Plymouth, Cape Cod & Boston with 7 year old
 

Please tell me if we are making a good choice. We are Californian's traveling to the east coast. We will have from Monday, October 6, through Saturday October 11 to visit Plymouth, Cape Cod and Boston.

Our current reservations have us staying in Plymouth for 4 nights. We thought we would end the trip in Boston, staying Friday night and flying home Saturday evening. We thought that having a "home base" in the middle (Plymouth) would allow us to see many places. Is this a good idea or should we have tried to stay a few nights on the Cape?

We'd also like to squeeze in either Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket as a day trip.

To those familiar with Plymouth - how much time does it take to really see the good stuff?

We would love any suggestions as great things to do at this time of year. This has been a very difficult trip to plan as we have not ventured very far from home and have no idea what to expect.

We are also in confusion if we should just stay at a hotel near the airport on Friday night (Boston), or if we should stay within the heart of it all?

Please HEEEEEEELP!!! This is probably going to be our only opportunity to do this type of vacation for a very long time.

Thank you,
Sealygal

You can see all that Plymouth has to offer in one (longish) day.

IMHO, you'd be better-off staying a couple of nights on the Cape, doing Plymouth on your way back to Boston, then spending a couple of nights in Boston.

Don't worry about staying at the airport, stay right in Boston instead.

I'm with Anonymous. The four nights in Plymouth really floored me-- it can be done in a few hours IMHO. A couple of nights at the Cape is nice and relaxing; hitting Plymouth on the way to Boston will give you the Pilgrim fix it sounds like you want. Honestly, Boston is such a great city, and so full of history AND big-city energy, you will kick yourself if you only spend a night there. Best of all, you should catch the show of the autumn leaves-- especially lovely up in Cambridge (Harvard Yard!).

I agree that Plymouth can be done in one day. See the Rock, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Plantation. Dine at Isaacs on the waterfront. It is on the second floor of a multi-unit building. The view is incredible, with very good food and reasonable prices.
Then, head to Cape Cod, staying in the Hyannis area. The boats to the islands leave from there, which would make a great day trip. Hyannis has a main street loaded with stores and places to eat. It also has the JFK Museum. Another day trip might be to Provincetown about an hour away, or to the lovely village of Chatham. Return to Boston, doing all the tourist things--Swan Boats, Public Garden, State House, Freedom Trail, etc. The best way to see the city is via a Duck Tour or the Old Town Trolley. If you need more information, post a reply.

Actually, I'd skip Plymouth. I'm thinking 7 years old is a bit young to really appreciate the history there.

You might want to spend three nights on the Cape, take the day trip to Nantucket (it's smaller and you can see much of it on a day trip), then head for Boston for two nights. You can easily cover the Cape in a few days in October (when there's little traffic) - even take a day trip to Plymouth.

There is SO much more to see and do in Boston.

Be advised, though, that hotel rates are their highest during fall foliage season. You could try Hotwire or Priceline, though I'd advise sticking to 4* and above since there are three of you. Or, book something now, then shop again the week before (when rates often get more reasonable if "fill rates" are disappointing).

Here's another recommendation for a Duck Tour in Boston (best booked in advance). Check out the "Make Way for Ducklings" walking tour. And, the Children's Museum is terrific. So are the Museum of Science and the Aquarium.

I supose it depends on the kid, but for my kids, age 7 was just right for the living-museum aspects of Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II. Concrete exhibits are so much better for this age than dry museums! Walking around in the cramped decks of the ship, imagining spending the equivalent of your whole summer vacation there, or wandering around the village, smelling the smells, patting the animals, and looking into houses, watching women cooking over open fires and then finally wondering where the bathrooms are -- just right for age 7.

Well, if you think the 7 year old will enjoy the history, I highly recommend the wax museum which depicts before, during, after the crossing. Nicely done with sequential exhibits, music, special effects.

I am so glad I found this web site. As I am laughing from some of the posts, I can see that I need to make some changes to my reservations.

Thank you all for rescuing us from a bad choice. Okay, so if we were to stay on the Cape, any particular places to stay? We are on a budget since our entire vacation involves 11 nights of hotels (we are going to a dog show in Philadelphia for the first 6 days, then driving up to MA).

I have these visions in my head of two completely opposite types of places to stay. First, a quaint little cottage, right on the beach. Second, a great hotel that can offer Chocolate milk shakes at midnight. Either one will do, but of course it needs to be safe, clean, and on the budget.

We will stop at Plymouth on the way to Boston. We definately need the Pilgrim fix along the way. My daughter is excited about this. She is quite advanced for 7 years and will probably enjoy the history.

So when we hit Boston, then we need a hotel that will be near the attractions. We will definately take the duck tour.

Isn't this great, we have 5 nights to get from Philadelphia to Boston and can see anything a long the way. Any suggestions as to how to use these 5 nights are greatly appreciated!

Thanks again,
Sealygal

You and your child will never regret (or forget) taking the time to stop for the day in Plymouth to see the Rock, climb aboard the Mayflower II and see/smell/hear/feel life of 400 years ago as re-enacted at Plimoth Plantation. Every American child should have the experience IMO -- anybody saying a 7-year-old is too young to appreciate this is probably too old to accurately recall their own very early years.

As a Mayflower descendent I HAD to pay homage to Plymouth and did so a few years ago. Uh... I spent two nights there and that was fine. The Plantation is certainly worth a visit and it must be beautiful in October; the whole state of Massachusetts must be gorgeous actually in October. With that in mind I'd try and head farther west to Concord and Lexington maybe even Sturbridge village? I think a day trip or even if you shaved a night or two off Plymouth and stayed on Nantucket I dont think you'd regret it. Salem has some interesting museums, but it turns into almost Mardi Gras in October, but they do have things for kids too at that time.

Sealygal,
I think your family is in for a great trip!

You may want to consider spending night-1 in Newport, RI on your way from Phillie to the Cape. Especially if you think you won't be back east for some time, the Cliff Walk and the Mansions are just so unbelievable! The Best Western Atlantic Beach Hotel on the Middletown line has pretty good rates.

Then I'd head right to Cape Cod for the next two nights. With a child, I'd probably opt for either Falmouth (which has a working oceanographic site) or Hyannis/Yarmouth which is loaded with hotels/motels (esp along Rt 28) and has tons of "mini-golf," arcades, and other kid-friendly activities and restaurants. Definitely take a high-speed ferry out to Nantucket for the day! I know the "Grey Lady" high speed leaves out of Hyannis; don't know about Falmouth.

Your idea to stop at Plymouth for the day on your trip from the Cape to Boston is perfect.

I'd do the final two nights in downtown Boston. The hotels will be pricey, but you can't beat the atmosphere! I'd try to stay either around Fanueil Hall area or around Copley Square. You will all get a kick out of the Duck Tour! I think it's a "must do" for Boston! In addition, go to the North End to experience Little Italy. There is also a wonderful half-day culinery tour through the market (but you must make a prior reservation). If you like art, the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum is very unique. The Freedom Trail (walking) for more history - post pilgrims! Boston Common for "literary reference" and famous Swan Boats. Also, there is a fairly new interactive Immigration Museum (melting pot) in the financial district. I'd skip the Aquarium (a bit dated) and Science Museum (although good, not uniquely "Boston").

Wishing you and your family a great trip! Please post your impressions when you return.

Hello Again :) Okay, I just went to HotWire and found a 4 star hotel in Copley Square for $160.00/night. I have never used HotWire. It sounds like a good deal?

Some of you have mentioned Copley Square as "the Place" to stay. Are there any other areas I should consider?

Thanks again!
Sealygal

I think Copley Square will be a great place to stay. Boston Public Library is right there (great building), you're close to Newbury Street and the Back Bay, the T is close by (for trips to Faneuil Hall area). Boston Public Garden is walkable from there too.

Sounds like a great trip!

If you choose to stay in Hyannis, I think a 7 year old would like a motel/hotel rather than a B&B. We have incredible B&B's all through the Cape but for a 7 year old it might not be the best idea. The Anchor Inn in Hyannis sits on the inner harbor where you can see the ferries and all the harbor acitivity. It's close by to Main St. and a short drive to West Yarmouth for some typical mini golf activities. I would always suggest a drive down Rte. 6A for it's incredible beauty and historic homes, restaurants, galleries and shops. October is bus tour month on the Cape so make your reservations now. I also think the suggestions for Plymouth are pretty accurate, one full day and I would suggest the Plymouth Plantation would be fun for your son. It only takes a short while to see the rock and Mayflower as they're close to each other. Isaacs is great! Staying in Copley Square is also perfect. A duck tour would be just what a 7 year old would like. You are traveling during our best season and you won't be disapointed.

Sealygal-Hi! I live on Cape Cod and have 3 kids. You should stay at the Cape Codder in Hyannis. It has a great indoor slide pool. One day in Plymouth is really enough. Nantucket is really to far for a one day trip. Try Martha's Vineyard (1/2 hr trip) instead. Or use the fast boat to Nantucket(1hr). Go to the Christmas Tree Shop for all your souveniers. And go to Chatham and do the seal watch or Barnstable harbor for the whale watch. A few days in Boston would be alot of fun-we love the tour bus that you can get off and on. Have fun

I second the Cape Codder in Hyannis. It's new and family oriented. You should get a decent off-seson/midweek rate. The motels on Rt 28 in Yarmouth can divey.

Thank you all for your help. It is very scary for us to plan this trip with the thought in mind that it is probably the only one we will be able to take (afford) for the next decade.

I have looked at the Anchor-In. It is a possibility. Has anyone had experience with the Cape Cod Harbor House Inn?

We have considered the Cape Codder Inn but the pool is not that important since my daughter probably won't use it anyway. So have pretty much ruled it out.

She is 7 years, and enjoys more history and the beach (collecting shells) than playing mini golf or stuff like that. I'd like to try to do things that we cannot do here at home.

So in a nutshell, we have decided the perfect place on the Cape would be: Quaint, clean, view of ocean (better if ON the waterfront). We'd like to stay under $150/night, but are flexible for the right place.

We are arriving Monday evening, Tuesday to explore, Weds - Nantucket, and leaving Thursday for Boston, seeing Plymouth in route.

We are looking at places, as you have recommended in Hyannis, but are very willing to consider other areas.

Thanks again,
Sealygal

SOme other suggestions..
Try the Wyndam(sp? hotel in boston near
Quincy Market/Faniel Hall.. I found good rate in the past on HotelFinder.com
QM/FH is great to walk around and near the New England Aquarium.. Also, may sure to walk through the public gardens.. There is great Children's museum in Boston as well

Hi again Sealygal!

If your family wouldn't like the touristy Hyannis strip stuff, you may want to consider Chatham. I think it is the most charming town on Cape Cod, but not the easiest access. It is closer to Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, I think, however. Chatham has two very beautiful, but expensive, ocean resorts: Chatham Bars Inn and Wequasset Inn.

If you want to stay closer to Hyannis, for the souvenir shopping and proximity to the dock for your Nantucket excursion, you may want to stay outside the "city." Just over the West Hyannisport line in Centerville is the Trade Winds Inn (hotel), with a beautiful view of Craigville Beach. You could go a couple miles either way, and be in either downtown Hyannis, or the charming town of Osterville. The prices should be out of high season during your visit, too.

Two good family restaurants in the area are Wimpy's and Barby Ann's. If your daughter's food preferences are as mature as her other interests, you may prefer the Roo Bar, Sweetwaters, or the Naked Oyster.

There are two uniquely wonderful (but expensive) restaurants on Rt. 6A in the Brewster area. One is Japanese and one is Mediterranean. Their names escape me, but they are only a couple miles apart. Perhaps someone else can help, if you are interested. Also, most of the "good" antique shops are along Rt. 6A, if that's your cup of tea.

Best wishes for happy trails!

If your daughter enjoys history, She would most likely enjoy mystic seaport