Boston for Students
Aug 5th, 2002, 08:29 PM
#1
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Boston for Students
I am going to Boston with a group of 4 students. We are staying for a week at the end of August. Any word on the Radisson Hotel? Is Citypass for major attractions worth it to buy? Anybody got advice for inexpensive things to do? Any days where major attractions are free? Any advice would be appreciated. Any suggestions on great seafood restaurants? Thanks!
Aug 5th, 2002, 09:09 PM
#2
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Nina, I'm going to suggest a seafood restaurant I would have normally not ventured into...
It's called the Sail Loft. It looks like a little shack from the outside. It's on the harbor...80 Atlantic, to be exact. Absolutely nothing fancy...very very casual. But you can get a 1 and 1/4 lb lobster (pretty small) for $17 bucks. Twin lobsters (2 of the little guys) for $27. They can't be split, by the way.
The clam chowder is great, and I had pretty good scallops tonight. The concierge at my fancy hotel recommended it. You won't get seafood in fancy schmancy sauces, but if you want some good basic seafood, I think it's pretty tasty.
It's called the Sail Loft. It looks like a little shack from the outside. It's on the harbor...80 Atlantic, to be exact. Absolutely nothing fancy...very very casual. But you can get a 1 and 1/4 lb lobster (pretty small) for $17 bucks. Twin lobsters (2 of the little guys) for $27. They can't be split, by the way.
The clam chowder is great, and I had pretty good scallops tonight. The concierge at my fancy hotel recommended it. You won't get seafood in fancy schmancy sauces, but if you want some good basic seafood, I think it's pretty tasty.
Aug 6th, 2002, 03:37 AM
#4
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The attractions on the CityPass are certainly the top ones for Boston. But you should visit the sites' web sites and decide whether you really want to visit them all, then cost out your options.
For instance, the Museum of Fine Arts is free to all under 18 (that's one reason the City Pass is so much cheaper for kids uner 18).
The Museum of Science might have combination tickets where you would save by buying tickets to their planetarium or theater if you buy your admission tickets on site check that out at www.mos.org.
An inexpensive outing would be just to walk around Beacon Hill (which has a Black Heritage Trail, see http://www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm), Boston Common, the Public Garden (with a Swan Boat ride) and up Newbury Street for window-shopping and an ice cream. Or the classic Freedom Trail, though it goes right through the Big Dig (a sight in itself).
One thing that is NOT worth the cost is the Boston Visitor Pass for the subway. A regular subway token costs just $1, and the visitors pass costs $6 for one day, $11 for 3 days, or $22 for 7 days, so you'd have to ride the T a LOT for the shorter-term ones to be cost-effective. Also they're only sold in certain specific locations whereas of course you can get subway tokens at any station.
For instance, the Museum of Fine Arts is free to all under 18 (that's one reason the City Pass is so much cheaper for kids uner 18).
The Museum of Science might have combination tickets where you would save by buying tickets to their planetarium or theater if you buy your admission tickets on site check that out at www.mos.org.
An inexpensive outing would be just to walk around Beacon Hill (which has a Black Heritage Trail, see http://www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm), Boston Common, the Public Garden (with a Swan Boat ride) and up Newbury Street for window-shopping and an ice cream. Or the classic Freedom Trail, though it goes right through the Big Dig (a sight in itself).
One thing that is NOT worth the cost is the Boston Visitor Pass for the subway. A regular subway token costs just $1, and the visitors pass costs $6 for one day, $11 for 3 days, or $22 for 7 days, so you'd have to ride the T a LOT for the shorter-term ones to be cost-effective. Also they're only sold in certain specific locations whereas of course you can get subway tokens at any station.
Aug 6th, 2002, 03:44 AM
#5
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Here's a local tip: Labor Day weekend (August 30- Sept 2 this year) is traditionally the moving-back weekend for students as well as changeover for many Boston apartment leases. The city, especially the Back Bay/Fenway/BU area, becomes PACKED with U-Hauls. Try to do your activities in that area (including the MFA) before the weekend, it's a complete zoo.
The JFK Library and the Harvard natural history museum are FAR apart, but they're both on the Red Line and would make a good combination Harvard-oriented day, you could just stay on the Red Line to get from one to the other. Do the Library first and end your day in Harvard Square, people-watching.
Suzy's Beacon Hill to Newbury Street tour is fine, but from your hotel, it would make more sense to go up through the Common, then do Beacon Hill, the walk up Charles Street to the Public Graden, thence to Newbury St.
The JFK Library and the Harvard natural history museum are FAR apart, but they're both on the Red Line and would make a good combination Harvard-oriented day, you could just stay on the Red Line to get from one to the other. Do the Library first and end your day in Harvard Square, people-watching.
Suzy's Beacon Hill to Newbury Street tour is fine, but from your hotel, it would make more sense to go up through the Common, then do Beacon Hill, the walk up Charles Street to the Public Graden, thence to Newbury St.
Aug 11th, 2002, 12:42 PM
#6
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- Take a stroll along the Charles River (great views, people watching and sailboats)
- Walk down Charles Street (quaint shops) and Newbury Street (pricey shops)
- Walk through the Boston Common (see the frog pond) and public garden and take a ride on the Swan Boats (get there early in the morning so you don't have to wait in line)
During your walk through the public gardens (Charles Street entrance), don’t forget to stop by the “duckling” monument put up to honor the classic story of a family of Mallard ducks in downtown Boston from the book “Make Way for Duckings” by Robert McCloskey, Viking, 1941, A Caldecott Medal winner.
- Spend an afternoon in Harvard Square (lots of shops, really great people watching and lots of history)
- Take a Duck Boat Tour
- Eat dinner in the North End (Italian section) and then have desserts at Mike's Pastry (or look for a quaint coffee shop)
- Depending on what you like, stop by Charleston to see the Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument
- Take a ferry ride out to George's Island ($10) and maybe visit Peddock's or Lovell's Island while you are there. The ride gives you great views of the skyline and airport. It is refreshing on these hot days.
- See a Red Sox game (the cheapest seats in the bleachers are the most fun)
- Take a walk through the Fens where you'll see some beautiful gardens (residents rent a small section to develop as they please), visit the Isabella Gardner Museum, the MFA and the IMAX at the Museum of Science.
- For cheap eats, see www.phantomgourmet.com, they have never steered us wrong!!
-Linda
- Walk down Charles Street (quaint shops) and Newbury Street (pricey shops)
- Walk through the Boston Common (see the frog pond) and public garden and take a ride on the Swan Boats (get there early in the morning so you don't have to wait in line)
During your walk through the public gardens (Charles Street entrance), don’t forget to stop by the “duckling” monument put up to honor the classic story of a family of Mallard ducks in downtown Boston from the book “Make Way for Duckings” by Robert McCloskey, Viking, 1941, A Caldecott Medal winner.
- Spend an afternoon in Harvard Square (lots of shops, really great people watching and lots of history)
- Take a Duck Boat Tour
- Eat dinner in the North End (Italian section) and then have desserts at Mike's Pastry (or look for a quaint coffee shop)
- Depending on what you like, stop by Charleston to see the Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument
- Take a ferry ride out to George's Island ($10) and maybe visit Peddock's or Lovell's Island while you are there. The ride gives you great views of the skyline and airport. It is refreshing on these hot days.
- See a Red Sox game (the cheapest seats in the bleachers are the most fun)
- Take a walk through the Fens where you'll see some beautiful gardens (residents rent a small section to develop as they please), visit the Isabella Gardner Museum, the MFA and the IMAX at the Museum of Science.
- For cheap eats, see www.phantomgourmet.com, they have never steered us wrong!!
-Linda
