Mother and I are planning a four day trip to Boston in October. Would it be wise or is it possible to spend a couple of days in Boston then travel the loop (495) around Massachusetts for the next two days? Any ideas on what to see, where to go, etc.? Any help would be appreciated.

It would be helpful if you can tell us what your interests are. Everyone's idea of "what to see" is different, depending on age, interests etc. Are you looking for outdoor activies (hiking), or wandering around smaller towns, or visiting historic homes & museums, or ... ?

FWIW, 2 days IN Boston is not much at all. You may be better off basing yourself in Boston for the entire 4 days, and perhaps take a day trip out of the city if you wish. Many towns can be visited by public transport, so you won't even have to rent a car.

I think the town of Plymouth with its recreation of the pilgrim village is pretty nice to venture to and going to Essex and/or Newburypoint gives you a nice view of the marshlands. Essex is famous for the fried clams and birthplace of clam chowder supposedly.

yk -- I believe you have the right idea about Boston. I have read many of your other post and you offer some terrific tips and ideas about the area. Keep up the good work! Do you know anything about renting from World Vacation Flats?

YK's advice is very sound. Also I-495 isn't really a good road for touring Massachusetts. Its really just a beltway through some of the more boring suburbs. So do let us know what kind of activity or sightseeing you want to do and we can make some recommendations for daytrips. You've probably done this already, but do look back through recent postings on Massachusetts and New England. There have been a lot of discussions about what to do in Boston and the surrounding areas, and you are sure to get some good ideas from them.

We had a good day trip to Concord (Alcott House; Emerson House) and Lexington to the site of the Shot Heard Round the World statue.

We too had a good day trip to Concord and Lexington, but weren't as interested in the authors' homes in Concord (although we did a drive-by) -- we loved the Old North Bridge area and Walden Pond in Concord, as well as the [modern] downtown area.

"It was in neighboring Lexington that the first shots of the American Revolution were fired on April 19, 1775, the day now commemorated as Patriots Day in Massachusetts. But the first American victory was at Concord's Old North Bridge, an easy 15-minute walk from Monument Square, the town center"

Taken from:

http://www.newenglandtravelplanner.c..._west/concord/

Lawlink,

I've never heard of World Vacation Flats. Can you give a link or tell us what they rent in Boston, then someone may be able to give information.

Unless there is someplace you're set on seeing outside of Boston, I'd stay in Boston and maybe take a day trip. I-495 is just a big by-pass Metropolitan Boston highway route.

Visiting Concord in October is a nice idea because you'll see typical Massachusetts countryside, and probably Fall foliage colors.

I've been to Concord during mid-Oct for the last 2 years (around Columbus Day and the following few days); and both years I saw lovely foliage. OTOH, Boston proper was 99% green in comparison.