Boston in 2017

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OzEire

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It has been at least 4 year since we had a thread on Boston, MA, USA. I'm currently planning a few days there in my USA tag to the next Ireland trip (Edit: in late November 2017).

Current thinking is to stay at the Intercon near South Station, but reading reviews elsewhere suggest that Downtown/Faneuil and Back Bay are preferred but perhaps more touristy places.

Anyway, looking for advice on the Intercon, where to stay if not there and any must do's (noting we will have a 4 year old in tow, but hoping this won't slow us down too much).

Much appreciated, OzEire!
 
We were there in late mid to late October last year and it was pretty cold (but blue skies). We had two nights and two full days there. We stayed at the Hilton which was ok, but would probably try a different hotel next time.

We found Boston very walkable and did lots of walking. If you're happy with that, then the area you've picked is ok. I suppose depends also what you plan on doing.

We walked the The Freedom Trail which was a good way to see a lot of interesting things. We took an Uber to the northern start point and walked back.

The Boston Harbor Hotel looked like a fantastic location.

Airport is incredibly quick to get to and from by car. Total dump of a place though. Although I do believe that BA have a new lounge there.
 
It has been at least 4 year since we had a thread on Boston, MA, USA. I'm currently planning a few days there in my USA tag to the next Ireland trip (Edit: in late November 2017).

Current thinking is to stay at the Intercon near South Station, but reading reviews elsewhere suggest that Downtown/Faneuil and Back Bay are preferred but perhaps more touristy places.

Anyway, looking for advice on the Intercon, where to stay if not there and any must do's (noting we will have a 4 year old in tow, but hoping this won't slow us down too much).

Much appreciated, OzEire!
We stayed 2 nights at the Intercon in late June...nice hotel, and was in a great location (for touristy things) by the harbour and just opposite the Boston Tea Party museum (which i would recommend visiting). We found Boston a very walkable city and only took an Uber if we were a bit lazy to walk 1/2 hour. the Intercon is a 5-10 minute walk from South Station if you arriving in Boston by train. There is a free bus from Boston Logan airport to South Station as well :)
Some of the things we did in our brief stay in Boston: Dim Sum lunch in Chinatown, Italian Dinner in North End (Italian neighbourhood), Faneuii Hall Market place, Boston Common (gardens), Freedom trail (walking tour), walked to Beacon Hill and then across the Charles River via the Long Fellow bridge, took a ferry from Long Wharf to Charlestown Naval Shipyard and back. You can pick my brain further if you are coming to dinner on Sat ;)
 
I was in Boston about two weeks ago. Recommend the Boston Tea Party Museum.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum | Voted #1 Museum in Boston

Also recommend a Red Sox game at Fenway Park if they are playing during your stay.

I stayed in an airbnb near the norther end of the Freedom Trail (Charlestown), so can't help with accommodation advice.
 
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We will arrive in Boston in a few days.
Staying at the faneuil hilton , partly because they offer a room rate with parking , although still usurious….
 
We will arrive in Boston in a few days.
Staying at the faneuil hilton , partly because they offer a room rate with parking , although still usurious….
Parking in Boston is more than usurious! It's one of the reasons I stayed in an airbnb that included car parking.
 
We will arrive in Boston in a few days.
Staying at the faneuil hilton , partly because they offer a room rate with parking , although still usurious….

I still haven't worked out how to say Faneuil (fan wheel, far new eel)

Please, can I ask for a trip report ;)
 
If doing the Freedom Trail and feel like a very casual lobster roll, we stopped in at Luke's Lobster on Washington St. Was pretty good.
 
I recommend the Union Oyster House and then a drink in the Green Dragon or Bell in Hand (right near each other).
Newbury Street is good for shopping, stopping at Emack and Bolio's for ice cream.
The Mapparium is a quirky place.
Cambridge is nice if you want to wander around Harvard, not so much touristy things to do there. Stop at JP Licks for ice-cream though if you're there.
If you're in the North End and wanting to stop for coffee, try out Cafe Vittoria.
 
If you like American BBQ, then Larry J's BBQ Cafe Boston MA hits the spot in Boston. A little out of the way and extremely casual. Buy at the window and sit outside kind of thing. Not really a restaurant. Food is however excellent. Had a good chat with the owner is was originally from LA. Tried to convince him to setup shop in Australia :)
 
Jumping on this thread - but it's now Boston in 2019.

We have some holes to fill for a trip in Oct this year. We're thinking 4 nights in Boston ... have never visited before. Do you think 4 nights is too much, or too little?
 
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Jumping on this thread - but it's now Boston in 2019.

We have some holes to fill for a trip in Oct this year. We're thinking 4 nights in Boston ... have never visited before. Do you think 4 nights is too much, or too little?

On our only visit we had 2 nights & could certainly have enjoyed 4 nights no problems. Thought walking the Freedom Trail was well worth doing. I think Oct would have plenty of major sport options for viewing and I think Halloween might be difficult to avoid in Boston
 
Our last stay was over 10 years ago but some still relevant. 'Fan ee ull' Hall. We were in Boston for our niece's graduation from Boston Uni, a splendid occasion. She booked us into Omni Parker House, wonderful place but so it should have been for the price......we then moved for the remainder of our stay to the Elliot Suites I think in Back Bay, which were great - worth considering a serviced apartment or a BnB (especially now you have a toddler) as you can have some meals in which is cost effective. Loved shopping in Newbury Street, so many interesting shops and great places to eat. Chowders and Lobsters a must! We had the choice of a baseball game or the Boston Pops - which we chose - and was brilliant. If you're a member of a motoring or similar club it's worth checking reciprocal clubs. MrMac is an RACV Club member and had reciprocal rights at The Harvard Club no less, we had a truly splendid dinner, family very impressed - best of all no money changed hands, as they billed our club account back in Melbourne.Boston is very leafy, lots of parks and public spaces - it reminded us of Melbourne in that respect. Have a great time!
 
Thank you all.

We'll go for four nights - just need to work out the best location for a hotel.
 
Jumping on this thread - but it's now Boston in 2019.

We have some holes to fill for a trip in Oct this year. We're thinking 4 nights in Boston ... have never visited before. Do you think 4 nights is too much, or too little?
We spent 4 nights there in Apr 2017. We stayed in the hilton chain, Back Bay Area (not downtown) it was walking distance to downtown. We picked it as it was close to Fenway park, the fine arts museum, close to home straight of the marathon, in a brown stone area and handy to everything. It was an easy day walk through the gardens, up to Paul Revere house, old north church and the ship yards then a ferry back to the aquarium area and a cab back to the hotel. Another day was was a walk to to tea party museum, children’s museum, china town for lunch. Sounds like a lot of walking but with a 9yr old in tow it was not that difficult. If you use trains, these are also easy to use, we caught a couple.

Finally, unless the laws have changed just be aware if booking accomodation with lounges MA laws do not allow “happy hours” so if you stay in hotel that has a licensed bar, it is unlikely (based on our experience) that the hotel lounge will provide complementary alcohol.
 
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Jumping on this thread - but it's now Boston in 2019.

We have some holes to fill for a trip in Oct this year. We're thinking 4 nights in Boston ... have never visited before. Do you think 4 nights is too much, or too little?

It's a great city, we visited same time (oct) last year for 6 nights. Also a first time visit.

I did a mini boston trip report on page 2 of this Bermuda trip report:


Some quick tips:

Stay close to downtown. Anywhere within a 10 minute walk of Quincy Market is good, and it must be said that the centre of town is very walkable.

The public transport is very good by US standards. You can also find coffee which is better than usual US standards.

For some nice local seafood, try Fin Point.

Columbus Day weekend is on in October. If your visit coincides with this (Oct 12-14) then book your accomodation early.

 
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