New York to Boston: train or bus
Mar 24th, 2011, 08:50 AM
#21
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There are essentially two types of the milky New England style clam chowder in the area -- the heavy and thick kind that you can stand a spoon up in (arguably the best version of this is at Legal Sea Foods) and one that's thinner in texture but actually tastes like clams (Neptune Oyster and B&G Oysters do a very good version of this). I much prefer the latter, as thicker chowders get that way from adding flour, which negates the nice seafood flavor such chowder is capable of.
The Acela Amtrak train will certainly get you between the two cities in some measure of comfort, if at a premium price. For buses (all much cheaper than Amtrak and not all that much slower than the train, traffic permitting), would recommend Greyhound, Peter Pan, Megabus, or Bolt Bus. The Chinatown buses historically have a more dubious track record on safety and delays.
The Acela Amtrak train will certainly get you between the two cities in some measure of comfort, if at a premium price. For buses (all much cheaper than Amtrak and not all that much slower than the train, traffic permitting), would recommend Greyhound, Peter Pan, Megabus, or Bolt Bus. The Chinatown buses historically have a more dubious track record on safety and delays.
Mar 24th, 2011, 09:16 AM
#22
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I still say www.limoliner.com is the way to go.
Comfy seats and individual TVs. Internet and cellphone access availability (you won't get that on the trains). Drinks and food available for purchase. Leaves from mid-town Manhattan Hilton and arrives at downtown Boston Hilton.
A "bus"attendant on board.
Free glass of wine for departures after 5pm.
About the same time as the trains.
Either about the same or less $ than Amtrak business class and definitely cheaper than Acela Express. About $49 pp if you book early enough.
Comfy seats and individual TVs. Internet and cellphone access availability (you won't get that on the trains). Drinks and food available for purchase. Leaves from mid-town Manhattan Hilton and arrives at downtown Boston Hilton.
A "bus"attendant on board.
Free glass of wine for departures after 5pm.
About the same time as the trains.
Either about the same or less $ than Amtrak business class and definitely cheaper than Acela Express. About $49 pp if you book early enough.
Mar 24th, 2011, 09:22 AM
#23
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If you take the bus, try to avoid rush hour on either end (at it's worst between 4:30 and 6:30). I recently took a 7am weekday Megabus and had a very good trip (about 4 hrs). The train can take just at long, and I've had delays with that, although I haven't taken the train in years.
On the other hand, my daughter who goes back and forth regularly by bus, has hit traffic and the 4 hr bus ride, is typically more like 5 hrs, and can be as bad as 7 with rush hour. But the bad traffic can usually be avoided if you time things right.
On the other hand, my daughter who goes back and forth regularly by bus, has hit traffic and the 4 hr bus ride, is typically more like 5 hrs, and can be as bad as 7 with rush hour. But the bad traffic can usually be avoided if you time things right.
Mar 24th, 2011, 10:50 AM
#24
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Re: Gardner vs MFA
They're quite different. Gardner is unique because of its setting (a "Venetian palace"), but you can easily see it all in 2 hours. Also note that the lighting is very low there because of conservation issues. In addition, they have removed some art work from a few of the galleries due to the construction/museum expansion next door. If you're looking for a unique experience to see mostly western art for 1-2 hours, you should choose the Gardner.
The MFA is huge, esp after the opening of the new American Wing. I was there this week and I spent one hour on ONE floor of the new wing alone. Too "see" the entire museum will take a whole day. And there's plenty of Greek/Roman art, Asian art, European Art etc. The ticket is good for a free return within 10 days, so you can always go there for a morning, then go back on another day for an afternoon.
The Omni Parker House restaurant does a decent version of clam chowder.
They're quite different. Gardner is unique because of its setting (a "Venetian palace"), but you can easily see it all in 2 hours. Also note that the lighting is very low there because of conservation issues. In addition, they have removed some art work from a few of the galleries due to the construction/museum expansion next door. If you're looking for a unique experience to see mostly western art for 1-2 hours, you should choose the Gardner.
The MFA is huge, esp after the opening of the new American Wing. I was there this week and I spent one hour on ONE floor of the new wing alone. Too "see" the entire museum will take a whole day. And there's plenty of Greek/Roman art, Asian art, European Art etc. The ticket is good for a free return within 10 days, so you can always go there for a morning, then go back on another day for an afternoon.
The Omni Parker House restaurant does a decent version of clam chowder.
Mar 24th, 2011, 11:48 AM
#25
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Well since you are interested in art and medicine, you should make a point of visiting the Ether Monument on the corner of Charles and Arlington in the Public Garden while taking in a most beautiful Olmstead landscape creation.
I would then make a point of taking a slow stroll to look at the monuments on the Commonwealth Ave Mall. I especially love the Fireman's memorial and the Boston Women's Memorial.
I'm sure you can do a quick search of statues/memorials in boston for more info.
When you're down by Quicny Market, I would make sure to spend a few moments in the Holocaust Memorial. It is art to the deepest core with fumes rising in glass pillars of concentration numbers - very moving when one takes the time to consider.
Since you are basically across from the RedLine train, I would consider a trip out of town to the JFK Museum on the waterfront.
I would then make a point of taking a slow stroll to look at the monuments on the Commonwealth Ave Mall. I especially love the Fireman's memorial and the Boston Women's Memorial.
I'm sure you can do a quick search of statues/memorials in boston for more info.
When you're down by Quicny Market, I would make sure to spend a few moments in the Holocaust Memorial. It is art to the deepest core with fumes rising in glass pillars of concentration numbers - very moving when one takes the time to consider.
Since you are basically across from the RedLine train, I would consider a trip out of town to the JFK Museum on the waterfront.
Apr 17th, 2011, 07:27 PM
#27
The Museum of Fine Arts is a must. The new wing has the most extensive collection of Colonial American art. It is like taking a walk through Boston itself. With this new wing, the museum is the third largest in the world. Right now there is also the Dale Chihuly glass exhibit - also a must see. Try to take one of the free tours that are scheduled throughout the day. The Gardner is also lovely and a very short walk from the MFA.
Also consider an architectual tour of the Boston Public Library, which include the Sargent Murals done toward the end of his life. Across from there is Trinity Church, an architectual gem with treasured stained glass windows. You can go for the late afternoon concerts, to go for free, or the $5 admission with tour.
Consider a concert at Symphony Hall, considered one of the three most accoustically perfects halls in the world. Across from that is the Christain Science Center which has a most beautiful interior. On their propery there is also a Mapparium, a glass globe which you can walk inside.
And the Omni is steps from part of the Freedom Trail and many of the highlights of colonial history. Nearby is also the Boston Anthanaeum, the first Boston library and formal art gallery.
If you take in Faneuil Hall, you can eat at the Oyster House or Durgin Park, not the most gourmet, but Boston landmarks and two of the oldest in Boston.
Enjoy.
Also consider an architectual tour of the Boston Public Library, which include the Sargent Murals done toward the end of his life. Across from there is Trinity Church, an architectual gem with treasured stained glass windows. You can go for the late afternoon concerts, to go for free, or the $5 admission with tour.
Consider a concert at Symphony Hall, considered one of the three most accoustically perfects halls in the world. Across from that is the Christain Science Center which has a most beautiful interior. On their propery there is also a Mapparium, a glass globe which you can walk inside.
And the Omni is steps from part of the Freedom Trail and many of the highlights of colonial history. Nearby is also the Boston Anthanaeum, the first Boston library and formal art gallery.
If you take in Faneuil Hall, you can eat at the Oyster House or Durgin Park, not the most gourmet, but Boston landmarks and two of the oldest in Boston.
Enjoy.
Apr 18th, 2011, 05:08 AM
#28
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Re food: the Parker House (the restaurant at the Omni), Union Oyster House, and Durgin Park are the three remaining places in Boston to get Old Fashioned Yankee style comfort food -- but the only one I can recommend is Durgin Park. The food is by far the best here and the service is normally no worse than playfully grumpy.
In my experience, the food is awful and service is unfriendly and inattentive at the Parker House and Union Oyster House, and consistently so. If you must anyway, I'd stick solely to raw oysters and beer at the oyster bar at UOH and a piece of Boston cream pie at the PH (they invented the dessert here) -- these are the only reasons to even consider them.
In my experience, the food is awful and service is unfriendly and inattentive at the Parker House and Union Oyster House, and consistently so. If you must anyway, I'd stick solely to raw oysters and beer at the oyster bar at UOH and a piece of Boston cream pie at the PH (they invented the dessert here) -- these are the only reasons to even consider them.
