Things to do in Boston?

LukinFan

I was lucky enough to win tickets to Fenway night 1 and plan to be in Boston over the weekend. What are some historical must-see spots that my fiance and I  should check out? (Music related or not.) If there's already a thread about this, I apologize. 

Thanks!

dingers

Jumping in on this, I would also like to know, doing both shows so have some free time so also looking for ideas...

JimmyV

A few things I would recommend:

Boston Harbor Islands

http://www.bostonharborislands.org/

The Freedom Trail

http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

Museum of Fine Arts

http://www.mfa.org/

willnyc

Freedom Trail for sure - and there are historic taverns along the route...

feeder

Go to Cambridge visit Harvard
Sam Adams Tour, it was pretty cool.  The train drops you off in a neighborhood and you have to walk a few blocks to find it.

NDJeff7

I'll be up that weekend as well, as my #1 spot is to grab dinner in the North End and hit Mike's Pastry.

F Me In The Brain

Union Oyster House.  Claims to be America's longest continuously running restaurant.  Cool place and if you like oysters you can go wrong.

feeder

F Me In The Brain said:

Union Oyster House.  Claims to be America's longest continuously running restaurant.  Cool place and if you like oysters you can go wrong.

Berkeley 10/31/93,Indio 11/5/93

Greek Theater is STILL my all time favorite show!!  Wish I could've experienced the Indio show.

JB288319

Another vote for the Freedom Trail, great way to see the historical sites and it's free unless you do a guided tour, just follow the brick trail around town. Check out the Bunker Hill Monument for a nice view of the skyline

The observation deck at the Prudential Tower is worth the price of admission if the weather's clear. There's a very informative audio tour you can do that gives a lot of cool history while you're taking in the view

If you're into seafood Rule 34 is fantastic, but a little pricey. Get a reservation. Best raw bar and lobster roll IMO though is at Neptune Oyster. They don't take reservations and it's very small. The nice thing is that you can give them your phone # and walk around the neighborhood while you wait. It's worth it, so good.

If you're into beer head out to Publick House in Brookline, one of the best tap lists in town. Also worth heading to Trillium to pick up some cans or if you want drafts they had a pop-up beer garden on the greenway downtown during the summer that will hopefully be back next year

LiteTheMatch

Whale Watching!

mcgruff10

neighborhood around breed's hill along the freedom trail was fantastic.  I also second seeing harvard and the surrounding town.

amethgr8

That trail looks awesome and the uss constitution, I want to tour and paul reveres house! Thanks for the suggestions!

JimmyV

The trail is absolutely fantastic and will take you through so many points of interest. Boston isn't big and is perfectly walkable. Great city to be outdoors in.

Miss.Snowdrop

I only looked briefly into things to see and do in and around Boston. I saw Salem is not too far away. Has anyone ever been there and would you recommend it? 

Poncier

Miss.Snowdrop said:

I only looked briefly into things to see and do in and around Boston. I saw Salem is not too far away. Has anyone ever been there and would you recommend it? 

Salem is worth doing if you are interested in the history of the witch trials. There are several places/museums there to visit that deal with that. The actual "House of the Seven Gables" that Hawthorne's book is based on is also a museum there.

JB288319

Miss.Snowdrop said:

I only looked briefly into things to see and do in and around Boston. I saw Salem is not too far away. Has anyone ever been there and would you recommend it? 

Honestly I'd say only if you've been to Boston before and feel like you've seen the sights and want to venture out a bit, or if you're just super into the whole witch trials history. Otherwise there's so much to see in the city I don't think it's worth the trip

PJNB

Looking at a place in Revere now since my last one within walking distance to Fenway was cancelled and everything is now booked up. Its on Dedham st. Is this a decent neighbourhood? I have heard good and bad things about the  Revere beach area. Also I was think of driving into the show and parking. There is a good rate at this location. 30 Kilmarnock st The Harlo Garage. 

We are going down with our 3 kids and my mother in law will be watching them while we are at the show. I am trying to limit my time away from the kids before and after the show so I thought driving in would be the quickest way in and out just worried that I would get stuck in the area around Fenway before and after the show trying to park and return home. Any locals have any advice?

pjl44

PJNB said:

Looking at a place in Revere now since my last one within walking distance to Fenway was cancelled and everything is now booked up. Its on Dedham st. Is this a decent neighbourhood? I have heard good and bad things about the  Revere beach area. Also I was think of driving into the show and parking. There is a good rate at this location. 30 Kilmarnock st The Harlo Garage. 

We are going down with our 3 kids and my mother in law will be watching them while we are at the show. I am trying to limit my time away from the kids before and after the show so I thought driving in would be the quickest way in and out just worried that I would get stuck in the area around Fenway before and after the show trying to park and return home. Any locals have any advice?

That's a good location for a garage if you're getting a decent rate. Traffic getting out is pretty much what you'd expect, but not terrible since you're in the city and lots of people take public transportation.

From an access standpoint any places to stay in Brookline, Cambridge, Allston/Brighton, Newton, or Watertown? Revere isn't bad bad, just dingy. And those areas will be easier to get to/from before/after the show.

ed243421

PJNB said:

Looking at a place in Revere now since my last one within walking distance to Fenway was cancelled and everything is now booked up. Its on Dedham st. Is this a decent neighbourhood? I have heard good and bad things about the  Revere beach area. Also I was think of driving into the show and parking. There is a good rate at this location. 30 Kilmarnock st The Harlo Garage. 

We are going down with our 3 kids and my mother in law will be watching them while we are at the show. I am trying to limit my time away from the kids before and after the show so I thought driving in would be the quickest way in and out just worried that I would get stuck in the area around Fenway before and after the show trying to park and return home. Any locals have any advice?

Revere?

take a look at Stoneham if you’re driving in

ed243421

Poncier said:

Miss.Snowdrop said:

I only looked briefly into things to see and do in and around Boston. I saw Salem is not too far away. Has anyone ever been there and would you recommend it? 

Salem is worth doing if you are interested in the history of the witch trials. There are several places/museums there to visit that deal with that. The actual "House of the Seven Gables" that Hawthorne's book is based on is also a museum there.

There’s this

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2015/12/29/secret-password-and-cash-will-get-you-luscious-pork-dinner/n9wjdvu6Uqxsf9YBk1fWXK/story.html

F Me In The Brain

You can go to @ed243421 's house and eat graham crackers on his couch.  Be sure to wipe the crumbs on the floor. 

ed243421

* eagle fans excluded

Poncier

PJNB said:

Looking at a place in Revere now since my last one within walking distance to Fenway was cancelled and everything is now booked up. Its on Dedham st. Is this a decent neighbourhood? I have heard good and bad things about the  Revere beach area. Also I was think of driving into the show and parking. There is a good rate at this location. 30 Kilmarnock st The Harlo Garage. 

We are going down with our 3 kids and my mother in law will be watching them while we are at the show. I am trying to limit my time away from the kids before and after the show so I thought driving in would be the quickest way in and out just worried that I would get stuck in the area around Fenway before and after the show trying to park and return home. Any locals have any advice?

I'd term Dedham St Revere an OK neighborhood at best, its off of Broadway, basic residential area, not the finest part of Revere.
I think you can do better, especially if bringing the kids.

SVRDhand13

ed243421 said:

* eagle fans excluded

NFL season will probably open two days after the second fenway show and there are no philly PJ shows.  Expect to see A LOT of Eagles gear.  

ed243421

Green is my favorite color!

F Me In The Brain

ed243421 said:

* eagle fans excluded

Good thing we are both believers in Jimmy Jesus bringing the 49ers to the promised land. 

dingers

The Freedom Trail sounds good! Easy enough time wise to do that and see Pearl Jam the same day? reserved seating gets the whole being there super early out the window need so trying to pad out the gig days along with the full day inbetween

Gern Blansten

pjl44 said:

PJNB said:

Looking at a place in Revere now since my last one within walking distance to Fenway was cancelled and everything is now booked up. Its on Dedham st. Is this a decent neighbourhood? I have heard good and bad things about the  Revere beach area. Also I was think of driving into the show and parking. There is a good rate at this location. 30 Kilmarnock st The Harlo Garage. 

We are going down with our 3 kids and my mother in law will be watching them while we are at the show. I am trying to limit my time away from the kids before and after the show so I thought driving in would be the quickest way in and out just worried that I would get stuck in the area around Fenway before and after the show trying to park and return home. Any locals have any advice?

That's a good location for a garage if you're getting a decent rate. Traffic getting out is pretty much what you'd expect, but not terrible since you're in the city and lots of people take public transportation.

From an access standpoint any places to stay in Brookline, Cambridge, Allston/Brighton, Newton, or Watertown? Revere isn't bad bad, just dingy. And those areas will be easier to get to/from before/after the show.

I had the Holiday Inn Brookline booked but just changed to the Boxer to be closer to downtown

JimmyV

If you do end up booking outside the city my recommendation would be to look west. Newton, Brookline, Watertown...these places are all relatively close to Fenway. Your trip in and out will be easiest if you are going east/west, both if you are driving/parking or taking public transportation. I wish I had good advice on cheap hotels but in Boston there just aren't a lot.

stickman

It is touristy I know, but seeing Boston from the Duck Boats is always fun IMO !!! Just book ahead of time !!

stickman

Book The Midtown.  Not crazy expensive.  Easily walk to Fenway.  Stayed there in 2016, and was a good place to stay.