One day in Boston

[Whitecaps]

Hello! We're traveling to Massachusetts for a family wedding and decided to stay an extra day to explore Boston. My husband has never been and the last time I was there I was about 10 years old. So, consider us newbies. We'll have a car and just one day (a Monday in early April). What should we do/see/eat? We enjoy history, architecture, supporting local restaurants, and craft brews. Not really into formal museums. 

Thanks!

[erbear]

Bunker Hill!
Fanueil Hall
Quincy Market
Boston Commons

[mbcdefg]

Guided tour of Fenway Park

Trillium Brewery

James Hook for a lobster roll

[just]

RockNVoll is wise. Her suggestions are what you need and are everything that I would recommend.

You'll want to consider the car when you're getting a hotel, that can come as a shock as parking is pricy. But using some of the parking apps should help you find a cheaper spot than your hotel if you're comfortable walking and moving bags. I usually recommend the boston commons for it's location and it's (relative) reasonableness.

[Whitecaps]

Mar 14, 2019 23:55:29 GMT -5 just said:

You'll want to consider the car when you're getting a hotel, that can come as a shock as parking is pricy. But using some of the parking apps should help you find a cheaper spot than your hotel if you're comfortable walking and moving bags. I usually recommend the boston commons for it's location and it's (relative) reasonableness.

Thanks for this! We will actually be staying with family in Acton and driving in, so we were going to have to find city parking regardless. (Unless there is good public transit from Acton, I suppose. Haven't had a chance to look into it.)

[Whitecaps]

Mar 14, 2019 21:50:38 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Guided tour of Fenway Park

I can't believe I didn't think of this! We love baseball. Going to look into this now!

[devonpow]

Which Monday? If it’s the 15th that is Patriots Day in Massachusetts and the marathon is that day (both good and bad for being a tourist )

If the weather is good just walking the Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city and hit a majority of the historic sites. If you are pressed for time or want to fit other things in just knock of the Charlestown part of the walk (Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution) and it’s very manageable in terms of distance and time (although I personally think those two are worth the walk).

[devonpow]

Also the commuter rail is easy and you can take it from Acton - use mbta.com to plan your trip and it will tell you all you need! Much easier than driving and parking.

[mbcdefg]

Mar 16, 2019 17:48:52 GMT -5 Whitecaps said:

Mar 14, 2019 21:50:38 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Guided tour of Fenway Park

I can't believe I didn't think of this! We love baseball. Going to look into this now!

MH is a big Yankees fan and loathes the Red Sox, but he really loved the Fenway tour.

I forgot to mention Night Shift Brewing.

[Whitecaps]

Mar 16, 2019 21:37:21 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Which Monday? If it’s the 15th that is Patriots Day in Massachusetts and the marathon is that day (both good and bad for being a tourist )

If the weather is good just walking the Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city and hit a majority of the historic sites. If you are pressed for time or want to fit other things in just knock of the Charlestown part of the walk (Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution) and it’s very manageable in terms of distance and time (although I personally think those two are worth the walk).

We'll be there April Fool's Day! I imagine the crowds/traffic hurdles would be awful on marathon day so I'm glad we escaped that. 

I really appreciate the transit tip from Acton, too. I will look into that more. It may come down to how much extra time transit would take over driving, vs. the expense of parking, since our time is limited. I think we'll likely start our day at Fenway for a tour and go from there. I wish we had more than a day, now that I'm looking into this more, but it's what we could spare. 

[Alps79]

RockNVoll Such great suggestions! We are going in October; I'm really excited and feel like it's going to become one of my fav cities. Do you have any other suggestions on where to stay? Our trip dates have changed, we're going on Oct 12. Also- how many days are ideal? If we arrive Saturday afternoon.... we really want to "see" Boston. Both my daughters are really into history; they're excited too. Are 4 full days plenty? We have family in Concord and plan on spending a day there too. Hotel prices aren't getting any lower so I think I want to book something soon.


pandce.proboards.com/thread/608620/boston-hotel-vrbo-recs

[mbcdefg]

Apr 8, 2019 13:12:21 GMT -5 Alps79 said:

RockNVoll Such great suggestions! We are going in October; I'm really excited and feel like it's going to become one of my fav cities. Do you have any other suggestions on where to stay? Our trip dates have changed, we're going on Oct 12. Also- how many days are ideal? If we arrive Saturday afternoon.... we really want to "see" Boston. Both my daughters are really into history; they're excited too. Are 4 full days plenty? We have family in Concord and plan on spending a day there too. Hotel prices aren't getting any lower so I think I want to book something soon.


pandce.proboards.com/thread/608620/boston-hotel-vrbo-recs

The best price I've paid in Boston came from a Kimpton Hotels email, so if you're not already on their mailing list I would sign up and keep an eye out.

We stayed at the Kimpton Onyx and paid about $150/night. I booked about two months out. Nice place.

[mrspez07]

Take the red line (or drive) to Quincy and do the tour of the Adams family homes. My favorite historic thing I’ve done in Boston. Operated by the NPS.