end of May is commencement season, so hotels will be expensive and hard to come by. Here's a list of graduation dates
http://www.bostonzest.com/2014/09/bo...ring-2015.html

Restaurants will also be busy on specific commencement days, so do make reservations.

Thanks, china_cat. Good to be aware of this. Fortunately, when I travel, spur of the moment eating is more my style so reservations will be rare (but made-thanks). I spent a week with a loaf of bread and jars of PB and jelly one time!

I have to make some arrangements with friends first but will start a new thread next week or so about this trip.

TDudette--We stayed at the Chandler Inn last fall. I am sure it must be cheaper than the WEstin and it is a short walk to Copley Square/the public library. We stayed at the Copley House earlier this year when we went to see the Goya exhibit. Also fine, and we had a studio with a kitchen.

You could also ask for hotel ideas on the WFD thread. I know AGM works in that area.

Speaking of WFD--are you sure you can't take a bus up from Boston to join us for part of the GTG?

Thanks, Vttrav. I'll check the Chandler.

As much fun as the WFD GTG was, I am feeling an intense need to work on my bucket list this year. Once I get some personal details arranged, I will do a more official thread with dates, etc.

Chandler dates don't work, Vttrav. Again, thanks.

Anyone recommend (or not) Blue Man?

Blue Man group? We saw it years ago when we chaperoned a teen group. It was zany and fun but I would not pay the price they charge now. I think your money would be better spent on the slightly less expensive food tour of either Boston's North End or Chinatown. I've done both. Both are great but I think the Chinatown tour is only on certain days. It ends with a dim sum lunch. There's enough food samples on the North End Tour that you won't need lunch.

I agree with VT that you can find less expensive places. I see directions to the hotel from airport via T not a free shuttle and it requires 3 different lines. There are other hotels in Copley Square.

Try the Charlesmark Hotel. It is a relatively small hotel on Boylston St. Near the library and Copley Square. Do you have exact dates? I'd look at lastminutetravel for you.

I like Blue Man Group. I guess its a little pricy, but I think its a fun evening. I've actually been 3 or 4 times. its changed a bit over the years, but not much. if you've never been, its worth going.

oh, but I feel compelled to say, you will be here during Boston Pops season at Symphony hall, so that would be another way to spend your entertainment dollars :) The Pops is always fun.

I'll check Charlesmark. Thanks, cw!

Thanks dfrosty and china for Blue input. And for food tour info, dfrosty.

Charlesmark not available for my dates. Good location and half the price so will check again later just in case.

Forgot to thank you china_cat about the Boston Pops. In general, I prefer full symphonies but will check it out.

I thought the gal said free shuttle--may it was "fee" shuttle. $17 or $36 for taxi.

Ixnay on Blue Man Group imho, way too expensive.

In regards to the Pops,
I'm not sure what you mean by enjoying 'full symphonies"
Most of the Pops musicians are the same world class BSO musicians in one of the worlds most acoustically celebrated architectural halls. I prefer balcony seats to orchestra seats regardless of the price difference.

http://www.bso.org/Performance/Listing?brands=6425

Inakauaidavidababy, below describes an upcoming pops show:

Travel back to the turbulent late '60s as the "Mad Men Era" comes to a close. Joining the Pops are The Midtown Men: four reunited stars from the original cast of Broadway's Jersey Boys. Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony Award-nominee J. Robert Spencer star in this one-of-a-kind concert celebrating the music that defined the '60s. With the Boston Pops' extensive library of the era, you'll experience the elegance of Mancini's "Moon River," the infectious rhythms of the Four Seasons, and much more. Don't miss this electrifying and soulful evening.

Surely, you can see the difference between that and Beethoven's 9th Symphony. My comment simply addressed the type of music I prefer. If you inferred any criticism of the musicians or the venue, I'm sorry I wasn't more clear.

You were vague is all. I posted because sometimes people don't realize that the Pops and the BSO are the same artists simply defined differently.

Thought I would jump in here. I just came back from Boston and saw El Jaleo at the Gardner. It brought tears to my eyes and literally took my breath away - the way it is displayed is beautiful and dramatic. A must see!

Thanks for jumping in, Annaandlulu. I am really looking forward to the Gardner.

Luckily, there was a huge Sargent exhibit at the NGA some years ago. I had the same experience with his works and returned 2 more times. I can't remember if El Jaleo was in that exhibit or in a separate earlier one but I'm almost sure I saw it.

Do you know the artist Sorolla? DH and I saw his "Mending the Sail" in Venice. That led me to his other works and a huge revelation about common threads in his and Sargent's lives.

>>Do you know the artist Sorolla?<<

Yes!! I saw a join Sargent/Sorolla exhibit in Madrid several years back and that led me on Sorolla crawl all over Madrid. His house museum is TO DIE FOR.

I'll find your other thread on this trip. Interested to see how the planning is coming. I never come to US forums, so glad to see this pop up!