My husband and I will be in Boston for 4 nights and Cape Cod for 2 the second week of June. We will be without children and will have a car. While I've gotten tons of info from this board and Chowhound I have a few specific questions -

1. How crazy is driving/parking downtown? My husband had a knee replacement surgery in March and while he's doing well and will be done with therapy when we go, I don't want him to over do it! We are staying in Newton at the Hotel Indigo and it's adjacent to a T stop I believe. Are most of the touristy - historic things right off of T stops?

2. Where is the best whale watching tour? I see there is one out of Provincetown and we're going to be in Hyannis for 2 nights. Is June whale watching season? Is there a whale watching season?

3. Blue Man Group - yes or no?

4. I love to shop - not chain stores or gigantic malls but cute little shops with lots of character. My husband isn't a huge shopper - and in case he's had enough on his feet for one day and I venture out on my own - where's the best place to go that's close to a T stop?

5. What do you do in Cape Cod anyway? We love history and are very excited about all there is to see and do in Boston. Cape Cod......besides the whale watching....????

Thank you so much!

1. Parking is tough downtown but not impossible. I think it would be very difficult for a first time visitor to know where to park conveniently and cheaply at meters... without wasting a lot of time driving in circles. Essentially Boston is fairly compact and is considered a 'walkable' city BUT the knee replacement might make it less walkable... can you husband walk a mile or two? Half a mile? Less?
The 'touristy' historic things are spread out. The Freedom trail is a self guided or guided walk which takes you past many of the famous sites... try a duck tour instead which takes the weight off your feet and covers much of the same sites plus includes a brief dip in the Charles.

The museums (MFA, SCIENCE)are near T stops and so is the Aquarium.

2. I've taken a whale watch tour out of Ptown. Check out Dolphin Fleet
http://www.whalewatch.com/dolphinfle...alewatches.php

June is whale watching season.

3. Yes, once for the experience.

4. Newbury St. $$$

5. For me it's all about the beaches at the far end of the Cape. You might want to consider taking the ferry to Martha's Vineyard for a day trip if you're staying in Hyannis.

Sassy_cat - thanks for the reply. I will have the advantage (at least I think it might be an advantage) of having handicapped parking privlidges. As far as how much walking he can do, right now I'd say 1/2 mile, but it is over a month away and he's making really good progress. A duck tour sounds like a good plan. If you could do just one museum in Boston, which would you choose?

After reading some more posts I'm wondering if we should do Gloucester or Ipswich instead of the Cape?? IF we take a ferry to Martha's vineyard how do we get around the island? I don't think a bike rental will be an option?

I'd probably pick the museum of Fine Arts, and see the current exhibit of the Venetians which I've heard is wonderful. But the Gardner museum is quite compact and lovely and would be a very good choice as well.

as for parking, its really about the money. Its expensive to park in garages...$25-30/day. But its not that difficult if you target a specific garage and drive in and out. You really don't want to wander the streets looking for parking spots. well...maybe there will be handicapped spots, I'm actually not sure about that.

I'm a big fan of the north shore and Cape Ann. I'd vote for Salem, Gloucester and Rockport. There's the Peabody Essex museum in Salem, plus several historic houses, there's Hammond Castle in Gloucester. There's scenic walks along the coast in any number of places, there's nice shopping in Rockport and Salem. And you can whalewatch out of Gloucester as well. Marblehead is another nice town with some cute shopping,dining and several nice b&bs.

For me, I like Cape Cod in mid summer or the beginning of September when the water is warm enough for swimming. And walking or biking along the National seashore. So I think the north shore would be more interesting in June, but others may have more suggestions for the Cape.

If you do decide to daytrip to Martha's Vineyard, you can take a tour on a bus, or you could rent a car...the rental places will pick you up at the ferry.

You can not reasonably move your car from place to place and see downtown Boston. Even with a handicapped placard street spaces are very limited, although it will get you preferential treatment in a garage or lot. So take MBTA in or drive in and leave car for the day.

MBTA stops are close to everything you might want to see - but getting in and out of them often involves stairs - and sometimes it involves going up one flight and then down another - they make them that way to get around the tracks. Elevators/escalators are not reliable - a local agency for those with disabilities is always complaining to MBTA and eventually suing them for equal access. Recently the MBTA website has improved info on what it working and what is not.

So here is my plan. On day one get to Boston Common area - either by MBTA or park in underground Boston Common garage (they have elevators). Get on the hop on/hop off trolley thing. This will take you to/by just about everything in Boston and on the Freedom Trail. (I think there is a deal on one of them for second day free or reduced rate). This way you can see some things and preview others.

Day 2 - do more of the trolley transportation thing or go to one or more places you saw to which you want to return.

Newbury Street is fine for expensive shopping. There are still some cute little shops in Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area (near North End, Govt Center) although chains have taken over. The advantage to the latter is that there is food of all types and lots of benches on which you can park your DH to rest his knee.

Depending on what you want to do while on the Cape, you could do a whale watch out of Boston - NE Aquarium runs decent trip. I would look at the weather and decide - June can be glorious or nasty.

A museum. Isabella Stewart Gardner (over MFA) would be my art pick. Unless you are really into fish, there are likely better aquariums nearer you than the NE Aquarium. JFK Museum is OK if that is your thing. (I would drive there).

Since you will have a car, you might take a trip up to Salem and/or Rockport. Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is wonderful. Then head up coast to Rockport for scenery, more shopping (Bearskin Neck has unique cute shops in a relatively small geographic area - and street handicapped parking) and food.

Cape Cod - people always ask about the "sites". I don't quite get that as locals usually see the Cape as a place to relax, go to the beach, eat - not a touring venue. There are some interesting lighthouses, beautiful beaches, some antique shops. Provincetown (at the very end) is scenic - but with only 2 days I am not sure the trip is worth it.

Have a good trip - several Boston regulars here on this board will be happy to nswer more questions.

tdmort,
My museum pick would be the MFA. The Isabel Stewart Gardner museum might be easier for you husband as it is smaller. Both places have good places to eat so you wouldn't have to leave to find refreshment.

I second gail's advice for a day trip to Salem or Rockport or make this area your 2 night stay if you're unsure about the Cape. I love Rockport and have picked up a few treasured pieces of handmade jewelry from the cute shops there.

The main advantage of taking a whale watching trip from Provincetown rather than Boston is that you are closer to the whales breaching sites at the Cape. Bear in mind 2-3 hours of a 4 hour trip is traveling to and from the breaching area so do pick a good weather day.

As far as Cape Cod, the National Seashore has wonderful dunes. I've hiked the dunes before and they are well worth the trip. Also, Provincetown is picturesque and I recommend visiting that town as well.

On your question 3 -- Blue Man Group -- YES. I think its fun. I've been twice, many years apart. Not something to do over and over, so if you've been before then no.

I really like Gail's recommendations, but I might suggest Charles Street rather than Newbury Street for interesting shopping. Newbury Street has the designers and European shops like Cartier, Charles Street has antiques, some small boutiques, and a wonderful small home shop called Koo de Kir, actually just around the corner from Charles. It is also right across from the Common and a much smaller area to cover. Your husband could sit on a bench in the Common or Public Garden and watch all the babes go by. He can do the same thing on Newbury Street while you shop -- it is mostly Eurobabes -- but he will have to sit in a sidewalk cafe and have a drink to do it. Say, that doesn't sound too bad!

Gail - thanks for the information - great posting. I only have a little while to decide between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. Then last night I was reading about NewPort RI and thought that might be better than Cape Cod. eek!!! While I do want to see the beaches and the beautiful scenery, I'm not one to go and hang out a beach all day. These are very helpful suggestions. I'm beginning to see that 6 nights in the area is not going to be enough! There's so much to see and do!

ttt

LMAO Ack!!!

"Your husband could sit on a bench in the Common or Public Garden and watch all the babes go by. "

Better than strolling thru the gardens and witnessing mrlou watch the babes go by in my presence! LOL

Need any fences painted this summer? Have a 14 year olde viszla - willing to travel for work. hehehehe

Oh and as far as the BlueManGroup - it hasn't been at the Charles Playhouse for years and years because it sucks! The crowds keep coming and it keeps getting rave revues, so it's worth a shot. You might also check out the new House of Blues to see what' playing.

There's a House of Blue in Boston? I wasn't aware of that. I will check that out for sure. Thanks!