Suggestions for Downtown Boston
Apr 30th, 2014, 09:02 PM
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Suggestions for Downtown Boston
Traveling to Boston next week to arrive on 5/6. Will stay at the Marriott Long Wharf, Downtown. Does anyone have any suggestions on best ground transportation from Logan to downtown(North-end)? Any dining recommendations for NE restaurants? Looking at possibly doing a Duck Tour...or welcome any other suggestions. Coming from San Francisco Bay Area so know we need to pack some warm clothes cause weather uncertain for this time of the year. Thanks in advance for your help!
May 1st, 2014, 03:03 AM
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The easiest way is to take the shuttle at the airport to the MBTA station, ride two stops to Aquarium, get off the train, exit to the right, take the elevator to the street, and you will be standing in front of the Marriott Long Wharf. Even if you goof and go left, you will only be across Atlantic Avenue from the hotel.
The most scenic way to arrive is by the water shuttle from the airport to Rowe's Wharf, two blocks away, but it costs a lot more.
You should certainly explore the North End and Waterfront, and you can walk the Freedom Trail in reverse! There is a cheap water taxi from the Marriott Long Wharf to Old Ironsides in Charlestown, and you can walk back to the Common, the downhill all the way to your hotel.
I would not recommend taking a Duck Tour unless you would wear Mouse Ears and pose with Mickey at Disneyland. Do not call Boston "Beantown" unless you would call the City on the Bay " Frisco". The trolley tours leave from the Atlantic Avenue end of your hotel. It is possible that one of them may contain factual information.
My four favorite places to eat in the North End are Mama Maria (expensive, dressy and reservations required), the Daily Catch, aka The Calamari Cafe (cheap, communal seating, no reservations), Artu's (no atmosphere, veal and eggplant parmigianas that will float off your plate and fusilli with rapini, salsicce, and all the garlic in the world), and Humberto's Rosticceria, known universally as Ralph's, open only for lunch. Sicilian specialties like arancini, panzanotta, and pizza. Two lines, one for take out orders and pizza dough, the other for eat in. Wine in plastic cups. When they run out of food, lunch is over. This usually happens about 1:45. Everyone from Chinese nuns to well-known gangsters and movie stars eats here.
There is a bar at the Atlantic Avenue end of your hotel called Tia's. Try to get a room at the other end of the hotel, but do visit Tia's after working hours. It is a major meet market for young men and women who work in the adjacent Financial District, and it will make you glad you are not a 20-something any more. But fun to watch.
There is another bar across Christopher Columbus Park called The Sail Loft. Sometimes it is in and the bar is packed; sometimes it is out and the bar is empty. There are about twenty tables in the back that have had the same menu since 1982. It hasn't changed -- nor have the prices gone up -- because it is perfect bar food, from nachos to fish and chips with excursions into healthy things like their chicken-apple-walnut salad. It is right on the water with boats docked outside.
The most scenic way to arrive is by the water shuttle from the airport to Rowe's Wharf, two blocks away, but it costs a lot more.
You should certainly explore the North End and Waterfront, and you can walk the Freedom Trail in reverse! There is a cheap water taxi from the Marriott Long Wharf to Old Ironsides in Charlestown, and you can walk back to the Common, the downhill all the way to your hotel.
I would not recommend taking a Duck Tour unless you would wear Mouse Ears and pose with Mickey at Disneyland. Do not call Boston "Beantown" unless you would call the City on the Bay " Frisco". The trolley tours leave from the Atlantic Avenue end of your hotel. It is possible that one of them may contain factual information.
My four favorite places to eat in the North End are Mama Maria (expensive, dressy and reservations required), the Daily Catch, aka The Calamari Cafe (cheap, communal seating, no reservations), Artu's (no atmosphere, veal and eggplant parmigianas that will float off your plate and fusilli with rapini, salsicce, and all the garlic in the world), and Humberto's Rosticceria, known universally as Ralph's, open only for lunch. Sicilian specialties like arancini, panzanotta, and pizza. Two lines, one for take out orders and pizza dough, the other for eat in. Wine in plastic cups. When they run out of food, lunch is over. This usually happens about 1:45. Everyone from Chinese nuns to well-known gangsters and movie stars eats here.
There is a bar at the Atlantic Avenue end of your hotel called Tia's. Try to get a room at the other end of the hotel, but do visit Tia's after working hours. It is a major meet market for young men and women who work in the adjacent Financial District, and it will make you glad you are not a 20-something any more. But fun to watch.
There is another bar across Christopher Columbus Park called The Sail Loft. Sometimes it is in and the bar is packed; sometimes it is out and the bar is empty. There are about twenty tables in the back that have had the same menu since 1982. It hasn't changed -- nor have the prices gone up -- because it is perfect bar food, from nachos to fish and chips with excursions into healthy things like their chicken-apple-walnut salad. It is right on the water with boats docked outside.
May 1st, 2014, 07:02 AM
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We like Nico Ristorante, in the North End.
http://nicoboston.com/
http://nicoboston.com/
May 1st, 2014, 01:12 PM
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As far as transportation, the T is for sure your best bet! It's super cheap, and it's reliable. See if you can get a Charlie card as soon as you arrive in Boston - they cost 1 or 2 dollars but are completely worth it, as you can load it with money to make public transportation super simple (aka: you won't have to buy a Charlie ticket every time). A Charlie card also means you're charged only $2 for the T and $1.50 for the bus (for each ride) as opposed to $2.50 and $2 respectively.
Restaurants: In the North End, Regina Pizzeria is informal, and the pizza is absolutely unbeatable. It's definitely worth a stop in my opinion. Mike's Pastries is also a must - the cannolis are out of this world.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is close to the North End (within walking distance) and also has some good restaurants. And definitely walk through the central building with all the little food booths in it.
Restaurants: In the North End, Regina Pizzeria is informal, and the pizza is absolutely unbeatable. It's definitely worth a stop in my opinion. Mike's Pastries is also a must - the cannolis are out of this world.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is close to the North End (within walking distance) and also has some good restaurants. And definitely walk through the central building with all the little food booths in it.
May 2nd, 2014, 05:59 AM
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Does anyone have any suggestions on best ground transportation from Logan to downtown(North-end)?
Best as in most convenient? A taxi. It will run something like $22-$27. If you wanted to save money, then the T is fine.
Any dining recommendations for NE restaurants?
Neptune Oyster would be another option. Personally, though, I don't think the NE restaurants that good, in general, and would venture further afield, unless you have your heart set on red sauce Italian.
Best as in most convenient? A taxi. It will run something like $22-$27. If you wanted to save money, then the T is fine.
Any dining recommendations for NE restaurants?
Neptune Oyster would be another option. Personally, though, I don't think the NE restaurants that good, in general, and would venture further afield, unless you have your heart set on red sauce Italian.
May 2nd, 2014, 07:22 AM
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FYI, Nico is not red sauce Italian.
They have their share of red sauce dishes on the menu. Heck, their chicken/veal parm is pretty famous. Maybe New England-Italian would be a better descriptor? I would agree that Nico is one of the better restaurants in the North End, though.
They have their share of red sauce dishes on the menu. Heck, their chicken/veal parm is pretty famous. Maybe New England-Italian would be a better descriptor? I would agree that Nico is one of the better restaurants in the North End, though.
May 2nd, 2014, 08:06 AM
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You're right, travelgourmet. I think of it as Northern Italian, but that could be wrong, too.
In any event, I don't order chicken parm at a restaurant like that.
We shared the most amazing shrimp bruschetta app (it was huge).
Then my dinner was scallops. DH had the daily seafood special, which was also huge. We didn't realize it would be such a huge portion, and noticed that other couples had shared it. haha. But he ate it all!
No red sauce for us.
Not only was the food excellent, but the tiny restaurant's atmosphere was perfect for us, and the service was exceptional. Our waiter was Italian. He comped us some limoncello for dessert.
I actually have a reservation at Nico, for later this month, to celebrate DD's graduation. We are so looking forward to our visit to Boston this month.
In any event, I don't order chicken parm at a restaurant like that.
We shared the most amazing shrimp bruschetta app (it was huge).
Then my dinner was scallops. DH had the daily seafood special, which was also huge. We didn't realize it would be such a huge portion, and noticed that other couples had shared it. haha. But he ate it all!
No red sauce for us.
Not only was the food excellent, but the tiny restaurant's atmosphere was perfect for us, and the service was exceptional. Our waiter was Italian. He comped us some limoncello for dessert.
I actually have a reservation at Nico, for later this month, to celebrate DD's graduation. We are so looking forward to our visit to Boston this month.
