Wawaho

Hi -

My friend and I are going to be in Boston for 4 days first week-end of May. Based on reviews, we will be using public transportations to get to all attractions. So the hotel recommendations need to be near the T-Line.

It's out first trip to Boston, what should we do with our 4 days? We are very open to your recommendations.

We are thinking of visiting Bunker Hill/Freedom Trail, Harvard University/Square, Samuel Adams Brewery, Museum of Fine Arts, Institute of Comp Arts, North End Food Tour and of course good lobster rolls and some yummy oysters & beers.

We are not baseball fan (sorry baseball folks), but will try to take the Fenway tour if time permits.

Did we miss anything "must see"?

Ackislander

Well, you missed the fact that it is the first of three graduation weekends, and with 39 or so colleges, you haven't got a prayer of finding anywhere in the city (broadly defined) for less than $150 per night unless you are really young and could stay at the youth hostel.

Next best would be to try Priceline.

If you can find a room, your trip plans sound good. I would add East Coast Grill in Cambridge to my eating plans, though you will have to take a bus from Central or Harvard Square to get there. Also Davis Square in Somerville. It is on the Red Line and has lots of hip/funky places to eat and shop.

Good luck!

qwovadis

betterbidding.com for bidding priceline

usually works best for me.

Otel.com Booking.com if you do not like to bid

Looks like you have ticked most of the tourist boxes.

Grab some great seafood while there Yelp.com

for best info.

Have fun,

yk

You're planning to visit next weekend? Mother's Day weekend? I'm afraid you will NOT find anything decent for < $150. As Ackislander said, it's college graduation month and hotels are usually booked 6-8 monhts in advance for May weekends. My suggestion is to look for a hotel first; if you can find an affordable hotel for next weekend in Boston, then come back and tell us and we'll give you suggestions for sightseeing.

FWIW, I checked Hampton Inn in Cambridge for the 1st w/e of May. Even Hampton Inn is asking for $269/n. The hotel rate you're quoting is unreasonable for Boston during the late Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons. If you cannot up your budget, consider visiting Boston in Jan or Feb... you can find great hotel bargains then. Otherwise, look into youth hostels is you qualify, or the Hosteling International on Hemnenway. http://www.bostonhostel.org/

Sorry if I sound discouraging, but Boston's tourist season only runs 6-7 months a year, so hotel rates are very high during those months when weather is nice.

tomfuller

Probably not what you are looking for but FYI- http://www.hostels.com/hostels/bosto...-downtown/1852
Hostelling International has standards that many other hostels do not meet. Never stayed in this one but nave stayed more than once in the HI in Chicago.

lcuy

Buckminster Hotel at Kenmore square might be in your price range. It is next to Boston Univ and Fenway Park, and on top of a T station.

yk

I chekced Hotel Buckminster and it's sold out. Both NU & Berklee College have commencement next weekend, plus REd Sox is playing home games as well. That's probably why Hotel Buckminster is fully booked.

FWIW, here's a list of commencement dates for Boston area colleges for anyone considering visiting Boston in May (and still do not have a hotel reservation):
http://www.bostonzest.com/2011/01/bo...ring-2011.html

Ackislander

I think it would be worth separately posting the commencement dates with an explacation, yk, then doing it again next year! This is a constant issue for visitors.

Wawaho

Didn't think about the college commencements. Our whole trip includes two week-end 5/7 and 5/14. We were hoping to spend 4 days in Maine and the remainder for days in Boston. Looks like the whole month of May is bad.... So makes no sense for us to shift what week-end to stay where.

Thank you for the respond. Reality is sinking in.

One more question, we need to rent a car in Boston. Should we rent at the Logan Airport of take a taxi out and pick up offsite from Airport?

Thanks

yk

I'd just rent directly from Logan Airport. The rate may be higher at Logan than in-town locations, HOWEVER, once you add in the taxi fares and the time wasted, it's probably a wash. Plus, if you're heading north right away, I think it's easier to find your way to the Interstate from Logan than from an in-town location. I drive into the city about once a week, and the last couple of weeks traffic in the city has SIGNIFICANTLY gotten much worse: due to the influx of tourists (both on foot and behind wheels) plus influx of parents arriving for either graduation or moving-out at end of school year. I'd avoid driving in the city if I were you.

Wawaho

Thank you for the quick respond YK. Took your advice and reserved a car with Dollar. We will probably drive to Maine first and then come back to Boston 5/10 to explore Boston. We have about 4 days in Maine and 4 days in Boston.

thanks,
Hoa