Going to Boston late Sept. have reservations at the Lenox-don't want to rent a car; ideas for what are "must see's" in the area? Day trip to Martha's Vineyard?, Woods Hole?, etc.
Do we need reservations for the ferries? Subways safe? Any info appreciated.
Thanks, Mel

Be sure to have Brunch on Saturday or Sunday at Abe & Louie's, across the street from the Lenox. You do not need reservations for the ferries. Call the concierge at the Lenox for details on getting to the ferry docks at Woods Hole for Martha's Vineyard. You can take a ferry to Provincetown from Boston. The subways are safe. Use the same good judgement you would anywhere.

The subway is generally safe. Don't need a car except maybe to get to the Cape. You can take the bus to Hyannis and then the ferry to MV. There is probably a bus to Falmouth to catch the ferry from there but I'm not as familar with that as I am with the Hyannis bus.

Don't miss Harvard Sq., the Musuem of Fine Arts, the Red Sox (if you can get tickets), take a walk on the Esplanade, take a harbor tour, see the Constitution, the Freedom Trail, shop on Newbury St., take in a show - Mama Mia may still be in town. There's so many things to do its hard to start.

Eat in both the North and South Ends. North End for Italian, South End for trendy. I've been to Appetito and Metropolis in the South End and have enjoyed both but others recommend Aquitaine, Hammerselys and Truc also. In the North End Maurizio's is generally recommended - I enjoyed Massimino's very much (a little off the beaten path).

Skip Quincy Market - its a tourist trap. Both Newbury St and Harvard Sq have more interesting stores.

Why go so far away as M's V (and there's little in Wood's Hole)? It's quite a bit more than a day-trip, and there's so much to do so much closer to Boston. There are bus tours, as well as public transportation up to the north shore (Marblehead, Salem, Gloucester/Rockport); the west (Lexington/Concord, Walden, Wayside Inn) and South (Plymouth/Plimoth Plantation).

In some cases, you might have to put together a train or subway ride with a bus or taxi to get where you are going, but it's all possible.

PS: if a boat ride is what you want, take one of the Harbor Tours from Long Wharf (if they're still running end of Sept. -- anyone know?).