Boston Parking..... and a restaurant recommendation too
 

Thanks for all the prior help in what area to stay in Boston as my plans have now materialized.<BR><BR>I will be staying at the Westin Copley on the Sunday of President's weekend (Saturday nite staying in Salem where we have a party to attend).<BR><BR>I'm planning to park on the street in the area to avoid the $32 parking fee. Any suggestions on where to look for a parking space where i won't have to move the (rental) car on Sunday or Monday (as Monday is a holiday).<BR><BR>Also, and recommendation for affordable parking in the area in case i can't find a space? I'm from the NYC area so i think i have an idea of what i'm in for in looking for a space. I'm also not opposed to parking the car in the distance as long as it would be a convenient "T" ride back to the hotel.<BR><BR>Also, any comments/suggestions on the hotel itself or restaurants in the area would be appreciated. We like restaurants that are great "bang for your buck"... nothing too fancy, but feeling like you got a great meal for a fair price (~$60-80/couple with a drink each or BYO). <BR><BR>A friend mentioned Pomodoro(??) but i think i'd like some other suggestions to go read about on the web before i make a final decision. We are partial to Italian food, but are willing to try anything that people feel is a "you gotta go to" joint. <BR><BR>A casual lunch suggestion would be great too!<BR><BR>Thanks again in advance.

Try the Fitz-Inn parking lot by the Christian Science Church -- I believe that parking overnight on the weekend is about $6 - $12. You definitely don't want to park on the street -- find a parking lot. $32 may seem like a lot of money for parking, but the garage at the Westin is very secure. Better to be safe than sorry.<BR><BR>Restaurants: try anything in the North End. Also check out www.phantomgourmet.com for any restaurant in Boston. The reviews are very realisitc. <BR><BR>The hotel is very nice -- definitely a 4 star -- lots of excellent shopping in the area including Neiman Marcus. The Boston Public Library is across the street and currently there is an exhibit of photographs of the NYC rescue personnel from September 11th. You're in a great walking area to explore Back Bay, and although it might seem like a hike, it's worth the walk to the North End for all of the Italian restaurants. Definitely stop at Mike's for cannoli. Also, you might consider going to the JFK Library to see the Jackie Kennedy exhibit.<BR><BR>If you need any other info, email me. I work in Boston, but live in the suburbs.

Definetely around the corner on Claredon Street is Skipjack's a great seafood restaurant for lunch or dinner. It's across the street from the Trinity Church practically out the door of the Westin Copley..

If you have time check to see if the Lyric Theatre has opened their version of Glengarry Glenross..a great little theatre in Copley Square..excellent productions.

take the subway to Harvard square and lunch at Henriettas Kitchen at the Charles Hotel. On of the best attractive places to lunch and be casual. If you don't want to do that, you will be right at prudential center and there is a branch of Legal sea food that has the freshest fish of anywhere, but not fancy, but that is how fish should be prepared.

All the above suggestions are great but as to walking to the Northend in February, I would not recommend it. If you are staying at the Westin Hotel you are basically on top of the subway system or beside it. You can take the Orange Line to either North Staion or haymarket and you will be right near the North End and Quincy Market. Quincy Market is a tourist trap but there are some interesting shops and either fast food stands or some great restaurants such as Durgin Park which is known for its rude service and you sit with other people at tables.

I agree that Skipjack's is one of the best seafood restaurant in Boston. Ask for Chris-he's our fave server. My fave dish is the ginger sea bass.<BR><BR>As for an Italian restaurant, I would definitely go to Maggiano's (across from the Park Plaza hotel) near the theatre district. If there are more than 4 in your party go for the family style dinner. Lunch $14/person or dinner $22/person. With this you get to choose 2 appetizer, 2 salads, 2 pastas, 2 meat, and 2 dessert for the whole table. Remember it's all you can eat and the best thing is that you can take any leftovers with you. Yumm, stuffed clams and chocolate cake.<BR>Visit their site www.maggianos.com for a menu.<BR><BR>If you want chinese food, make sure you stop in Chinatown. You might even catch the Chinese New Year celebration.<BR>Chow Chau City is the restaurant of choice for dim sum.<BR><BR>Have a great time in our city!

For heaven's sake, don't park on the street! If it snows, your car will either be towed away or buried by plows or crushed by plows. Good grief.

Here's where i'm at:<BR><BR>Sun Lunch: Red Bones OR Skipjacks<BR>Sun Dinner: Blue Room OR Giacomos<BR>Mon Lunch: don't know if be around, but maybe whichever lunch i don't do on Sun<BR><BR>I assume all of the above can be reached by walking or "T"? Anybody favor one over the other on each day?<BR><BR>Lastly, is parking on the street THAT bad? It'll be a rental car, so my main concern is just that it'll still be there and running when we want to get home. However, i will try the Fitz-Inn Parking lot by the chuch too.<BR><BR>Thanks once again.<BR><BR>BTW- anybody know of anybody that has used Priceline for a hotel in Salem, and if so, what hotel came up? (i've already checked biddingfortravel.com)<BR><BR>We're booked at the Hawthorne Inn, but it's aggrevating to spend more for that place than i'm spending for the Westin!! Just how bad are some of the other hotels in Salem if i give Priceline a try (are they like low-end Holiday Inns OR more like places that charge hourly?) It's just for one nite, so i can deal with ALMOST anything.

Try the Blue Room for Sunday brunch (not dinner) Its the best brunch in Boston - lots of different stuff plus the usual pancakes and eggs.<BR><BR>Try the Peabody Marriott - its not far from Salem (15 minutes with a car). Or even the Hampton Inn on Rt 1 in Peabody.

unlike NYC, most parking in Boston is either resident sticker only, metered, or restricted. So, out of towners really have almost NO where to park, unless you talk to a local like me who is OBSESSED with free parking!<BR><BR>A good place to find a spot might be on the Avenues in the South End neighborhood. They aren't metered, they aren't resident-only, and there are no time limits (except for the street cleaning which is inactive in the winter, or possibly valet spots or fire hydrants). Check out parking on Columbus Ave, Tremont, or Massachusetts Avenue. You'll be reasonably close to the Westin - an easy walk or a quick cab ride. You will certainly have to drive around for a while in order to find this parking. And you'll be able to park for free for the entire weekend. The "side" streets in the South End are all resident-only parking. I'd recommend staying east of Massachusetts Avenue (Mass Av to locals), as Boston gets slightly hairy to the west. If you do feel brave, head to Northampton Street and park inbetween Columbus and Tremont. Hunington Avenue also has tons of spots available. <BR><BR>GOOD LUCK!!! <BR><BR>Oh by the way, keep this a secret!<BR>:)<BR><BR>PS - Tremont is going to get meters soon which means that you won't be able to park there overnight without stuffing quarters.

I work in the copley square area. parking is almost impossible. there are way too many cars in boston per resident<BR>and not enough spaces. i have friends who live near the westin and they often<BR>drive around for an hour or so before finding one. and driving in this city is a nightmare. take the t or walk everywhere. its a very walkable city. i love skipjacks for lunch or dinner and they have a nice jazz brunch on sunday. Also in this area are great thai, italian and many other rsts. if you have questions email me. legals is very good but i prefer skipjacks menu. their chowder is just as good, amazing actually and they have this chocolate bread pudding at skipjacks to die for. i really like davios, a romantic little rst on newbury st, a s hort walk from the westin. its a nice street to stroll with lots of galleries, and shops, kinda like soho. enjoy. also the library is<BR>a gorgeous 1895 building worth walking around in or taking a tour that they have.

WHAT PARKING!!!!!!! Since 9/11 they have effectively cut off parking spaces around the John Hancock building which also cuts off spaces for handicapped parking by the way.. If you find a parking garage park your car and keep it there..go by cab or walk.. Newbury Street area the cars and trucks are double and tripled parked... There is no free parking downtown Boston. Oh yes, woe to you if you park in the trendy South End where they say "resident parking"... you do get a ticket.

"Parking" are you a South Ender? You seem to know your stuff.<BR><BR>That said, I would not recommend trying to park on the avenues (Columbus and Tremont) in the South End. WHy? because you will almost certainly not find a space. On the other hand, if you do, you are set.<BR><BR>One possibility, though its a long walk, is parking along the Charles (memorial drive) in Cambridge. THat used to be fairly uvailable and unrestricted. It can be a long cold walk across the river, though.

DON'T COME HERE! Boston is the worst place on earth. We moved here about a year ago and the people are the rudest, parking is aweful, and the city - gross. We have lived from coast to coast and lots of places in between. By far, New England is the worst place in the nation! I am not some prankster like some of the other replies on these messages. I am a true resident of Boston and I absolutely hate it!!! A friend of mine and I call the people here "Mass-holes". My tip to you - cancel your plans and go ANYWHERE ELSE!

My goodness, RESCHEDULE, if you hate Boston so much, why don't you take your attitude and go back to one of the many places you come from and leave New England to those of us who do enjoy it.

I have to agree with Reschedule on many points; however, Boston is a very fun city to visit. As for living here, the city is small, the real estate is ridiculous, the restaurants are all very high end and overpriced, or little low-end Au Bon Pains. The people think that material goods are the raison detre--if you are a woman on Newbury St. w/o an expensive purse, you feel below par. However, it's very navigable and has plenty of fun places to go out at night, as well as excellent people watching.

Sarah, you silly child, Newbury Street is where people go to be seen with their fancy purses! Every city has a street like that! In 99.9 percent of Boston, nobody gives a damn what your purse looks like.

Turn the rental car in. Why have it if you're going to park it for two days? You will not find a legal space "on the street". And, it WILL get towed if you park illegally.

Jeepers, Reschedule, you sound so cordial and open-minded, I can't imagine why you find people difficult to live with in New England.<BR><BR>Everyone has a place that is home in their hearts, and for some people (like Reschedule) it is so dominant that it makes getting used to very different places impossible. I have a friend from Boston who found the West Coast and the midwest intolerable because people seemed so bland and superficial. I grew up in Boston, it's my heart's home but I haven't been able to "go home" for decades -- and when I do visit, I can see some of the rough edges that bother people like Reschedule. But I also see lots and lots and lots of nice people -- if I'm ever in trouble, it's my Boston friends who'd lay down their lives for me -- and lots of things to enjoy. <BR><BR>Re:cars. Boston was built before there were any and, fortunately for all of us, Boston had the good sense to put in mass transit before the number of cars on the road overwhelmed us all. The point of a city, it seems to me, is NOT to have a car because everything's right there. Sorry "thereuare" -- as everyone has indicated, parking on the street is a terrible idea. But going to Boston isn't.