wtm003

Currently, we are booked at the Marriott Copley Place, but I'll rebook for a hotel (preferably Marriott, but I am open to other suggestions) that is in a great location for sightseeing and firework viewing. We don't mind walking, but are looking for a hotel with easy access to public transportation and events. I appreciate any comments and advice.

yk

I think the Marriott Copley is a good option, unless you want a hotel which has a view of the fireworks FROM YOUR ROOM.

Another option would be the Marriott Cambridge @ Kendall Sq. We watched the fireworks last year from Cambridge side on Memorial Drive, not far from the Marriott.

wyatt92

You can't get more central than the Copley Marriott.

djkbooks

The Marriott Cambridge (one of the nicest hotels I've ever experienced) would be better than staying in Boston. Just a short walk from fireworks viewing, where you can also hear the music, without having to go hours and hours ahead of time or deal with mobs.

The location is terrific (some rooms with great views of the skyline) with wonderful dining all about. And, the T station is just opposite the back exit of the hotel.

gail

You decide - I agree with both of above. Copley for the weekend is by far the best. Cambridge for fireworks. If it were me I would pick Copley. You can certainly take MBTA from hotel to see everything else, but I would rather be closer to more things than pick a hotel for just fireworks.

wtm003

Thanks for the advice. I'm probably leaning toward the Marriott Cambridge at the moment. The room rate and parking are less than Copley Place which doesn't hurt while on a road trip. Also, the fireworks are a big deal for the kids and if we don't have to go hours and hours ahead of time that will work for me. I googled Kendall Square and noticed that kayaks are available for rent which was a nice surprise and is another plus for that location.

It sounds like both locations are good, so I'm sure I'll go back and forth questioning my final decision. Thanks for the help and if you have any additional thoughts about dining and activities for a family with teens in Boston I'd love to read them.

yk

Activites for teens:
1) Fenway park tour if they're baseball fans
2) Science Museum
3) Duck Tours at the start of your stay to get a good sense of the city's layout
4) Freedom trail - for the teens to learn about American Revolution history
5) Harvard Sq & maybe Harvard campus tour?

Dining:
Not sure where you're from, but a trip to Chinatown and a meal or 2 there should be fun; unless you're from NYC or San Francisco or LA where there are much better Chinese food. Perhaps have a lunch of dim sum in Chinatown.

IF you want to save more money on parking (since you probably won't need your car during your entire stay in Boston), a much cheaper option would be
- drop off rest of family and luggage @ the Cambridge Marriott
- drive to Alewife station and park there. overnight parking is allowed up to 7 nights, $8 per each 24 hour. Then take the Red Line T from Alewife to Kendall Sq where the Marriott is.

gail

One thought on the kayaks - assuming you are using them in Charles River, there are all sorts of restrictions on boating related to fireworks - so don't get the kids all worked up about going kayaking unless you are positive that they will both be available and permitted that w/e

Ackislander

The views from the Cambridge side of the Charles will be excellent.

Copley is better for walking the few blocks to ye Olde Boston, but Kendall Square is two stops from Harvard Square, and two stops from Park Square, the beginning of the Freedom Trail and the hub where the Green Line (Back Bay, Fenway, Museum of Fine Arts) all connect.

With a quick change from the Red Line to the Green Line, you can be in Copley Square in fifteen easy minutes anyway. All Green Line trains stop there, and you are within two blocks of Newbury Street, three blocks of Commonwealth Ave.

wtm003

Yk, thanks for the list of activities. We are from Colorado, so no we don't have good Chinese. We will try to check out Chinatown. Can you recommend any restaurants in that area? Thanks for the money-saving parking tip!

Good point Gail!

Ackislander, thanks for the subway directions. It always helps to have an idea of the layout.

ksucat

We love the Taj if that helps..

yk

If you want to try dim sum, Hei La Moon is not bad.

For Taiwanese, there's Taiwan Cafe. For Cantonese (esp dinner), try Peach Farm. If you want even more adventurous, you can go to the shabu-shabu places (hot pot). Shabu Zen and Kaze Shabu Shabu are both in Chinatown.

While walking along the Freedom Trail, you'll inevitably end up in Faneuil Hall. There's a huge food court which has something for everyone.

In North End, there's Pizzeria Regina. And don't forget to get some cannoli from either Mike's Pastry or Modern Bakery.

wtm003

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions!

wtm003

I just want to follow-up on this thread. We did stay at the Marriott Cambridge and were treated to an amazing fireworks display along the river. The sound quality was poor and a local couple nearby agreed and said this was unusual, but it did not really bother us.

We enjoyed Boston and tried to fit in quite a bit during our 2 1/2 day stay. We took a Duck Tour, spent a day following the Freedom Trail and enjoyed the Aquarium. Boston is a wonderful city for walking and we only used the T once. We probably could have done more if we had used the T more, but we love to walk and take our time exploring.

We ended up getting cannoli from both Mike's and Modern. I'll give the edge to Modern for the shell, but both were delicious. We hit the food court twice because we were in the area both times and were overwhelmed with the choices. I took the easy way out and had a couple of slices from Regina. Very good!

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this thread for their help! We had a great time and plan to return.

cw

Thanks for coming back and reporting on your trip. Glad you enjoyed Boston.

yk

Thanks for your report, wtm003. I'm glad you had a good time here.