BJinHolland

As part of a large circle drive through New England this fall we will spend 3 nights (Columbus Day Weekend) in Boston. Our first visit to Boston. We will be driving to the city from VT and on Monday driving to Philly. Can anyone recommend a Hampton or Hilton type hotel located on the outskirts of Boston center which is easy to drive to, where we can park for free and use public transport to visit the city sights? Are we asking for the moon? Many thanks for any advice.

k9korps

I'm not an expert on the MBTA, but I have used the Riverside station to get into Boston, and it might be a good option for you. You could take the "T" into the Government Center station.

The Riverside station is on the west side of Boston, just off Rte. 128, so it has good accessibility by car. And that would be a good spot to leave from for the drive to Philly -- just get on the Mass. Pike west. I think all-day parking is something like $5. There is a hotel right next to the station, but I can't remember the name of it.

There may be better options as far as stations that are near hotels you're interested in. You can go to http://www.mbta.com/ to look at public transportation schedules and maps.

Ackislander

There is a Hilton in Dedham that is convenient to the MBTA Commuter Rail, and the hotel is frequently available on Priceline.

Other than the cost of parking, there are few problems with driving into the city on a holiday weekend since the traffic on Friday will all be trying to escape the city!

If you use Priceline (check betterbidding.com first), you ought to be able to get a good price on a hotel in the Back Bay or Theater District, and you will save the hour or so that the Riverside Line will take (though scenically) to get into town and the other hour on the way back.

gail

Many others here have asked same question - and there is no easy answer. Some general info. Many suburban hotels with close proximity to MBTA are in areas that are not truly walkable - either because of highway configuration or safety (primarily those in Dorchester on Red Line). I would plan on likely having to transport yourself, either by car and parking at MBTA lot, taxi or hotel shuttle to MBTA - although I have heard all sorts of horror stories about unreliability of hotel shuttles.

Parking at MBTA can be an issue - but if you are actually going to be in Boston for only weekend then you should not have a problem. Most MBTA lots fill by 7-7:30 AM on weekdays.

Cost - that is peak travel weekend for New England - both for foliage and Parents' Weekends at colleges in area - there may not be a lot of bargains around and Priceline may not give you much of a deal either - but certainly worth a try. Also worth a try to see if you can get an actual Boston hotel - yes, you will pay to park at the hotel, but cost of parking at MBTA lot, 2 RT rail tickets would be about half the cost of parking in the city - even with free parking at suburban hotel. You will not die driving straight into Boston from VT and out to go to PHL - and depending on where in Boston hotel is, it can be a straight shot from highway to hotel. Factor this into your decision.

Be careful and check schedules for public transit into Boston. MBTA has 2 types of trains - "subway" (some of which is above ground) - recognized by lines with color names (Red, Blue, etc). This operates closer into Boston. Second is commuter rail (Purple - but no one calls it that). The commuter rail operates on a sparse schedule outside of M-F rush hours, so it may be a less convenient option for a holiday weekend.

BJinHolland

Many thanks for the input. I'm glad I started researching this far in advance! We're well travelled on the West Coast but these East Coast cities are new to us and really challenging as far as safe, reasonably priced and car friendly accommodations. I haven't braved using Priceline yet but may have to for this trip. Again, thanks for the suggestions.

trekker2

The Courtyard by Marriott in Brookline would be a good choice. It's right across the street from the C Line and you can be downtown in ten minutes. They have their own parking garage which you can use for a fee.

PeaceOut

Seconding the idea of Courtyard by Marriott in Brookline. We were there last summer, visiting DD at Harvard Med. It is a very nice Courtyard, and Brookline has lots of cute cafes and shops you can walk to for meals, etc. The C Line is right there. So easy. Parking is not free, but it was reasonable. Nice parking garage.

mvmaithai

Brookline is a good place to leave your car, but the parking is not free. You can opt to leave your car in Quincy (North Station on the Red Line to Braintree; beware of the other Red Line to Mattapan, which goes through questionable neighborhoods). You can stop at JFK station to see the JFK Library, if you are a fan. In Quincy, you can also see the John Adam home (Quincy Adam Station).

On the other end of the Red Line to Alewife Station, you will pass by Kendall (home of MIT, Mariott hotel and Residence Inn) and then Harvard (home of Harvard U). Alewife Station is 3 stations from there, and you can park your car there.

The Green Line goes through Boston and other than suburbs of Brookline and Newton, I cannot think of places to park. These are all safe and wonderful neighborhoods and pricey as well.

The Red Line meets the Green Line at Park Street station. This is like the central point, and you can walk to everything - the Boston Common and Public Gardens, the Boston State House, the Freedom Trail, the Park Church, the Granary Burying Ground, Chinatown, theatres, Fanueill Hall, and the North End and the Aquarium

http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...nes/?route=RED

Check out my articles on Boston:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ty.html?cat=25
http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ns.html?cat=16

and others on restaurants. Hope it helps!

Ackislander

I own a condo one block from the Courtyard in Coolidge Corner, Brookline, and while I agree that it is a terrific location (restaurants, Trader Joe's, independent bookstore, ice cream, and the Coolidge Corner movie theater with independent and world films), you cannot get to the center of the city or even Back Bay in ten minutes on the Green Line, even at midnight.

On the other hand, the ride is very interesting, and the stop really is only a block away!

joesorce

Hilton Garden Inn in Burlington is close to the Green Line and the Purple Line and has free shuttle to the stations. I think the shuttle is weekdays only, on weekends you should be able to drive and park at the station.

Best Western new Englander has shuttle to the Commuter train, but I'm not sure when the latest train from Boston is on weekends.

cigalechanta

Most hotels now charge for parking.

Ackislander

Nothing in Burlington is close to the Green Line.

The "purple line" is commuter rail. Commuter rail is good but much less frequent than the T, especially on weekends.

rmw555

Are you renting a car? If so, have you considered doing the rental in 2 stages so you can avoid having the car over the weekend? The only hotels with free parking are well out in the suburbs, which means you will have to fit your schedule - dinners, sightseeing etc - around the commuter rail schedules (as Ackislander noted - these are much less frequent than the T on weekends/holidays). You'll be stuck in the evenings in towns with very little to do for tourists. And wherever you end up, your car will be stting unused, but still costing you the daily rental rate (plus potentially parking fees if you end up someplace like the Courtyard in Brookline). The major rental places all have locations in the city as well as the airport, so it would be no problem to drop the car when you arrive, then rent another on your way out of town. Then you can stay in the city and really get to enjoy it.

BTW, Columbus Day weekend is definitely prime travel time, so it's not too early to book to get the price/location you want. For tourists the Back Bay/Copley Square are two great neighborhoods - central, multiple T lines nearby, and loads of restaurants and shopping all around.

yk

I'm pretty sure the Hampton Inn in Cambridge (next to Lechemere station) offers free parking.

BJinHolland

Dear All, thank you for the input. Meanwhile, checking TripAdvisor.com (which I often rely on) I see that the Holiday Inn Express at 69 Boston Street has free parking, is near the Red line and has good overall reviews. The photos of the building are not inspiring but our plan is to spend most of the day/evening in Boston centre. Anyone have comments on this location? Thank you, BJ

bachslunch

Re the Holiday Inn Express, the area's not very good there. Walking is probably okay during the day, but definitely could be dicey after dark, especially later in the evening. There are also no real tourist-related things nearby, and only one restaurant in the area I'd consider patronizing at all, a Polish neighborhood spot named Cafe Polonia. This would literally be just a place to sleep and escape from. You're also right by the Southeast Expressway, which may or may not furnish traffic noise to your experience there.

soccr

I believe there's an Indigo within walking distance to the Riverside station on the Green Line -- but little else.

Might be worth doing the math to see whether keeping the car for the 2-3 additional nights when you won't use it gives you an overall break over the $40-60 parking fee for the same nights at a motel/hotel in a desirable neighborhood "downtown" or in Cambridge.

joethekay

As others have said, if you truly want to experience a city, particularly a first visit, then stay in the city. You will not regret it.
As far as the car, I assume it is a rental?
If so, just return it to Boston either airport or downtown location upon your arrival, then pick up a new one for your journey.
If not a rental, then I may suggest leaving it at one of the park n ride lots such as Anderson North of Boston on RT 93, take the MBTA commuter train in, stay at your downtown hotel and enjoy yourself.
On the way out just retrace your steps pick up your car and go. No problem no worry!

tracys2cents

consider The Longwood Inn

yk

BJ, I'd NOT recommend the HI Express at 69 Boston Street.

Have you checked my Hampton Inn in Cambridge (near Lechmere station) suggestion?