Making a long weekend in Boston, possibly more. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Borla · 05-21-2007, 06:20 PM

The wife and I decided to set in stone at least one long weekend trip for the year. We have made most of the reservations necessary to spend the Labor Day weekend in Boston. We have decent tickets (cost an arm and a leg

) to the Red Sox game on that Sunday, and are looking at other options for enjoying the city.

I have picked up a couple of touristy travel books for the city. It looks like the Freedom Trail walk will be on the agenda, and possible a ride on the Ducks to see the city from the water.

We are planning a Friday to Monday trip for now, with the option to extend it if we find enough we want to do.

maleficent · 05-30-2007, 01:44 PM

The freedom trail, fanueil hall, quincy market, the old north church (think paul revere) and the swan boats are all the touristy things to do... and all kind of fun though on a holiday weekend they will be packed

There's a bunch of bars around Fenway that are fun to hang out and watch the drunks play... plus give yourself some time to wander around Fenway... and the green monster - its definitely an old school park and as much as I hate the Red Sox they aren't too many parks left like it anymore..

Newbury street has all the fancy schmancy shops for window shopping and a nice outdoor cafe or two for lunch.

Cambridge/Harvard/MIT are nice for wandering around...

Ghe timing m ight be off - but the Coit Observatory at Boston University is kinda cool - though I Know they arent open year round..

The Bull and Finch Pub on Beacon Street is the inspiration behind Cheers... pop in for a drink

Lansdowne street has a lot of nightlife and probably a lot of drunken college co-eds

and it's almost across the street from fenway - though the bars on yawkey at game time are more fun

a note on the freedom trail -wear walking shoes - girlie sandals won't cut it - most of the trail is cobblestone or brick and girlie shoes will end up in broken ankles..

At the NavyYard is the USS COnstitution (old Ironsides) and is pretty impressive to see..

the new england aquarium is pretty cool if you like that sort of thing

there are a bunch of whale watching type boat tours that you can take which you might or might not see whales but the boat ride is always nice.. .

the museum of science is pretty cool - better for kids though and the Museum of FIne Arts is alsovery nice - but really better on a rainy day

Borla · 06-12-2007, 07:14 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.

Right now we are trying to figure out where to stay. It's tough weighing all the factors of budget vs. location vs. cool/unique factor.

We are looking at the Lenox Hotel, Holiday Inn Government Center, Intercontinental, and various Bed and Breakfasts. I want to be in the heart of things, but I'd really prefer to spend less than $300/night.

Decisions, decisions!!

maleficent · 06-14-2007, 06:55 AM

It's been ages since i've stayed in boston -but in cambridge there's a fairly nice hotel across the street from MIT - and right near a subway stop - it's geek central but you've got the "coolness" of being near harvard too... The Kendall hotel -it's kind of old but it's a neat hotel.

the kimpton group - a chain of hotels - that's really not at all chain like has a few properties in boston - the hotels in other cities have a definitel "coolness" to them - ad usually nice addresses...

THere are a bunch of newer hotels that are harbourside that are also really nice and have great views -there's a hyatt and marriott there as well.

and the Parker House (ever hear of PArker house rolls? this is where they came from is right off the freedom trail - old old old hotel but really neat.

Boston's transportation is pretty good -if you can get a hotel walking distance to subway you're pretty much golden...

Borla · 06-14-2007, 08:03 PM

Thanks for all the help.

Originally we were going to rent a car, but the more research I do, the more I am thinking the subway and our feet will be plenty.

maleficent · 06-15-2007, 04:49 AM

unless you need to leave the city - like heading to the outlets in maine or new hampshire (tax free shopping) parking in boston is expensive and you'd be paying for a rental that you're just parking. as well as driving in boston is an adventure -boston, hands down, has the most aggressive and worst drivers I've ever seen - and I've been to a lot of places

Public transport is convenient and walking is the best way to go. cabs are readily available if you've walked your feet off

Borla · 06-15-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

unless you need to leave the city - like heading to the outlets in maine or new hampshire (tax free shopping) parking in boston is expensive and you'd be paying for a rental that you're just parking. as well as driving in boston is an adventure -boston, hands down, has the most aggressive and worst drivers I've ever seen - and I've been to a lot of places

Public transport is convenient and walking is the best way to go. cabs are readily available if you've walked your feet off

I have a bad back that gets aggravated with walking, but I can usually tough it out when I have to. I'm also comfortable even when driving in NYC and Chicago in the past, but I've heard Boston is a bad place to drive (or at least the downtown is) for people not familiar with it. So our plan now is to hoof/cab/subway anywhere we need to go.

Borla · 06-22-2007, 01:16 PM

My wife and I were wanting to do a long weekend somewhere later this year in a city we've never been to. We both named a few cities, and one that was near the top of both of our lists was Boston. So we started doing some research and decided on that as our plan.

Obviously, to stay downtown in any major city is fairly expensive. We like to stay at fairly nice places most of the time too, and we really wanted to be downtown, so we could walk or take the train everywhere in Boston.

I was lusting after the Intercontinental, but the CHEAPEST room was over $350/night after tax, and we were wanting to stay five nights. I really didn't want to spring for an $1800 hotel bill.

So, I decided to look at some other places, and we came up with a list of places that were $175-200/night. I decided that I'd book our flights, then call each place individually to see if I could negotiate a better rate than was online. I've found in some cases that if I call the hotel directly, am booking multiple rooms or multiple nights, or offer to pay in advance, that they will cut me as much as 40-50% off of published rates. What did I have to lose, right? :shrug:

So I go to Yahoo Travel, and pick the flights. I thought I was getting a pretty good deal at $204 each, round trip.

Then, after confirming the flight info, it asked me if I wanted to package it with a hotel......................and recommended the Intercontinental.......for a price of ~$150/night!!!

Needless to say, I booked it!

Regular price, the hotel stay would've been about $1850 total. That is WITHOUT the flights. Instead, I booked the flights and the exact same hotel stay for over $500 less, and that price includes all taxes and fees.

I am so psyched.

maleficent · 06-22-2007, 02:49 PM

that's an awesome deal... especially for a holiday weekend

if it's the intercontinental i'm thinking - it's right near the water and absolutely lovely

enjoy

Borla · 06-22-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

that's an awesome deal... especially for a holiday weekend

if it's the intercontinental i'm thinking - it's right near the water and absolutely lovely

enjoy

It is.

It's only a couple years old, and supposed to be VERY nice.

Sorry for the cut and paste of the last post all, I was cross-posting on a couple of forums.

HamiC · 07-19-2007, 03:58 AM

Any thoughts on where you might eat?

I am a big fan of the North End (Boston's Little Italy). Legal Sea Foods is known for its seafood. The South End is the current "it" foodie neighborhood.

fresnelly · 07-19-2007, 06:20 AM

Are the Red Sox playing? If the opposing team isn't a major draw like the Yankees you might be able to get walk-up tickets. Even if you're not a huge baseball fan, the carnival atmosphere is fantastic.

I also recommend Legal SeaFoods for a fine but reasonably priced dinner, though a decent Lobster Roll (sandwich) can be had for cheap at Fanueil Hall.

Borla · 07-22-2007, 05:55 PM

We have lots of ideas as to where we might eat.

I expect that we will hit up reasonable/budget places that will have good local food at lunchtime, then splurge on higher dollar places at dinner.

We definitely plan to get some good seafood, and hit up the Little Italy spots.

maleficent · 07-23-2007, 01:11 PM

The current issue of Cooking Light magazine had a pretty decent spread on Boston as one ofhte best cities to visit..

http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking/...633564,00.html

it's got some good ideas for restaurants to try... as well as some touristy things to do...

Borla · 07-23-2007, 08:24 PM

Thanks for the insight.

My wife is a bit of a foodie, and I am always game for a great restaurant.

Borla · 09-04-2007, 02:55 PM

We had a great time. Weather was perfect, and we got to see/do a lot.

The Fenway Park tour is a must for any old school baseball fan!! We did that, as well as going to a game the next day. We did the Duck Tour, which was very entertaining. We hung out one afternoon in Boston Commons, hit the Aquarium, did a concert on the Harbor, walked part of the Freedom Trail, visited Fenueil Hall and Quincy Market a couple of times, and hit up a ton of great restaurants. I highly recommend Mama Maria's in the North End, and Davio's in the Back Bay neighborhood.

And the Intercontinental was just awesome!!

05-21-2007, 06:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	Making a long weekend in Boston, possibly more. The wife and I decided to set in stone at least one long weekend trip for the year. We have made most of the reservations necessary to spend the Labor Day weekend in Boston. We have decent tickets (cost an arm and a leg ) to the Red Sox game on that Sunday, and are looking at other options for enjoying the city. I have picked up a couple of touristy travel books for the city. It looks like the Freedom Trail walk will be on the agenda, and possible a ride on the Ducks to see the city from the water. We are planning a Friday to Monday trip for now, with the option to extend it if we find enough we want to do. __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

05-30-2007, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	The freedom trail, fanueil hall, quincy market, the old north church (think paul revere) and the swan boats are all the touristy things to do... and all kind of fun though on a holiday weekend they will be packed There's a bunch of bars around Fenway that are fun to hang out and watch the drunks play... plus give yourself some time to wander around Fenway... and the green monster - its definitely an old school park and as much as I hate the Red Sox they aren't too many parks left like it anymore.. Newbury street has all the fancy schmancy shops for window shopping and a nice outdoor cafe or two for lunch. Cambridge/Harvard/MIT are nice for wandering around... Ghe timing m ight be off - but the Coit Observatory at Boston University is kinda cool - though I Know they arent open year round.. The Bull and Finch Pub on Beacon Street is the inspiration behind Cheers... pop in for a drink Lansdowne street has a lot of nightlife and probably a lot of drunken college co-eds and it's almost across the street from fenway - though the bars on yawkey at game time are more fun a note on the freedom trail -wear walking shoes - girlie sandals won't cut it - most of the trail is cobblestone or brick and girlie shoes will end up in broken ankles.. At the NavyYard is the USS COnstitution (old Ironsides) and is pretty impressive to see.. the new england aquarium is pretty cool if you like that sort of thing there are a bunch of whale watching type boat tours that you can take which you might or might not see whales but the boat ride is always nice.. . the museum of science is pretty cool - better for kids though and the Museum of FIne Arts is alsovery nice - but really better on a rainy day __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

06-12-2007, 07:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	Thanks for the suggestions. Right now we are trying to figure out where to stay. It's tough weighing all the factors of budget vs. location vs. cool/unique factor. We are looking at the Lenox Hotel, Holiday Inn Government Center, Intercontinental, and various Bed and Breakfasts. I want to be in the heart of things, but I'd really prefer to spend less than $300/night. Decisions, decisions!! __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

06-14-2007, 06:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	It's been ages since i've stayed in boston -but in cambridge there's a fairly nice hotel across the street from MIT - and right near a subway stop - it's geek central but you've got the "coolness" of being near harvard too... The Kendall hotel -it's kind of old but it's a neat hotel. the kimpton group - a chain of hotels - that's really not at all chain like has a few properties in boston - the hotels in other cities have a definitel "coolness" to them - ad usually nice addresses... THere are a bunch of newer hotels that are harbourside that are also really nice and have great views -there's a hyatt and marriott there as well. and the Parker House (ever hear of PArker house rolls? this is where they came from is right off the freedom trail - old old old hotel but really neat. Boston's transportation is pretty good -if you can get a hotel walking distance to subway you're pretty much golden... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

06-14-2007, 08:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	Thanks for all the help. Originally we were going to rent a car, but the more research I do, the more I am thinking the subway and our feet will be plenty. __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

06-15-2007, 04:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	unless you need to leave the city - like heading to the outlets in maine or new hampshire (tax free shopping) parking in boston is expensive and you'd be paying for a rental that you're just parking. as well as driving in boston is an adventure -boston, hands down, has the most aggressive and worst drivers I've ever seen - and I've been to a lot of places Public transport is convenient and walking is the best way to go. cabs are readily available if you've walked your feet off __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

06-22-2007, 01:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	My wife and I were wanting to do a long weekend somewhere later this year in a city we've never been to. We both named a few cities, and one that was near the top of both of our lists was Boston. So we started doing some research and decided on that as our plan. Obviously, to stay downtown in any major city is fairly expensive. We like to stay at fairly nice places most of the time too, and we really wanted to be downtown, so we could walk or take the train everywhere in Boston. I was lusting after the Intercontinental, but the CHEAPEST room was over $350/night after tax, and we were wanting to stay five nights. I really didn't want to spring for an $1800 hotel bill. So, I decided to look at some other places, and we came up with a list of places that were $175-200/night. I decided that I'd book our flights, then call each place individually to see if I could negotiate a better rate than was online. I've found in some cases that if I call the hotel directly, am booking multiple rooms or multiple nights, or offer to pay in advance, that they will cut me as much as 40-50% off of published rates. What did I have to lose, right? :shrug: So I go to Yahoo Travel, and pick the flights. I thought I was getting a pretty good deal at $204 each, round trip. Then, after confirming the flight info, it asked me if I wanted to package it with a hotel......................and recommended the Intercontinental.......for a price of ~$150/night!!! Needless to say, I booked it! Regular price, the hotel stay would've been about $1850 total. That is WITHOUT the flights. Instead, I booked the flights and the exact same hotel stay for over $500 less, and that price includes all taxes and fees. I am so psyched. __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

06-22-2007, 02:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	that's an awesome deal... especially for a holiday weekend if it's the intercontinental i'm thinking - it's right near the water and absolutely lovely enjoy __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

07-19-2007, 03:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
HamiC Insane Location: USA	Any thoughts on where you might eat? I am a big fan of the North End (Boston's Little Italy). Legal Sea Foods is known for its seafood. The South End is the current "it" foodie neighborhood.

07-19-2007, 06:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	Are the Red Sox playing? If the opposing team isn't a major draw like the Yankees you might be able to get walk-up tickets. Even if you're not a huge baseball fan, the carnival atmosphere is fantastic. I also recommend Legal SeaFoods for a fine but reasonably priced dinner, though a decent Lobster Roll (sandwich) can be had for cheap at Fanueil Hall. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

07-22-2007, 05:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	We have lots of ideas as to where we might eat. I expect that we will hit up reasonable/budget places that will have good local food at lunchtime, then splurge on higher dollar places at dinner. We definitely plan to get some good seafood, and hit up the Little Italy spots. __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

07-23-2007, 01:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	The current issue of Cooking Light magazine had a pretty decent spread on Boston as one ofhte best cities to visit.. http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking/...633564,00.html it's got some good ideas for restaurants to try... as well as some touristy things to do... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

07-23-2007, 08:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	Thanks for the insight. My wife is a bit of a foodie, and I am always game for a great restaurant. __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

09-04-2007, 02:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	We had a great time. Weather was perfect, and we got to see/do a lot. The Fenway Park tour is a must for any old school baseball fan!! We did that, as well as going to a game the next day. We did the Duck Tour, which was very entertaining. We hung out one afternoon in Boston Commons, hit the Aquarium, did a concert on the Harbor, walked part of the Freedom Trail, visited Fenueil Hall and Quincy Market a couple of times, and hit up a ton of great restaurants. I highly recommend Mama Maria's in the North End, and Davio's in the Back Bay neighborhood. And the Intercontinental was just awesome!! __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!