Someone in these parts is just about two months shy of turning the big 3-0. And since one of us already did that, and the other one is not even close–well, you can come to your own conclusions.
To celebrate, we’re talking about taking a mini-vacation–a long weekend–to Boston. I traveled there in April for work, but I was literally so busy that I didn’t see anything beyond the few square blocks around my hotel. I’ve visited for vacation before, but I was 15 years old and *ahem* that was kind of a long time ago, and it was only a day trip.
Vacations are so much more challenging to plan now that we have Nora. We haven’t traveled since our trip to Mexico last July, when Nora was still only crawling, and was still a happy-go-lucky infant (not a mobile, crazy, moody toddler). But I think we can handle a few days in the city with our little one.
So who wants to tell me about Boston? Where should we go (especially knowing that we have Nora in tow)? What do we need to see? Any recommendations for places we should eat?
We contemplated driving, but flights are decently priced so it’ll hopefully be easier on us to fly. Plus, we’ll take advantage of one last trip with Nora as a “lap child”–and thankfully, a very short flight–before we have to start buying her a ticket. :( So that means we’ll need to utilize public transportation throughout the whole trip. I’m no stranger to subways, but if there is anything special we should know about the T, do tell.
As usual, we’ll be attempting to score a good deal on a hotel through Priceline, so tips on areas to stay would be appreciated as well. What “zone” in the city should we plan to stay in for easy access to attractions, restaurants, and the T?
Lay it on me!
13 Responses to Tell me about Boston
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About
I'm Heather. I'm 33 and have been married to Michael for seven years. Together, we have two beautiful little girls we love more than anything, and a miniature dachshund who drives us crazy. I'm a full-time working mom who has very little time for my own "stuff" these days, like home improvement, cooking/baking, cake decorating, and photography. Despite the team not making the playoffs since 1999, I'm STILL a Buffalo Bills fan, which I think speaks to my loyalty AND sense of humor. I can't wait to pick up the pace with travel again some day... you know, when we're done being ruled by tiny fists. Welcome to my blog.
You will definitely want to take her to the aquarium! It’s gigantic and amazing (even for adults!) You might also want to consider doing one of the duck tours…they take you through the city on a huge duck shaped bus that even takes you into the water to see some of the sights. I love Boston! Have a wonderful time!
I live about an hour and a half away from Boston. I don’t go there very often though. I would suggest the aquarium (I haven’t been there since High School). We took our son to the children’s museum when he was about 8, he was a little old for it but Nora would have a blast!
Yay! I grew up 20 minutes north of Boston. Definitely go to the aquarium and the Children’s museum. Fanieul Hall is close to both and has lots of shops and places to eat, usually tons of street performers during the day too. Check out the North End for excellent italian food and Modern Pastries for cannoli’s!
My husband and I went to Boston two summers ago right after he came home from deployment. We did a long weekend and had a great time. We did the Sam Adams tour (a must! hopefully you get Christine as your guide) and saw the USS Constitution and the museum. Here’s the recap post from my blog: http://akathewife.com/2010/07/oh-yeah-so-we-went-to-boston/
Definitely stay in the Back Bay area near Copley Square. Lots of shopping and near the Garden and Commons. I love walking down Newbury street – fancy shops and great restaurants. It is also an easy walk to downtown(Fanuiel Hall) or even the North End if you really wanted to(Giacomo is my favorite!). The T is very easy to navigate as well. If you like historical site, check out the Freedom Trail is it a red line on the sidewalk that is 2.5 miles long and passes all sorts of historical sites – like Mother gooses Grave.
Note bring a better stroller than an umbrella if you have one. The Cobblestone streets are pretty rough on a stroller.
Depending on how much you want to do you might check out the CityPass.
ahh loooooooved Boston! Have a few blog posts about it: http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/09/maine-boston-foodie-recap.html
and
http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/09/coffee-ice-cream.html
do not miss breakfast at mike & patty’s if you can help it!!!!!!
Hi!
Been a follower since you were pregnant. I live 45 mins outside of Boston.
We have a 13 month old boy and recently took him to the Aquarium – and he loved it.
http://stewandallie.blogspot.com/2012/04/trip-to-new-england-aquarium.html
All of my suggestions are similar to the above – Fanuiel Hall and plenty of shopping and great food. My Husband and I love Blackstone Bar and Grill and McCormicks & Shmicks in Fanuiel Hall.
The Duck Boat tours are a lot of fun as well.
Hope this helps!!!
Hi Heather…this is your mom. :) I love to read your blog when I travel, so I can see pics of my babies. The first thing I thought of was the aquarium. I have been there and she will love it. I don’t remember if they have otters at the Boston one, but they did at the Seattle aquarium and she would love it if they have babies.
It’s great to rent bikes and ride along the Charles river. They might have baby seats. That would allow you to test to see if she would like it.
I also agree with Copley Square, close to Newbury Street…great for walks, eating outside and some trendy shops. Boston Commons has the swan boats. There is also a Marriott hotel built to look like a ship down at the waterfront and it’s still walkable to Fanueil Hall. Also some outdoor seating at restaurants to enjoy having a beer while people watching, and yes they have some street performances there. (sometimes clowns though) I know how much you dislike them. ttyl. love you.
I’ve got nothing to add, but Boston is on my bucket list in the near future. I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!
Duck Tours, Freedom Trail, Feneuil hall, Half Shell where they do the Fourth of July Boston Pops, Milk Bottle (at the Childrens Museum ; my husbands grandfather built it !), aquarium, Fishermans Wharf, Rose Wharf, Public Gardens. A good restaurant is the Oyster Union House (the oldest restaurant in America), Legal Seafood at the Wharf area. My husband is from the area and we’ve been countless times !! And the Museum of Science he recommends.
We stayed in Copley Square also and LOVED it. My Mom was at a conference at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, so we had a great rate there. They have a ‘canine ambassador’ called Catie Copley, and we adored her.
http://www.fairmont.com/cop/catiecopley
Boston is so beautiful and such a lovely place to visit, great shopping, eating, culture, all walkable. You’ve been given good suggestions already, I would also recommend visiting Cambridge, as I was interested to see Harvard University…
I’ve wanted to go there for so long now. I’ll be excited to see where you end up.
I obviously have nothing to add but I wanted to say “Hi Heathers mom!!!” lol reading this blog for over 3 years and we’ve all seen pictures of you and heard about your visits but never “met” you before :)
You have a beautiful family!
Hey Heather – we live in Boston so I can’t recommend a hotel, but Copley would be a great area for you guys.
The T is great and Boston is VERY walkable. No real tips for the T. Depending on how long you guys are here, a day or multi-day pass might make sense but you’d have to ride it quite a few times for it to be worth it…
A lot of people like the duck tours. They’re pretty good. Recently my grandmother was in town and we did a hop-on/off trolley tour. We liked it better than the duck tour and it helped us get around since she can’t walk all over town.
In addition to the recommendations above, I’d recommend hopping on the T and going to see Harvard. Very pretty campus to walk around. Also, the Fenway tour is pretty cool or trying to catch a game might be fun (not sure if Nora could sit still that long!)
My favorite restaurant in town is Island Creek Oyster bar. It’s in Kenmore Sq near Fenway. Very tasty! Email me if you have any specific questions or need help with things!!
Oh one other thing, the Sam Adams tour is great, but it’s tough to get to on public transportation.