BOSTON TRIP IDEAS! thanks!
Jan 21st, 2010, 12:59 PM
#41
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I agree with travelbug2000 that the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum is interesting. I would advise against visiting it on an overcast/snowy/rainy day, however. I went there on a rainy day and found the museum to be quite gloomy and somewhat depressing (don't know if the general atmosphere is dark like that every day or not). The art is great, but the effect was mitigated by the lack of light.
Also, just so you are not confused--
The Boston Public Library is at Copley Square, The JFK Library is on Columbia Point in Dorchester.
Also, just so you are not confused--
The Boston Public Library is at Copley Square, The JFK Library is on Columbia Point in Dorchester.
Jan 21st, 2010, 05:59 PM
#42
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Cranachin - based on what the docents told me at the Gardner, there are 2 reasons why it's so dark there (yes, it's dark all the time):
1) The low light level is what it was like during Mrs Gardner's time. There was no electric lights, so it was dim back then too; and more importantly,
2) Since no paintings/drawings can ever be moved from the walls, the curators have to keep the light level low in order to preserve the artwork. Unlike other museums where they have the luxury to put paintings in storage (complete darkness), they cannot do so at the Gardner. Therefore, the works are exposed to damaging sunlight every day of the year; hence the need to keep the light at a minimal level.
1) The low light level is what it was like during Mrs Gardner's time. There was no electric lights, so it was dim back then too; and more importantly,
2) Since no paintings/drawings can ever be moved from the walls, the curators have to keep the light level low in order to preserve the artwork. Unlike other museums where they have the luxury to put paintings in storage (complete darkness), they cannot do so at the Gardner. Therefore, the works are exposed to damaging sunlight every day of the year; hence the need to keep the light at a minimal level.
Jan 23rd, 2010, 05:16 PM
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Would suggest doing a board search here on Boston's North End restaurants -- am not a fan of just going in cold to any old place here, as quality varies a lot and there are tourist traps.
Would echo the naysayers here on Union Oyster House. Would highly recommend Neptune Oyster, and Legal Seafood is reasonably decent as well.
The Cambridge restaurant suggestions above are fine.
Cheers is a tourist trap -- just pop in to see it and eat somewhere else. You'll be surprised how little it looks like the TV show set, too. Upper Crust does good pizza, but the best such spot is the Pizzeria Regina in the North End on Thacher Street (the food court versions are not so good).
Would echo the naysayers here on Union Oyster House. Would highly recommend Neptune Oyster, and Legal Seafood is reasonably decent as well.
The Cambridge restaurant suggestions above are fine.
Cheers is a tourist trap -- just pop in to see it and eat somewhere else. You'll be surprised how little it looks like the TV show set, too. Upper Crust does good pizza, but the best such spot is the Pizzeria Regina in the North End on Thacher Street (the food court versions are not so good).
Jan 27th, 2010, 08:46 AM
#51
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It's really no-man's land around the airport. You can email or call your hotel and ask if there's any place nearby for breakfast.
Otherwise, if you're still heading to Fenway first, you can grab breakfast at Eastern Standard Kitchen @ Kenmore Sq. That's the stop you'll get off the T - and about 5 mins walk from Fenway Park. http://www.easternstandardboston.com...Breakfast.html
Otherwise, if you're still heading to Fenway first, you can grab breakfast at Eastern Standard Kitchen @ Kenmore Sq. That's the stop you'll get off the T - and about 5 mins walk from Fenway Park. http://www.easternstandardboston.com...Breakfast.html
Jan 27th, 2010, 09:40 AM
#52
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I really like Eastern Standard. It's a big, high energy restaurant and the food is very good and reasonably priced. We go there often as we always eat there before catching a show at the nearby House of Blues.
On a weather note, it looks like a cold front is moving in for the weekend and there is a small chance of snow on Saturday. I can't stress enough for you to dress in layers and certainly bring hats, gloves and scarves. It was 50 degrees here 2 days ago. This weekend it'll be in the 20's. Thirty degree temperatures swings. That's pretty typical of Boston!
On a weather note, it looks like a cold front is moving in for the weekend and there is a small chance of snow on Saturday. I can't stress enough for you to dress in layers and certainly bring hats, gloves and scarves. It was 50 degrees here 2 days ago. This weekend it'll be in the 20's. Thirty degree temperatures swings. That's pretty typical of Boston!
Jan 27th, 2010, 10:55 AM
#53
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You shouldn't need a breakfast spot if you are staying at Embassy Suites at the airport...your breakfast is included and is not the typical freebie breakfast...it is "sit-down" table service, not do-it-yourself.
Jan 27th, 2010, 12:43 PM
#54
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ya we are still going to fenway first on sat, so eastern standard i think is where were headed. o and i asked about this cause techinally we cant eat breakfast at the hotel sat. morning because we cant check in till saturday afternoon. we just bought som.e warm water proof jackets and gloves and good shoes so i think we will be good. im gettin really excited and hopefully i will be able to sleep on the redeye...... thanks for all the suggestions everyone and i will defintely be posting a trip report after we get back!
Jan 27th, 2010, 01:39 PM
#55
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Not that you necessarily want oysters for breakfast but Eastern Standard has great ones. They usually have at least 3-4 different kinds on their oyster bar. They are much, much better than the ones you get at Union Oyster House.
Jan 27th, 2010, 02:04 PM
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Hi bp24cali, I'm from the la area but have been here for 22 years so welcome, your gonna love Boston! FYI, everyone here has great ideas but sharona has it right that it is supposed to get WICKED cold 
Boston can get a bit windy and that will make it colder,winter coat, gloves and hats are a must. If it is that cold you may want to go on a Trolley tour. There are 2 different tour operators at least in the summer, and you can pick them up around Quincy Market, see who gives you the best deal, ask if they will take off 5$ check to see before you go if there are any coupons you can print out for the ride. Other than Fenway tour and the game you really don't have to plan anything, just get a map and get out, there is plenty to do. North End is great, Harvard Square is great, they all have places you can jump into when you get cold!(Dunkin Donuts everywhere) Don't be afraid to ask anyone for help, the city is filled with college kids and they are from all over the country too. Good Luck
Boston can get a bit windy and that will make it colder,winter coat, gloves and hats are a must. If it is that cold you may want to go on a Trolley tour. There are 2 different tour operators at least in the summer, and you can pick them up around Quincy Market, see who gives you the best deal, ask if they will take off 5$ check to see before you go if there are any coupons you can print out for the ride. Other than Fenway tour and the game you really don't have to plan anything, just get a map and get out, there is plenty to do. North End is great, Harvard Square is great, they all have places you can jump into when you get cold!(Dunkin Donuts everywhere) Don't be afraid to ask anyone for help, the city is filled with college kids and they are from all over the country too. Good Luck
Jan 27th, 2010, 02:21 PM
#57
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>>
Why is that? Don't they get them from the same fishermen? (I wondered that when I had a whole steamed lobster at Legal Seafood in Cambridge last spring -- it was okay, not as good as I remembered whole steamed Maine lobster to be, but still good. I was just curious, since it wasn't cooked per any kind of recipe, shouldn't they all taste the same?)
Why is that? Don't they get them from the same fishermen? (I wondered that when I had a whole steamed lobster at Legal Seafood in Cambridge last spring -- it was okay, not as good as I remembered whole steamed Maine lobster to be, but still good. I was just curious, since it wasn't cooked per any kind of recipe, shouldn't they all taste the same?)
Jan 27th, 2010, 02:33 PM
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Re: Union Oyster House
I have no personal experience, but based on what I've gathered from the Chowhound Boston board over the last 2 years, UOH tend to PRESHUCK their oysters! So, unless you sit at the bar and watch them shuck the oysters for you, you're at risk of being served preshuck oysters if you sit at a table.
I have no personal experience, but based on what I've gathered from the Chowhound Boston board over the last 2 years, UOH tend to PRESHUCK their oysters! So, unless you sit at the bar and watch them shuck the oysters for you, you're at risk of being served preshuck oysters if you sit at a table.
Jan 27th, 2010, 06:59 PM
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It's not rocket science: https://ord.bostonducktours.com/bdt/entry2.php
