Help For Boston -Info Needed!

flags

Hey everyone. I will be heading to Boston for the EV solo show. This is my first time to Boston and I am really looking forward to it! I'm coming in Friday afternoon and we will have Saturday (before the show) and most of the day Sunday to take in the sights.
Any ideas on place to see (historical area, etc), places to eat or better yet, places to avoid!?!? No tourist traps! No "chain" restaurants!

Poncier

For historical, you could walk the Freedom Trail, you can find info in a number of places downtown, its a red line that runs from the city into Charlestown and passes a number of historical sights, culminating at Bunker Hill/U.S.S. Constitution.
Faneuil hall is your basic tourist trap, but there is some good food there.

EBowie

The nice thing about the location of the Opera House is that you'll be right downtown. So basically, you're surrounded by historical sights and things to do---without having to travel or even look very hard.

CityMouse

Bolt of Lightning wrote:

Hey everyone. I will be heading to Boston for the EV solo show. This is my first time to Boston and I am really looking forward to it! I'm coming in Friday afternoon and we will have Saturday (before the show) and most of the day Sunday to take in the sights.
Any ideas on place to see (historical area, etc), places to eat or better yet, places to avoid!?!? No tourist traps! No "chain" restaurants!

there are a few threads on boston tourism on the board-take a look through those as well.

For historical places: there is the freedom trail, which will take you by all the historical sites. it is literally a line painted on the sidewalk. http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

Honestly I would suggest a duck tour. they are the tours that go through the streets but then they turn into boats and go in the river. It sounds cheesey, but they are VERY good. My parents have lived in boston for 60 years and they still enjoyed it quite a bit (and trust me they are not site-seeing people).

There are also tours of Fenway Park like every half hour or something (meet in the souveneir shop). I think they cost like $10 or something. If you're into baseball it is pretty interesting.

For good, non-chain eating, go to the north end for Italian or china town (near the opera house) for all types of asian.

For hanging out- for "classy" hanging out there's the back bay- newbury street- lined with brownstones and very boston-looking with some higher end shopping and some cooler places on the mass ave end. Also there is Cambridge...Harvard Sq isn't very exciting but some people like to see harvard. A bit further off the path from Harvard is Inman Sq which has some cool restaurants and coffee shops and stuff.

walk along the river on either side if it is nice out, it's a very pretty scene. and check out the public garden.

everything in boston is ridiculously close together.

Taft

Bolt of Lightning,

I have lived in downtown Boston for 10 years, feel free to PM me if you want any specific suggestions. Depending on your preferences, I can suggest many restaurants.

I agree that doing a Duck Tour and touring Fenway are two great ways to get a feel for the city for a first time visitor. Also visiting the North End to see Paul Revere's house etc...You might want to try and get tickets in advance for both the Duck Tour and Fenway, as there will be lines. Also the Sox are at home this weekend, so park tours will be limited.

Respectfully, in contrast to the post above, I would stay the hell away from Chinatown, there is nothing to see there....

The best places in the city to eat are the North End (Italian) and South End (many options, my favorite area). Or if you like high quality steak restaurants, Grill 23 (Back Bay) or Capital Grill (Newbury Street/Mass Ave), or Abe & Louies (Copley).

flags

Thank you all for the info. It always helps to get the scoop from real people instead of scouring online. Hopefully the weather holds up so we can fully enjoy the city. Any other suggestions, please keep 'em coming!

CityMouse

Taft wrote:

Or if you like high quality steak restaurants, Grill 23 (Back Bay) or Capital Grill (Newbury Street/Mass Ave), or Abe & Louies (Copley).

for this type of dining I would also suggest Atlantic Fish Company (Boylston, near Abe and Louies)- it's like a good steak house but with seafood. I've only been there once but I really liked it.

riffrandall

I second the idea of the South End, not that the North End isn't great- it IS- but it can be a little pricey for what you get. North End can also be a little touristy.
I take everyone who visits me from out of state to Boston Beer Works by Fenway.

crissy_b

While the Duck Tours are great, they are usually sold out well in advance. A nice alternative is one of the trolley tours. You pay one fee for the day and can get on and off wherever and whenever you like.

Another Boston must do is the Swan Boats. They are located in the Public Garden very near the Opera House. At $2.75 per person, you can't beat it!

Tremor-Chris

If your looking for some GREAT beer and good food try the Publick House. It's fairly small and doesn't take reservations, so it might have a bit of a wait if you decide to check it out.

1648 Beacon St

curmudgeoness

What are your interests? Will you have a car or are you taking public transportation?

I believe the Museum of Science is open late on Fridays. If you are the techie type, check out the MIT museum. On your way from the MIT museum to Harvard Square, stop at Toscanini's for some great ice cream. :-)

Harvard Square is heaven if you are a book geek. There is a pretty good university located there, too, with its own museums, tour and attractions.

I like the Freedom Trail. Yes, it's a tourist thing to do, but you see a good part of downtown Boston as you walk around, and it is not an especially long walk (Boston is very compact).

CityMouse

curmudgeoness wrote:

What are your interests? Will you have a car or are you taking public transportation?

I believe the Museum of Science is open late on Fridays. If you are the techie type, check out the MIT museum. On your way from the MIT museum to Harvard Square, stop at Toscanini's for some great ice cream. :-)

Harvard Square is heaven if you are a book geek. There is a pretty good university located there, too, with its own museums, tour and attractions.

I like the Freedom Trail. Yes, it's a tourist thing to do, but you see a good part of downtown Boston as you walk around, and it is not an especially long walk (Boston is very compact).

mmmmm Toscanini's.....

flags

I won't be renting a car... walking, taxi when needed, etc. Hopefully no rain! I think the history of Boston (and our country) is interesting, so the Freedom Trail seems like a no-brainer. Once again, thank to all for your suggestions. With such a short time in the city, I want to make the most of it. Seeing EV is just icing on the cake.

CityMouse

Bolt of Lightning wrote:

I won't be renting a car... walking, taxi when needed, etc. Hopefully no rain! I think the history of Boston (and our country) is interesting, so the Freedom Trail seems like a no-brainer. Once again, thank to all for your suggestions. With such a short time in the city, I want to make the most of it. Seeing EV is just icing on the cake.

you won't need taxis unless it's after 12:30am. Cabs are expensive here.
http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/