BOSTON: info & frens needed
Sep 26th, 2005, 11:05 PM
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BOSTON: info & frens needed
Warm greetings from Singapore everyone,
I'm 30-yrs old, travel every now & then due to my job nature. I was looking for some info for my upcoming trip to Groton Connecticut & BOSTON & stumbled upon this forum by chance.
Here's my itinery for the trip:
[1] I'll reach Bradley airport on the 16th Oct (after more than 24 hours in flight )
[2] spend the night at the Sheraton Bradley
[3] get a rented car and travel to East Hartford to meet some people
[4] drive to Groton after lunch for a conference.
[5] spend few days in Groton for the conference, staying at the Mystic Marriot.
[6] drive back to Bradley airport on the 20th Oct
Question:
[i] I'm looking for some advice or things I should be looking out for on the roads.
[ii] I plan on making a trip to BOSTON in the middle of the week. Any recommendations for places I can visit at BOSTON? Any bars/pubs that are tourists frenly?
[iii] Any forums used by the local BOSTON folks that I can participate?
[iv] Any other tips &/ advice is most welcome.
Sorry I sound like a wussy but hey, I'm really new to America.
Many many many thanks!!!
best rgds,
Benji
I'm 30-yrs old, travel every now & then due to my job nature. I was looking for some info for my upcoming trip to Groton Connecticut & BOSTON & stumbled upon this forum by chance.
Here's my itinery for the trip:
[1] I'll reach Bradley airport on the 16th Oct (after more than 24 hours in flight )
[2] spend the night at the Sheraton Bradley
[3] get a rented car and travel to East Hartford to meet some people
[4] drive to Groton after lunch for a conference.
[5] spend few days in Groton for the conference, staying at the Mystic Marriot.
[6] drive back to Bradley airport on the 20th Oct
Question:
[i] I'm looking for some advice or things I should be looking out for on the roads.
[ii] I plan on making a trip to BOSTON in the middle of the week. Any recommendations for places I can visit at BOSTON? Any bars/pubs that are tourists frenly?
[iii] Any forums used by the local BOSTON folks that I can participate?
[iv] Any other tips &/ advice is most welcome.
Sorry I sound like a wussy but hey, I'm really new to America.
Many many many thanks!!!
best rgds,
Benji
Sep 27th, 2005, 06:53 AM
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Are you planning on staying overnight in Boston or driving back to Groton? I would advise staying overnight as it is about a 2-2.5hr drive. Stay in the Back Bay where there are loads of bars, restaurants etc. Check out boston.com or citysearch.com for more info.
Sep 27th, 2005, 09:17 AM
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Here are some things to do on a day in Boston.
1. Take a Duck Tour. This is a tour of Boston on a type of car that turns into a boat. They drive right into the water and continue the tour on the river.
2. Here are some nice outdoor sites for walking around: Public Garden, Fanuel Hall, Harvard Square and Harvard campus.
3. The Freedom Trail is a walking tour of sites of historical interest for the Revolutionary War.
4. Visit the Aquarium, Science Museum, or various Art Museums.
5. Take a whale-watching tour boat from the harbor area near the Aquarium.
Sep 27th, 2005, 09:26 AM
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Do not drive in the city of Boston, it is a walking city and is best to enjoy it on your feet.
A couple of streets you want to walk down are Charles Street on Beacon Hill and Hanover Street in the North End.
Quincy Market, a short walk from Hanover Street, is loaded with tourist friendly places.
A couple of streets you want to walk down are Charles Street on Beacon Hill and Hanover Street in the North End.
Quincy Market, a short walk from Hanover Street, is loaded with tourist friendly places.
Sep 27th, 2005, 09:39 AM
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Hi, bbbenji, and - because new posters here sometimes get put down for "stupid" questions, let me congratulate you on an exceptionally good first post! You gave us plenty of info and some specific questions, which will lead to some decent answers, I hope.
While you're that close to Old Mystic Seaport, why not check it out? Not sure where the Mystic Marriott is, but suspect you won't be able to avoid noticing the Seaport stuff, anyway.
Boston will be overwhelming if you only have a few hours there, and the advice to spend at least one night there, if possible, is good. I would strongly suggest not driving but instead taking the train from New London (www.amtrak.com). Much easier, and Boston is a great pedestrian's town (and a terrible motorist's town, esp. for a non-native).
The other suggestions here are good (except the Freedom Trail might not mean much to you without some "homework" on it -- refers to early American history). But you can do a lot of walking and see a lot -- Boston Common and the Public Garden, Copley Square, and don't forget Harvard Square (all on the subway).
If you only have a day in Boston, you really don't want to inundate yourself with too much information -- what you get here in the forums and under "destinations" "hotels" and "restaurants" is a really good start. I've occasionally used www.citysearch.com for Boston to see what's going on and check out restaurants, and others have suggested www.gayot.com and www.zagat.com for restaurants, too.
While you're that close to Old Mystic Seaport, why not check it out? Not sure where the Mystic Marriott is, but suspect you won't be able to avoid noticing the Seaport stuff, anyway.
Boston will be overwhelming if you only have a few hours there, and the advice to spend at least one night there, if possible, is good. I would strongly suggest not driving but instead taking the train from New London (www.amtrak.com). Much easier, and Boston is a great pedestrian's town (and a terrible motorist's town, esp. for a non-native).
The other suggestions here are good (except the Freedom Trail might not mean much to you without some "homework" on it -- refers to early American history). But you can do a lot of walking and see a lot -- Boston Common and the Public Garden, Copley Square, and don't forget Harvard Square (all on the subway).
If you only have a day in Boston, you really don't want to inundate yourself with too much information -- what you get here in the forums and under "destinations" "hotels" and "restaurants" is a really good start. I've occasionally used www.citysearch.com for Boston to see what's going on and check out restaurants, and others have suggested www.gayot.com and www.zagat.com for restaurants, too.
Sep 27th, 2005, 10:04 AM
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Hi bbbenji-
Boston is a small city, you can certainly do it in a day, but if you want to get any shopping/museums/etc done, you might want to spend the night and make it a 2-day trip.
Ditto on the Duck Tour - as a Boston resident, I have been twice, and can't wait to make a 3rd trip! Boston is a gorgeous city to walk around in and take in the amazing architecture. Beacon Hill, South End and Back Bay are loaded with brownstones and boutiques and restaurants. Faneuil Hall is the ultimate tourist spot, but if you've never been here, you should check it out!
You can certainly drive here, most of the hotels are pretty easy to get to, but once you're here, you should leave your car in the garage and travel via foot or T (subway system). If you do drive and spend the night, ask your hotel about the best way to get here -with the Big Dig still in high gear, many of the roads along the waterfront (should you decide to stay near the waterfront) change each day, and mapquest and other map sites will do you no good.
Hope this helps a bit!
Boston is a small city, you can certainly do it in a day, but if you want to get any shopping/museums/etc done, you might want to spend the night and make it a 2-day trip.
Ditto on the Duck Tour - as a Boston resident, I have been twice, and can't wait to make a 3rd trip! Boston is a gorgeous city to walk around in and take in the amazing architecture. Beacon Hill, South End and Back Bay are loaded with brownstones and boutiques and restaurants. Faneuil Hall is the ultimate tourist spot, but if you've never been here, you should check it out!
You can certainly drive here, most of the hotels are pretty easy to get to, but once you're here, you should leave your car in the garage and travel via foot or T (subway system). If you do drive and spend the night, ask your hotel about the best way to get here -with the Big Dig still in high gear, many of the roads along the waterfront (should you decide to stay near the waterfront) change each day, and mapquest and other map sites will do you no good.
Hope this helps a bit!
Sep 27th, 2005, 04:17 PM
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bbbenji, so if it's 3 am on our East coast, what time is it in Singapore?
Good luck with your 24 hr. trip.
Make sure you've got a good map of Connecticut and Massachusetts and Boston -- what you get at a car rental place won't be sufficient, and the roads wind around a lot in New England. You can probably get one at a drugstore or service station once you are there, but just for distances, you might want to find a decent one before you leave.
Good luck with your 24 hr. trip.
Make sure you've got a good map of Connecticut and Massachusetts and Boston -- what you get at a car rental place won't be sufficient, and the roads wind around a lot in New England. You can probably get one at a drugstore or service station once you are there, but just for distances, you might want to find a decent one before you leave.
Sep 27th, 2005, 08:23 PM
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Hi again people,
It's just so heart-warming to see so many helpful people here!!!
Thanks!
I'm still contemplating whether I should stay in Boston for a night. Sounds like a good plan. I'm only hesitating cuz my company already alloted my stay at Mystic Marriot for the week. Maybe it's time to tell the management I need some changes! Haha!
Driving around is actually quite dangerous for me cuz from where I come from, the driver's on the right-hand side. I really gotta stay focused and be extra careful on the American roads.
A quick "research" on the net (thanks to bennie's boston.com & citysearch.com) on your recommendations makes them all seem so interesting. But I guess whale watching & the Duck tour is really Boston's signature attraction!
Cassandra, for "tourists" like me, seemingly silly questions are actually life savers! Hahaha! Thanks for your praises & recommendations anyway.
BostonGal, lemme buy you a drink or a Duck tour ticket when I'm there k?
Thanks again, capxxx, TKT, cfc!
best rgds,
Benji
[email protected]
It's just so heart-warming to see so many helpful people here!!!
Thanks!I'm still contemplating whether I should stay in Boston for a night. Sounds like a good plan. I'm only hesitating cuz my company already alloted my stay at Mystic Marriot for the week. Maybe it's time to tell the management I need some changes! Haha!
Driving around is actually quite dangerous for me cuz from where I come from, the driver's on the right-hand side. I really gotta stay focused and be extra careful on the American roads.
A quick "research" on the net (thanks to bennie's boston.com & citysearch.com) on your recommendations makes them all seem so interesting. But I guess whale watching & the Duck tour is really Boston's signature attraction!
Cassandra, for "tourists" like me, seemingly silly questions are actually life savers! Hahaha! Thanks for your praises & recommendations anyway.
BostonGal, lemme buy you a drink or a Duck tour ticket when I'm there k?
Thanks again, capxxx, TKT, cfc!
best rgds,
Benji
[email protected]
Sep 28th, 2005, 04:09 AM
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That note about Mystic got me thinking ... If you don't want to go all the way to Boston, you could have a fine time visiting Newport, Mystic Seaport, or Foxwoods and the Native American Museum.
Newport is a small city -- it has a row of the most glamorous mansions in America, built in the 1900s by the richest families.
Mystic Seaport is a restored historical sea-side village.
Foxwoods is a casino, on Native American property. There is a Museum of the Native Americans there also (built with casiono money) that is one of the most beautiful and interesting small museums in the country, IMHO.
Sep 28th, 2005, 05:06 AM
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I would definitely opt for public transportation whenever possible coming into Boston. Also, a "signature" Boston attraction would be a tour of Fenway Park, the home of the 2004 World Series Champions Red Sox baseball team. Don't forget to try our New England clam chowder too. Welcome to Boston, and have a wonderful time!
Sep 28th, 2005, 04:36 PM
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Hi there guys,
capxxx,
The locals at Southeast CT call those "Native Indian Casinos". That kept me wondering... Being a chinese, I thought only the chinese are hardcore gamblers! Hahaha! Glad to know the native indian are also into it! Just joking!
Thanks again guys, esp on reminding me about taking the public transportation.
best rgds,
Benji
Clam chowder eh? I'll try that!
capxxx,
The locals at Southeast CT call those "Native Indian Casinos". That kept me wondering... Being a chinese, I thought only the chinese are hardcore gamblers! Hahaha! Glad to know the native indian are also into it! Just joking!
Thanks again guys, esp on reminding me about taking the public transportation.
best rgds,
Benji
Clam chowder eh? I'll try that!
Sep 28th, 2005, 04:54 PM
#12
Definately ask your company to make a change and stay in the Back Bay at Copley place area. It's loaded with restos and great people watching.Whale watching will be cold and you may not get sitings. The duck tour is fun and gives you a feel of the neighborhoods plus a spectacular view of the city skyline. Do you ever get to the Changde, Hunan Province? I have an on-line friend there . She started her own computer company.
Sep 28th, 2005, 06:20 PM
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cigalechanta,
bro, ASIA is a huge place. Hunan is way way way out of any place that I've ever visited in China.
back to Back Bay at Copley... I'm making arrangements even as we speak! hahaha!!!
Thanks again!
best rgds,
[email protected]
bro, ASIA is a huge place. Hunan is way way way out of any place that I've ever visited in China.
back to Back Bay at Copley... I'm making arrangements even as we speak! hahaha!!!
Thanks again!
best rgds,
[email protected]
Sep 28th, 2005, 08:18 PM
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I feel the need to add my opinions now 
DEFINITELY try to spend some time in Boston - It is a really wonderful place. Since you have such a short time though, just FORGET about the whale watching. From Boston, the boat has to travel a very long distance to get to the whales. By the time you start seeing whales, it is time for the boat to turn around ... it takes about 5 hours!! This is very nice (if you like being on the water) but if you only have a day or so, you could do so much more in that time!!
Definitely take a city tour. I think everyone here agrees the Ducks are great.
Do go to the Prudential building Skywalk for the 360 degree view which includes an audio tour
http://www.prudentialcenter.com/play/skywalk.html
Just walk around - people watch - and have a great time!!!!
DEFINITELY try to spend some time in Boston - It is a really wonderful place. Since you have such a short time though, just FORGET about the whale watching. From Boston, the boat has to travel a very long distance to get to the whales. By the time you start seeing whales, it is time for the boat to turn around ... it takes about 5 hours!! This is very nice (if you like being on the water) but if you only have a day or so, you could do so much more in that time!!
Definitely take a city tour. I think everyone here agrees the Ducks are great.
Do go to the Prudential building Skywalk for the 360 degree view which includes an audio tour
http://www.prudentialcenter.com/play/skywalk.html
Just walk around - people watch - and have a great time!!!!
Sep 28th, 2005, 08:28 PM
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cigalechanta
from thefreedictionary.com/bro
bro (br)
1. A brother.
2. Friend; pal. Used as a form of familiar address for a man or boy: So long, bro.
[African American Vernacular English.]
I take it the answer is no
from thefreedictionary.com/bro
bro (br)
1. A brother.
2. Friend; pal. Used as a form of familiar address for a man or boy: So long, bro.
[African American Vernacular English.]
I take it the answer is no
Sep 28th, 2005, 10:12 PM
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sorry people, if i sounded funny or rude...
it's a habit that i picked up from the guys at my department - here we just great each other "bro" for fun... kinda silly, but hey...
anyway, i'd be glad to contribute to any queries at Fodor's on Singapore & Malaysia!
it's a habit that i picked up from the guys at my department - here we just great each other "bro" for fun... kinda silly, but hey...
anyway, i'd be glad to contribute to any queries at Fodor's on Singapore & Malaysia!
Sep 28th, 2005, 10:19 PM
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opppsss,
sorry cigalechanta... thot u were male.
wallace&gromit,
thanx for a great advice! i luv the sea but if it takes so long to go out there, u'd be absolutely right that my time could be better spent on other activities, e.g. people watching!
best rgds,
[email protected]
sorry cigalechanta... thot u were male.
wallace&gromit,
thanx for a great advice! i luv the sea but if it takes so long to go out there, u'd be absolutely right that my time could be better spent on other activities, e.g. people watching!
best rgds,
[email protected]
