Ideas sightseeing Cape Cod/Boston in a very short time.
May 31st, 2012, 05:24 AM
#81
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cw, that app looks very cool! FWIW, it's available for both Android and iOS. Here's the page on the NPS Boston site for both apps:
http://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/app.htm
http://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/app.htm
May 31st, 2012, 06:20 AM
#82
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ggreen, I was at the ceremony last Friday for the new NPS Visitor Center and re-opening of the first floor of Faneuil Hall. They said that the Android app was "coming soon." So they weren't kidding! Thanks for that additional information.
I've played around with the make your own tour feature and it's a lot of fun.
I've played around with the make your own tour feature and it's a lot of fun.
Jun 7th, 2012, 07:50 AM
#83
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I'm commenting #1 because I want to be able to find this thread in the future and #2 this is all great information (even the stuff about poison ivy!) as I will be in this area the same weekend. Even though the weather may be iffy this time of year, if I had the chance to take an extra day on the Cape, should I? (Sorry to piggyback on the OP, but so many great responses!)
Jun 7th, 2012, 11:01 AM
#84
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Buffy, I can't tell you about the Cape, but I can tell you we spent nearly two weeks in the Boston area and still could have stayed longer. Not sure the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum made Nelsonian's final cut, but I'd encourage you to consider it. The art was first class, but the clincher for me was that the setting was just so different than other museums.
Jun 27th, 2012, 12:29 AM
#85
Have found this hotel on Hotwire. Looking at Better bidding I think it is the Westin Boston waterfront. I realise it it not downtown but we will have a van. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get to the CBD if we didn't use the van. Does this look like a good deal?
http://www.hotwire.com/hotel/details...3029&selectedP
All comments welcome.
http://www.hotwire.com/hotel/details...3029&selectedP
All comments welcome.
Jun 27th, 2012, 03:40 AM
#86
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You are not going to want to drive the van into Boston. The Silver Line comes very near that hotel and will take you to the Red Line at South Station.
There is almost no on-street parking that does not require a resident sticker in most of the areas you will want to visit. You could leave the van at the Common Garage cheaply on a Saturday or Sunday, but then you have to drive it there and back, which is not trivial as there is no exit from I-90 (the route from the airport to Masspike) on the outbound side. You would have to drive through Boston's maze of non-gridded streets.
There are non-residential areas south of the Masspike where you could park the van, but with out of state plates, any indication of musical equipment or any other valuable cargo might well get it broken into since they know you won't be around to prosecute even if the perpetrators are caught.
There is almost no on-street parking that does not require a resident sticker in most of the areas you will want to visit. You could leave the van at the Common Garage cheaply on a Saturday or Sunday, but then you have to drive it there and back, which is not trivial as there is no exit from I-90 (the route from the airport to Masspike) on the outbound side. You would have to drive through Boston's maze of non-gridded streets.
There are non-residential areas south of the Masspike where you could park the van, but with out of state plates, any indication of musical equipment or any other valuable cargo might well get it broken into since they know you won't be around to prosecute even if the perpetrators are caught.
Jun 27th, 2012, 06:18 AM
#87
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Ack is (as usual 
) correct in what he is telling you. Boston is not a city for driving even when you know your way around and have lived in the area for many years!! I can only imagine the difficulty that those unfamiliar with the area would have.....
I tried to access your link, but it only takes me to the Hotwire main page, not to your selection, as that is probably tied to your individual search. I also apologize that I do not know what the initials CBD stand for in your post. I do think that you should only park your vehicle in secured hotel parking if you do not want to take me up on the (admittedly a bit of a pain in the neck for you!) offer to park it here out in the suburbs.
) correct in what he is telling you. Boston is not a city for driving even when you know your way around and have lived in the area for many years!! I can only imagine the difficulty that those unfamiliar with the area would have.....I tried to access your link, but it only takes me to the Hotwire main page, not to your selection, as that is probably tied to your individual search. I also apologize that I do not know what the initials CBD stand for in your post. I do think that you should only park your vehicle in secured hotel parking if you do not want to take me up on the (admittedly a bit of a pain in the neck for you!) offer to park it here out in the suburbs.
Jun 27th, 2012, 06:53 AM
#88
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CBD is Central Business District, and the Silver Line and Red Line are your friend.
The Red Line takes you to Park Street, the beginning of the Freedom Trail, the entrance to Boston Common, the access point for scenic Beacon Hill, the headquarters of the Park Service.
It is the point of connection with the Green Line, which will take you to the Back Bay (shopping), the area around Berklee College of Music (guitar and other instrument stores, Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Brighton music scene.
If you stay on the Red Line, you can visit MIT, Central Square (funky music scene),Harvard, and Davis Square in Somerville, another serious music scene. Pick up one of the throwaway entertainment papers on the street.
If I tried to tell you how to get from the "Seaport District" to a bar called "The Burren" in Davis Square, you would give up in defeat.
The Red Line takes you to Park Street, the beginning of the Freedom Trail, the entrance to Boston Common, the access point for scenic Beacon Hill, the headquarters of the Park Service.
It is the point of connection with the Green Line, which will take you to the Back Bay (shopping), the area around Berklee College of Music (guitar and other instrument stores, Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Brighton music scene.
If you stay on the Red Line, you can visit MIT, Central Square (funky music scene),Harvard, and Davis Square in Somerville, another serious music scene. Pick up one of the throwaway entertainment papers on the street.
If I tried to tell you how to get from the "Seaport District" to a bar called "The Burren" in Davis Square, you would give up in defeat.
Jun 27th, 2012, 08:41 AM
#89
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nelsonian, I know you'd want the van close to you because of the gear inside. Ack is right that that area is not the best to drive into... (The link has expired but like you I'm assuming we're talking about the Westin Boston Waterfront.)
However, the actual drive from the Cape to the hotel isn't as bad as it would be for 99% of Boston and environs! You'll be taking Route 3 from the Cape to Boston regardless. Once it bends towards Boston at Quincy, it is called the Southeast Expressway which is congested at almost any time of day or year... but it IS straightforward to get off it, onto the eastbound Mass Pike (I-90), and to the hotel.
That said, if you were okay with leaving the van in a public parking garage, the Red Line becomes even more your friend. Coming from the Cape, there are two T stations with large parking structures and easy on/off from the highway: Braintree and Quincy Adams. Both are just off Route 3 as you approach Boston from the Cape. (You can see them on Google Maps if you turn on Transit looking at the Boston area.)
However, the actual drive from the Cape to the hotel isn't as bad as it would be for 99% of Boston and environs! You'll be taking Route 3 from the Cape to Boston regardless. Once it bends towards Boston at Quincy, it is called the Southeast Expressway which is congested at almost any time of day or year... but it IS straightforward to get off it, onto the eastbound Mass Pike (I-90), and to the hotel.
That said, if you were okay with leaving the van in a public parking garage, the Red Line becomes even more your friend. Coming from the Cape, there are two T stations with large parking structures and easy on/off from the highway: Braintree and Quincy Adams. Both are just off Route 3 as you approach Boston from the Cape. (You can see them on Google Maps if you turn on Transit looking at the Boston area.)
Jun 27th, 2012, 09:28 AM
#90
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Actually, Ack, for the Burren isn't it just the Red Line straight to Davis Square and then a very short walk? (The Burren is a Tufts student fave!) By car, OTIH, to quote the old Pepperidge Farm Yankee, "You can't get there from here."
Jun 27th, 2012, 10:26 AM
#92
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I agree with ggreen that the Westin Waterfront is, for Boston, easy to reach via auto. Why not contact the hotel and tell them you'll have expensive musical equipment in the car and ask if there is a secure place for you to park. If they can't provide secure parking maybe they would have some suggestions.
Jun 27th, 2012, 11:45 AM
#93
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socialworker is right, The Burren is a bar (also serves food, mostly pub grub favorites) located right in Davis Square. Davis is a stop on the Red Line subway, and The Burren is a short walk from there. The closest Red Line stop to the Seaport District will be South Station.
I definitely would not try driving there from the Seaport District, myself, unless you know where you're going. And from there, it's going to be a pretty challenging and confusing drive without a GPS or the like.
In fact, all advice you're getting to take public transportation in Boston is well-founded. I'd heed it, myself.
I definitely would not try driving there from the Seaport District, myself, unless you know where you're going. And from there, it's going to be a pretty challenging and confusing drive without a GPS or the like.
In fact, all advice you're getting to take public transportation in Boston is well-founded. I'd heed it, myself.
Jun 27th, 2012, 11:53 AM
#94
Thanks everyone. I have also been looking at places in the suburbs through VRBO and AirBnB, there are a couple of places that look interesting.
I agree about not driving into Boston itself, even though the van has a GPS. I thought this hotel was a great price, and will contact them to see what they say about secure parking.
I agree about not driving into Boston itself, even though the van has a GPS. I thought this hotel was a great price, and will contact them to see what they say about secure parking.
Jun 27th, 2012, 12:11 PM
#95
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I have also been looking at places in the suburbs
IMO, depending on what the hotel says, you'd do better to stay there in Boston than in the suburbs. (Which suburbs in particular are you looking at?) With such a short amount of time for your visit, I wouldn't want to spend it commuting in...
I guess I assumed from the earlier conversation on this thread that the van is simply for getting to/from Boston, but you'd leave it at the hotel for your sightseeing (of course). If that's still the case, I'd say the amount of "driving into Boston itself" you'd do to get from the Cape to the Westin Waterfront is negligible and very straightforward. (That part of the South End is fairly newly renovated and completely unlike Boston's historic cow paths-cum-roadways!)
IMO, depending on what the hotel says, you'd do better to stay there in Boston than in the suburbs. (Which suburbs in particular are you looking at?) With such a short amount of time for your visit, I wouldn't want to spend it commuting in...
I guess I assumed from the earlier conversation on this thread that the van is simply for getting to/from Boston, but you'd leave it at the hotel for your sightseeing (of course). If that's still the case, I'd say the amount of "driving into Boston itself" you'd do to get from the Cape to the Westin Waterfront is negligible and very straightforward. (That part of the South End is fairly newly renovated and completely unlike Boston's historic cow paths-cum-roadways!)
Jun 27th, 2012, 12:16 PM
#96
ggreen, all the places I have been looking at vary from 15 minutes to 30 minutes using the T, which doesn't appear to be too long a commute. DD thinks they could use the van to drive downtown, I will be trying to convince them to use the T.
I have looked at lots of suburbs, some close to the airport, some in South Boston, Revere, just about everywhere!!
I have looked at lots of suburbs, some close to the airport, some in South Boston, Revere, just about everywhere!!
Jun 28th, 2012, 03:40 AM
#97
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"Actually, Ack, for the Burren isn't it just the Red Line straight to Davis Square and then a very short walk? (The Burren is a Tufts student fave!) By car, OTIH, to quote the old Pepperidge Farm Yankee, "You can't get there from here."
Yep, but they are starting from what is now called the Seaport District, across Fort Point Channel and would have to take the Silver Line to South Station to get the Red Line.
I agree with you wholeheartedly that you can't get to Davis Square from the so-called SeaPort District.
The OP's somewhat headstrong family seems to me to think that driving in Boston is like driving in Manhattan, busy but gridded.
It isn't. It is a lot more like Rome, lots of little streets that wander all over the place and change their names while they are doing it. Of course many of them are one way and very few allow on street parking. What makes Boston really hard is that the main streets are not signed, only the cross streets, so you have to guess that you are on Mass Ave because no sign will tell you.
Then there are local anomalies: the Harvard Bridge goes from Boston to MIT, not Harvard. There are two Beacon Streets in Boston, one leading to Brookline, the other in Brighton.
Bostonians think in terms of Squares: Dewey, Post Office, Central, Harvard, Porter, Davis, but many of these are not on maps and they are no signs to tell you that you are there unless you see a sign on a T station or local business.
I am inclined to drop out of this discussion. If they want to drive to Davis Square or Brighton and try to find a legal place to park a van, let 'em. If they want to find out how fast Boston or Brookline (2 hour limit) or Somerville will tow a van with out of state plates in a residents only parking area, let 'em.
Yep, but they are starting from what is now called the Seaport District, across Fort Point Channel and would have to take the Silver Line to South Station to get the Red Line.
I agree with you wholeheartedly that you can't get to Davis Square from the so-called SeaPort District.
The OP's somewhat headstrong family seems to me to think that driving in Boston is like driving in Manhattan, busy but gridded.
It isn't. It is a lot more like Rome, lots of little streets that wander all over the place and change their names while they are doing it. Of course many of them are one way and very few allow on street parking. What makes Boston really hard is that the main streets are not signed, only the cross streets, so you have to guess that you are on Mass Ave because no sign will tell you.
Then there are local anomalies: the Harvard Bridge goes from Boston to MIT, not Harvard. There are two Beacon Streets in Boston, one leading to Brookline, the other in Brighton.
Bostonians think in terms of Squares: Dewey, Post Office, Central, Harvard, Porter, Davis, but many of these are not on maps and they are no signs to tell you that you are there unless you see a sign on a T station or local business.
I am inclined to drop out of this discussion. If they want to drive to Davis Square or Brighton and try to find a legal place to park a van, let 'em. If they want to find out how fast Boston or Brookline (2 hour limit) or Somerville will tow a van with out of state plates in a residents only parking area, let 'em.
Jun 28th, 2012, 04:51 AM
#99
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For whatever reason, in my cluelessness, I never saw where they said that they wanted to drive around Boston in a van. As someone who has lived in this area for 40+ years I must echo that it is not a good idea.
I remember our early years in Cambridge, Ack, where as we drove down main streets with no names, how I would look out the windows of the car and tell DH things like, "Oh, that store was called Prospect Spa (the old time local word for convenience stores, for you non-locals ) so we must be on Prospect Street!!" That was our "GPS" for all our years in Cambridge.
We lived just a couple blocs outside of Harvard Square, just off Mt. Auburn for years, and I cannot tell you how MANY times in returning home from Star Market on Mt. Auburn St, we ended up on Storrow Drive at the (dare I call it an intersection, more like a maze!) where Mt Auburn, Fresh Pond and Storrow/Soldiers Field Roads all come together such that you have very little clue as to which one you have taken. Driving in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville is very akin to Alice's trip down the rabbit hole.
I remember our early years in Cambridge, Ack, where as we drove down main streets with no names, how I would look out the windows of the car and tell DH things like, "Oh, that store was called Prospect Spa (the old time local word for convenience stores, for you non-locals
) so we must be on Prospect Street!!" That was our "GPS" for all our years in Cambridge. We lived just a couple blocs outside of Harvard Square, just off Mt. Auburn for years, and I cannot tell you how MANY times in returning home from Star Market on Mt. Auburn St, we ended up on Storrow Drive at the (dare I call it an intersection, more like a maze!) where Mt Auburn, Fresh Pond and Storrow/Soldiers Field Roads all come together such that you have very little clue as to which one you have taken. Driving in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville is very akin to Alice's trip down the rabbit hole.
Jun 28th, 2012, 06:04 AM
#100
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If your family wants to drive, some garages are much cheaper on weekends, e.g. the Boston Common garage is $11, but I'm not clear if their equipment will be in the van. If so, parking in Boston with an out-of-state van full of equipment is like waving a flag saying "break into this car." Boston is a safe city but it is silly to leave anything in your car of value. It's just too tempting.
If you drive into Boston, park once and walk or take the "T." Driving from place to place will take up what little time you have to sightsee.
If staying out of town, you might check the Quincy Marriott (it often has a very cheap price on lastminutetravel). It's about a mile from a Red Line Station. I would concentrate on areas South or West of Boston because those areas are more convenient for arriving from the Cape and leaving to return to NYC.
You also mention South Boston. There are some lower cost chain hotels there but I wouldn't leave a full van in the parking lot and consider it safe. If you're looking at some other place in South Boston, make sure it has parking.
I would recommend that you make a reservation now that you can cancel later if you find a better deal. It's really too early to find any hotel deals for November. I don't see any conventions listed in town for your dates so that will work in your favor.
If you find a outlying location, run it by the folks here first.
If you drive into Boston, park once and walk or take the "T." Driving from place to place will take up what little time you have to sightsee.
If staying out of town, you might check the Quincy Marriott (it often has a very cheap price on lastminutetravel). It's about a mile from a Red Line Station. I would concentrate on areas South or West of Boston because those areas are more convenient for arriving from the Cape and leaving to return to NYC.
You also mention South Boston. There are some lower cost chain hotels there but I wouldn't leave a full van in the parking lot and consider it safe. If you're looking at some other place in South Boston, make sure it has parking.
I would recommend that you make a reservation now that you can cancel later if you find a better deal. It's really too early to find any hotel deals for November. I don't see any conventions listed in town for your dates so that will work in your favor.
If you find a outlying location, run it by the folks here first.
