Boston Trip - Need Recommendations

[Schaumburger]

I may go to Boston late summer for about 4-5 days, so I have time to kick this around. Any recommendations on what areas to stay in, and not stay in (safety). Any hotel recommendations would be welcome. I know Boston is probably pricey, so hotel recommendations under $170 per night would be helpful.

I was looking at hotels in the Copley Square/Boston Public library area -- is this a safe area?

I will probably will not have a rental car -- how is public transporation/taxi service in Boston? I know that if you stay in downtown-Loop/near north side of Chicago, a rental car is not really necessary, so I'm assuming Boston is the same.

Is a visit to Salem and Plymouth recommended? I'm assuming I would need a rental car to go to Salem and Plymouth -- is that correct?

[Debfrommaine]

Highly recommend The Parker House - great location and check the internet for deals. Lovely city - have fun!

[al & jane]

We are not from New England so definitely not experts but, from a tourist's perspective, we loved the Crane Mansion in Ipswitch, MA.

[michaelkir]

The "T" (subway) will get you around downtown Boston without much trouble. I would consider doing the:

Freedom Trail..it's a historic walking tour at your own pace, or you can take a guided Freedom Trail tour
The "MFA" (Museum of Fine Arts) It's on the "T" route
Take a walk along the Charles River and watch the crew teams from the bridges
Do lunch in Harvard Square. It's across the river but the "T" will get you there.
Lunch and shop at the Quincy Market, during the day there are usually street performers.

As for Plymouth about 45 minutes south of Boston....very nice golf, however Plymouth rock is a complete let down....if you are going to travel head out to Lexington and Concord...20-30 minutes west of Boston and lots of things to see. You can see the rude bridge that arched the flood where once embattled farmers stood....you know the rest

Salem..the Witch museum is neat and do the water front but right next door is Glouster, Cape Ann and Plum Island with the fishing fleets and wouderful beaches.

Have fun

[natickdan]

I grew up in Boston and attended middle school in Copley Square ( Back Bay ) and I would strongly recommend choosing a hotel in the Copley Square area because you are within walking distance to:

Fenway Park

The Boston Duck Tours ( a must and becausenthey sell out well in advance, I suggest you order the tickets on-line )

The Boston Public Gardens

The Boston Common

Beacon Hill

You are a short walk to the underground trolley system ( the oldest in the country ) and can easily get to:

Harvard Square in Cambridge

Fanuel Hall

Boston's North End (The Italian section of Boston that has a number of very good Italian Restaurants).

In the North End, I suggest you try:

Regina's Pizzaria ( The original one and although there will be a wait, it's worth any wait)

Pastry: Mikes Pastry and/or Modern Pastry ( tourist tend to go to Mikes and locals go to Modern and I prefer Modern )

One you are committed to go, send me a PM if you have any questions.

[Avista]

We stayed I the Copley area. Got our hotel through Priceline (the first time I used it). Ended up in the Sheraton. Bid and paid $95/ night.

[Schaumburger]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. I finally saw the John Adams HBO miniseries on DVD and that put a bug in my ear to maybe go to Boston. Should see the place where so much American history was made.

[Bosoxfan]

I grew up in Boston and attended middle school in Copley Square ( Back Bay ) and I would strongly recommend choosing a hotel in the Copley Square area because you are within walking distance to:

Fenway Park

The Boston Duck Tours ( a must and becausenthey sell out well in advance, I suggest you order the tickets on-line )

The Boston Public Gardens

The Boston Common

Beacon Hill

You are a short walk to the underground trolley system ( the oldest in the country ) and can easily get to:

Harvard Square in Cambridge

Fanuel Hall

Boston's North End (The Italian section of Boston that has a number of very good Italian Restaurants).

In the North End, I suggest you try:

Regina's Pizzaria ( The original one and although there will be a wait, it's worth any wait)

Pastry: Mikes Pastry and/or Modern Pastry ( tourist tend to go to Mikes and locals go to Modern and I prefer Modern )

One you are committed to go, send me a PM if you have any questions.

Great restaurant but my personal favorite is La Famiglia right down the street fro Regina's

[Mudder]

I agree with everything Natickdan said!

[janmcn]

You can get to Salem, Gloucester, and Rockport on the train out of north station, so no need for a rental car. Once you get to the train stations, the towns are a short walk away. You could also take a bus out of north station to Marblehead, a really neat colonial town.

[Mr Hanky]

I grew up in Boston and attended middle school in Copley Square ( Back Bay ) and I would strongly recommend choosing a hotel in the Copley Square area because you are within walking distance to:

Fenway Park

The Boston Duck Tours ( a must and becausenthey sell out well in advance, I suggest you order the tickets on-line )

The Boston Public Gardens

The Boston Common

Beacon Hill

You are a short walk to the underground trolley system ( the oldest in the country ) and can easily get to:

Harvard Square in Cambridge

Fanuel Hall

Boston's North End (The Italian section of Boston that has a number of very good Italian Restaurants).

In the North End, I suggest you try:

Regina's Pizzaria ( The original one and although there will be a wait, it's worth any wait)

Pastry: Mikes Pastry and/or Modern Pastry ( tourist tend to go to Mikes and locals go to Modern and I prefer Modern )

One you are committed to go, send me a PM if you have any questions.

And Newbury street,Charles river MIT bridge to cambridge.
Westin hotel ,Marriot hotel or Sheraton would in my opinion be some of the very best choices in Boston to take advantage of the walking city. And all three hotels are conected to one another by indoor cat walk bridges. The Prudential center and cpoley malls also are all indoor venues.
Will add more at a later time,on the way out the door. Grew up in that area.:coolsmiley:

[laryb]

I grew up in Boston and attended middle school in Copley Square ( Back Bay ) and I would strongly recommend choosing a hotel in the Copley Square area because you are within walking distance to:

Fenway Park

The Boston Duck Tours ( a must and becausenthey sell out well in advance, I suggest you order the tickets on-line )

The Boston Public Gardens

The Boston Common

Beacon Hill

You are a short walk to the underground trolley system ( the oldest in the country ) and can easily get to:

Harvard Square in Cambridge

Fanuel Hall

Boston's North End (The Italian section of Boston that has a number of very good Italian Restaurants).

In the North End, I suggest you try:

Regina's Pizzaria ( The original one and although there will be a wait, it's worth any wait)

Pastry: Mikes Pastry and/or Modern Pastry ( tourist tend to go to Mikes and locals go to Modern and I prefer Modern )

One you are committed to go, send me a PM if you have any questions.
Dan, is Bova's Bakery still in the north end? Some of the best chocolate chip cookies we've ever had, and "wicked good" sheet pizza!

[tsew22]

If your there at the right time, the Boston Pop's at Symphony Hall, wonderful.
Also you can get to Quincy by the T (red Line). Adam's Birth places, and the Adams Mansion.

[natickdan]

Dan, is Bova's Bakery still in the north end? Some of the best chocolate chip cookies we've ever had, and "wicked good" sheet pizza!

Yes, Bova's is still there and it hasn't changed much over the years...its still as good as its always been and remains as one of the true institutions in the North End.