gokatgo

My family (two 40yo adults and a 14yo boy) will be in Boston for the first time for 4 days/3 nights over President's Day weekend (Sat 2/18 - Tues 21.) We're from sunny Seattle (haha) and realize the weather could range from cold to miserable, but got a great deal on airfare so thought we'd go anyway.

Most of the guidebooks we've read seem geared for summer travel -- they talk about walking distances from hotels, but I'm guessing walking distances feel mighty different in February depending on what the weather is doing. Any suggestions on which part of town to stay in, winter activities, etc, would be great. We've borrowed winter coats and are planning to walk alot unless the weather is spectacularly bad.

My son (geek boy wants to see MIT -- other than that we're not sure what we want to do besides eat. We're looking at the Blue Man Group and maybe a comedy show (do comedy clubs there let teens in or are they 21+?) Maybe skating on the Frog Pond. Not too interested in the historical or touristy stuff (sorry!) We are baseball fans though -- is the tour of Fenway worth it in the off season?

We won't have a car, but are happy taking public transportation.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!
-Kat

Nikki

Geek boy will probably appreciate the Museum of Science. And it's indoors.

cigalechanta

There's a nice skating rink with music in the Boston common and one in Harvard Square at the Charles Hotel. Visit the MIT Museum while visiting MIT. There's the University Park Hotel by MIT. A bus will take you to Back Bay in Minites. The CharlesMark in Copley Square is across from the subway stop.

lizzoob

Where you stay depends in part on your budget. Anywhere near the subway lines in downtown (e.g. on or near Boylston Street, Commonwealth Ave., Beacon Street) would be convenient, but you could also stay in Cambridge at the Hotel@MIT (http://www.hotelatmit.com/)near Central Square. It's close to MIT-- which also has a museum-- *tons* of interesting restaurants, and is a quick subway ride to Harvard Square or downtown.

Bring layers, hats and gloves!

cigalechanta

that's the same hotel
http://www.hotelatmit.com/

cigalechanta

some reviews for you.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-3363...versity_park-i

cigalechanta

And here's the Charlesmark

http://www.thecharlesmark.com/

bennie

Fenway tour would be kind of tough if its really cold out but otherwise you should be fine. Some of it is indoors - press box, 600 club (but that is under construction so not sure what you would see.)

cigalechanta

bennie, I posted to you that the longchamp sale is on!!

gokatgo

Many thanks for all the replies. I had seen reviews of the Hotel@MIT and wondered if we'd regret staying outside the downtown area... but between MIT (and the MIT museum) and Harvard Square, it sounds like we'll be spending as much time on the Cambridge side of the river.

TKT

I find that teens really enjoy improv comedy, which is fun for adults and usually free of vulgarity. two in Boston are improvboston.com and improvasylum.com

There are museums of Natural History at Harvard as well.

gail

A tour of Fenway might be fun unless it is really cold that day - redsox.com has info. There is construction going on, which also might make it more interesting rather than less.

A Celtics or Bruins game might be a good evening activity - both teams are doing so poorly that tickets are easy to get. We are baseball and football fans in our household, but watching hockey or basketball live is much better than on TV.

AuntAnnie

I think seeing the Old North Church where Paul Revere hung the lanterns is worthwhile even if you are not history buffs. It is so cool. I was there in November and we found taxis inexpensive and easy to hail. Have fun!

JoyceL

Weather in Boston has been relatively mild the last several weeks, mid-30's and 40's. I live in the Boston area, and have been taking long walks everyday.

Of course, weather around here is never predictable, and it is not unusual to have the weather be 40 degrees one day, and 0 degrees the next. But if you come prepared with warm clothes, you may be able to do a lot of walking around outside.

gokatgo

Thanks for all the kind responses.

This is probably a silly question, but in Seattle winter just means constant grey drizzle. We know we should bring layers to bundle up -- but what do we need for shoes? If it isn't snowing, do you get much rain in the winter? (Are wet shoes going to be a problem?)

nina

We go to Boston frequently in winter, the coldest was about 4 degrees and we still walked all over, (walking warms you up), the key is, dress appropriately, which means not just coats, but you must wear hats, gloves, scarves and warm shoes/boots with socks. If you dress warmly and duck into stores, restaurants, etc., you'll be fine.

I can't imagine going to Boston and not strolling around Beacon hill and down Newbury Street, it's beautiful, don't miss it, you can also go to Hanover Street in the North end for dinner (don't drive, no parking), lots of great restaurants, my teenage boys love the gnocchi at Antico Forno. You should also check out Cambridge and Harvard, it's a beautiful campus.

You're right, you could end up with weather in the high 40's or close to zero, watch the weather and be prepared!

Have fun, I love Boston.

nina

We get some rain (it's going to rain this week), but it's rare in Feb. I wouldn't count on wet shoes...

cigalechanta

Don't wear good leather shoes. It could snow or rain. I waer my uggs in cold and wet weather as do many here in Boston or Cambridge.

Nikki

Just came back from an evening in Boston. Out in the burbs there has been snow on the ground for weeks, so I wore boots. But in Boston there was no snow on the ground, so they weren't necessary. But you just never know. Wet shoes from slushy intersections and icy sidewalks can certainly be a problem.

gail

Regarding February weather. Other than the obvious cold, it snows - sometimes a lot, sometimes not much. City snow tends to melt or be plowed and removed. Rain is relatively unlikely.

Between snow, it can be amazingly sunny. Walk thru Boston Common or Public Garden and see sun reflected off snow - you sometimes even wish for sunglasses. It can be really beautiful.

As far as wet feet, drainage on streets is not always great, so your feet get wet not from falling precipitation but from large slushy lakes at the curb. These can freeze at night and then reappear in the semi-solid variety each day. Many people wear short water repellant boots - those who need to do a lot of walking may wear real boots.

You could hit a day or 2 when temps go to about 45-50, but not likely to be much higher. It will certainly go below freezing each night. Wind, passing in tunnels between buildings can make it feel colder.