Top Five Boston?
 

Hi y'all!

Going to Boston this weekend and looking for everyone's top five or six things!

I would appreciate all suggestions!

Also, we love a great bar whether it be a dive or one with a great view.

Staying at the Westin Waterfront.

Walk down the freedom trail
go to a chocolate cafe
go to the New England Aquarium
B-Side Lounge, Green Street, No. 9 Park, Eastern Standard is great for cocktails

Thank you earthopper!

*Maria's Pastry Shop (I like better than Mike's). She makes the best marzipan! (46 Cross St - near the Haymarket, but I believe that's not operating yet)


*Tapas and Sangria at Tapeo on Newbury

*Visit Cambridge - make a stop at L.A. Burdick for out-of-this-world hot chocolate - did I mention it was out-of-this-world?? :D

*Visit the Boston Public Library - it's a beautiful building

*Run along the Charles River

Have a great trip!

Thank you stw!

Do you know where I can find Jo Malone candles?

I am being hosted next weekend in South Beach and need a sursey for our hostess!

I did a search, figuring that I'd find something for you on Newbury Street, but nothing came up. However, the Jo Malone line is carried at both Neiman Marcus and Saks -- call to see if they carry the candles.

Neiman Marcus
5 Copley Square
Boston, MA 02116
617.536.3660


Saks Fifth Avenue
Prudential Center
Boston, MA 02199
617 262.8500 (ext. 358)

Spend an afternoon at the Isabelle Stewart Garner Museum. Stroll along Newbury Street. Take the trolly tour of Boston, getting off in the North End and wandering amongst the wonderful food purveyors. Dinner at Hammersley's Bistro in the Back Bay. Great food.
Run along the Charles- Have fun!

Hi GoTravel.

We just got snow this morning and it is pretty cold here right now so your outdoor activities may be limited.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) just opened a gorgeous new space on the Waterfront so that's an idea. http://www.icaboston.org/

As for bars, the South End is a great neighborhhod to check out. 28 Degrees is a great place.

Whiskey Park and Saint are options for a more upscale bar experience. City Bar at the Lenox Hotel is great, I also like Eastern Standard for drinks. I've heard good things about the RumBa at the new Intercontinental Hotel.

If you're looking to barhop, there's tons of Irish bars in the Faneuil Hall area. The Hong Kong is a great stop for killer scorpion bowls.

Stephanie's on Newbury is a nice place for dinner but they also have a bar with a fireplace, great for a couple of cocktails. Clery's is a fun bar near Back Bay Station, it'a a casual place. A couple other options that are near each other are Sonsie on Newbury and Match on Mass Ave.

Sorry if I rambled!

Y'all are fabulous!

Second the Isabella Gardner museum.
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/the_mus...troduction.asp

Go to Hahvad Yahd and get a sweatshirt at the Coop.
http://store.thecoop.com/coopstore/estore_home.jsp

Newbury St.
http://www.newbury-st.com/

1.Well knowing that you run. Of course, the Charles up one side cross a bridge and return on Cambridge side. But also you might run to Castle Island and along the water in South Boston and watch the planes land as you run.
2. Eastern Pier Seafood is a Chinese restaurant by your hotel that has a view and the BEST Clams in BlackBean Sauce and lomein. I work in Chinatown, but love this place - very casual.
3. Aquarium and walk the waterfront and Northend neighborhood. Check out the Holocaust Memorial by Fanuel Hall, noting the use of gasses and numbers and take a moment to reflect in one of the 'chambers'
4. THE place for oysters, fried clams and boardwalk fries, made to order clam chowder and lobster roll...Neptune Oyster in the northend.
5. Walk thru the Public Garden and take in the amazing trees unadorned by foliage. Brilliant. Walk up Commonwealth Ave talking in some great statues and the firemans memorial Return direction on Newbury Street taking in shops. Stopping by Four Seasons for tea or a cocktail in the Bristol Lounge on one of their sofas.

LOBSTER ROLLS!!! OMG I forgot about them!

How is it that I haven't been counting the seconds until my lobster roll?

I'm so excited!

Well then, the Other place for Lobster Roll is B&G Oyster in Southend. The thing with them and Neptune and an amazing roll, is to make it fresh. You will not be eating lobster that was shucked 3 days ago. $$$ but worth every penny for the real thing.

Freedom Trail (that could cover all 5 or 6 things since there are various sites and museums along the way)

an art museum - my choice would be new Institute of Contemporary Art because I have not been there yet, but Isabella Stewart Gardner or MFA would be close second

North End - walk around, see pushcart produce vendors on Sat AM, eat at any one of the Italian restaurants

Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area for little shops (although too many are now chains) and a variety of touristy bars and restaurants - you are a tourist, afterall

If weather is tolerable, stroll thru Boston Common, Public Gardens (stop and skate on Frog Pond) and then along Newbury Street.

Any combination of above will give you a taste of Boston.

gardner musum,
shopping at Louis, Barney's and Filene's Basemen,
drinking at the bar of the Four Seasons overlooking the Public Garden...ditto for the Ritz by the fire.

Best lobster roll or salad...SkipJack's on Claredon Street..opposite the Trinity Chrch

Duck Tour
North End Culinary Tour(Michelle Topar)
Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum
Fenway Park Tour
Shop Newbury Street
See a show

Great Upscale Bars:
Bristol Lound in Four Seasons
Oak Room Bar - Copley Plaza
Top of the Hub-Prudential bldg

Have fun!

If you want more of a local experience bar-wise, try Doyle's (famous watering hole for pols); James's Gate or the Brendan Behan in Jamaica Plain. Either take a cab from downtown or hop on the orange line to Green Street and hoof it from there. Enjoy!

Stroll Newbury street for shopping - walk through Public gardens - should look lovely with a new dusting of snow - stop for high tea at the four seasons.
dessert at Finale (the best desserts in Boston)
Go the Harvard Square - check out the bookstores, sip coffee at Peets, buy a Tshirt at the Harvard Coop
For a great dinner - Spire, Blu, B&G Oysters in the South End
Catch a show

Things to do:

1. Walk around Faneuil Hall, stroll over to Granary Burial Ground and visit the likes of Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin's parents, and Mother Goose.

2. Take some time to enjoy the New England Aquarium... an under-rated find in the city, especially if the weather is sending you indoors.

3. Schedule a tour of Fenway Park if they are running them yet.

4. Walk through the North End. While I am not a fan of Italian Food myself, the small markets and great places to eat make this a classic neighborhood.

5. Museum of Fine Arts is great if you like art. Got kids? Museum of Science is wonderful. Got little kids? The Children's Museum is a fun visit.

6. (in case Fenway Tours are not running yet) Shopping on Newbury Street, also nearby Copley Center and Prudential Center

If you want a great bar, I recommend stopping in at The Purple Shamrock or The Black Rose in Faneuil Hall, Green Briar in Brighton is a favorite also. Good scene all afternoon, all three usually have good Irish music late afternoon and early evening... late night there is a large college crowd, but notn until well after dinner.

If you are into the historical experiences, you could eat at The Union Oyster House (also near Faneuil Hall). This is the oldest running restaurant in the U.S. and the same place the lkes of Adams and Revere ate.

Having lived in Boston for almost 30 years, I am very partial... but I don't think there is a better city in America. Have a great time! =)

Although you are a tourist, you should hang out with the locals a bit. So stay away from Faneuil Hall. Its a tourist trap. (I live here...I work here...so I can say this!)

Go to Finale for dessert. YUM.

Avila's or Rustic Kitchen for dinner.

Rockbottom is a good local brewery (not too young but not too old)

Newbury Street is always a good location.

How about Salem for the Witches? If you rent a car its not far.

I would go to the Gardner museum or Museum of Fine Arts. I wouldn't do both. Gardner is more architecturally interesting but Fine Arts has the Egypt collection.

Hey GT - Finally we have something travel related to discuss! My family is originally from Boston so here are my picks . . .

Quincy Market/Fanuel Hall - fun to walk around and snack. Durgan Park is great - known for prime rib but I had a great lobster roll there!

Aquarium - one of my favorites (like it better than Monterrey).

Freedom Trail - if it's not too cold & you are up for walking.

Cemetary by Boston Commons - can't remember the actual name but Mother Goose & notable founding fathers are buried there. Ride the swan boats in the commons if they are running.

Duck Tours - we did this last time we were there & thought it was great fun & gives you a nice perspective on the city.

Sweet MiMis - It's a great chocolatier outside Boston. Okay, my aunt owns it (one in Andover too), but if you happen to drive by it you should pop in!

Have fun & eat lots of Lobster Rolls - I ate 3 in 24 hours on one trip. I dare you to try and beat that!!!

You guys are the BEST and I absolutely will try and beat your lobster roll record!

I'm printing everything out!

I second Michelle Topor's culinary tour of Boston's North End. Great historical information and great food samples. We visited Haymarket on Friday when it wasn't busy but when back on Saturday, it was mobbed but I had to buy some fresh figs after sampling my first ones on the tour. We also went back to shop the North End since there is no time while on the tour. Had an early dinner there soon after the tour and decided that I did like Italian food when I discovered there's a lot more to it than just red sauce.
No one has mentioned the Kennedy Library. There are changing exhibits. A couple of years ago Jackie Kennedy's clothes were on display. I thought it would be a silly fashion display but it was an amazing education in how her outfits were chosen for her depending on what country she was visiting and what the US govt wanted to honor and her gracious behavior as First Lady.
I also liked Durgin Park but maybe it was the nostalgia of having had lunch there during a 7th grade field trip. The surly waitresses are gone but the menu hasn't changed. Where else can you get Indian pudding and pot roast? Don't forget the discounted ticket stands in Quincy Market and elsewhere for shows.

1. Faneuil Hall - can walk to No. End from here, or
2. Walk through Boston Common/Public Garden to Newbury Street shops, Copley Square, Prudential
3. Red Line to Harvard Square (Cambridge) - ditto make a stop at L.A. Burdick for out-of-this-world hot chocolate or burgers at Bartley's at 246 Mass. Ave
4. North End/Italian section
5. JFK Library
6. ICA, (http://www.icaboston.org/), Museum of Fine Arts, or Boston Museum of Science
7. Agreed B-side is good (Cambridge) or Bob the Chef's for jazz and authentic soul food at www.bobthechefs.com

FYI, the old granary burial ground mentioned in another post was closed due to errant Dr Pepper marketing campaign., see http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...in_near_crypt/ may have been reopened - not sure.

A few updates that may or may not make a difference to you Go Travel

The Children's Museum is closed for renovations.

The "old" Ritz (Arlington and Newbury)is now the Taj Boston. The "new" Ritz is still the Ritz.

The RumBar at the Intercontinental is very nice and has a fireplace or two.

I heard that about the "old" Ritz as well. Really a shame. I stayed there in September and thought it was a lovely, classic hotel.

Good to hear about the Children's Museum. We took our kids there a couple of years ago and I was very disapointed - a lot of things needed repairs. I loved this museum as a child so I'm happy to hear it is going to get some much needed TLC.

The Taj will always be the Ritz to those of us who grew up in the neighborhood. We still also call the Tobin Bridge, The Mystic :)

Here are some thoughts on neighborhood / dive bars:
Plough & Stars on Mass Ave in Cambridge b/n Harvard and Central Squares - a great local with good music. My favorite bar in Boston

Doyle's in Jamaica Plain

Redbones in Somerville

The Sevens Pub (77 Charles Street)
Beacon Hill, around the corner and a world away from Cheers

Other top favorites in Beantown -

Walk the North End - eat at the Daily Catch (Calamari Cafe) or Pomodoro - two little hole in the wall restaurants with great food

Walk the Freedom Trail

Stroll through Boston Common and the Public Gardens then down Newbury Street (If the weather cooperates, Boston is a great walking town)

Museum of Fine Arts

Bookshopping in the Harvard Square area

Good list wayfarer. When I was younger and the seven's was my local, an artist would repaint the walls every year. I'll add the Gardens on Cambridge Street, The casablanca in Hv. Sq. on Brattle street and Burdick's chocolate mice on Brattle.

I tried posting this several times yesterday. Hopefully it works this time!

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You've got some great suggestions.

I second the following: duck tours (even though they don't start until April); Freedom Trail, Tapeo (yum and fun, especially the perron!); Elizabeth Gardner museum; running along the Esplanade, Hammersleys; Doyle's (even though it's kind of out of the way if you're not doing anything else down in that area); the Sevens.

I am not in favor of: Stephanie's or Purple Shamrock.

For a cozy bar right near Faneuil Hall, I love Tiernan's. The beer list is great and they have delish comfort food. Silvertone in Downtown Crossing is fantastic. I live and work right downtown and disagree about F. Hall. Sure, it's touristy, but I still love walking through there and admiring the gorgeous architecture and history.

Since you're staying right near Fort Point, you've got to hit Flour. They're not currently open on Sundays, but the location in the South End is. Flour is on Farnsworth Street, just off Congress Street, which is parallel to Summer Street (where the hotel is) and the bakery/cafe is very near to the Children's Museum just before you cross the bridge to get back into downtown. Their sandwiches and cookies/desserts are TO DIE FOR.

I'm surprised noone's mentioned Chacareros yet in downtown crossing, that's usually a big hit.

If you want a place with a fun atmosphere, and if you're in the South End, hit Pho Republique for the yummy fun cocktails. Also in the South End is Franklin Cafe, which is one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

For italian, as much as I love the North End, I have been a faithful diner at Ivy in the Ladder District downtown ever since it opened early last year. Great food and every bottle of wine is $26. Can't beat that!

I can go on and on and on, but it sounds like your itin is jampacked as it is!

Have fun in my city, hope you enjoy it!
=)

cigalechanta - I know what you mean - we Bostonians do tend to resist change. The Taj will always be the Ritz to me too, and Macy's is still Jordan Marsh or Filene's. So what the heck do we call that building above North Station? Boston Garden, The Fleet Center, the New Garden? Thank God they've never changed the name of the MFA or Fenway Park.

You all are THE GREATEST!

Thanks, this is a tough trip for my husband and I am hoping to make is special.

My stepson was working for Harvard when he passed last March.

GoTravel- I second and third the suggestion for Redbones in Somerville. It's a southern style BBQ place and I am here salivating just thinking of the yummy food there! It's in Davis Square in Somerville.

You should definitely stroll down Newbury Street. There are many boutique style shops there, that are great for window shopping at least! There's also a Ben and Jerrys shop on that street! ;)

I wouls suggest spending at least a few hours in Harvard Square. It makes for some fun "people watching" and there is lots of atmosphere as well. Strolling on the Harvard campus is always very relaxing for me.

All the best- have a safe trip!

Do not miss going on board The USS Constitution ( Old Ironsides ).She is still a commissioned ship in th US Navy.

I live here but am bookmarking anyway - we take things for granted after a few years! Thanks.

Gotta love the Duck!

http://www.bostonducktours.com/

I'm sure you've probably checked the weather forecast by now and know that Friday promises to be ugly with a wintry mix and some accumulation of snow. Luckily, Saturday and Sunday look lovely (for winter-time Boston) with a high near 50 on Saturday.

One thing you might want to consider is a trip to the USS John F. Fitzgerald, a decommissioned aircraft carrier making one last stop in Boston Harbor. Tours are available on Saturday and Sunday for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Unfortunately, I can only imagine the crowds this event will draw so you might not want to give up a large chunk of your weekend to stand in line. But I thought I would mention it in case you are interested and for any other visitors to Boston this weekend.

http://www.boston.com/news/specials/ussjfk/

Oops! That should be the John F. Kennedy, of course!!

Hi GoTravel (and BostonGal),

Unfortunately - Tiernan's in the Financial District has closed. I really miss it.

Cuffs bar at the Jurys Hotel in the Back Bay is cozy - with a nice fireplace.

Have fun!