Visiting Boston for the First Time: Where Should I Go? (Cambridge: rental, condos)

[sharencare]

I actually think the Back Bay area of Boston is way more beautiful than Downtown Boston (Freedom trail) or Cambridge. Downtown Boston is congested and wasn't really planned...whereas Back Bay was laid out more like a European city.

If you like architecture:
1. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is world class and it's one of the best museums in the country and definitely the best one in New England. It's huge, so you probably can spend an entire day in here. The architecture inside and outside is soaring and grand. The Emerald Necklace/Fenway nearby is pretty to walk along during the day because there are a ton of community gardens.
2. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (beautiful courtyard, smaller museum near the MFA - you probably can do this one in a couple of hours.)
3. Copley Square (Trinity Church, I.M. Pei's John Hancock Building, Boston Public Library. They just redesigned the modern part of the BPL, but the courtyard and Sargent murals in the older McKim building are beautiful and worth a visit.)

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by sharencare

I actually think the Back Bay area of Boston is way more beautiful than Downtown Boston (Freedom trail) or Cambridge. Downtown Boston is congested and wasn't really planned...whereas Back Bay was laid out more like a European city.

Sorry to nit pick but most European cities were not planned. I would consider the North End and Beacon Hill to be the most European like parts of Boston. The unplanned skinny streets and old buildings make it feel like the old world, and that's why Boston is often considered the most European major city in the country.

But yes I agree the Back Bay has some beautiful 19th century archetcture.

[wolfgang239]

Originally Posted by timberline742

That Trillium location is for sales only though, no tasters (Canton has pours). It's also more than decent and the only one of the three worth going to , IMO.

No tours though, unlike Sam Adams and Harpoon.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

No tours though, unlike Sam Adams and Harpoon.

Nope, they're busy making amazing brews. Most brewery tours aren't that great, but while a middling brewery, one of the best brewery tours I've done is Berkshire Brewing Company's tour in Deerfield. That was very very informative.

[PhilliesPhan2013]

Thank you all SOOOOOO much! I am going to compile all the suggestions in order to research and plan accordingly. I am also going to see what my friend has planned for me so I know what I can fit in. If I can't do everything, then there is always next summer! I was able to buy tickets (excluding SEPTA and MBTA) for only $24 round trip via two different bus companies, so it was less expensive than originally anticipated.

I am confident that I will have a wonderful trip to Boston, along with side-trip to Providence! I can't wait to see New England for the first time. By this time next week, I will be en route from NYC to Providence.

[stanley-88888888]

museum of science.

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan2013

...I was able to buy tickets (excluding SEPTA and MBTA) for only $24 round trip via two different bus companies, so it was less expensive than originally anticipated.
...

bolt-bus runs specials d.c. <-> bos for $2.50 but you gotta' book months in advance.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan2013

Thank you all SOOOOOO much! I am going to compile all the suggestions in order to research and plan accordingly. I am also going to see what my friend has planned for me so I know what I can fit in. If I can't do everything, then there is always next summer! I was able to buy tickets (excluding SEPTA and MBTA) for only $24 round trip via two different bus companies, so it was less expensive than originally anticipated.

I am confident that I will have a wonderful trip to Boston, along with side-trip to Providence! I can't wait to see New England for the first time. By this time next week, I will be en route from NYC to Providence.

Great! Let us know how you liked it when you get back home.

[MikePRU]

If you like controversial architecture, check out MIT's STATA Center in Kendall Square designed by Frank Gehry.

Originally Posted by timberline742

Nope, they're busy making amazing brews. Most brewery tours aren't that great, but while a middling brewery, one of the best brewery tours I've done is Berkshire Brewing Company's tour in Deerfield. That was very very informative.

I've done the Sam Adams tour a number of times. Whether you like their beer or not, the tour is pretty fun and informative if you don't already know a lot about beer.

[mmyk72]

If you like architecture, the Cambridge side has very pretty houses - Best to just wandering around the streets surrounding Harvard by bike. Backbay and Beacon Hill also to look at pretty houses. You might as well walk thru the Public Gardens while in that area because it's really pretty to see the skyline as the background to all the pretty flowers.

Hubway is the Boston version of bike share. You pay for a day pass and each rental under 30 min is free. So you just look for stations to 'park' your bike as you go so you don't pay the extra fees.

Definitely bike or run along the Charles River (it goes from Boston to Allston to Watertown) - use the Boston side for a paved path without many traffic intersections (until you are pretty far out from Boston). The Cambridge side across the river is more like a sidewalk with intersections. I bike on it on weekends and it's really pleasant. Please remember to stay on the right (if you're running) so my bike can pass you!!

[bohemka]

Originally Posted by timberline742

That Trillium location is for sales only though, no tasters (Canton has pours). It's also more than decent and the only one of the three worth going to , IMO.

Ahh, thanks for that. I haven't been there (obviously) but it's always been on the list. Next time I'm near Canton I'll pay them a visit.