Where to go/stay in Boston?

Question

I was there once before but just for a day. Me and my mom stayed at a Days Inn, then went to the aquarium and took a tour bus, but this is when I was 11, it was great and I want to go back again. (My parents are divorced.) And now my dad is gonna take me October 3-7, but I am not sure where to stay or where to go. I want to see SOME historical sites, but not museums and boring things. We are gonna be taking the subway and walking around, we aren't gonna rent a car. I want to do a bit of shopping, mainly to find things in Boston that I couldn't in Arizona, and nothing really expensive. I'm 15 by the way. I was thinking of staying in the Financial/Quincy Market area, is that good? I think we are going to try and go to Fenway Park, i love the red socks:) how far is that from everything?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Check this http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Cit... for boston hotel reviews and near by locations. You can get cheaper hotels for as low as $90.

Answer 2

I just stayed at the Intercontinetal near Fenway, and it was extremely nice and right on the water.  It was pretty close to everything and near a T station so travel was not bad.  I would suggest going on hotwire and finding a good deal in the financial district.  But be forwarned that hotels in boston are not cheap.

have fun.

Answer 3

I'm not sure I can add much to LdySprtn's answer, but there really is so much to do.  

I like your idea of staying in the Financial/Quincy Market area, there is a ton to do within walking distance of most hotels and you have plenty of access to public transportation to get to Fenway or anything on the other side of town. You don't need a car, it would be more trouble than it was worth anyway.  Much easier to walk everywhere or take public transportation.

One thing I would recommend is taking a tour or two.  I took the Ghosts & Gravestones tour a few years back and had a great time.  It takes you to the old burial grounds.  

Tickets to the Red Sox are hard to come by... all games are sold out so going through a ticket broker (or scalper) is the only way to get tickets.    Fenway is on the other side of town from Quincy Market/Faneiul Hall.  But, it is within walking distance if you're up for it.   I used to live in the North End of Boston which is right next to Quincy Market and I would walk to Fenway when I was going to see the Sox (the subway is so crowded, it was just easier to walk) and I could walk it in maybe 40 minutes - and it is a lovely walk straight down Commonwealth Ave, one of the loveliest streets in the city.

Have a great trip!

Answer 4

To Do In Boston:

First, check out www.bostonusa.com to get some ideas of what may be going on in town while you are there.  I also suggest you pick up Boston For Dummies – it’s a great book and will give you directions on how to get to a lot of places.  

If you’ve never been before, you may consider purchasing an MBTA subway pass.  That way you’ll never have to worry about having exact change for the subway.  You can make this purchase at www.mbta.com.  They offer the passes in 1, 3, and 7-day passes.  If flying into Boston through Logan International Airport, you can pick-up the blue line (in bound) to get to downtown Boston.

FYI – when taking the subway, more commonly known as the “T” – if you want to head towards ‘downtown’ Boston (i.e. State Street/Park Street) then you’ll want to take an “in bound” train, anywhere away from those points, would be an ‘outbound train.’

All of the locations that I suggest below are accessible from the “T.”

For things to do – Boston has a ton – it all depends on what you are looking to do.  I would first suggest that you take a tour or trolley; it’ll give you great insight as to where ‘touristy’ things are located.  Please note, that Boston is considered a ‘walking city,’ which means, that even though things may look very far apart on map, in actuality, the probably aren’t.  There are several tours/trolleys to choose from.  One unique tour is the Boston Duck Tour (http://www.bostonducktours.com).  These tours sell out quickly, so you’ll have to take advantage of this when you first arrive to Boston.  This tour is good rain or shine.  You can board from either near the Boston Science Center or the Prudential Center.  You can also purchase tickets at either location.  When I was in Boston in 2006, you could also purchase tickets at Fanueil Hall (see below).

You’ll more than likely want to partake in the Freedom Trail walk.  There is/are tours by bus you can take, but if you like to walk (and are able), walking it is like no other.  You can go to the official website (http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/) to print out a map and get information on what the trail is all about.

If you like sports, baseball especially, see about doing a tour of Fenway Park.  Not sure the exact dates of your trip, but more than likely, baseball will still be in season, so you’ll have to call to find out what dates/times tours will take place.  http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpar...

If you are looking for ‘greener’ pastures, check out the Boston Common and Children’s Garden, as well as take a stroll along the Charles River (down the esplanade).  

Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market are another good stop.  Usually there are street performers and music going on.  http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/

The Boston Aquarium is another great stop and near the Fanueil Marketplace.  You can find out more about the Aquarium by going to http://www.neaq.org/.  While here, you can also sign up to do a whale watch out of the Boston Harbor.  

There are plenty of college campuses to check out – MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, Boston University, Boston College, etc.  

If shopping is your thing, check out Newbury Street - http://www.newbury-st.com/.

If you’d like to see a show – check out Blue Man Group – http://www.blueman.com/.  It’s a complete one-of-a-kind show.  There is nothing like it.  

Other things to check out are:  Cheers, Christian Science Reflecting Pool, Copley Square, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Science Museum, Isabella Stuart Gardner Art Museum (there are many museums in Boston), etc.

When we were last in Boston we stayed at the Club Quarters right in the Financial District.  It's for business travelers, but when they can't fill their rooms with business persons, they fill them with tourists.  The Colonnade is also a nice hotel, but it's near the Prudential Center (not Financial District).  I've stayed there too.  

Have a great time.  I’ve vacationed there several times and I absolutely love it!!