Boston recommendations anyone?

Whats up Tundra family -

Got a huge family trip (15 of us total) for my parents 50th Anniversary to Boston coming up at the end of April. I only have a couple of must-dos on my list (Fenway & Sam Adams brewery) but would like any info or recommendations that you all have!? We will only be there for 5 days, but we would like to get as much in as possible. Thanks in advance

 

You going to be there on the 15th? If so, watching the marathon is a must

 

Unfortunately not, we are going the 27th thru May 1st. Parents anniversary isn't technically til May 11th but we planned the trip around the Cubs game @ Fenway.

 

The USS Constitution is pretty neat.

If you're interested in group tours www.ghostsandgravestones.com was a neat bit of different history.
https://www.undergrounddonuttour.com/boston-historic-downtown-tour was another interesting one.

We've also enjoyed Old Town Trolley tours in a few different cities. They're nice because you can use them instead of public transport if where you want to go is on the tour route, plus every driver is different and shares different stories.

 

Boston Duck Boat Tour
Top of the Prudential Observation Deck
Quincy Market
Freedom Trail (never did myself)
Museum of Science & Planetarium Show
USS Constitution

 

We went last year and caught a Sox Yanks game. Stayed at a the Lenox hotel (highly recommend) which is where the marathon ends and walking distance to Fenway. Check out the freedom trail. Lot's of historical points of interest and you can walk the whole thing. Lot's of places to see and food to eat along the way.

 

You had me at donut....LOL
Forgot to mention in the original post, definitely checking out Old Ironsides!

 

Hmm, I would say spend some time in Faneuil hall (if you exit out the back you can walk along the water as well) I believe you can catch the freedom tour here as well, duck tours are pretty neat (especially if you have kids going), New England Aquarium is ok, head to the North end for some cannolis and a nice Italian meal. I suggest Blue Man Group if you have not yet seen it, the tickets can be a bit pricey, but I found it to be entertaining, you can always look for some other shows as well in the theater district. Walk along Boylston and Newbury streets if you guys enjoy looking in the expensive shops. There is also the Boston Public Market, they have some high quality food type stuff there. If you have good weather head to the Boston Common and Boston Public Garden for the Swan Boats and/or just to walk around, it is very pretty in the warmer months.

Here is a link to some site info, there are bunches of other things, like museums to go to as well. You can also do a whale watch out of the NE Aquarium, it's seasonal and I am not sure when it starts and ends.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60745-Activities-oa0-Boston_Massachusetts.html

Here is a map of our subway system if you haven't already viewed it. Def go to the site on the day you plan on using it as there is a lot of work being done and sometimes some lines get shut down.

https://www.mbta.com/schedules/subway


Enjoy your visit!! Let any of us Baston Folks know if you have any questions!

-T

 

Sounds like the Freedom Trail is on everyone's recommendations I will surely check it out! Definitely plan on a tour of some sort whether it be a duck tour or the old town trolley or the likes.

Thanks for the links, definitely need to read up on the subway system, we don't have those out here LOL Need to find the best spot for a lobster roll and a cannoli

 

Mike's pastries is probably the best known Canoli place in the states, it is in Boston's North End, just be prepared to wait in line for a bit!

Our subway is a total cluster fuck!!! Print the map and bring it with you! I would also have the adults all get Charlie cards for the subway to make it a bit easier!, the kiosks are in the stations! Here are some areas to stay away from: Mattapan, Dorchester, Roxbury and Hyde Park, and Jamaica Plain.

 

Mike's pastries got it!
Stay away from those areas appreciate the heads up!
Please forgive the ignorance but what is the difference between the commuter rail and the subway?

 

Commuter Rail is 100 times better. You get your own comfortable seat like a regular Amtrak train while the subway is a pack it in like a sardine experience if there's high traffic. Still 10x better than taking a bus.

 

The commuter rail travels in and out of Boston from cities around MA like Lowell, Haverhill, and a few other cities and they are above ground and come into North Station where you can catch the subway to various parts of Boston. South station is mostly for buses transporting to and from NH and other buses and trains departing the state, as well as commuter trains coming in from the south of Boston, but you can catch the silver and red line, but most of the fun stuff is on the other lines, mainly the green and blue. The subways just travel around Boston and are mostly underground.

 

How far afield are you willing to go? Concord/Lexington are great for revolutionary war history, plymouth & plimoth plantation great for the pilgrims and start of the country - great food in plymouth center at blue eyed crab - some of the best clam chowder i have had! Are you looking to stay in Boston proper?

 

If you are at all a history buff, Lexington and Concord isn't very far outside of the city at all and the Minute Man Trail a really nice place to visit that time of year.

If you have any sort of military ID, Hanscom AFB is located along it and you can snag all sorts of passes and such to the area.

The lists of things inside the city are well captured throughout this thread ready. If the group is interested in more of a Salem type of vibe, that's not too far away and the city also apparently has Boston Ghost tours, too. About 1.5 hours west is Old Sturbridge Village (free with military ID) and it is near one of the nations top ranked BBQ places and Tree House Brewery.

 

I think probably half the group (myself included) is game for traveling to find more historical places like those you mentioned. I will start looking into them thanks!

Thanks for the info! I'll look into the minute man trail, unfortunately no military IDs in the group.

 

Climb Blue Hills it’s an easy 626 ft above sea level hike and you can see the best views of Boston and the ocean. Duck tour will show you lots of Boston and its history. Fanuiel Hall, Boston Common, The North End are all in walking distance and need to be on your list, also the SeaPort is great with lots to do and great resteraunts. Castle Island in South Boston is great too. Very scenic views of the city, the planes fly right overhead to land at the airport which is right there, and great views of the ocean. Hit Fenway Pahk for a game. Like others have said, the outskirts are great too. Salem is an interesting place, Gloucester is a cool shipping town, and make sure you dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean, just don’t do that in the Boston Harbah