BuffaloGirl

We (me, husband, two college aged boys) will be stopping in Boston for two days before our annual Cape Cod vacation. I have no excuse as to why none of us have been to Boston up until now, but there's a first time for everything!

We only have two days, and the first day will be an approximate 7-8 hour road trip from Buffalo. Hoping to leave home around 5:00 a.m. We will check in to our hotel (or at least leave our luggage until check-in later on) and hit the road. Staying at the Marriott Long Wharf. Day 1 is for the boys - they want to hit the Sam Adams Brewery (I could seriously do without that, but what the hell?). Following that up will be a late lunch / early dinner at Doyles, as all the guys want to check out a neighborhood Irish pub.

I've checked out the "T" stops - seems easy enough to navigate. Boys would like to check out Newbury Street area afterward to check out a Nike store and the general neighborhood. Back to hotel to get into our room and rest. Maybe walk around a bit in the evening to Quincy Market area.

Day 2 is my pick - history day! I know there isn't enough time to see everything. I understand the Freedom Trail isn't all that long and very doable with the right shoes. And I would like to cover most if not all of it. But I'm also hankering to see Beacon Hill. If we take the hop on/off trolley tour, it does detour over that way. But I'm not sure if it covers all the historical sites on the Freedom Trail.

Can anyone offer any insight? Thanks.

Lookin_Glass

Interesting. Because of Doyle's Sam succeeded. I'd try to hit a bit or the arboretum. Maybe a scoop from JP Licks.

I'd play your day by ear. Walking is always best imho if the weather permits. "Where Boston" a hospitality rag always has coupons for the different trolley type tours.

If you are visiting over the weekend, Sargents Wharf has some decent weekend parking rates, but be aware of the hours - surely cheaper then valeting.

nelsonian

Do the Free Tours by Foot tour of the Freedom Trail. It is great, especially if you get Brian as the tour guide. Look at the reviews on Trip Advisor. We loved it.

DonTopaz

Both the Freedom Trail and Beacon Hill are very good choices. Biggest difference you'll notice between the two is level of crowdedness: Freedom Trail is always packed with people, as it courses through some of the main commercial/business areas of town. Beacon Hill is mostly residential except for the area immediately around the State House, so it's far quieter. The entire Freedom Trail will take quite a while, and it's perfectly reasonable to do only a portion of it. Best streets to enjoy on Beacon Hill are Mt Vernon, Louisburg Square, Acorn St, Chestnut St.

BuffaloGirl

Thanks for the replies LG, nelsonian, and Don. Perhaps while the boys are doing their Nike shopping thing after the brewery, my husband and I could make our way over to Beacon Hill and check out the streets DonTopaz mentions. Then we can dedicate day 2 to walking the Freedom Trail.

Ackislander

You need to put a time on your Sam's/ Doyle's experience -- when you will begin, when you will leave, allowing you to get back to Newburyport Street before the store closes. Ask me how I know that one often loses track of time in breweries and pubs!

Second, the boys may be interested to know about the Harpoon Brewery in the South Boston Waterfront, fka Fort Point.

Marriott Long Wharf is a good place for you to stay, very well located for most of what YOU want to do. The food is not very good, and the food/coffee are the usual screw the customer prices, so try to identify somewhere nearby for as much breakfast as you want. They have a terrific pool with great views over the harbor, and if you go as far as the Constitution on theFreedom Trail, you can get a water taxi back to Long Wharf for a nominal sum and more great views.

BuffaloGirl

Great advise, Ackislander. Thank you.

jayne1973

While exploring the Freedom Trail area, you might come across a tiny little old tavern called Durty Nelly's. I was told Ben Franklin and some other famous people used to frequent this place. It is right beside the farmers market, too, which is kind of cool. We just stumbled across this place, but it was a little gem of our trip. They served bar food there, too.

www.durtynellysboston.com

BuffaloGirl

Thanks jayne1973! It's within walking distance of our hotel...perhaps we can end the day there.

scdreamer

My husband and I had two days and two nights in Boston last year - first timers. We loved the city - stayed at the Millenium Hotel just across from Fanuille Hall. It was a little expensive - as are all the hotels in Boston proper - but a sit-down restaurant breakfast was included, which made it a bit cost-effective.

We walked the Freedom Trail both days we were there, self-guided, and we had an amazing time. On the second day we walked all the way to the USS Constitution and did a free Park Tour to hear about the Battle of Bunker Hill. The park ranger was very well informed and enthusiastic.

Yes, our feet were pretty tired by the end of the day, but we saw so much, and it was so interesting we hardly noticed the distances. The Boston Commons are beautiful - lots of places to sit and rest.

We also stopped in a couple small pubs for cold beer on tap - I'm not much of a beer drinker, but when in Rome, er Boston ...

The North End was the best for wonderful restaurants. A huge number of Italian restaurants - hard to make a choice. We ended up second night at Il Villagio, small and intimate, delicious Italian food.

I came away from Boston so impressed with the friendliness and kindness of the locals. So many people stopped to talk with us, help us find our way of we looked lost. I'm definitely a Boston fan.

BuffaloGirl

Thanks scdreamer...I'm really excited!