Six hours in Boston - What to do?

[lordscarlet]

The short of it: My wife and I are going to a wedding in Cape Cod on Columbus Day Weekend. We fly into Boston before noon on Friday and we would like to spend some time there before driving up to the cape. I have never been to Boston, she has been once or twice to visit a friend in college. What should we do while there?

[miked]

Usually for Columbus Day, there is some fun stuff going on in the North End. There are a ton of restaurants, Paul Revere's house, part of the Freedom Trail, and just across the bridge in Charlestown (literally 5 minutes) is the Bunker Hill monument and USS Constitution. It's 2 stops on the T from the airport, or probably a 5-10 minute cab ride.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

The short of it: My wife and I are going to a wedding in Cape Cod on Columbus Day Weekend. We fly into Boston before noon on Friday and we would like to spend some time there before driving up to the cape. I have never been to Boston, she has been once or twice to visit a friend in college. What should we do while there?

driving down to the cape

North End is always a fun and delicious way to kill a few hours. Depending on how ambitious you want to be I'd agree with the Freedom Trail - you don't necessarily have to walk the whole thing if you don't have that much time, but even taking a cab between a few of the more "highlight" spots on it would be good (Old North Church, Granary Burial Ground, Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall)

[SirFozzie]

DT's answer is a bit flip.. but it has the ring of truth.

Driving to the cape on a weekend/holiday is not going to be fun nor easy. Traffic Jam hell WILL occur, budget I'd say.. what, DT, an hour? Two Hours? more than expected, just in case..

[Telle]

Skip Boston and enjoy more time out on the cape.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

DT's answer is a bit flip.. but it has the ring of truth.

Driving to the cape on a weekend/holiday is not going to be fun nor easy. Traffic Jam hell WILL occur, budget I'd say.. what, DT, an hour? Two Hours? more than expected, just in case..

My answer was flip? Really?

Oh I just meant directionally the Cape was down.

I think by Columbus Day weekend they should be decent on a Friday afternoon.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Telle

Skip Boston and enjoy more time out on the cape.

False.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

False.

I honestly get bored out at the cape now. Every time I go, I just end up biking around the area, but I can really do that anywhere. I'm not one for the shops and little tourist traps everywhere.

I'm a much bigger fan of the "history" in Boston, but when you've had enough of that, you still have the option of going to all kinds of nice restaurants or various forms of entertainment (movies/theatre/boston pops/sports/etc)

[boberot]

Just spent about six hours on the Freedom Trail two days ago. My first visit to Boston.
If you have even the most remote interest in history, you can't be disappointed.

Plus, it's right by Quincy Market / public gardens / etc.

Very, very impressed.

[Lathum]

I have never been on the Boston duck boat tour, but usually you can see a decent number of sights in a few hours on them.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

If you do a duck tour consider buying tickets ahead of time as they are quite popular.

[Telle]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

False.

Eh, I'm just not a big fan of Boston. In the four years we lived in Massachusetts, we probably went into Boston less than five times. It was always just such a hassle to get into and around the city.

I loved the cape though. I would go camping out on the cape every year with the women's group from my church to celebrate the summer solstice.

[DaddyTorgo]

Duck Tours are kinda silly and touristy...but they're fun in their own way. You can't get on-and-off and actually see the history though, which is a downside. It's just kinda "drive-by." I guess it depends on your style though.

We can do one next time you're in town Lathum! We'll bring Colin along!!

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by boberot

Just spent about six hours on the Freedom Trail two days ago. My first visit to Boston.
If you have even the most remote interest in history, you can't be disappointed.

Plus, it's right by Quincy Market / public gardens / etc.

Very, very impressed.

Yuppers. And ummm - no shout-out to the Boston folks that you were coming??

[JPhillips]

DT's mom?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

DT's mom?

What about my mom?? She's awesome.

Ohhh...I get it.

*KEELS YOU*

[boberot]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Yuppers. And ummm - no shout-out to the Boston folks that you were coming??

It was a pretty quick trip.

Plus I'm not exactly a household name around here.

[SirFozzie]

Actually took a co-worker from Australia on the Duck boats.. it's a nice way to spend an hour or so, and it is an amphibious tour...

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Telle

Eh, I'm just not a big fan of Boston. In the four years we lived in Massachusetts, we probably went into Boston less than five times. It was always just such a hassle to get into and around the city.

I loved the cape though. I would go camping out on the cape every year with the women's group from my church to celebrate the summer solstice.

I wonder if this perhaps a city vs. anti-city bias. I figure as long as I take the T to a central location, I'm good to go. I don't really see how it can be a "hassle" to walk around the city, but perhaps that's because I've never been there. I love to visit and walk-around cities. I like to just go check out the neighborhoods and not necessarily even see something touristy.

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Duck Tours are kinda silly and touristy...but they're fun in their own way. You can't get on-and-off and actually see the history though, which is a downside. It's just kinda "drive-by." I guess it depends on your style though.

We can do one next time you're in town Lathum! We'll bring Colin along!!

Yeah, we have Duck Tours here as well. I should do one some time, I hear they're actually pretty fun.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

I wonder if this perhaps a city vs. anti-city bias. I figure as long as I take the T to a central location, I'm good to go. I don't really see how it can be a "hassle" to walk around the city, but perhaps that's because I've never been there. I love to visit and walk-around cities. I like to just go check out the neighborhoods and not necessarily even see something touristy.



Yeah, we have Duck Tours here as well. I should do one some time, I hear they're actually pretty fun.

It's fun - but I think if you enjoy walking around and checking stuff out more you might be better served by checking out some of the Freedom Trail spots on your own, rather than just driving by and getting the "30 second pitch" on them from the driver.

Totally up to personal taste though. But they do sell out quite often, so if you're going to do that, get tickets online (pretty sure you can do it more than a day ahead?)

[Alan T]

I live further from Boston than DT does, so my trips to Boston are less frequent and usually have more of a purpose. I'm not in Boston a ton per say. When I am there though, I almost always just walk through town to the various stuff I am going to, whether it is a ball game or whatever. I've actually never done a duck boat tour or ever gotten a taxi in Boston and I've lived in Mass for 11 years now.

If I do need Public Transportation to get further than walking would permit easily, I'll just take the T

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I live further from Boston than DT does, so my trips to Boston are less frequent and usually have more of a purpose. I'm not in Boston a ton per say. When I am there though, I almost always just walk through town to the various stuff I am going to, whether it is a ball game or whatever. I've actually never done a duck boat tour or ever gotten a taxi in Boston and I've lived in Mass for 11 years now.

If I do need Public Transportation to get further than walking would permit easily, I'll just take the T

You know my new apartment is like...right next to the Natick Collection Alan. Decent lil walk over to the movie theater.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

It's fun - but I think if you enjoy walking around and checking stuff out more you might be better served by checking out some of the Freedom Trail spots on your own, rather than just driving by and getting the "30 second pitch" on them from the driver.

Totally up to personal taste though. But they do sell out quite often, so if you're going to do that, get tickets online (pretty sure you can do it more than a day ahead?)

Yeah, no, I'm not going to do a Duck Tour. I was just saying I'm familiar with how they roll.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

Yeah, no, I'm not going to do a Duck Tour. I was just saying I'm familiar with how they roll.

Haha. Good one.

[miked]

Having lived in Atlanta for quite some time, I really miss the ease of getting around in Boston. I used to walk home from Fenway all the way to the North End after games. Took maybe 30 minutes if we didn't stop to drink along the way, but it really is probably the easiest city to get around in.

[GoldenEagle]

I was in Boston last March for about the same time period. We took a bus into South Station. We walked around the Commons (I think that is what it is called) and grabbed some food at the Cheers bar. We saw Fenway and then walked the Freedom Trail to the Bunker Hill Monument. If you decide to go up the stairs, make sure you are in decent shape. It is a long climb. We then finished up the trip by checking out Harvard.

[JediKooter]

The Freedom Trail is pretty cool. Watch out for the over aggressive bums over by the Holocaust memorial though.

[Noop]

I would hang with DT long as he isn't trying to talk about politics.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Noop

I would hang with DT long as he isn't trying to talk about politics.

Nah - not in person. Save that for the board. In person when you meet board-folks I find it's best to keep things on...non-controversial subjects. There's always plenty else to talk about anyways.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by Noop

I would hang with DT long as he isn't trying to talk about politics.

He'll show you his collection of dead cat pictures though.


j/k

[DaddyTorgo]

haha - i have no such collection

i have a collection of autographed Star Trek pictures though

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

You know my new apartment is like...right next to the Natick Collection Alan. Decent lil walk over to the movie theater.

Ha, I'm right up the road off route 9 in Framingham .

[jeff061]

And yeah, buy a MBTA day pass, I don't think it could get much easier to get around. If I'm working in Boston for the day or if I just want to hang out I take the green line in.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Ha, I'm right up the road off route 9 in Framingham .

My office is on route 9 in Framingham. I just don't go in anymore. Maybe once every 3 weeks. So I hardly ever get inside of 495 these days.

[jeff061]

If you ever need any IT consulting work done let me know, (I can't help myself ).

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Ha, I'm right up the road off route 9 in Framingham .

No shit??

We really have no excuse not to grab a beer sometime out here then dude.

I'm in the apartment complex right across Speen St. from the mall...behind Guitar Center and Burlington Coat Factory.

[dawgfan]

What to do really depends on where your interests lie, but I'll second (third?) the notion that Boston is a great city for walking around. I've enjoyed Quincy Market and walking around the Freedom Trail - lots of great, historical places to see. And it's not terribly far from there to cross the Charles and get to Bunker Hill and the U.S.S. Constitution. The aquarium in Boston is pretty good and also a short walk from Quincy Market, or you can head in the other direction and check out Boston Common. Or you could head over to Cambridge and check out Harvard's campus and the surrounding community. There are some good museums on the campus.

You could also tour the area around Fenway - the MFA is close by and is an excellent art museum, and Newbury Street is also close and an interesting walk, with classic old brownstones and all kinds of retail and restaurants lining the street for several blocks.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

No shit??

We really have no excuse not to grab a beer sometime out here then dude.

I'm in the apartment complex right across Speen St. from the mall...behind Guitar Center and Burlington Coat Factory.

Yeah man. I'm next to Framingham state across from the Wholefoods.

[Castlerock]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

I wonder if this perhaps a city vs. anti-city bias. I figure as long as I take the T to a central location, I'm good to go. I don't really see how it can be a "hassle" to walk around the city, but perhaps that's because I've never been there. I love to visit and walk-around cities. I like to just go check out the neighborhoods and not necessarily even see something touristy.

Boston is a VERY walkable city.

Like others have said, the freedom trail is really interesting. Especially if you like history. Just do whatever part you have time for.

As for neighborhoods, the North End is great. Just start wandering down some random, narrow side streets. And my old neighborhood, the south-slope of Beacon Hill, is fantastic. Early 1800's architecture and postcard beautiful.

[digamma]

Near Columbus Day, the leaves on the trees along the Charles should be really nice.

For a first visit, the Freedom Trail is a must do.

The Kennedy Library is also really well done and could be a bad weather alternative.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Yeah man. I'm next to Framingham state across from the Wholefoods.

Like in the Granada? Or down one of those side-streets that cuts back up to Edgell?

[jeff061]

Georgetown, which is really the same complex as Granada.

I actually park my car in the garage underneath the Granada.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Georgetown, which is really the same complex as Granada.

I actually park my car in the garage underneath the Granada.

Georgetown - yep! I know it. Well not the inside, but I've driven past it many a time. Used to work at the Starbucks at 27 and 30 in Wayland and had a good friend who lived in Framingham Center so I'd always hop on 9 and head down that way to her place after work and all.

Good shit.

[lordscarlet]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm guessing we'll hit the freedom trail and then wander around. Maybe find some shops or something if we're there -- is there perhaps a particular neighborhood that is more of an arts district, that would have local artists' stuff?

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

For galleries, at least, look to Newbury Street (ritzy shopping) or the South End (trendy spots).

[Noop]

B&G Oysters get the Lobster Roll or Lobster Bucati whatever its called.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

For galleries, at least, look to Newbury Street (ritzy shopping) or the South End (trendy spots).

What Ronnie said. There's also bunches of carts and vendors both outside and on the wings of the food-court at Faneuil Hall - some of them have touristy schlock, but some have actual nice local artists stuff. That's if you're looking cheaper than like...the nice galleries, for knick-knacks and smaller things.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by miked

Took maybe 30 minutes if we didn't stop to drink along the way, but it really is probably the easiest city to get around in.

It's one of the easiest if you know what you're doing or have someone who does. If you're an out of towner who tries to come in and drive around downtown... good luck Walking/taking the T should be fine as long as you either 1) don't really care about making it to a specific point or 2) have a nice map (I've seen ones that overlay the subway system on top of a street map.)

Speaking of out of towners and driving... without needing specific details I am curious about your itinerary... you're planning to rent a car in the city? and then is there a rehearsal dinner you need to be at on the Cape at a certain time Friday night? South Shore people would know better than I, and hopefully Columbus Day weekend wouldn't be as bad as summer ones, but that last 15 miles and the bridge onto the Cape can be an absolute nightmare on Friday afternoons.

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

No shit??

We really have no excuse not to grab a beer sometime out here then dude.

I'm in the apartment complex right across Speen St. from the mall...behind Guitar Center and Burlington Coat Factory.

Is that by the jump over from Rt 9 to the Pike? I used to work like 2 miles down near the Stop&Shop and take that every Fri/Sat/other nights I went straight into Boston.

[molson]

Ya, you have to pick a neighborhood and then be the kind of person that feels OK about wandering around and possibly getting lost. If you need to be somewhere a certain time and you're not familar with the area, you really have to be careful.

I lived in MA for 20 years and am still confused by the geography of Boston (it doesn't help that I'm a pretty crappy driver). But once I settle into a neighborhood for the day, night, or weekend, its a good time.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Is that by the jump over from Rt 9 to the Pike? I used to work like 2 miles down near the Stop&Shop and take that every Fri/Sat/other nights I went straight into Boston.

He said behind burlington coat factory, so that sounds like the crossover side. The other side is by the movie theater I think. (which ironically enough I ran into DT at once out of the blue).


Since we have a bunch of folks it sounds like in the Framingham area, right down the street from my office is a pub called Owen O'Leary's that has a monday night special 25cent wings and 99cent cheese pizzas (personal pizzas) that I go to fairly often with friends from my softball team. It's over at the Southborough side of Framingham and not the Natick side though.

If anyone is looking for a cheap place for Monday night football get togethers.