Just back from 5 days in Boston (and near by Andover)last night. 2nd time in the city- last time was in the winter so this was a nice change.

The weather wasn't always co-operating but that never surprises me!

We had dinner our first night at Prezza in the North End. Excellent northern Italian food, great wine list and service. We felt it was a bit over priced but neither of us were disappointed. Started with the lobster tart, then gazpacho with crab meat, main course of veal shank on a bed of lobster risotto (that was amazing!) and finally the chocolate souffle for dessert (just ok). Great bottle of wine. The place was completely packed and there were a ton of regulars.

Also had dinner one night at Todd English's Kingfish in Fanuil Hall area. Was very impressed! Sat outside and really enjoyed the menu. Started with a dozen oysters on the half shell then had the seared tuna on a bed of red beans with a thai flavor and tuna wontons. My boyfriend had the halibut which was fantastic. Most placed really overcook fish- not here! The service was a bit hot/cold but the food and atmosphere were dead on. Highly recommend visiting this one.

Lunch one day at the Florentine Cafe in the North end with canoli's at Mikes after (of course!), also had lunch at the Atlantic Fish co on Boylston- great soft shell crab sandwiches, and Legal (which I still think is great).

Did the trolley tours which are great 'cause you can hop on, hop off. We had both seen quite a bit before so we did the Paul Revere house, the Constitution and the Public Gardens. The Tea Party boat is closed right now due to fire damage.

No Boston trip is complete without shopping on Newberry Street. Definatly a highlight for me but not my boyfriend! haha!

We also went to a Sox game. I am a huge baseball fan but had not been to Fenway before. We had a great time! Got 12th row seats behind home plate and saw them kick a-- over Colorado.

Checked out the Oak Room for martini's (very nice!), Whisky Park (very L.A. hipster scene) and Boston Brew Works (fun brewery/pub).

Stayed at both the Westin and the DoubleTree both booked through Priceline.

That's it! I'm more than happy to answer any beantown questions!

Wendy

Wendy: The Florentine Cafe in the North End used to be a favorite of ours until it went downhill a couple of years ago; how was it for lunch? And where is the Doubletree? Thanks.

Audrey,

We really enjoyed lunch at the Florentine. Dayne had the speghetti with meatballs (you can't go wrong with that) and it was a huge helping. I had the giant raviolli stuffed with lobster. We shared the tomato and mozzarella salad. Our service was really good and since the weather was nice that day all the windows were open to the street.

The DoubleTree is across from the Medical Center (Medical Center T) just on the borders of Chinatown and the Theater Distric. Have the T stop right next door was so convienent! And the staff at the DT were very pleasant. It wasn't the Westin but we were very happy there.

Wendy: My family of 4 going to Boston during July 4 for Irish Step Dancing Comp. held at Westin but we are staying at Doubletree on Washington St.. Some say area around hotel "seedy". Is that true? Any good restaurants (reasonably priced for teenagers) around hotel? How far of a walk to Westin (or can you take public trans)? Any small grocery stores (convenience) near Doubletree? Lastly, how did you get from airport to Doubletree? Recommend shuttles, taxi, subway?
Thanks.

Patty, hopefully Wendy will respond but I'll throw in my 2 cents in case she doesnt. Regarding public transportation-the Doubletree is at the NE Medical Center Stop on the Orange Line. Take the Orange Line to the Back Bay Station which is across the street from the Westin. As far as getting from Logan to the hotel, don't do the subway if you have lots of luggage. It'll be a pain. Do a google search and look for town car or limosine companies. DO NOT rent a car.
As far as the area is concerned I think it's fine. Not much in the immediate vicinity except the hospital. The theater district is a short walk away.

Patty,

I didn't think the area was seedy at all. Granted it isn't as upscale as the area around the Westin but certainly we felt safe.

We took a cab from the airport because we were running late for a dinner reservation but on the way out we took the train as the stop is literally right across the parking lot from the DT. It's the blue to the orange line- Medical Center stop.

We didn't take the train from the Westin to the DT and I think the walk is a bit far but you can again take the orange line to the green line. Transfering is really easy.

There is an Au Bon Pain right across the street from the hotel inside the main doors for the Medical center which has great salads, sandwiches, bagles, etc. but other than that we didn't eat in the area. It is just 2 or 3 stops to State on the train which is Faniel Hall and there are tons of places in the food court to eat at.

The DT was very nice and I really wouldn't worry about the neighborhood at all.

Wendy

Thanks both of you for your advice. We will not be renting a car...public trans all the way. How much should we expect to pay from airport to DT (don't want them driving us in circles (we live next to SF airport and they can do that if you don't know where they are taking you)). How about airport shuttles? Sounds like not too much in the way of restaurants nearby--any recommendations of anything near Westin while we are there? Do you think walking to Westin is far (how many blocks?). We will have a few dance costumes and may be worth getting transportation (you say subway goes between DT and Westin?). Thanks...I am always a "worry wart" prior to trips and want to get a clearer picture of what to expect. We will be in Boston 6 days-two adults and two teenagers. Any must see sites and things of interest to teenagers (one likes to shop). Knowing Boston must be an expensive town (like SF) any real bargains?
Thanks a bunch for any info you can provide. We are looking forward to the trip.

You will be just a few blocks from Downtown Crossing, one of the main shoping ares inBoston and home of the original famous Filene's Basement. Can't miss it, just walk east up Washington Street.

How is the Black Bay area? How far from Fenway?

Back Bay is one of the loveliest residential areas of Boston and also is full of wonderful shopping, the Boston Public Library, Prudential Center, Duck Tours, etc.

Just west of Back Bay is the area known as Fenway, which stretches up Huntington Avenue out past Northeastern University and the Museum of Fine Arts, to the medical area in Roxbury.

Oh, and Fenway Park is there, too. Distances depend on where you start! Check Mapquest; Fenway Park's address is technically on Yawkey Way.

Thanks Jen! I want to go to watch the Red Sox and Revolution during my stay. I'm trying to look into staying somewhere cheap downtown and a Hostel came up for $85. What do you think?

There is a Howard Johnsons with it's backside at Fenway. It is not very fancy (does have a pool though), it makes it easier to park for the game and it is cheap.

Forget the hostel -- you can get a 3- or 4-star hotel room in the Back Bay/Copley area for that price, by bidding on Priceline. There are some situations when bidding on Priceline isn't a good idea, but in your case *anything* they give you in Back Bay/Copley will be better than a hostel! Read up all about it first at www.biddingfortravel.com where you'll find advice on bidding strategies as well as lists of hotels that people have actually won on Priceline.

The Revolution play at CMGI field in Foxboro, about 25 miles south of Boston. I would assume there is bus transportation from South Station.

Kevin, which hostel did you find for $85? If you really meant a hostel and not a typo for hotel, there's the new hostel at Kenmore Sq. which is formerly a Howard Johnson's and currently a BU dorm. It's about two blocks from Fenway park and I think they charge about $35/night per person. Excellent location expecially at that price. Rooms are small (not big dorm type rooms) and all have private baths...it used to be a HoJo after all, but the beds are all singles now.

Re Red Sox and Revolution. As mentioned above, Foxboro, home to CMGI Field is not accessible by public transportation. They do run buses to NE Patriots games, but don't know about Revolution. Many/most Red Sox games are sold out for season - check their website for availability.

I agree that Priceline can get you some great deals, may as well try it first!

We ended up getting Sox tickets thru a ticket broker at a premium price. But this was only because I really wanted fantastic seats and was willing to pay (huge baseball fan). There are tons of scalpers outside the park and a couple weeks before the game their were also bleacher seats available.

How is the public transportation system in Boston. How are the subways-clean, safe, affordable, on time? We will be needing to get from Doubletree/Washington St to Westin, Copely Square a few times for the dance competition-carrying a few dance costumes. We are from SF so we are used to muni and BART. Does it run throughout the city?

Patty, as I mentioned in my post above, it's no problem getting from the Doubletree to the Westin. Just get on the Orange Line at New England MEdical Ctr (next to your hotel) and get off the Orange Line at BAck Bay. You'll be across the street from the Westin Hotel. In fact, there is an underground tunnel from Back Bay Station to the Westin Hotel/Copley Place concourse so there is no need to go outside at all.

Wow, that sounds great...now as long as I am not color blind and can follow the colors. Thanks!