escargot

Just saw the second part of your question -
the links I gave above will help you figure that out -
I suggest printing some of the info out, sitting down at the table, maybe also with the laptop open to some trails, maps and seeing which you would prefer to do by bike and which by foot -

as I said above, I think it is a waste for parts of the Freedom Trail, but great for other areas of the city, if you are interested in seeing those - the Emerald Necklace say to the Arnold Arboretum - or over to Cambridge and Harvard Square - you could spend one day doing that type of riding (and on the closed Memorial Drive on Sunday)

and walk the other day (Saturday) -

Yes, it is a city so traffic is absolutely a consideration - if you have not cycled in city traffic before, I would stick to the Memorial Drive/Arboretum and trail rides -
there are active cycle clubs in the city, they will help you -

Anonymous

The Freedom "Trail" is along a regular city sidewalk . Of course it's in the oldest part of the city, with narrow twisty roads.

4Tripping

Thanks for the suggestions. I have ridden in traffic but i don't like to especially with kids. Watching out to make sure the kids are o.k. is a good way to get in an accident.
So we will keep the streets to a minimum.
I was thinking I could hit some shops after dinner on Sat. but then realized everything would probably be closed? Would Faneueil hall be open? Everything closes at 6:00 in Canada anyway, and nothing much open again until noon on Sun. I am just interested in little shops ,I can do mall type stores at home. But if it's not to be it is not the end of the world.

Anonymous

Yes, the shops in the Faneuil marketplace will be open on Saturday evening, probably until 9. The area is very lively at night full or restaurants and entertainment.

wyatt92

Faneuil Hall is just mall stores, so, yes, open late but not very interesting. If you have some time, a better idea would be to stroll down Charles Street in Beacon Hill.

4Tripping

Oh, I thought at least part of Fanuiel Hall was an urban marketplace with artisans etc. I will have to check some maps because I'm not sure where Beacon Hill is. (However it seems to be the setting of many books I have read especially in my youth).

Vttraveler

Beacon Hill is a beautiful historic area of Boston north of the Common and Public Garden. Here is a link to information including a map
http://www.beaconhillonline.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cid=1
Charles Street runs along the base of the hill

Your family might find more to do in the Faneuil Hall area. A link giving an idea of stores there
http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/

cybor

Hi tripping,
I'm with you, I'd rather bike than shop.

Check out the dune trail in P-town.
Here's what I do;
*Start early and ride to town before crowds
* grab a coffee/tea and a morning treat at McMillan's Wharf, go to the end of pier and have your coffee
* bike thru town stop at rotary, walk the long jetty
* hike to light house and beach - 2m. (You can also rent kayaks to get to this)or you can ferry to that beach - it's at the very most tip of P-town so you can walk miles from the bay to ocean side.
* bike the dunes trail/stop at one of the beaches to cool off
* stop at visitors center - hike around

You'll also find the rails to trails bike path (50 m. r/t) that starts around Wellfleet. You can ride to it but on
the crowded rte. 6. You can also put your bikes on the trolley which will pick you up at the Cape Inn. You'll need to transfer to another bus at a small market in Truro.
There's another smaller bike path at Pilgrim heights in Truro that you can ride to. This is where the Pilgrim found they're first water.
There's 2 more beautiful beaches at the end of that path.
See below for links and maps of the trails.
Enjoy!
http://bicycle-touring-routes.suite1
01.com/article.cfm/cycling_in_cape_cods_provincetown

cybor

http://bicycle-touring-routes.suite1...s_provincetown

try again

wyatt92

You can walk to Beacon Hill from the Faneuil Hall area. I really recommend the area, as it is one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods. It feels very European.

Soxfan0407

My sister was here in Boston last summer with my nephew (15) and my niece (10). We parked at a meter near North Station (free parking on Sunday) and took the Green Line to Kenmore. We did the Fenway tour, then walked through Kenmore Square and over to Newbury Street (lots of chain stores and restaurants). We got an ice cream and walked to the Boston Gardens (not where the Celtics play!) and went on the swan boats. We then stopped in a few of the Freedom Trail sites and then through Faneuil Hall. We then had dinner in the North End (Italian part of Boston). The kids loved it! Fenway was their favorite part and they loved the North End.

4Tripping

Cybor,
Thanks for the suggestions, that sounds perfect. You are even appealing to my Canadian sensibilities by mentioning tea.
Any suggestions for restaurants in Provincetown, or on the drive up and back? We tend to keep it pretty casual and often picnic, but I'm thinking it might be the place to enjoy some seafood.

As for Boston I think we are going to go with biking on Sat and do the Freedom trail on foot on Sun.morning. The bike itinerary is up in the air but i have been looking at the Charles river path and the Emerald necklace . Thanks so much for your help with that Escargot.
Is Beacon Hill accesible by bike?
I thought we would probably grab food at Fanuiel Hall in the evening.When we are biking we tend to just pick up tasty snacks enroute. (I think our fine dining days will come when the boys are grown up .)Any can't miss places?
We still need to plan a place to stay in the Berkshires on the way home so if anyone has ideas I would be grateful.
Thank you all so much for your help.
I think it will be a much better trip because of everyone's suggestions.

cybor

Seafood in Ptown;
You'll find good seafood at every restaurant.
Clem and Ersies - funky great seafood and other foods - eat inside or out

Lobster Pot - touristy $$$ good views in the back

Bubalas - great indoor/outdoor place to watch people - daily fish specials caught locally

Arnolds - Eastam on rte. 6 - seafood - pretty picnic area - you'll drive by this place on the way out of town

Spiritos (sp.) - Ptown - not fish but ex. pizza by the slice or pie.

4Tripping

Thanks Cybor! Yum
Does anyone have Boston fodd suggestions- Casual.
Or a good stopping place in the Berkshires.