First time to Boston - will this work?
May 18th, 2009 | 04:47 PM
#62
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,535
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Here are a few random comments on your trip (I live between Boston and Rockport):
Depending on what kind of fish you like, you might want to choose shellfish over fin fish. I grew up on the Gulf Coast and find most New England fish (except swordfish) very lacking in flavor by comparison. Clams and scallops here, however, are fantastic! (Personally, I am not that thrilled by lobster, but it is better than bland fish to me.)
I agree that Tom Shea's and Farnham's in Essex are excellent choices. Skip Woodman's - I think it is overrated. Be aware that they all are at least 30 minutes from Rockport. The Clam Box in Ipswich is even farther. But if you DO go to the Clam Box, save room for dessert and continue down the road to White Farms for some of their incredible ice cream (I am partial to their key lime pie ice cream, with bits of graham cracker crust in it). Order a kiddie cone - it is plenty big enough!
I really like the Causeway in Gloucester, too, although it can be hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. It is also pretty small, but the food is great. If you eat at the Greenery in Rockport, I recommend the breakfast menu (which is also available at lunch, if you ask) over the lunch menu.
I ate at Penang in Chinatown just the other night. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Our waiter was not very attentive, but he seemed to be the exception. We felt ignored, while other servers around us paid much more attention to their parties.
As far as Quincy Market (which is pronounced QUIN-zee, by the way), just think of it as a huge food court (which it is) that is good for a quick lunch rather than as a culinary experience.
Depending on what kind of fish you like, you might want to choose shellfish over fin fish. I grew up on the Gulf Coast and find most New England fish (except swordfish) very lacking in flavor by comparison. Clams and scallops here, however, are fantastic! (Personally, I am not that thrilled by lobster, but it is better than bland fish to me.)
I agree that Tom Shea's and Farnham's in Essex are excellent choices. Skip Woodman's - I think it is overrated. Be aware that they all are at least 30 minutes from Rockport. The Clam Box in Ipswich is even farther. But if you DO go to the Clam Box, save room for dessert and continue down the road to White Farms for some of their incredible ice cream (I am partial to their key lime pie ice cream, with bits of graham cracker crust in it). Order a kiddie cone - it is plenty big enough!
I really like the Causeway in Gloucester, too, although it can be hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. It is also pretty small, but the food is great. If you eat at the Greenery in Rockport, I recommend the breakfast menu (which is also available at lunch, if you ask) over the lunch menu.
I ate at Penang in Chinatown just the other night. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Our waiter was not very attentive, but he seemed to be the exception. We felt ignored, while other servers around us paid much more attention to their parties.
As far as Quincy Market (which is pronounced QUIN-zee, by the way), just think of it as a huge food court (which it is) that is good for a quick lunch rather than as a culinary experience.
May 18th, 2009 | 05:22 PM
#63
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,535
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As far as what attractions to visit:
I have never been to the Aquarium, but I have heard it is a big disappointment. The swan boats also seem overrated to me.
Unless you REALLY like contemporary art, skip the ICA. I am not that big a fan of it, so I am glad that the one time I went it was on a free pass. The view of the harbor from the top floor is wonderful, though. The Museum of Fine Arts, however, is fascinating - and huge.
You definitely will want to have tickets for one of the trolley tours, as the Freedom Trail is a lot of walking (especially for one day, and especially to get to the Constitution - there is not a T stop nearby). Note that the masts on the Constitution are down for repair right now, so it is not as impressive as usual. But the tour guides, who are active duty sailors, do a nice job. The new Bunker Hill visitor center is supposed to have an interesting film and exhibits, and it is free (it's across from the Bunker Hill monument).
The Peabody Essex Museum is great as well. Be sure to visit Yin Yu Tang, the Chinese house (and don't miss the film on it).
The glass flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History make the trip there worth it. They also have a surprisingly large collection of stuffed animals and birds (as in formerly living, not teddy bears).
If you want an evening activity, check out the Boston Pops (http://www.bso.org/bso/index.jsp?id=bcat5220105). They are an American institution, and the concerts are a lot of fun.
The Bostix booth next to Faneuil Hall sells half-price tickets for many plays and other performances. You can check out their website (and buy online for a little more) at www.bostix.org.
Check with Faneuil Hall to see if the Great Hall will be closed to the public at any time during your visit. That is the real reason to visit the building. The Museum of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company on the 4th floor is worth a visit while you are there.
Just an FYI - last time I went up in the Prudential Tower, to the Skywalk Observatory, we asked if we could come back after dark (so we could see Boston by day and by night) and they just charged us a couple of dollars extra rather than having to buy a whole new ticket. It is worth a try! But be sure to ask BEFORE you leave.
Hope all that helps!
I have never been to the Aquarium, but I have heard it is a big disappointment. The swan boats also seem overrated to me.
Unless you REALLY like contemporary art, skip the ICA. I am not that big a fan of it, so I am glad that the one time I went it was on a free pass. The view of the harbor from the top floor is wonderful, though. The Museum of Fine Arts, however, is fascinating - and huge.
You definitely will want to have tickets for one of the trolley tours, as the Freedom Trail is a lot of walking (especially for one day, and especially to get to the Constitution - there is not a T stop nearby). Note that the masts on the Constitution are down for repair right now, so it is not as impressive as usual. But the tour guides, who are active duty sailors, do a nice job. The new Bunker Hill visitor center is supposed to have an interesting film and exhibits, and it is free (it's across from the Bunker Hill monument).
The Peabody Essex Museum is great as well. Be sure to visit Yin Yu Tang, the Chinese house (and don't miss the film on it).
The glass flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History make the trip there worth it. They also have a surprisingly large collection of stuffed animals and birds (as in formerly living, not teddy bears).
If you want an evening activity, check out the Boston Pops (http://www.bso.org/bso/index.jsp?id=bcat5220105). They are an American institution, and the concerts are a lot of fun.
The Bostix booth next to Faneuil Hall sells half-price tickets for many plays and other performances. You can check out their website (and buy online for a little more) at www.bostix.org.
Check with Faneuil Hall to see if the Great Hall will be closed to the public at any time during your visit. That is the real reason to visit the building. The Museum of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company on the 4th floor is worth a visit while you are there.
Just an FYI - last time I went up in the Prudential Tower, to the Skywalk Observatory, we asked if we could come back after dark (so we could see Boston by day and by night) and they just charged us a couple of dollars extra rather than having to buy a whole new ticket. It is worth a try! But be sure to ask BEFORE you leave.
Hope all that helps!
May 19th, 2009 | 02:44 PM
#64
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 0
Lots of good advice here. A few additions:
-of the seafood spots well north of Boston, am thinking the best is The Clam Box in Ipswich. Farnham's in Essex is also very good, and if you want a sit-down spot instead of a clam shack experience, The Village Restaurant in Essex is worth a stop in. Am not so taken with Woodman's or Tom Shea's.
-in Gloucester, have been to both Duckworth's and Franklin Cape Ann -- and found both to be excellent. Both are notably better than anyplace in Rockport I've been to. But Rockport is a lot of fun to explore.
-have been to the Aquarium and did not find it disappointing -- am thinking whether you enjoy it or now will depend on how much you like this sort of attraction. But the point made above about the uphill circular ramp is correct and may not be very comfortable for someone with a bad knee. The Swan Boats in the Public Garden are actually a fun touristy thing to do.
-will agree that while Legal Seafood is not the worst seafood spot you could choose, you can do notably better at the clam shacks above or Neptune Oyster in the North End for food quality.
-some folks dislike Mike's Pastry in the North End. I'm fine with it, but will suggest that Maria's or Modern Pastries are arguably better. For a sit-down coffee and cannoli in the North End, would make Caffe Vittoria my first choice.
-I notably prefer Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe to Mike's City Diner for a South End area breakfast. Neither are especially near Cambridge.
-will echo the rest in saying Quincy Market is fun to visit but not a culinary destination. Durgin Park is probably the most interesting restaurant to eat at there, mainly because it does traditional Yankee style cooking better than anyplace else. Would not recommend either the Last Hurrah or Parker House Restaurant at all unless you want to try Boston cream pie there (they invented this dessert).
-definitely opt for a Chinatown spot over Myers + Changs. You've gotten good suggestions above. Back a while ago, I posted the following Chinatown possibilities on a Fodor's based thread:
Dim sum: China Pearl, Emperor's (aka Empire) Garden, Chau Chow City, Hei La Moon.
Chinese seafood: Peach Farm, East Ocean City.
Taiwanese: Taiwan Cafe.
Other good Chinese options: King Fung Garden, Hong Kong Eatery, New Shanghai, Grand Chau Chow.
Japanese: Shabu-Zen (shabu shabu), Ginza (sushi).
Malay: Penang.
Vietnamese: Xinh Xinh, Pho Pasteur, Pho Hoa, any bahn mi sandwich shop.
-of the seafood spots well north of Boston, am thinking the best is The Clam Box in Ipswich. Farnham's in Essex is also very good, and if you want a sit-down spot instead of a clam shack experience, The Village Restaurant in Essex is worth a stop in. Am not so taken with Woodman's or Tom Shea's.
-in Gloucester, have been to both Duckworth's and Franklin Cape Ann -- and found both to be excellent. Both are notably better than anyplace in Rockport I've been to. But Rockport is a lot of fun to explore.
-have been to the Aquarium and did not find it disappointing -- am thinking whether you enjoy it or now will depend on how much you like this sort of attraction. But the point made above about the uphill circular ramp is correct and may not be very comfortable for someone with a bad knee. The Swan Boats in the Public Garden are actually a fun touristy thing to do.
-will agree that while Legal Seafood is not the worst seafood spot you could choose, you can do notably better at the clam shacks above or Neptune Oyster in the North End for food quality.
-some folks dislike Mike's Pastry in the North End. I'm fine with it, but will suggest that Maria's or Modern Pastries are arguably better. For a sit-down coffee and cannoli in the North End, would make Caffe Vittoria my first choice.
-I notably prefer Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe to Mike's City Diner for a South End area breakfast. Neither are especially near Cambridge.
-will echo the rest in saying Quincy Market is fun to visit but not a culinary destination. Durgin Park is probably the most interesting restaurant to eat at there, mainly because it does traditional Yankee style cooking better than anyplace else. Would not recommend either the Last Hurrah or Parker House Restaurant at all unless you want to try Boston cream pie there (they invented this dessert).
-definitely opt for a Chinatown spot over Myers + Changs. You've gotten good suggestions above. Back a while ago, I posted the following Chinatown possibilities on a Fodor's based thread:
Dim sum: China Pearl, Emperor's (aka Empire) Garden, Chau Chow City, Hei La Moon.
Chinese seafood: Peach Farm, East Ocean City.
Taiwanese: Taiwan Cafe.
Other good Chinese options: King Fung Garden, Hong Kong Eatery, New Shanghai, Grand Chau Chow.
Japanese: Shabu-Zen (shabu shabu), Ginza (sushi).
Malay: Penang.
Vietnamese: Xinh Xinh, Pho Pasteur, Pho Hoa, any bahn mi sandwich shop.
May 19th, 2009 | 04:57 PM
#65
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Some more great advise - thanks a ton. We are going to do one seafood meal in Boston and I'm thinking that Neptune Oyster is going to be the spot. I will avoid Woodmans as many of you have said.
Cranachin - thanks for the museum tips, the Harvard Museum of Natural History sounds great.
Also, thanks bachslunch for the Chinatown ideas - the menus and Peach Farm andKing Fung Garden look tasty!
I think part of an afternoon in the Public Garden with some nice sandwiches for lunch and a visit to the Swan Boats will be a nice break in the day and a chance for DH to rest a bit!
Thanks again everyone - feel free to post more suggestions. I will start a new thread with a revised trip plan as soon as I get it put together - 3 weeks from now we will be in Boston
Cranachin - thanks for the museum tips, the Harvard Museum of Natural History sounds great.
Also, thanks bachslunch for the Chinatown ideas - the menus and Peach Farm andKing Fung Garden look tasty!
I think part of an afternoon in the Public Garden with some nice sandwiches for lunch and a visit to the Swan Boats will be a nice break in the day and a chance for DH to rest a bit!
Thanks again everyone - feel free to post more suggestions. I will start a new thread with a revised trip plan as soon as I get it put together - 3 weeks from now we will be in Boston
May 19th, 2009 | 06:11 PM
#66
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,742
Likes: 4
The chocolate shop in Harvard Square is Burdick's.
Wonderful restaurants besides upstairs in the square are Rialto's , Henrietta's Kitchen, Harvest, Legal sea foods.
Legal has an outdoor bar in the plaza of the Charles Hotel with lots of tables. I go there often to meet friends for drinks and I can bring my little dog, Pastis.
Wonderful restaurants besides upstairs in the square are Rialto's , Henrietta's Kitchen, Harvest, Legal sea foods.
Legal has an outdoor bar in the plaza of the Charles Hotel with lots of tables. I go there often to meet friends for drinks and I can bring my little dog, Pastis.
