Beth Grendahl

I will be in Cambridge for a weekend in mid-October and beginning on Monday would like to explore the area for 2 or 3 days. Know of any tours? Is the Cape out at that time of year? Thanks.

Steve

Walking is generally the best way to see Boston and any guidebook should be able to point you towards a tour that focuses on "The Freedom Trail". I would suggest starting there.

After that, the Boston Duck Tours are usually fun. Those are the Vietnam amphibious vehicles that tour on land and water. Sometimes the guides are a little zany. Your guidebook will also have info on it. Call ahead a few days ahead and reserve tickets (approx $20 each).

I think some points on the Cape might still be ok, like Provincetown and Martha's Vineyard. They'll be quiet (which is a good thing) but it's beautiful year round.

Jen

I agree that the Freedom Trail is the best basic tour of Boston -- and self-guided! The Duck Tours are lots of fun. But the vehicles date from WWII, not Vietnam.

gail

If it is only 2-3 days, I would skip the Cape - unless you crave seeing the ocean and then I might do Goucester or Rockport north of Boston instead -, although it can be beautiful at this time of year. Most of Boston is walkable or easily accessible by MBTA. October is surprisingly busy in Boston (and Cape) so make sure you have hotel reservations far ahead.

Pris

Even though distances are not that great, you really have to choose between Boston and the Cape if you only have 2-3 days. In mid-October, the leaves of N. Eng. are in their glory (if they aren't a little passed it), so I'd stick around Boston. Gloucester/Marblehead/Rockport is one really nice day trip. Another is Walden Pond/the Wayside Inn and Chapel/DeCordova Museum, all out toward Concord and Wayland (you'll have to have a map, no point in trying to describe routes here). But right there around Boston/Cambridge is plenty, too -- Gardner Museum, Public Gardens, Harvard Sq., Newberry St., etc. etc.

Have a great trip.