We were in Boston for a conference last year and loved it!

We stayed in a B&B within 10 min walk of Copley and loved it. It was cheaper than hotels, had a mini kitchen, we got personal attention, and because it was in a building with apartments we could easily pretend we lived there.

If you look up my post on chow.com (search either by my screenname or by the title--something like 'making a break' or hinterlands) you will see several restaurant suggestions for the area around Faneuil Hall and a few for Cambridge as well. Our trip report is called "Country mice in the city" and mentions the chocolate shop we loved at Harvard Square (also suggested in the first post). It's a good brunch spot.

Whalewatch tours leave from right next to the New England Aquarium in Boston, so if you happen to decide you are up for more that day (we saw a bunch of whales, but the trips out to and back from where the whales are take 30-60 min, during which we just hung out), you can stay on the same theme. There are also combo tickets, but then you would have to know in advance that you were going to do the aquarium.

Have a great time!

In all honesty, anything you book in the two areas suggested would likely be much closer to a tstop than the 5 minute walk - cambridge choice. And they are likely to be closer to your original accomadations.

Either way, you are headed in a much better direction to serve your needs. So glad it is all working out.

Bookmarking for future reference

I am a Boston girl born and bred. It sounds like you are going to see a lot of great stuff while you are here! I think you will love the city. And I agree that you might prefer to stay right in the city if you can. The T (subway), especially at rush hour and baseball time can be PACKED. Copley Plaza and the Prudential Center do have a ton of shopping. The Colonnade Hotel is right near them both as well, so it would be a good place to stay. If you like baseball, you can tour Fenway Park http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp which is a lot of fun. I also support those that said the museums at Harvard are great and Harvard square is a lot of fun. If you are looking for a fun place to eat in the square, Bartley's burgers is terrific. http://www.mrbartley.com/mrbartleys-home.html If you decide to stay in Somerville or on your way to Cambridge Kelly's Diner is fantastic http://www.kellysdiner.net/ I also second (or fifth?) those that say visit Maria's in the North End. Strolling around the North End in the evening and getting dessert and a coffee in one of the pastry shops is always terrific. http://www.northendboston.com/marias/
And I also think you will enjoy Salem quite a bit. Portland is fairly different from Salem, but I think if you are on a short time span, it may not be worth it. However the ride up to Portland along Route 1 is gorgeous, but takes a while. If you do decide to go to Portland and are looking for good shopping, the outlets in Kittery Maine are AWESOME. http://www.thekitteryoutlets.com/ Also check out Amato's subs in downtown Portland on India St. Portsmouth, NH is also a great place to see and just outside Portsmouth is Newicks which a really yummy seafood place.
The Clam Shack in Ipswich is great as is Woodmans in Essex. If you like clams make sure you try some steamers. Local tradition and really yummy. http://www.woodmans.com/
Sorry, not sure if I helped or just added more for you to think about. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Oh and I forgot to say, I agree with the person who said the Swan Boats are a must!! Plus the Public Gardens are gorgeous. And you can look for the Duckling statues from "Make Way For Ducklings". http://www.swanboats.com/

Last thing I swear. I think you will enjoy the extra time in Boston more than Plimouth Plantation. Seeing Plymouth Rock is an interesting historical monument and the Plantation can be cool too, but probably not going to be the highlight of the trip. Plus the time you are here is getting to the end of the school year in Mass. and it may mean there are a LOT of school groups there on field trips. Very popular field trip destination.

I agree with the above... if your husband is not at 80-85% on his knee you may find yourself riding in taxi's. I've had bad cartilage in my knee so I know how sensitive it can be... Bring heat wraps and ace bandages and make sure the hotel/B&B has a jacuzzi in the room or a heated pool. (He will thank you for it).
I try to stay out of Boston as a rule but I live in Salem so I'll emphasize doing Lunch at Reds...
Remember the old adage: Eat where the locals eat. There are more expensive places to eat but there are no better places to eat. Capt's is serving good food but they are pricing for a high paying clientele (also Fins and Victoria Station).
The cafeteria in the PEM are ok and convenient but Red's will give you a great meal for a few dollars. They're only open for Breakfast and lunch but you can get either all day.
The pancakes hang over the sides of the platter so when your waitress asks if you REALLY want three instead of one take it as she knows what's best for you.

Jeff
www.vistaphotos.net

Jeff - thanks for the letting me know about Reds - sounds like my kind of place. Jckimba - thanks for the tons of great suggestions. And saacnmama - I loved your trip report on chowhound.

Right now it's looking like HI Cambridge. I will keep checking for specials though. Maybe a good last minute deal will pop up. Thanks again everyone. We have tons of awesome suggestions thanks to you all.

Hi tdmort,

I live in Wisconsin, and I have been to Boston 6 times since 2002 for sightseeing, but mostly to do genealogy research for my New England families. I feel you have picked a very good hotel at the HI Express, Cambridge. The Lechmere T stop is remodeled and close, and the HI Exp is remodeled also. All rooms have micro/fridge/wet bar, no self-service laundry though. I usually look for that with a longer trip. And there is a full service grocery store next door. (Shaw's, although you have some excellent restaurant choices and suggestions!) I will remember some I haven't been to, for my NEXT TRIP TO BOSTON!

I also like the Duck tours, as you can sit the entire time and have commentary (humorous!) as well as historical narrative. You don't need to get on and off if walking is getting tiring. It goes in the Charles River as well as the dry land. But the trolleys are great if you want to do Freedom Trail in its entirety. Sounds like you have some great things to do!

Enjoy, and please report back after you have returned to the great Northern Midwest, and let us know what you did and enjoyed the most

cb51

cb51 - I will post a trip report for sure! And thanks for confirming my hotel choice - makes me feel a little better. I did see that the rooms have been remodeled.

tdmort - Just saw your post and, as a native, wanted to add a few comments: Staying in town is the best decision. You may also wish to check the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers. Check their web site first as they have very low rates for weekend stays, and you can also get low rates through any of the bidding sites mentioned above. The location is a block from the Public Gardens and next to the T. I second the advice of going to a restaurant in Chinatown for Asian food. If this is your first visit to Boston I suggest sticking to our best known museums, and you will not be disappointed.
The most scenic restaurant in Rockport, especially for a special dinner, is My Place by the Sea. It is located at the end of Bear Skin Neck (you can walk from your motel and one walks everywhere in Rockport as driving and parking in season is a nightmare) and sits smack on the ocean with spectacular views of the harbor and out to the open sea. You can choose to sit inside or out on the terraced patios.http://www.myplacebythesea.com/. The Greenery is great for lunch. And either The Clam Shack or Woodman's (in Essex; a bit closer to Rockport) are a must. A bit of local knowledge: there is a footpath that winds from downtown Rockport around Marmion Way. Cape Ann (Rockport, Gloucester, and Manchester) is filled with one spectacular view and beach after another. If you can't spend much time driving and walking in the area, plan to do so on your next trip! http://www.mass.gov/czm/coastguide/o...s/rockport.htm Have a wonderful trip!

Tdmort,
I am the owner of The Fat Cat and just want to say it is an honor to have someone planning a trip with us involved. I have seen your posts on "other" sites and just want to thank you. It would be an honor to serve you on your visit and you are more than welcome to call the restaurant when you are in town. Even if you don't make it to Quincy I wish you a wonderful, eventful and safe trip to Boston.

I have lived in the Boston area now for over 30 years. I recommend that you plan a meal at one of the Legal Seafood restaurants. In my opinion, it is the best seafood in town and is a Boston tradition. There is one in the Prudential Towers near the Boylston Street entrance. This is near Copley Square. You can make reservations in advance for Legal Seafoods to avoid a wait. Prudential Towers is also close to where the Duck Tours start. The Duck Tours are another not to be missed adventure in Boston. I always take visiting guests on the Duck Tours as the top priority during their visit. You need to buy your tickets in advance, however. You can do this online. There is another Legal Seafoods by the Aquarium which is a short walk from Quincy Market. There are also harbor cruises that leave from the Aquarium area. If you are in the North End, the Daily Catch restaurant is a little "hole in the wall" type restaurant that is also a local favorite.
In Plymouth, there is a little restaurant right on the water just a few blocks south of Plymouth Rock. I don't remember its name but I had a great light lunch there last summer looking out on the water. It is right next to the marina and you can watch boats being lowered in and out of the water. Plimouth Plantation has alot of walking on dirt trails. It is a great place to take children for historical re-enactments. It might be difficult to navigate with knee problems.
Boston is a great city. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Has anyone had drinks and dessert at the Top of the Hub? It looks like it would be an amazing place to watch the sun go down...

A few restaurant notes from a local...

Skip Legal entirely if you must have seafood and are going to be anywhere near Essex/Gloucester/Rockport/Ipswich. The quality and value at numerous places there is better than anything at Legal. Of all those restaurants, Woodman's would be one of the last places I'd go, but I don't like sitting out on Route 133 to eat... You can do much better in Essex than Woodman's along that same stretch of road (Route 133). The Village, Periwinkles, Farnham's, Blue Marlin, Lewis, Tom Shea's....all of them offer up superior seafood, IMHO. Sure, Woodman's gets the press, but any of the above get my vote (I live about 6 miles from there and this is where my family has always eaten our seafood!) Also further down 133 into Gloucester are an amazing array of restaurants, seafood and not (Latitude 43, Franklin's Cafe, Passports, The Gull, The Gloucester House...).

Mike's vs. other pastry shops in the North End. I used to buy birthday cakes for work and would get them at Mike's, until I ordered ahead once and got one that was frozen solid through (no good for a lunch time party!). When I asked about it, they said they do that with all their pastry. I confirmed with locals that neither Modern or Maria's does that and since then, will never go to Mike's. I want fresh, not frozen. Most restaurants in the area get their pastry from one or the other of Modern or Maria's.

I've taken visitors to Top of the Hub several times. The drinks are expensive but it was worth the view for my guests. I don't do that otherwise though.

Agree about Top of the Bug. Great view but very expensive drinks. Even though the time I went, the 2 of us got talking with 2 people at the bar and were handed Sox tickets for that nights game...Great seats too.

FWIW, we ate at the Legal Seafoods in Cambridge just recently. The ambiance (and service) were very nice, the coleslaw was delicious, my cocktail was fabulous, but I've had much better whole lobster.

amyb - I love your restaurant list for the N Shore. I need to pay a visit sometime this summer (and bring a good appetite)!

Top of the Bug!!! I really need a coffee...

yk, would love to know when you're in the area! I'm looking forward to warmer weather which finds me more in Gloucester than during the colder months!