bennie

DH has booked a night at the Back Bay Hilton for Sat Sept 6 and is leaving the activities for the day up to me. We live on the North Shore and consider ourselves lifelong Bostonians so most of the suggestions (including many of my own) that are posted here fall into the category of "been there done that" for us. Newbury Street shopping, Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum, Harvard Square, NE Aquarium, Museum of Science, etc etc. All great but not quite what we're looking for.

The evening is covered as we have tickets to Springsteen at Fenway!!!!!

But what would be cool, different, fun and cheap to do during the day?? The kids are being dropped off in Milton at my brother's in the am so that leaves us with a good couple of hours to do what we want before the concert. If the weather is rainy then we're headed for MOFA. If the weather is good maybe a hike through the Blue Hills, maybe a walking tour of the North End (focusing on food stores etc). Anybody got any good ideas?

doc_

Have you been to charlestown? The navy yard,bunker hill monument,and then a drink at the Warren Tavern is always a fun day when we have family come to town. It is not crowded and lots of good history. This is an affordable way to kill a couple hours.

Chrissy4

How about a cruise around the harbor or touring the boston harbor islands? There are 10 islands to choose from; their website is www.bostonislands.com. You can tour the only lighthouse still actually manned and not automated, you can see old war ruins. Great on a nice day.

bennie

Doc - the suggestion for Charlestown is good - but we did exactly that on Mother's Day this year. We loved it.

Chrissy4 - the Boston Harbor Islands...uhmmm - haven't done that since college. Definate possibility.

Anybody else?

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Take the water taxi from near the Aquarium over to Charlestown ... see the WWII Destroyer, Cassin Young (sp?) that's free too, and can take a bit of time, according to how many "sea stories" your guide or someone in your group has. You are free to roam much of the ship yourself, but take in one of the guided trips offered every few hours.

Walk over to Galleria Mall, and take the boat ride up the river. Located outside the food court.

If the weather is nice, I enjoy walking the area around JFK library ... watching the sailboats. Across the street from Govt Center T is a strip of shops/restaurants, many with tables outside. I enjoy the selection at the New York Soup Exchange, and like sitting down for awhile outside & people-watching.

bennie

Okay - the JFK Library - haven't been in a few years - should have gone when they had the exhibit on Jackie's dresses. DH would have loved that ;-). There are boats that leave there for the harbor islands too.

soccr

If you're willing to spend a little time outside downtown, have you ever taken yourselves out to the Wayside Inn/Grist Mill in Wayland/Sudbury area. A very pleasant place, esp. for lunch. And there's always the DeCordova -- gorgeous grounds!

Despite your familiarity with Boston, you might surprise yourselves by being completely on foot on Beacon Hill and wandering around to get lost in the sidestreets and alleys. Did it once -- there are a lot of hidden treasures.

ParrotMom

As a Bostonian myself...we took friends on a Duck Tour last year...if you haven't done it..it's a definite MUST.. You can buy tickets on-line or next to the Prudential and Lord and Taylor...it's a blast. Always turned up my nose at it, what a mistake. Then of course go around the corner near the Trinity Church on Berkley Street for lunch or supper at Skipjacks.. We took this couple also to the Mother Church to see the new Mapparium...big disappointment. Heard the doors for the Sprngsteen Concert will be opening up at 5:30..I'd be there early....and if you haven't entered Jerry Remy's Tail Gate party do...

bennie

soccr and ParrotMom - thanks for the tips. DH grew up in Weston so when we were dating we did the DeCordova. And I went to law school at Suffolk so I did quite a bit of wandering around Beacon Hill instead of going to the library. Never been to the Maperium - maybe we'll check it out on the way to Fenway.

What's Remy's Tail Gate Party? I was listening with only half an ear to the game last night so I didn't quite catch what the Remdawg was talking about? His website tells you to call the Red Sox ticket office.

abram

Walk the Freedon Trail.

Home02

You know if the weather is good .. the North End and Fanueil Hall are great places to walk around .. There are lots of shops to look around in and lots of pastry and coffee shops in the North End .. as well as some interesting wine shops..food shops...etc...That would be my choice .. There is so much to see and do in Boston .. I would walk from the hotel to the Public Gardens .. headed toward Quincy Market and then into the North End .. who could ask for more .. especially if the weather is w/you .. Boston is a great city .. Enjoy!

bennie

Again thanks for the suggestions. All are tried and true.

It looks like we're headed for the MFA. The Daughters of Edward Boit are back after their visit to New York and I've missed them. Other paintings by Sargent are on display in a small exhibit. Yea!!!!! Sargent and Springsteen on the same day. It doesn't get any better than this.

Thanks again for all your replies.

bennie

Thanks again for all your responses. The tried and true will never fail you. It looks like we're headed for the MFA. The Daughters of Dr. Edward Boit are back from their trip to New York and I've missed them. That and a few other paintings by Sargent are on display in a small exhibit. Sargent and Springsteen on the same day. It doesn't get any better than this.

ParrotMom

The Remdawg Party is an intimate party for about 250 people, mainly for those going to see the Springsteen Concert at Femway Park.. it is going to be held in the seats about the scoreboard..http://www.theremyreport.com/pages/12/index.htm
In order to be eligible to go you must give your seat number..It's going to be a swinging time..Anybody who is anybody including Ben Affleck, Joseph Abboud and other big time "Boss" fans will be there..You have tickets for the Boss..so try to get to visit Jerry and Wally. P.S. I have a Wally and he's going to Bermuda with us on Sunday..and all thse going to the party will be receiving a free Remdawg t-shirt

DonTopaz

You're in Boston, you know Boston, so it's time to discover some things you hadn't seen before.

Time for a walk through Beacon Hill. Start at the corner of Beacon and Charles, and walk up Beacon St. -- walk on the Common side to get a better view of the gorgeous houses on the street. Take note of the details - for example, notice that both even and odd-numbered houses are on the same side of the street.

When you get to Joy St, take a left. Check out the details again -- peek into the gardens in the backyards, notice the smaller buildings that obviously used to be stables and are not apartments.

Make your way to Louisburg Square, daydream about what'd be like if you could afford to live there, then work your way over to Revere St. Head up to the top of Revere St and find Rollins Place - it looks like just an alley, but at the end of the street you'll see an unusual, ante-bellum house complete with a columned portico. Look closer: the house has neither windows nor doors. In fact, it's nothing more than a trompe d'oeil, created and maintained by the homeowners who live on Rollins, but it's one of those local jewels. Head back down the hill toward Charles St, have a coffee and pastry, and off you go to see The Boss.

bennie

Thanks for the tips Rizzuto. Have you read the AIA Guide to Boston? Its full of walking tours like you've described but for most neighborhoods in Boston. Really great resource.

MelissaBeckoff

Have a great time with bruce. we saw him 2x at the meadlowlinds and 1 in philly. It was great
Enjoy