nytraveler

Sorry -

Have I missed something?

My first thought is you're shipping what up to Boston? (I thought it might be about getting furniture up to college or something.)

Anonymous

The Adams NHP tour will take 2 hours; it's basically a video and a tour of 3 houses, 2 of which are very small (and also located 2 blocks from my house!). You should have no problem combining that with another south-of-Boston activity, especially if you're staying south of Boston rather than heading back thru Boston to Peabody afterwards. If the Mayflower II is in port, get the combination ticket; its tiny scale never fails to impress the kiddos about the hardships that the colonists endured.

molly1153

nytraveler,

"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is a Woody Guthrie song that the Dropkick Murphys covered. It's played at many sporting events.

In our house, it's a hockey song -- my boys listen to it to get psyched-up for a game.

I thought it'd be appropriate for my thread title b/c we're going to Boston & it's a family song.

HTH

yk

Along the South Shore, is the JFK library and Museum. Go visit if you can.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/

If the weather is nice, you can head out to Castle Island.
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/castle.htm
Looks like the Fort isn't open until Memorial Day, but I think you can still walk around though.

Other nature things in the south shore is World's End in Hingham. I was there last summer and it's quite a nice little hike with nice views of the ocean.
http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/393_world_s_end.cfm

If you prefer hiking up mountains, the Blue Hills would be the place to go.
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue.htm

You can do any or all of these things on the second half of your trip when you're at the South Shore.

And while you are still in the Peabody area, do consider visitng House of Seven Gables.
http://www.7gables.org/index.htm

Anonymous

Technically, the JFK Museum and Castle island are still in Boston, not on the South Shore.

The House of 7 Gables is in Salem, about half a mile from the Peabody Essex museum.

GretchenG

Hi,

I'm a Boston By Foot guide and wanted to comment on the ongoing conversation here. The Park Rangers are great folks, but they do a free tour for the public. So $12 (and $8 for kids) is an investment in a great tour. BBF guides are volunteers who (after extensive training) give the tours because the love showing visitors the city.
Our Footloose on the Freedom Trail does the whole enchilada (3 miles, 16 sites) and we will end at the USS Constitution - and you'll be able to tell how the guide is doing by that point since you'll have been there already.
The Footloose tour is $15 btw - it's twice as long as a regular tour and only $3 more.
If you are in Charlestown Saturday night you could also eat at Olive's (Todd English Italian restaurant)in City Square. It's about 5 minute walk from Old Ironsides and not nearly so touristy. The Warren Tavern is a great old pub with good food and several veggie alternatives. You can ask your BBF guide on Sunday for some recommendations, that's something we all like to do also (and the Rangers are usually having to book back to HQ for another tour, poor things!)

bachslunch

My experience on Olives is that it's very expensive and not as good a bang-for-the-buck as other pricey Boston places. I also found the Warren Tavern a place heavy on old time atmosphere but pretty pedestrian in its pub grub. The best meal I've had in Charlestown was actually at a Moroccan place, Tangierino, though it may be too exotic for some diners.

I think it's worth the modest walk to the North End rather than staying in C'town for a munch. Feel free to check out my aging but still useful research on the North End over at Chowhound for some options:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/448599