Boston (for visitors)

darwinstheory

So, we're heading to New England in a few weeks. Flying into Boston, driving up to Bar Harbor, over to NH and VT. We've got that pretty well planned out. At the end of the trip, we are driving from Stowe, VT to Boston and spending the last 3 nights there. We are planning to do the Freedom Trail and some time up in Salem. 

Question is where to stay? I've heard Boston is a nightmare to drive around. Chicago traffic doesn't bother me, but I'm also familiar with the area. Lodging near the airport/Chelsea seems significantly less expensive. And would be easier to get up to Salem. Or am I still better off getting lodging in the Beacon Hill area? 

Poncier

Boston is tough driving because the city streets are basically old cow paths from colonial days they paved over. Very different driving situation than most major cities. Small and tight, not sprawling like a lot of planned cities.

I would avoid staying in Chelsea, not the greatest area. East Boston closer to Logan is fine.
But if you choose to stay in the city, be it Beacon Hill or Back Bay/Copley, you probably won't need to use the car to do most things in the city. It's pretty walkable. If you stayed in Eastie you could take the T (subway) into downtown and then use the car to drive to Salem. If there's a big cost savings on the room, that may be your best option.

darwinstheory

Poncier said:

Boston is tough driving because the city streets are basically old cow paths from colonial days they paved over. Very different driving situation than most major cities. Small and tight, not sprawling like a lot of planned cities.

I would avoid staying in Chelsea, not the greatest area. East Boston closer to Logan is fine.
But if you choose to stay in the city, be it Beacon Hill or Back Bay/Copley, you probably won't need to use the car to do most things in the city. It's pretty walkable. If you stayed in Eastie you could take the T (subway) into downtown and then use the car to drive to Salem. If there's a big cost savings on the room, that may be your best option.

Thanks @Poncier for the info. I'm assuming Eastie is the same as East Boston? And Back Bay/Copley seem to be relatively safe areas?

GlowGirl

For the Fenway shows I stayed at the CitizenM Hotel - Boston Back Bay. It was a really nice area to walk around with lots of cool shops, restaurants, and bars. But I am not local to the area - so I can’t compare with other areas of Boston. 

Halifax2TheMax

Kendall square and Harvard square are also possibilities as they’re both on the red line which will get you over the river into Boston proper. Kendall is where MIT and Harvard is Harvard. You can walk from Kendall into Boston via mass ave bridge and to the north end via the long fellow. Lots of hotels on either side of the Charles but the Copley area is most central to everything and Boston is very walkable, plus the T is easy and convenient. Have fun.

Poncier

darwinstheory said:

Poncier said:

Boston is tough driving because the city streets are basically old cow paths from colonial days they paved over. Very different driving situation than most major cities. Small and tight, not sprawling like a lot of planned cities.

I would avoid staying in Chelsea, not the greatest area. East Boston closer to Logan is fine.
But if you choose to stay in the city, be it Beacon Hill or Back Bay/Copley, you probably won't need to use the car to do most things in the city. It's pretty walkable. If you stayed in Eastie you could take the T (subway) into downtown and then use the car to drive to Salem. If there's a big cost savings on the room, that may be your best option.

Thanks @Poncier for the info. I'm assuming Eastie is the same as East Boston? And Back Bay/Copley seem to be relatively safe areas?

Yes, Eastie is nickname for East Boston.

Back Bay/Copley are pretty safe areas of the city with lots to do in walking distance.

Wobbie

where can you avoid wahlbergs ?

Halifax2TheMax

Wobbie said:

where can you avoid wahlbergs ?

Stay out of Southie.

Poncier

Wobbie said:

where can you avoid wahlbergs ?

Boston.
They are all in LA/Vegas now.

Gern Blansten

We stayed at the Boxer and really liked it...convenient location.

curmudgeoness

I'd ditch the car for the in-town part of your stay. Public transportation is abundant, driving and parking are nightmares, and the city is very small -- you can walk from Copley to the North End in 20-30 minutes.

We almost always stay in Copley Square. You can walk to the Charles, Back Bay/Comm. Ave., the Public Garden, Boston Common, the Fens, Fenway, Newbury Street (shopping). Easy access to lots of shops and restaurants, cultural attractions (Museum of Fine Art, the Gardner Museum, Symphony Hall), etc.

You didn't mention if you're traveling with kids or not. If you are, you can take the T to the New England Aquarium, which is great, or the Museum of Science, or you can go over to Cambridge and visit the museums at Harvard. 

CarryTheZero

I took my family here and we loved it. Go to Air BnB and stay at the Quaker Friends House in Beacon Hill next to the Capitol. Was $120 a night in 2018. Have to share a bathroom hall and live in a communal situation.

markymark550

Be careful up there. I heard some dude pukes a lot there

darwinstheory

Thank you @curmudgeoness good info there. It is just the fiancé amd I. Both in our young 40's.

Gern Blansten

markymark550 said:

Be careful up there. I heard some dude pukes a lot there

fact...I've seen the evidence

elvistheking44

My daughter is a freshman at Boston college. We’ve been four times since January with move in and visits. Parking in Boston is actually worse than anything I’ve seen in Chicago or New York. Lots of places to park in those cities you just have to pay. Boston, very little garage space I feel. We’ve rented houses near campus and we’ve stayed downtown. I’ve rented cars and spent tons in Ubers. Driving is absurd. No direct streets anywhere, ridiculous amounts of turns to get to your destination and the roads are absolute garbage IMO, very hard on a car. We will probably always stay downtown from now on just take the T back and forth now that we are settled and won’t be moving or stocking up until next year.

Gern Blansten

elvistheking44 said:

My daughter is a freshman at Boston college. We’ve been four times since January with move in and visits. Parking in Boston is actually worse than anything I’ve seen in Chicago or New York. Lots of places to park in those cities you just have to pay. Boston, very little garage space I feel. We’ve rented houses near campus and we’ve stayed downtown. I’ve rented cars and spent tons in Ubers. Driving is absurd. No direct streets anywhere, ridiculous amounts of turns to get to your destination and the roads are absolute garbage IMO, very hard on a car. We will probably always stay downtown from now on just take the T back and forth now that we are settled and won’t be moving or stocking up until next year.

I had a real hard time with the T...it just didn't seem as user friendly as the Chicago system which I've been on multiple times.

curmudgeoness

darwinstheory said:

Thank you @curmudgeoness good info there. It is just the fiancé amd I. Both in our young 40's.

Try to get a reservation at Krasi (Greek food). La Voile for traditional French food.

VINNY GOOMBA

darwinstheory said:

So, we're heading to New England in a few weeks. Flying into Boston, driving up to Bar Harbor, over to NH and VT. We've got that pretty well planned out. At the end of the trip, we are driving from Stowe, VT to Boston and spending the last 3 nights there. We are planning to do the Freedom Trail and some time up in Salem. 

Question is where to stay? I've heard Boston is a nightmare to drive around. Chicago traffic doesn't bother me, but I'm also familiar with the area. Lodging near the airport/Chelsea seems significantly less expensive. And would be easier to get up to Salem. Or am I still better off getting lodging in the Beacon Hill area? 

We stayed in the North End for Fenway 1.  If you love Italian Food and pastries, this is your spot!