Visiting Boston for the first time June 4-13

[maggiekate]

Hi, You will be in Boston, ok, You may stay outside the city limits, which may be Braintree. There is
a hotel was the Sheraton Tara, now I do think, it is called the Sheraton. If you go into Logan, there
are shuttel buses which do bring you to many hotels. Therefore, no T, There is a mall right across the road, and they bring you to the T into Boston. It is way cheaper than staying in Boston! Salem,
Plymouth, are ok, but, there is a bus called Plymouth and Brockton which would take you to cape cod
however, then, you may need a car. That would be one hr from Braintree, and you could see plymouth also. Plan your trip, but I would not pay big bucks to stay in the city! The Sheraton also did bring people to the T for a trip into Boston, then they did pick you up from the T. Anyway the cab ride is
not too bad since the hotel is near, and you save on the big hotel price. Food there is cheap eats in Boston, and the Braintree Mall! You can buy
food and eat it later. When I was at that hotel they did have rooms with a balcony, they were nice. So, skip the T, and get the hotel shuttel bus to the hotel! You always may do the T on your way Home! If you rent a car say for 2 days, a trip to Cape Cod and Plymouth is just an easy route,
and on a Sunday, it is easy. You go to Plymouth, and on into Cape Cod and may even go towards PTown! Then you return to Braintree.
There are many places to see. I like Chatham best. PTown is just the furthest point to go, but Chatham is Special! Hyannis, is Boring! Skip it
Just go towards Rte 3 and drive, and enjoy! Sandwich does have some nice places, and old rte 6A the back way! The glass cup plate factory!

[professorsenator]

Spring for the cab: hauling all your luggage on the T after you've just arrived in an unfamiliar city is a lot. You're on vacation...splurge on this. After you're familiar with the city maybe you can take the train back to the airport. But I would do the cab when you arrive.

I second the idea of ferrying over to Provincetown. P-Town is a great day trip. Do it if at all possible.

Finally, a warning: if you have half as good of a time as I think you will, you are going to fall in love with Boston.

[seamusnh]

On the T, the Silver Line goes from the airport into the city. It is an electric bus and it has lots of room for luggage.

[Cantabridgienne]

I hardly think the T is so daunting that you need to first explore Boston before you dare to use it. Also, the OP said he wouldn't have a lot of luggage, so it really shouldn't be a problem.

And I agree that if you're staying in Kenmore Square, there's no need to take the Silver Line: Airport shuttle to the Blue Line to the Green Line is the easiest route.

[SickOfRevere]

And if you want to have a genuine New England seafood experience, I would skip Legal and hit the Barking Crab instead. Legal is good when you see one of their locations at the mall or something, but hardly worth a special trip.

June in Boston on the watrfront having a barking Crab plate either steamed or fried is a meal that will have you coming back soon.
The Barking Crab--88 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210

[Jscohen]

1. At two PM on a weekday, handling your luggage should be OK. Don't try it during rush hour though. Is it just you and your wife? You should be OK.

2. The best way to get to Plymouth and Salem is the commuter rail; less hassle than buses and no worries about traffic. Check out the commuter rail schedules on mbta.com on the Rockport (for Salem) and Plymouth lines and plan accordingly. The Plymouth train is very staggered; it comes at two hour intervals or so on weekdays, make sure you don't get stuck. Salem is much closer; it should be only 25-30 minutes or so from north station. Count on an hour, maybe more, to get to Plymouth from south station.

3. Safety on the T depends on your neighborhood. Green and blue lines are always safe; for the red and orange lines it can get sketchy depending on your neighborhood. Of course, use common sense and you'll be fine.

4. I'd say sample the Italian food and old-world feel of the north end and then hit Quincy Market; they're only a ten minute walk away from each other.

Depending on where you're staying, taking a cab from logan is a good idea. If I knew which it was, I could give you a better answer. It is a heck of a lot less hassle no matter where you're coming from.