“Must-do” suggestions for a Boston first timer

curmudgeoness

In general, what to recommend depends on where your interests lie. If you have a car and like history, you could drive out to Lexington and Concord.

If you like art museums, there's the MFA and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (site of one of the most famous art heists in history). If you like science museums, there's the Museum of Science, the Harvard Museum of Natural History (which is, in itself, like a trip back in time -- old building, heavy smell of formaldehyde, plus the famous glass flower exhibit), and museums at MIT.

Faneuil Hall is basically a food court swarming with tourists.

The nice thing about Boston is that it's easy to get around on foot or on the T, so you can see a lot, and without using a car.

bbiggs

All great stuff! Another dumb question regarding the Fenway tour. I’m a huge baseball fan (and baseball history) so I’d love to tour the ballpark and ideally get a picture on the field by the Green Monster. I’m not sure if the tours normally allow field access, but being the day between shows, I’d assume that won’t happen, or if it does, my thought of grabbing a green monster picture likely isn’t happening. Thoughts? 

CantKeepmedown

Taft said:

YourDirtisMyfood said:

If you're staying in town, Fanueil Hall and The Aquarium are fun stuff.  If you love craft beer, Trillium in Canton, MA (check if they are open).  If you are into PJ history, the Xfinity Center (Home of the Experiment from 2003) is 20 minutes from Canton, MA.  If you want to see history, Freedom Trail is very popular.  The North End is also fun.  Lots to do.

Trillium has a beer garden right across from the Aquarium and near the North End, do not go to Canton. 

Agree with others who say the Freedom Trail, and you can self guide with your phone. Also agree that while they are super touristy, duck boat tour is a good way to see the city. 

Other than that, walk the Common, go to Castle Island to see Fort Independence. Do the Harbor walk.  If you go to Faniuel Hall, do NOT eat there. Modern Pastry>Mike’s Pastry with shorter lines. 

I think the beer garden in the North End is closed on Monday and Tuesday.  There is the other brewery on Congress St, but no pours/samples.  Just cans to go. 

bbiggs

^ That sucks! Was looking forward to the beer garden. Looks like Canton or nothing. 

dankind

ed243421 said:

That’s him!

he just punched me last week

Turkey slapped, you mean?

ed243421

  

Taft

CantKeepmedown said:

Taft said:

YourDirtisMyfood said:

If you're staying in town, Fanueil Hall and The Aquarium are fun stuff.  If you love craft beer, Trillium in Canton, MA (check if they are open).  If you are into PJ history, the Xfinity Center (Home of the Experiment from 2003) is 20 minutes from Canton, MA.  If you want to see history, Freedom Trail is very popular.  The North End is also fun.  Lots to do.

Trillium has a beer garden right across from the Aquarium and near the North End, do not go to Canton. 

Agree with others who say the Freedom Trail, and you can self guide with your phone. Also agree that while they are super touristy, duck boat tour is a good way to see the city. 

Other than that, walk the Common, go to Castle Island to see Fort Independence. Do the Harbor walk.  If you go to Faniuel Hall, do NOT eat there. Modern Pastry>Mike’s Pastry with shorter lines. 

I think the beer garden in the North End is closed on Monday and Tuesday.  There is the other brewery on Congress St, but no pours/samples.  Just cans to go. 

True. You could go Sunday, but realizing OP is asking about Monday only. I still wouldn’t go all the way to Canton. Go to a place like Row 34 or Worden Hall and get Trillium on tap. Great food too, especially the seafood at R34

NB283405

bbiggs said:

All great stuff! Another dumb question regarding the Fenway tour. I’m a huge baseball fan (and baseball history) so I’d love to tour the ballpark and ideally get a picture on the field by the Green Monster. I’m not sure if the tours normally allow field access, but being the day between shows, I’d assume that won’t happen, or if it does, my thought of grabbing a green monster picture likely isn’t happening. Thoughts? 

No, you don't get access to the field or the dugouts in the basic tour.  There's a "Day Game Premium Tour" that offers access to the warning track for photos, but I'm assuming it isn't available with the concert setup.  It's been a few years since I took the tour, but I remember going in the visitor's locker room and press box.

kid canada

Just remember to pahk the cah at the hahvad yahd

ed243421

egg dankind’s house

RatherStarved

Jadler said:

kst said:

Jadler said:

If it’s a nice day follow the harbor walk all the way from the seaport district to the north end or visa versa. Great views of the city, Boston harbor, and you can walk off all the pastries and pizza that you’ll have no doubt consumed. Fenway does offer tours for a very reasonable price if you are into baseball history. Make sure you stroll through Boston Common and Boston Public Gardens. Each area of town can be pretty unique. Happy to recommend some good eats/ drink spots if interested! 

Um I'm pretty sure there won't be Fenway tours available on Monday.

Ohhh didn't even think of that! I just checked and it looks like they do still offer them on Monday but just in the AM:

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/tours

I stand corrected!

Jadler

Taft said:

CantKeepmedown said:

Taft said:

YourDirtisMyfood said:

If you're staying in town, Fanueil Hall and The Aquarium are fun stuff.  If you love craft beer, Trillium in Canton, MA (check if they are open).  If you are into PJ history, the Xfinity Center (Home of the Experiment from 2003) is 20 minutes from Canton, MA.  If you want to see history, Freedom Trail is very popular.  The North End is also fun.  Lots to do.

Trillium has a beer garden right across from the Aquarium and near the North End, do not go to Canton. 

Agree with others who say the Freedom Trail, and you can self guide with your phone. Also agree that while they are super touristy, duck boat tour is a good way to see the city. 

Other than that, walk the Common, go to Castle Island to see Fort Independence. Do the Harbor walk.  If you go to Faniuel Hall, do NOT eat there. Modern Pastry>Mike’s Pastry with shorter lines. 

I think the beer garden in the North End is closed on Monday and Tuesday.  There is the other brewery on Congress St, but no pours/samples.  Just cans to go. 

True. You could go Sunday, but realizing OP is asking about Monday only. I still wouldn’t go all the way to Canton. Go to a place like Row 34 or Worden Hall and get Trillium on tap. Great food too, especially the seafood at R34

Row 34 is fantastic. Great beer & great seafood. Can't go wrong.

F Me In The Brain

ed243421 said:

egg dankind’s house

Can you get past his security first? 

JR86440

bbiggs said:

Hey, All,

First time in Boston this weekend. Can you give a few “must-do” suggestions for my wife and I to do on the off day Monday? Thanks! 

Definitely wear as much Yankee gear as possible. Bostonians love the friendly rivalry. You will get free beer all weekend

dankind

F Me In The Brain said:

ed243421 said:

egg dankind’s house

Can you get past his security first? 

I'll be up on the roof with a pellet gun full of rock salt just waiting for you damn vandals.

bbiggs

JR86440 said:

bbiggs said:

Hey, All,

First time in Boston this weekend. Can you give a few “must-do” suggestions for my wife and I to do on the off day Monday? Thanks! 

Definitely wear as much Yankee gear as possible. Bostonians love the friendly rivalry. You will get free beer all weekend

I bet! Hope they like looking at my Cubs gear. 

HesCalledDyer

bbiggs said:

JR86440 said:

bbiggs said:

Hey, All,

First time in Boston this weekend. Can you give a few “must-do” suggestions for my wife and I to do on the off day Monday? Thanks! 

Definitely wear as much Yankee gear as possible. Bostonians love the friendly rivalry. You will get free beer all weekend

I bet! Hope they like looking at my Cubs gear. 

Wearing Cubs gear in Boston?  You'll find out how quickly Red Sox fans forgot about their own suffering.

bbiggs

HesCalledDyer said:

bbiggs said:

JR86440 said:

bbiggs said:

Hey, All,

First time in Boston this weekend. Can you give a few “must-do” suggestions for my wife and I to do on the off day Monday? Thanks! 

Definitely wear as much Yankee gear as possible. Bostonians love the friendly rivalry. You will get free beer all weekend

I bet! Hope they like looking at my Cubs gear. 

Wearing Cubs gear in Boston?  You'll find out how quickly Red Sox fans forgot about their own suffering.

Lol. Luckily I have thick skin. 

ed243421

#upperdeckermonday!

F Me In The Brain

ed243421 said:

#upperdeckermonday!

#uppertankTuesday