A day in Boston
Jun 17th, 2016, 01:41 AM
#21
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Ok - final answer (probably not!). Leave Cape. Drive to Lexington and do the Revolutionary War history stuff. I was in Lexington yesterday and driving thru downtown there are a number of restaurants with outdoor seating - I am wondering if you could take dogs there? If not, go to Wilson Farm (Pleasant Street) - it is like a farm stand on steroids. Beautiful fruits and veggies - plus a section in back with prepared foods of all kinds. Buy stuff for a picnic lunch. Drive back towards Lexington Center and there is a little park with benches. Have lunch there and get the dogs some out-of-car time.
Then drive down Mass Ave to MIT. Do whatever you are going to do there.
Continue into Boston (map quest or GPS it instead of me giving you directions.) I am thinking Tyler probably has a smartphone with GPS and he can direct you.
Park at either Prudential or Dalton St/Hynes garage mentioned above. The car should stay there. GP and Tyler can take a pedicab to game or walk. You can use car as home base. Walk to Public Garden or Boston Common with dogs. Sit on a bench and read. There may be restaurants on Newbury St where you can outdoor seat with dogs - not sure. The area is safe and you can window shop and wander around after dark. You could even return to car and take a nap - since it is going to be a long day. After dark there may be some street parking; while you are walking around check out the meter rules. But by leaving the car where it is, GP and Tyler will have no problem finding you after the game.
I am trying to think of something you could do for the approximately 6 hours you will have car, dogs and time - other than the above. That is the part of the plan I am hoping someone has a great idea about. (6 hours includes transit time for GP and Tyler to/from game plus game)
Then drive down Mass Ave to MIT. Do whatever you are going to do there.
Continue into Boston (map quest or GPS it instead of me giving you directions.) I am thinking Tyler probably has a smartphone with GPS and he can direct you.
Park at either Prudential or Dalton St/Hynes garage mentioned above. The car should stay there. GP and Tyler can take a pedicab to game or walk. You can use car as home base. Walk to Public Garden or Boston Common with dogs. Sit on a bench and read. There may be restaurants on Newbury St where you can outdoor seat with dogs - not sure. The area is safe and you can window shop and wander around after dark. You could even return to car and take a nap - since it is going to be a long day. After dark there may be some street parking; while you are walking around check out the meter rules. But by leaving the car where it is, GP and Tyler will have no problem finding you after the game.
I am trying to think of something you could do for the approximately 6 hours you will have car, dogs and time - other than the above. That is the part of the plan I am hoping someone has a great idea about. (6 hours includes transit time for GP and Tyler to/from game plus game)
Jun 17th, 2016, 05:31 AM
#22
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I think your main challenge is the pick-up after the game. That's why you have to park somewhat close to Fenway, in order to be able to rendezvous afterwards.
In one direction from Dalton Street is the Commonwealth Avenue mall--a wide tree-lined green space that runs the length of Commonwealth Avenue. Lot of dog-walkers in that area. In the other direction, quite close, is the Christian Science Church reflecting pool. Though not as green, there is a big fountain and benches where you can sit and relax.
If a cafe has a few tables outside where people buy their food and take it out, then you can sit there with the pups. If it's a more formal patio, with a fence around it, usually you have to sit at a table by the fence and the dogs have to be outside the fence. You'll see both kinds on Newbury St. I think Stephanie's on Newbury (and Exeter, I think) is dog-friendly on the edge of the patio. It's a regular restaurant.
There are two nearby dog-friendly stores. Urban Outfitters (Newbury and Mass. Ave.) allows dogs as does the Apple Store on Boylston.
If they go to the game at about 6, you can take a walk, have a leisurely bite to eat, walk a bit more, and a few hours will have passed. As you mentioned, they may not stay until the end of the game so your time won't be too too long.
If I had time for either Lexington or Concord, I'd choose Concord for the history, especially the Minuteman Visitor Center.
In one direction from Dalton Street is the Commonwealth Avenue mall--a wide tree-lined green space that runs the length of Commonwealth Avenue. Lot of dog-walkers in that area. In the other direction, quite close, is the Christian Science Church reflecting pool. Though not as green, there is a big fountain and benches where you can sit and relax.
If a cafe has a few tables outside where people buy their food and take it out, then you can sit there with the pups. If it's a more formal patio, with a fence around it, usually you have to sit at a table by the fence and the dogs have to be outside the fence. You'll see both kinds on Newbury St. I think Stephanie's on Newbury (and Exeter, I think) is dog-friendly on the edge of the patio. It's a regular restaurant.
There are two nearby dog-friendly stores. Urban Outfitters (Newbury and Mass. Ave.) allows dogs as does the Apple Store on Boylston.
If they go to the game at about 6, you can take a walk, have a leisurely bite to eat, walk a bit more, and a few hours will have passed. As you mentioned, they may not stay until the end of the game so your time won't be too too long.
If I had time for either Lexington or Concord, I'd choose Concord for the history, especially the Minuteman Visitor Center.
Jun 17th, 2016, 05:57 AM
#23
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I think cw and I are on the same track - with some fine tuning of details. cw's during-the-game suggestions seem logical knowing the area. I suggested you park at one of those 2 paces since it is close enough for you to find something to do during the game and close enough that they can find you in the same spot after the game.
Now - some Fenway info if they have not been before. The seats are smaller than any other ballpark - it is easy for even an average size person to feel cramped after a while. Get up and walk around. Try to leave seat between innings, or at least batters - we take our baseball fairly seriously in Boston.
You can not bring food or drink into Fenway, even water. As with most sporting venues, it is expensive inside. And Fenway has less variety than some of the newer venues. But at least the bathrooms are clean and work - unlike when I started attending games 40 years ago.
You can not bring in backpacks. Small clear bags (like with a sweatshirt) are OK. Even on a summer evening, it can get chilly later in the game. Even in July I have needed a sweatshirt after dark. The scoreboard is also not electronic - a guy comes out with a ladder between innings to change the scores of other games. When the score changes of RedSox game, the slide numbers up from inside a room in back of the scoreboard.
They are playing the White Sox - not a team especially loved or hated in Boston, so if you have some need to cheer for Chicago, no one will kill you. I would prefer that they cheer for Boston.
In the 8th inning they play as a sing-a-long Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond). It remains a popular and unexplainable part of the game - since it has nothing to do with baseball and supposedly was written about Caroline Kennedy - although that part makes no sense to me. (After the Boston Marathon bombing Neil Diamond showed up unannounced to lead the sing-a-long during a game).
Hope they enjoy the game an experience. If either is into baseball history or tradition, there are all sorts of plaques and statues in the food vendor tunnels. As the oldest baseball park in MLB, it really is an experience.
Now - some Fenway info if they have not been before. The seats are smaller than any other ballpark - it is easy for even an average size person to feel cramped after a while. Get up and walk around. Try to leave seat between innings, or at least batters - we take our baseball fairly seriously in Boston.
You can not bring food or drink into Fenway, even water. As with most sporting venues, it is expensive inside. And Fenway has less variety than some of the newer venues. But at least the bathrooms are clean and work - unlike when I started attending games 40 years ago.
You can not bring in backpacks. Small clear bags (like with a sweatshirt) are OK. Even on a summer evening, it can get chilly later in the game. Even in July I have needed a sweatshirt after dark. The scoreboard is also not electronic - a guy comes out with a ladder between innings to change the scores of other games. When the score changes of RedSox game, the slide numbers up from inside a room in back of the scoreboard.
They are playing the White Sox - not a team especially loved or hated in Boston, so if you have some need to cheer for Chicago, no one will kill you. I would prefer that they cheer for Boston.
In the 8th inning they play as a sing-a-long Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond). It remains a popular and unexplainable part of the game - since it has nothing to do with baseball and supposedly was written about Caroline Kennedy - although that part makes no sense to me. (After the Boston Marathon bombing Neil Diamond showed up unannounced to lead the sing-a-long during a game).
Hope they enjoy the game an experience. If either is into baseball history or tradition, there are all sorts of plaques and statues in the food vendor tunnels. As the oldest baseball park in MLB, it really is an experience.
Jun 17th, 2016, 09:57 AM
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Where on the Cape are you based for your week's stay?
It seems it's going to be beach weather, even if the water might not be so warm yet. Maybe get him a skim board to use at the edge of the waves.Walking the beaches, and also the trails (get a map at the Nat'l Park Visitors Center, White Cedar Swamp trail, etc)are fun. Bike the path next to the canal. Whale watch. Art's Dune Tours in P'town. P'town shopsand restaurants. Chatham shops, Fish Pier with seals, seal tours to Monomoy Island. Surf casting (fishing from the beach, 14 yr old does not need a license).
It seems it's going to be beach weather, even if the water might not be so warm yet. Maybe get him a skim board to use at the edge of the waves.Walking the beaches, and also the trails (get a map at the Nat'l Park Visitors Center, White Cedar Swamp trail, etc)are fun. Bike the path next to the canal. Whale watch. Art's Dune Tours in P'town. P'town shopsand restaurants. Chatham shops, Fish Pier with seals, seal tours to Monomoy Island. Surf casting (fishing from the beach, 14 yr old does not need a license).
Jun 17th, 2016, 09:12 PM
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Go on a whale watch from Provincetown, take a tour there with Art's Dune tours, visit the Pilgrim Monument and Museun.
Rent bikes and ride on the Cape Cod rail trail, visit the Audubon Sanctuary in Wellfleet, take a seal cruise to Monomoy Island, and visit the Cape Cod Visitor Center in Eastham and eat at Arnold's for seafood.
Rent bikes and ride on the Cape Cod rail trail, visit the Audubon Sanctuary in Wellfleet, take a seal cruise to Monomoy Island, and visit the Cape Cod Visitor Center in Eastham and eat at Arnold's for seafood.
Jun 26th, 2016, 04:33 PM
#31
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We have returned to Pa yesterday.
The drives up and back both were riddled with accidents, road work, and snarls, so almost 8 hours each way,
but our time on the cape was super. The weather was perfect, GS swam in Skaket- bay and Nauset-ocean- beaches.
Tuesday morning we got a late start and got to Concord at about 11. We walked to the bridge and saw the little movie. Then GS was ready to go to Boston.
We had no trouble getting there or driving in the city itself. We passed MIT, could not see any parking, so we did not get to the bookstore. Next, we needed lunch but could not find a place with parking nearby, so we wrestled up a very nice lunch at Trader Joe's and tailgated.
By now it was getting warm, so we drove to the parking garage, after perusing the city. Prudential garage was found, then we got a parking spot near the elevators up. Guys left for the game around 4. They walked a few blocks toward Fenway and then grandpop saw and decided to employ a bike taxi, which they both enjoyed. They loved Fenway, saw two homers over the green monsters, got free garden gnomes of Dave Ortiz. They both really had a super time at the ball game. The first pitch of the game went over the green monster.
By that time I left the underground parking because it was really hot in there and I had to run the car a lot to cool us. I paid 30 dollars to park there. I put Brookline in my gps and headed out of town. Passed Fenway 3 times but finally got to Brookline, and sat in a Target parking lot for several hours. The people and surroundings seemed safe enough and it was cooler there.
At about 8, they started texting me about meeting up. Soon, I drove back to city proper and saw that other cars were parked along Boylston Street, so I went to the Prudential Garage entrance and parked on the street. No one cared. I had a handicapped tag that may have helped. After a while, a taxi pulled up and out got my family with big smiles on their faces. We had an easy out of town using route 93.
Driving back to the cape seemed endless, but a fine time was had by the ball enthusiasts and my day was ok, too. I read, played games, knitted, people watched.
On Wednesday, we traveled to Province town, climbed the tower( Tyler pushed and pulled me), then went on Art's Dune Tour. That was truly beautiful and enjoyable.
As we drove different places, I did notice several cars that had major key scratches, and today saw that my car also had been keyed. But all in all, a very special week with our grandson.
The three of us thank all of you who gave us smart advice and helped to make our trip less stressful.
The drives up and back both were riddled with accidents, road work, and snarls, so almost 8 hours each way,
but our time on the cape was super. The weather was perfect, GS swam in Skaket- bay and Nauset-ocean- beaches.
Tuesday morning we got a late start and got to Concord at about 11. We walked to the bridge and saw the little movie. Then GS was ready to go to Boston.
We had no trouble getting there or driving in the city itself. We passed MIT, could not see any parking, so we did not get to the bookstore. Next, we needed lunch but could not find a place with parking nearby, so we wrestled up a very nice lunch at Trader Joe's and tailgated.
By now it was getting warm, so we drove to the parking garage, after perusing the city. Prudential garage was found, then we got a parking spot near the elevators up. Guys left for the game around 4. They walked a few blocks toward Fenway and then grandpop saw and decided to employ a bike taxi, which they both enjoyed. They loved Fenway, saw two homers over the green monsters, got free garden gnomes of Dave Ortiz. They both really had a super time at the ball game. The first pitch of the game went over the green monster.
By that time I left the underground parking because it was really hot in there and I had to run the car a lot to cool us. I paid 30 dollars to park there. I put Brookline in my gps and headed out of town. Passed Fenway 3 times but finally got to Brookline, and sat in a Target parking lot for several hours. The people and surroundings seemed safe enough and it was cooler there.
At about 8, they started texting me about meeting up. Soon, I drove back to city proper and saw that other cars were parked along Boylston Street, so I went to the Prudential Garage entrance and parked on the street. No one cared. I had a handicapped tag that may have helped. After a while, a taxi pulled up and out got my family with big smiles on their faces. We had an easy out of town using route 93.
Driving back to the cape seemed endless, but a fine time was had by the ball enthusiasts and my day was ok, too. I read, played games, knitted, people watched.
On Wednesday, we traveled to Province town, climbed the tower( Tyler pushed and pulled me), then went on Art's Dune Tour. That was truly beautiful and enjoyable.
As we drove different places, I did notice several cars that had major key scratches, and today saw that my car also had been keyed. But all in all, a very special week with our grandson.
The three of us thank all of you who gave us smart advice and helped to make our trip less stressful.
Jun 26th, 2016, 06:09 PM
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Maribethp, thanks for the report. I'm glad they enjoyed the game and you seemed to navigate well through the area though I have no idea where you went from the garage. It all worked out.
Sorry about your car damage. Did it happen in Boston or on the Cape?
Glad you all enjoyed the Cape and the dune tour. I like Cooke's for seafood though I haven't been in a couple of years. You had great weather for your visit. Happy the pups did well too.
Sorry about your car damage. Did it happen in Boston or on the Cape?
Glad you all enjoyed the Cape and the dune tour. I like Cooke's for seafood though I haven't been in a couple of years. You had great weather for your visit. Happy the pups did well too.
Jun 27th, 2016, 01:51 AM
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Thanks for reporting back. I think logistics of the Boston trip went about as well as possible - but it certainly was a long day. Sometimes those horizontal scratches are not really "keyed" but from mirrors, low hanging stuff on passing cars in close quarters. There really is not any epidemic of keyed cars in Massachusetts that I know of. (I have a similar mark on my car from a holly bush next to my garage - that I have since trimmed)
As you discovered, driving in Boston is not fatal, and there truly is no street parking during the day (as you noted trying to get lunch).
As you discovered, driving in Boston is not fatal, and there truly is no street parking during the day (as you noted trying to get lunch).
Jun 27th, 2016, 02:21 PM
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I haven't been to Cooke's in awhile. We go to Arnold's for our fried clam fix. I'm not sure I pay attention to paper plates when we're eating casual. Usually the clam plates come in a basket, I guess.
We rent a house at the Cape and usually reserve a few nights for "fine" dining, and cook out the rest of the time.
I often make chowder at home because I'm not a fan of the thick chowder. Does Sir Cricket's have thick or thinner chowder? I know people love the thick chowder but it's just too much for me.
Sorry about the car.
We rent a house at the Cape and usually reserve a few nights for "fine" dining, and cook out the rest of the time.
I often make chowder at home because I'm not a fan of the thick chowder. Does Sir Cricket's have thick or thinner chowder? I know people love the thick chowder but it's just too much for me.
Sorry about the car.
