retiredguy04

My wife and I will be traveling from Vermont to Boston in early October. This will be our first trip there. We are interested in the history trail for sure. A friend once told us to stay somewhere outside Boston and take the subway into the city. Is this good advice? If so, we would appreciate suggestions of places to stay outside of downtown Boston and the best mode of transportation to get to the historical center. (Boston Commons?) Not familiar with the subway system there at all.

Also interested in any other suggestions of things to see and do. Whale watching trips, etc.

We are planning 2-3 days there.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you

sassy_cat

For a 2-3 day stay you're probably best off staying in Boston.
Hotel rates will be high in October though so if your budget won't stretch to Boston prices then check a little further out.
What's your budget per night?

Are you interested in art? museums?

I'd skip the whale watching in October. It's towards the end of the season and if the weather is iffy it can be rough and cold out on the water. The whales are a long way out so most of the time is spent getting to and from that area and over a 4-5 hour boat trip you're likely to see whales for an hour at most.
If it's a must for you then go on your first day as they usually give you a free ticket to go again if you don't see any whales... but you might not feel like a repeat trip!

The duck tours are a great way of getting an overview of the history and for getting your bearings. Book online in advance to guarantee seats.

retiredguy04

OK. Whales are out. Appreciate the warning. We aren't deep pocket folks so $200 or less,is probably the max we would be willing to go for a room. Probably staying out will be our best option i'll bet.

Not too much into museums this trip. History is probably at the top of our list. Other than the walking tour, are there any guided tours that are recommended? Anything near Boston would also qualify. Just would like to capture a few memorable highlights.

DebitNM

$200 a night or for all 2-3 nights??

yk

Boston by Foot is a great company that has a multitude of walking tours daily. I've taken 2 of them (even though I'm a local) and have always learned something.

$200/n will be difficult for October, but I still highly recommend you stay IN Boston instead of outside the city. Try to contact John Jeffries Guest House - they have reasonable rates and have gotten rave reviews from Fodorites.
http://www.johnjeffrieshouse.com/

dfrostnh

In addition to Freedom Trail sites, don't miss the Kennedy Library. You can get to it via the T. Since you are driving in, you can go there first. There is plenty of parking. But once you get to your hotel, park the car and don't get in it again.
Here's a link to the subway map. You can get a printed version. http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/

We have stayed at the Best Western Roundhouse. The good thing is they have free parking and are very close to I93. The bad thing is the area isn't very good. It's a long walk to the subway station but they offer a free shuttle (we walked). We always got a cab back. I haven't stayed there for a couple of years but the rooms were clean and larger than usual for Boston. A friend stays there when they visit Boston.

We have also gone on both food tours - the North End and Chinatown. The Chinatown one ends with a dim sum lunch. Both include a lot of local history and explains 'the neighborhood'. The tours are expensive but well worth it. My city-hating husband very much enjoyed the Chinatown tour.

DonTopaz

I'd strongly recommend a walking tour of Beacon Hill, which is close to the Freedom Trail. Beacon Hill is the oldest continuously-settled-by-Europeans neighborhood in the U.S., and it's a terrific place to explore. It is full of architectural gems, and some of the gardens (typically behind the houses) are amazing and can only be glimpsed if you're on foot.

ggreen

At the risk of adding to an already brief trip, here are some suggestions for you drives to and from the city:

If you're driving down from southern or western VT, you could take scenic Route 2 instead of the Mass Pike. In the western part of the state, the road travels through small towns and winds past old industrial cities. Close to Boston, Route 2 passes right through historic Concord and Lexington (and is even basically on the banks of Walden Pond). Minuteman National Historic Monument spans both towns; Concord has also turned the homes of Thoreau, Hawthorne and more into preservation sites.

Or if you come down I-93, you could stop in Salem for the lovely Peabody-Essex Museum and Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables (as well as all the kitchy witch stuff...). The PEM was started with the collection of a seafaring captain's exotic treasures - very much a part of MA history.

// Since you mentioned that this trip will be in early October, you may want to join us at the annual Boston GTG:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...2-168996-9.cfm

sf7307

>>

yk, I think it's time to post your Walden Pond in autumn picture again

retiredguy04

Thanks to all that have commented so far. You all have been so helpful. We really appreciate you all.

tracys2cents

I'm not sure how convenient it is to get to from Vermont, but we've stayed in Beverly, a nice community towards the north shore. We had no problems getting to Beverly Depot for commuter rail rides into Boston. Just stay away from the commuter rush hours because the trains do get very crowded then. This place is spotless and economical: www.beverlygardensuites.com

easytraveler

I've been looking into taking a tour from these people:

http://lessonsonliberty.com/

Tickets aren't all that expensive. $12 for an adult, $10 for a senior.

The tour got some really good reviews as I recall.

easytraveler

There's a brand new Hostelling International hostel right in Boston Chinatown. It has private rooms with an ensuite bathroom for $159.99. That price includes breakfast.

http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels...-060151.en.htm

Hostelling isn't for everyone, but it's a really fun way to meet people from around the world. If yo're interested, you might want to contact them and ask about the parking situation.

dshamritsky

I would definitely say driving by Walden Pond, Minuteman Park on Route 2 when you are driving in. If you want to stay in a chain hotel outside of Boston, I believe that there is a Sheraton built on top of the highway outside of Boston. Subway systems are pretty good. If you have never been to Boston, I suggest a duck tour. Cut the whale watch, I have done it in September and it was very cold. If you want history then walk the Freedom Trail or at least some of it. Have fun on your trip