minutes.
It also has 2 stops in town, exactly the same as 500.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...tes/?route=558
1) The pro of the hotel is FREE PARKING.
2) There are 2 options to get into town via public transit:
a) Green Line D train - it is about 35 minutes to Kenmore, 40-45 minutes to Park Street station
b) EXPRESS BUSES.
Express Bus 500 runs 7 times a day (M-F). It goes on Mass Pike and you can be in town within 33 minutes. It makes 2 stops in town:
Stop 1 is Lincoln & Beach - in between Chinatown and South Station, handy for the REd Line
Stop 2 is Federal & Lincoln - handy for Old State House and picking up Freedom Trail
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...tes/?route=500
Express Bus 555 runs in the evening only and takes 34 minutes. It has 2 stops in town.
Stop 1 is Federal & Lincoln (see above)
Stop 2 is St James and Dartmouth @ Copley. This will be handy for you to get home on Day 2 after dinner at Atlantic Fish.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...tes/?route=555
Express Bus 558 runs slightly more frequently than 500 and 555. However, it loops through Waltham before going on Mass Pike so it takes longer @ 45 minutes.
It also has 2 stops in town, exactly the same as 500.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...tes/?route=558
