OT: Planning a trip to Boston

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Posted By: Tim

My wife and I are planning a trip to Boston this summer and neither of us have been there before. Our trip will be in June when the Braves come to town and we plan on going to two of the three games at Fenway.

Any suggestions concerning hotels, transportation, restaurants, etc. would be greatly appreciated. We find that suggestions from others are much more successful than reading websites or reviews.

Of course I would like to squeeze as much baseball out of this trip as possible so if there are any suggestions concerning places for cards or memorabilia let me know.

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Posted By: brock

Tim,
I would recommend a trip to NY instead. They have the best baseball team in all of sports(Yankees), why would you want to go see the worst team in all of sports(Red Sox). Anyway this is just my opinion.

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Posted By: Michael Steele

I strongly disagree with Brock but it is all in good fun!

Should be a great trip. I grew up a Fenway rat and now live in Minnesota so I am sure a Boston local can be of more help.

edit for spelling

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Posted By: Tim

Brock I appreciate the reccomendation but will have to pass. I made the trip to NY a few years ago and it was enough for a while.

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Posted By: Richard Simon

Durgin Park Restaurant in Quincy Square, it is a Boston institution and I think they served Washington, Adams and Hancock .
And the JFK Museum at U Mass is definitely worth a stop.
=

I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.
Unknown author
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We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.
No retreat baby, no surrender.
The Boss

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Posted By: Rawn Hill

Baseball Tavern is a must, located just outside Fenway.
http://www.thebaseballtavern.com/

Rawn

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Posted By: Chris Counts

Tim,

I've taken several recent trips to Boston in recent years. Each time, I flew into Logan Airport and took public transportation to the Copley Square area, where I stayed. I was discouraged from renting a car in Boston, and I can see why. It's a traffic nightmare. But it's a relatively compact city, and it was easy to walk around. It seemed to me that the Copley Square area was perfectly situated for walks downtown as well as to Fenway Park. Each time I travelled to Boston, I followed up the visit with a trip up to New Hampshire and Vermont. When it came time to leave, I took the public transport back to the airport, where I then took a shuttle to a place just north of the city where all the rental car agencies are located. It was surprisingly easy ...

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Posted By: Steve F

Tim, I agree with Brock. New York has the greatest baseball team -that money can buy.

Boston, where Our history began.
Stay at the Marriot Long Wharf on the waterfront. The old Goudey Gum factory is across the street. Boston is a terrific walking city. Take a harbor cruise, the Harbor Islands are rich in history. Hit the old pub where the seeds of Revolution were planted (The Green Dragon), the Old North Church, Paul Revere's house and the USS Constitution. The local bars around Fanuel Hall and Quincy Market are full of fun. Visitors like TV's Cheer's bar(Bull and Finch pub).

We walk from the waterfront to Fenway. It takes about 30 mins, but it's a beautiful stroll through the Commons (Revolutionary drill fields) and the Public Gardens with the swan boats and Make Way for Ducklings display. Down posh Newbury Street to Boylston St, where you have to stop in to McGreevy's Third Base Saloon. There is some magnificent original baseball memorabilia on display. Fenway and the Cask 'n Flagon are a short walk away.

Atop the Prudential building is a nice bar (Top of the Hub) with terrific views, below is Copley Place where there is plenty of shopping.

You may want to hop the T to BU and Nickerson Field -the Boston Braves old park. It's not the same but some of the original features remain.

No, It's not as big as NYC, but for the small size it packs a punch and is one of the safest and cleanest cities in the north. Heck, even Babe Ruth couldn't wait to return to Boston, when he was done with the Zoo

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Posted By: Dan McCarthy

As someone who has lived in a Boston 'burb for all of my life and currently goes to Boston College, hopefully I can help you out a bit. I don't know anything about hotels and such but the public transportation here is pretty good. The T stop for Fenway Park is called "Kenmore" the stop called "Fenway" is behind a Best Buy and the walk to the ballpark is a little bit longer. If you plan on using the subway a lot then you should get a CharlieCard, which costs $1.70 to ride the T versus $2 on a CharlieTicket. The CharlieCard is a reloadable plastic card available for free at certain places, versus the ticket which prints out at the subway stations. As far as food goes, if you like Italian then you have to check out the North End. My favorite place there is called Pagliuca's because it is slightly more affordable, slightly more authentic, and slightly less fancy then some of the places there. There's also Mike's Pastry for dessert, which is a lot of people's favorite (also in the North End). If you like Spanish food then Tasca is pretty good, but a little bit farther out of the city though still accessible by the T (subway). If you want to catch the other Braves game there's a bar underneath the bleachers in the outfield that you can get into from the street. Hopefully you already got tickets for the games you want to go to because they are tough to come by.

Let me know if you have any other questions!
Dan

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Posted By: Anthony N.

We went last summer and stayed at the Buckminster. Our room overlooked the Green Monster, was convenient to everywhere, and very spacious and reasonable. A bit old, but still clean.

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Posted By: J Levine

A few hours up the turnpike is a little town called Cooperstown...might be interesting.

Joshua

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Posted By: Chris David

I second a trip to Mcgreeveys Third Base Saloon. We stayed at the Boston Hotel Commonwealth a few blocks from the stadium. Its a boutique hotel with a room view of Fenway Park.

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Posted By: Glenn

My wife and I stayed at a Doubletree Suites hotel in Cambridge. It was pretty nice, but not really centrally located if you're there for a baseball vacation. I didn't spend much of my time there on baseball-related activities, apart from standing outside Fenway for an hour one day and watching the players arrive, so I'll just add to the discussion some other things that I think made it well worth the trip.

Open Mic nights at Club Passim (Harvard Square)
The Museum of Fine Arts
Any of the J.P. Licks ice cream franchises
Kashmir Indian restaurant (Back Bay)

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Posted By: Scott Sarian

Great advice from everyone above (except for those NYC comments!), and if there's anything else you need to know, shoot me an email. I've lived in Boston my whole life.

In regards to card stores, there is not much, although Teaparty has recently opened a new location close to Fenway, which will be your only vintage store in Boston.

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Posted By: Al

Don't know where your seats are, but the best spot in Fenway is on the 3rd base side to avoid the sun. The sun will set on a line from the left field foul pole towards the right field foul pole and can make viewing the game a bit tough for a while. While making hotel reservations inquire about using the "T" to get in and out of Fenway. Local bars around the park are usually jam packed. Save your appetite perhaps for a hot dog at Remdawg's...Jerry Remy has a hot dog stand in the immediate Fenway area. After you pass through the turnstile, continue straight ahead till you see his open air place down on the right. Often times Remy is there doing the autograph and picture thing before heading to the broadcast booth. You may also see Jim Rice there as well, as there is a little stage where he broadcasts on NESN.

Depending upon time, you may want to Google the Freedom Trail. The trail consists of two red bricks in the sidewalk that will generally guide you to some pretty historic stuff. The trail begins at Boston Common and will take you up to the North End where you can visit Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church (one if by land, two if by sea) and the Italian section. Boston's streets are exceptionally narrow from Colonial days, renting a car is not advisable. Get a map of the "T" online and blend with the locals. Visiting Quincy Market is almost a must, plenty to eat and a superb people watching place along with Fanueil Hall.

A trip to Cheers would be easy before game time. You will find it at the southwest corner, and across the street from Boston Common. When in doubt, just ask, the drivers are crazy, but the locals on foot are accomodating.

If you have the time, a trip away from the city up to the White Mountains in NH would be a memorable trip. Find I-93 north and just keep trucking. If you are really adventurous, find North Conway, NH and drive up the Mount Washington auto road. It's 6,288 feet at the summit, but on a clear day, you can really almost see forever. Highest winds ever recorded on the earth where recorded there, 241 mph. You can also take the cog railway to the top as an option. Cannon mountain has an excellent tram ride to the top where you will also enjoy superb views.

If gambling is your thing, take I-95 south toward Providence, RI. Foxwoods is a spectacluar casino, could be some entertainment there when you make your trip. The nearby Mohegan Sun (just about 10 minutes apart) is worthy of a visit. Mohegan is very impressive as you cross the bridge and the casino is on your right, a beautifully done place. If you play blackjack, the better games will be found at Foxwoods. You can probably get to Foxwoods in about 1.5 hours once you clear the congestion of the Boston traffic. Be warned...Boston drivers can be very aggressive.

You may want to pass on the "Tomahawk chop" thing in Fenway, better to blend.

Enjoy your trip to my home state and enjoy Fenway Park as well.

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Posted By: Bob Donaldson

I think most of the good advice has been given but I add (or agree with)

Boston is a great place to walk. Check out the freedom trail. There is a visitor's center at the Boston Common where you can get maps and much more.

I agree with staying in Copley Sq. However, hotels are expensive. You can walk to the ballpark there as well as most of the other sites. You would need to take a short (15 minutes) subway ride to JFK Museum or Harvard Sq. I'd definitely check out Harvard Sq one night. A lot of street performers and character, lots of book stores. Actually you could walk to Harvard Sq but it's a hike (1-2 hrs). DO NOT walk to JFK museum as the walk may take you through some rough neighborhoods.

Durgin park is in Quincy Market or Fanuel hall not Quincy square (I don't think Quincy, a town to the south of Boston, has a square). An even older restaurant is the Union Oyster House, I think it's the oldest restaurant in the US., not far from Faunal Hall.

Definitely stroll through the North End, the Italian section and pick out a nice Italian restaurant. I've never found a bad one.

There is also a card shop on Broomfield Street (near Park Street T stop) called BayState Coins. I think the've gone downhill but I was in their last week and the had some "high priced" vintage (T's Playballs) in their display case.

BTW, if you just need two tickets I may be able to help for Sat or Sun as I'm a weekend season ticket holder.

good luck

Bob

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Posted By: Ted Sherman

As a Boston guy born and raised I love all of the comments on this thread! I would suggest not to rent a car, as public transportation is the easiest route. Just trying to find parking will drive you batty! Depending on what type of food you enjoy there are a tons of great restaurants in the local area. If money is a non issue, you can stay at the "Ted Williams" suite right across from fenway park. Although it is not disclosed whether or not this was Ted's actual hotel suite, it is an urban legend that he did have this room as his private suite over-looking the park.

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Posted By: jrhatchjr

I agree with the comments about taking the "T" (MBTA) instead of driving. One thing to remember if you do take the subway: everything is labeled "inbound" or "outbound." This can be very confusing if you don't know which train to take. Remember this and you will be fine: Inbound is always toward North Station and outbound is away from North Station. If you know your destination and have a reference map (many, but not all stations have a map, so keep one handy) there should be no problem.

Walking Boston is also excellent. The Freedom Trail is a good way to see the city on foot. If you decide to take this on, I have found it better to start at the end, which is Bunker Hill. This way, you walk your way into the city and can relax on Boston Common or get a bite to eat when your done. If you end at Bunker Hill, there's really nothing around to do once finished.

Also, if the timing is right, you may want to take in this show. It's run by the Greater Boston Sports Collector's Club which has put on a large annual fall show since the 80's. This is their first offering during the summer. Details can be found here:

http://www.gbscc.com/convention.html

Enjoy your trip to Boston!
Jim

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Hi-
Great suggestions so far! If you want the trip to have a little more of a baseball card component to it you might want to consider timing it to include the Wilmington MA Shriners show. This show is normally only held once a year during the first week in November, and it is by far the biggest show in New England. This year, they are planning a second version in June or July (I forget which).
Or, if you and your family enjoy general antiques, you could go to the Brimfield Antique show. This is an antique show held outdoors (any weather) three times per year (May July and September). Digging for vintage baseball is hit or miss, but I always seem to come home with some stuff at an excellent price (its a big help if you look for more than just baseball stuff). There are thousands of dealers at this show, so there is always an amazing amount of stuff to look at and dig through.
I hope you and your family have a great time in Boston!
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com

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Posted By: Glen V

Nobody's mentioned the Samuel Adams Brewery tour...

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Posted By: Tim

Thanks to everyone that has posted suggestions so far (even you Yankees fans.) I never expected so many posts and the info you members have provided was exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you.

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Posted By: Laura

And no one has said to be sure to get Dim Sum at the China Pearl in Chinatown on a Sunday morning. Just be sure not to get there too late or the line will be long. I can still smell the bakery across the street, even though I haven't been there in years. Yum! (The MFA is pretty nice too.)

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Posted By: Steve

Tim,



What games do you plan on attending? My wife and I will be there on the 19th for the night game, it will be her first game at Fenway.



I'm not sure if it has been mentioned, but Faneuil Hall is a great place to visit and it is right on the same T route as Fenway. Just take the green line to the end and you will come out there. Lots of cool little shops for you and your wife to check out as well as other sites. Then when your done, just hop back on the T and in a few stops your back at Fewnway.



May I also recommend to NOT listen to Yankee fans and to join Red Sox Nation. For $15 you get a tour of Fenway for 2, the ability to watch batting practice from the Green Monster and early admission to the park on game day. To me, watching bp from the Monster is worth $15, the tour is a bonus. And you can bring your wife with you at no additional cost. You can only do one tour, but can watch bp both games and get early admission. I think it would enhance your experience at the games.



Who knows, you may run into me and my wife there on the 19th.

**Edited to add**

If you do decide to join Red Sox Nation, go around back to Gate C to get in early. Once inside, about 2 hours before game start, if you walk around to Yawkey Way side there is a little ramp called "Autograph Alley". They always have a former player or coach signing autographs for free before the game. I have got a few cool free autographs there each time I went. Right directly across the street is the Red Sox pro shop which has some expenisive and cool Sox stuff in there.

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Posted By: brock

Steve,
You can do all that at yankee stadium to. And now we have a hard rock cafe in center field.

Also how do you get a homerun ball in BP on the "TINY" Monster. Wouldn't most of them go over and past the wall.

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Posted By: Rich

I would like to visit Boston without having to sell my collection to afford it. Are there any decent hotels that are below the $350-$500+ a night rate that many are asking? I'm thinking around late April-early May to avoid summer crowds and heat. Would like to stay in Boston then rent a car and drive to Cooperstown for a couple of days before going back to Boston and flying home. Is spring a nice time to go to these areas? Would love to hear any ideas about hotels and getting Red Sox tickets as well as Fenway tours. Thanks

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Posted By: Al

They are all outrageous. IMO, the only way to get around this is to find a hotel within a 30 mile radius of Boston, which won't be hard to do. Get a map of Massachusetts and scribe and arc from Salem, NH to Norwood, MA. Boston sits right on the ocean, so you are really drawing a half circle. The drive in from Salem, NH is via I-93 and the drive up from Norwood is via I-95. Not bad drives, but traffic can be a nightmare!! Coming in from the west will be via the Massachusetts Turnpike, aka I-90. I would think rates in these areas will be more reasonable. Your best bet might be along the Mass Pike, which goes directly past Fenway. You will also take the Mass Pike to head west and do Cooperstown. Parking will not be a pleasant experience. Get a map of the "T" (the subway) and utilize it to move around town...cheap and easy, just pretty dumpy down under.

As for tix, scalping is illegal at the ball park, but it is done...just don't get caught. You are better off Googling Red Sox tix, looking up stub hub.com, or eBay. I wouldn't wait too long to get tix. As for tours, I'm sure you can get info again from Googling Fenway Park tours. As for the sun, day games should be no problem unless you are sitting in the bleachers in deep center field. For night games, the best viewing is roughly from half-way up the first base line, but before the foul pole, then back around past home plate and all of the third base side. Once the sun sets you'll be ok, but the temperature will drop. If you can possibly snag Monstah seats, I suspect you will feel a baseball experience like no other.

Boston has lots to offer, it just ain't cheap. And, BTW, if you're a Yankee fan, wearing your pinstripe gear or white "NY" cap will not endear you to those who will sit nearby. Better to low key and blend, the fans can be very, VERY vocal and abusive. It's mostly in fun, but I've seen it get carried away, especially after a Red Sox - Yankee game and all the beer has kicked in.

As for Springtime weather, I'd suggest you dress in layers. I have seen it snow in May. Night games can still be pretty nippy because of the proximity to the Atlantic. If there is an ocean breeze you will wish you had a sweater and jacket. I would also highly recommend taking binoculars, Fenway Park has some great scenery, both on and off the field.

GL, enjoy Boston!!

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Posted By: Al

Just a follow-up thought on your potential trip to Boston.

Perhaps the best and most cost effective might be to find a hotel in Norwood, MA. Norwood is about 20-25 miles SW of Boston. You should be able to find a decent hotel (Marriott Courtyard, Holiday Inn, etc) there for perhaps in the $150 range...try priceline.com to confirm. Then my suggestion would be to take the train from Norwood into Boston. Google Norwood to Boston trains for schedules. The train station in Norwood provides free parking and it's a breeze. The train into Boston is pretty cheap and takes about 30 minutes to get to South Station. This would all be perfect if you went to a day game at Fenway for train schedule purposes. Once established at your hotel in Norwood, just ask how to get to the train station, which should be a snap. Train tickets are purchased across the street from the train station in a little convenience store with a BP gas station...it's the only one around.

South Station puts you right in the heart of Boston. A short walk will take you to Boston Common and you can take the "T" (subway), from that area to Kenmore Square, which is the Fenway Park stop. Just reverse course after the game and you're good to go. Cheers which is at the SW corner of Boston Common would be a great place to grab a bite before the game. Chinatown would work just as well.

Just thought the train thing and cheaper digs from Norwood might be your best bet. When you're ready to head to Cooperstown, getting to the Mass. Pike is very easy from Norwood via rte 1, then rte 128 to the Mass. Pike.

Sounds complicated, but really isn't, this may be your best bet dollar wise.

GL, hope this helps your decision making.

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Posted By: Rich

Thanks

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Posted By: Sean BH

The best way I think to get hotels is Priceline.com...if you really don't mind what hotel brand you stay at, but still want to pick your location.

Check out this site first:

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/forums/53/t/Massachusetts-Boston.html

It lists "going rates" for people who have bid on rooms in all cities via Priceline.com (name your own price). Usually the best prices will be within 2 weeks of check in, so I suggest a backup reservation you can cancel just in case. The last time I was in Boston was 2 years ago for the first weekend of May, and our room though Priceline at the Westin was $65 a night.

I've used Priceline in New York, LA, San Diego, Chicago, Mexico City and Minneapolis with no problems.

Let me know if you need any help.

Sean

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Posted By: Bob

The wife and I are also considering a May vacation to Boston as our frequent flyer miles expire June 1. Thanks for all the info on the area, hotels, Fenway, etc. I never got to see a game in Comiskey or Yankee or Shea stadiums so I want to make sure I see one at Fenway. Next year it is on to Minneapolis and the first year of the Twins' new stadium!

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Posted By: Michael Steele

Off-Topic from this thread but boy will that new Twins park be a welcome relief from that monstrosity they now call a ballpark.

I see the Red Sox each year in the "dome" and when I saw Big Papi hit a 480 foot single in 2007 that bounced of the speaker in right center as it was heading to the upper, upper deck, I said, this is not baseball, enough is enough! Had to get that off my chest. Carry on

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Posted By: JohnnyH

This is a nice place to stay if you don't want to drop 300.00 a night.

http://www.copleyinn.com/rates_availability.php

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Posted By: Jamie

There's Kenmore Collectibles on Commonwealth Ave near Fenway, nice guys and decent stuff, mostly vintage. Best way to get around is the T. Don't park near Fenway during gametime if you have New York plates... Lowell Spinners are very popular for minor league baseball.

Agreed that Kashmir is excellent for Indian food, especially their lunch buffet. Oleana is Cambridge is phenomenal if you want an upscale meal - well worth the money.

Agreed that Club Passim is a wonderful experience. Scullers Regattabar for jazz is also excellent if you like that kind of thing. Walk through Boston Common, up Commonwealth Ave ("Comm. Ave"). Down by the waterfront you've got the aquarium. North End is great, Modern Bakery for wonderful desserts, many great North End restaurants for italian, also Neptune Oyster House.

Durgin Park is fun if you like really big slabs of meat and potatoes on the side. Oishii for fantastic sushi; the one in Chestnut Hill is less expensive.

Walk Harvard Yard, Boston Symphony is excellent. Go to Goldstar.com for half-price tickets on all sorts of shows and take a chance...

Good luck with your trip.

Regards,

Yankees fan in Boston