gokatgo

Again, many thanks for all the advice.

Here's what we have so far (would love comments, suggestions on what else to do or where to eat in the same neighborhood, that kind of thing...)

- Tour MIT
- MIT Museum
- Harvard Square
- Natural History Museum at Harvard
- Shopping for my neice at H&M
- Maybe Museum of Fine Arts
- Maybe tour Fenway

For entertainment, depending on what's available at the half price ticket booth and what we spring for...

- Blue Man Group
- The Underpants (at the Lyric Stage)
- Improv Asylum

Food that has been recommended:
- Christina's at Inman Sq. (ice cream)
- Toscaninis at Central Sq. (ice cream)
- Maria's Pastry Shop (italian pastry)

Any other food recommendations would be great. Nothing touristy -- we love "real" pizza, italian, indian, bahn mi/sandwiches, gelato/ice cream, breakfast. We can get great seafood/pacific rim/asian at home, so unless something is really standout, probably would prefer something else. I plan to check out chowhounds, too.

Many thanks!

ParrotMom

If your going to Lyric (we are seeing the same show on Sunday)...there is Skipjacks a block away.. great seafood and prices.. Sunday there is a jazz brunch there.. Half price booth is in Copley Square...for everything else...Check to see if Apple Circus will be playing that time... and somebody help me out. the play at the same spot as Blue Man Group..the one about the murder in the beauty parlor which has audience participation....been playing there for years. Also, see if you can get half price tickets to Forbidden Broadway SUV version playing at the new theatres on Tremont Street in the South End... If you do.. there is a fabulous pizza place next door.. There is a B&B on Newbury Street that seems very popular... Geek son will love the Science Museum.

gail

For real Italian, go to North End. Take MBTA to Haymarket or Govt Center stop. Include it as part of a day. Browse shops at Quincy Market, see food stalls/vendors at Haymarket if it is a weekend - (all outside - not like Pike Market, but there are stalls with whole fish staring at you - no one throws salmon, though).

Then walk into North End (a few blocks) and view menus from windows to pick where you want to eat.

lizzoob

gokatgo--


You might add to your list the Museum of Science, and perhaps one of the two IMAX theaters; one is at the Museum of Science and the other is at the Aquarium (they usually have 3D films). The Aquarium is worth seeing as well. Since you're from a city with many cultural opportunities, and have only three days, you might do well to not go to the the Museum of Fine Arts unless it has a particular exhibit that appeals to you. Walking around Newbury Street and Beacon Hill will give you a flavor of some Boston areas that are not mass produced in cities across the country.

I think Toscanini's has the best ice cream in the world--and it's practically across the street from the Hotel@MIT! Also go to Bartley's Burger Cottage on Mass. Ave. in Harvard Square for fabulous hamburgers of many varieties (assuming you're not a vegetarian). There are numerous Indian Restaurants in Central Square, and also the Green Street Grill, which is great.

Shoe choices can be a problem! You might want to bring rubber overshoes in case it's slushy. There is nothing more miserable than cold wet feet!

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and you'll have a great visit.

walkinaround

for a fun lunch after or before your visit to MIT, try the Miracle of Science bar and grill (just about on campus-everyone will know where it is). it has a science theme and has been popular with locals and students for years. inexpensive burgers and such...i believe it is more of a bar late night but a casual restaurant (children ok) during the day and through dinner. i haven't been there for years but i know it is still open.

cygnet

I would recommend staying at the Cambridge Marriott which has access to the MBTA just outside the Marriott lobby. For dinner in the North End I recommend Giaccomo's on Hanover St with dessert and cappac. at Cafe Vittoria.

IrishAmerican

Hi. Heading to Boston in 2 weeks with my husband and 2 babies (3 years old and 1 year old) for 6 nights. I am native Chicagoan but living in Ireland for two third of my life...visit States infrequently but want to eat waffles, French toast, pancakes etc. every morning, I love breakfast... We'll be staying in Brighton. Don't have a clue where that is in relation to anything. I am an academic and wish to visit all the world-famous universities... is it possible to survive in Brighton without a car given the baby situation... what is public transportation like?

Anonymous

Brighton is technically (politically) a section of Boston and many parts of it do have easy access to public transit. I recommend that you take a look at the trip planner at www.mbta.com, and plug in the address where you'll be staying.

You'll be relying on buses or the "Green Line" of the subway system, which goes above ground and uses trolleys -- you'll be climbing up into whatever you ride, so a back-pack will be more practical than a stroller, if your kid is amenable, or a minimal umbrella-type stroller that you can fold up to board. My 3-year-old grandson just loves the trolleys!

TKT

Brighton Center is convenient with many restaurants, bakeries, drug stores. In Brigthon you will have easy access to BC and BU.

Dick

Brighton Center with no car and two babies may be a bit of a challenge.

Where will you be staying in Brighton?

fnarf999

Definitely walk around the North End, it's the most interesting part of Boston. Narrow twisty streets, Italian flavor, etc. At least go by the Old North Church even if you don't go in, not just for the church but for what you'll see nearby (but do go in).

Definitely walk around Harvard Square. I wouldn't waste too much time looking at the campus itself -- the old Yard is worth a peek -- but the area around it is interesting.

I would skip MIT, it's really quite boring to look at especially when it's cold and it's quite far from anything interesting. A short ride on the T to someplace else, but still. Unless you have a specific academic interest there.

I would also recommend a walk down Newbury St. in the Back Bay, to see the evolution of Boston house styles as you proceed westward, plus great shopping. Make sure you cut over and see some of Commonwealth as well.

There are many fascinating things to see in the old downtown, but without a guide you're going to get lost, lost, lost. My favorite place in Boston is probably the Blackstone Block, the little warren of old streets behind Faneuil Hall. It's the last true remnant of the 17th-century street pattern.

A look at some of the old graveyards is a must; I suggest the Old Granary Burial Ground, very near the Common (worth a look), which makes a nice gateway to Beacon Hill, which is awesome -- you'll enjoy all of the tiny streets there, especially around Louisburg Square. Beacon Hill might be tough walking if there's a lot of snow, but otherwise no big deal. Go up Joy St. to Pinckney or Mt. Vernon, then downhill to the square. Or go down Chestnut and Acorn. And walk the length of Charles Street -- many neat shops.

Boston is the best walking city in America; transit is great and the interesting areas are all close together. If you do get cold, just find the nearest department store and enter -- they blast the heat in their vestibules to about 1,000 degrees, I've never understood why.

Bonjour_Voyageurs

Just in case you

gottago,gottago,gottago,gottago...

http://www.boston-online.com/restroo...Bay/index.html

escargot

With some of the sights you want to see, it might be worth your while to buy a Go Boston Card - see if it would work for you on www.gobostoncard.com- I believe it gives you free general admission to MIT museum, Science Museum, mfa, and the harvard Nat'l history museum among others, a few days free travel on the trolley, if those stops interest you, and discounts at other places. Even if the card doesn't workk for you, it's a good site to see what is out there and get some other ideas.

There is also a comedy theater in Somerville, in Davis Sq, - Jimmy Tingles Off Broadway,, and Davis Sq is a cool area to eat in, etc and on public tranportation - I don't know what show is playing while you are in town, but tix are reasonable and if Jimmy Tingle is playing he has a good show, and if your son (14 yr old 'geek' wants to see MIT, maybe Tingle's humor,, which is mixed w/ current events, political, etc might appeal to him. maybe his website has some clips, I don't know but it is www.jimmytingle.com. Our kids have enjoyed him throughout the years, his shows are fine for a 14 yr old.

A restaurant good for w/ kids in the north end is also Piccolo Nido on North St, if near theater district popular also is PF Changs. If you walk near State House,etc take a turn up Charles St - it's a lovely 'side street' and there are places to grab a slice of pizza or something simple for lunch.

He might like Harvard Sq and the Nat'l His Museum there too.

Also, there are smaller places like Contemporary Art / photography/ and sometimes an exhibit at the Boston Architectural Center or Museum of transportation that are often overlooked.

if you end up walking near BU on Comm Ave/ Brighton Ave, there is an italian restaurant Carlos Cacina (131 Brighton Ave/Allston actually) but food is very good and prices reasonable.

You may also want to check if anything interesting going on at BU or at the Agannis Arena while you are in town/ other shoes too, but if he is interested at all in sports, sometimes a good college hockey game, etc is a fun take.

Check out college web sites too for things going on on campus that are open to public, exhibits, etc.

have fun - don't worry about the weather, plenty to do inside too - comfie walking shoes, and even a good fleece under a water proof rainjacket should keep you warm and dry - just don't forget the hat, mittens, scarf and you'll be fine and that way can layer if you hit good weather, and be fine at night.

escargot

saw this and thought of possibly an interest for your son: at the Insitute of contemporary Art in Boston, www.icaboston.org - the new exhibit is :
Living in Motion: design, architecture, etc - very cool.

TKT

A block from the ICA is the Berklee Performance Center. Some great music, check out the schedule.

http://www.berkleebpc.com/calendar.html

gokatgo

Many thanks (again!) for all the advice. We are staying at the Hotel@MIT and plan to split our time between Cambridge and Boston. I have many many restaurant recommendations from this list and Chowhounds (I think we're going to be eating constantly!) and are really looking forward to the trip.

Thanks again!

laclaire

You are leaving very soon, so here is the lowdown:

It snowed this past weekend, but now it is sunny and not that cold. I walked from Central Square to home last night (2.5 miles) and though my legs were a little numb, it was nice.

I didn't read the food suggestions, but I would not miss Regina's Pizza in the North End (ask around and you will find it. . . worth getting lost for). I take all visitors there.

The really good ice cream is at Emack and Bolio's on Newbury, but JP Licks is also good (also on Newbury, near Mass Ave.)

For a good walk, do Beacon Hill. Go through Louisberg Sq and admire the houses (if you are headed up Pinckney, the house on the corner to your right facing you is John Kerry's). Snack at Cafe Vanilla on Charles St.

In Cambridge (where I am), don't miss the stuff around Harvard Sq (the actual Sq is really commercial now). Burdicks on Brattle St. has great hot chocolate, and on Mt. Auburn St (beyond Brattle) there is a sandwich place called Darwins that has the best sandwiches I have ever tried.

Must get back to work, but e-mail me if you have questions.

Claire