Boston for a weekend

[Coolhand68]

Every tourist has to stop at Cheers, just across from the Boston Common.

Museum of Science is worth a stop.

[1979]

Originally Posted by DrTor

We're staying in Westborough because of hotel prices! Hotels are expensive any where near the city.

Westborough is a bit away. You might have been better off staying in Providence at a cheaper hotel, then take the bus directly to Boston to visit. Buses leave about every other hour.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by 1979

Westborough is a bit away. You might have been better off staying in Providence at a cheaper hotel, then take the bus directly to Boston to visit. Buses leave about every other hour.

Don't forget the train. Both Amtrak and MBTA commuter rail serve Providence. This is a good idea.

Also, weighing costs is a good idea too (as has been suggested). For example, taking I-90 from Westborough is going to cost you money for both directions (someone more familiar with the 'pike can give you an actual number). You're also looking at in the vicinity of $30 (or more) to park at a garage all day in the city. Even if you drive to Newton (still paying tolls on the pike), and park at Riverside ($7.50 all day... in that ballpark at least) and take the subway in ($4 each... $3.40 each if you get a Charlie Card) you're looking at a some heavy upfront costs.

People seem to be finding reasonable prices at Hotel Indigo ( http://www.hotelindigo.com/h/d/in/1/...FQNfFQodSU3W7w ) in Newton which is right next to the Riverside T stop (just walk over). Also, look at Holiday Inn. I think there are some good values in Brookline and the area (also on mass transit lines).

I do understand the situation, Boston hotels are pricey to the point where it's off-putting. Good luck.

[litlux]

I have done very well on hotel prices by using Priceline for Boston hotels. It helps if you know how to utilize their bidding system to get the best deal for the best price. this weekend I am staying at the Sheraton Boston for two nights at $100 a night, and next weekend the Mariott Copley Place for $75.

I urge you to reconsider your Westborough plan. Time is money, too. The time you spend driving to Boston will waste at least an hour each way, precious time better spent getting to know it as it really is, a walking city. Of course, since you are likely using a car, parking can be expensive. I use the Quincy, Riverside or Alewife T Parking depending on where I am coming from.

[DreamworksSKG]

I would say consider staying in Woburn - you can take a hotel shuttle in most cases to the train station and take the commuter rail 30 min into North Station , or you can park your car at the lot at the Anderson-Woburn Station and take the rail in. - they even have a few express trains from Anderson-Woburn

I found some hotels like the Best Western New Englander 1 KIng size bed for about $79.99-99.99 a night -
a couple exits down from the "T" Commuter Station on Montvale Ave. Restaurants such as Bickfords grille, Polcari's and Spuds are within walking distance (Spuds is right there). There's a Wendy's and McDonalds and a Mobile on the Run Store, and Gulf Station. A short ride up Montvale Ave will take you to Stoneham Square. - with other shops and services. -
on route 28
I would suggest looking into the Best Western New Englander ..-
on Montvale Ave. -
would be a 10 minute drive to Commerce Way Exit for the "T" station and you could park and take the commuter rail 30 min into North Station where you could walk to most places or connect to the subway

[DreamworksSKG]

Beware---the inside of Cheers is a tourist trap (at least the one on Beacon St. )

Many tourists are disappointed waiting in long lines to get in to find that the Cheers at Bull and Finch doesn't look anything like the set.

ONLY The OUTSIDE looks like the set. so its cool to take pics of the front and the sign, but don't bother waiting in line to go to the pub.

The replica cheers that looks like the set is at Quincy Market/Fanueil Hall marketplace.
You'll want to eat at that one for the authentic cheers look.

If you do go to Cheers, be sure to check out the Public garden and do a loop down commonwealth avenue admiring the beautiful old brownstones and the flowering trees, -

and loop back up Newbury St. - checking out the upscale shops. and maybe a Ice Cream Cone a J.P. Licks. before walking through the Public Gardens and checking out the tulips

be sure to take a pic of the tulips and the George Washington horse, and the famous make way for ducklings statue - and the Bridge and Island that are in the Book -

Take a ride on the swan boats as well.

and feed the ducks in the pond

[DreamworksSKG]

Since you only have a weekend you wont really be able to appreciate the full boston as you really need a week to explore everything

I would suggest...

1.) Taking the train in early - from your hotel -


SAMPLE ITENERARY

SAT -

Start early -
have breakfast at hotel

take commuter rail in or subway in
The Blue Line - AQUARIUM STOP at the waterfront -
take the waterfront exit/aquarium exit and go to the trolley tour booth -
take an OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOUR which gives you a goiod overview of the city, (Do the full circuit loop)

When you're done - consider taking a Harbor cruise of the harbor from Boston Harbor Cruises.

After that have lunch at Legal Seafoods - or the Cafe near the Boston Harbor cruises.

Next do the freedom trail the rest of the afternoon -


Start at Park st (RED or Green Line) Boston Common
walk the freedom trail . - see the old north church, copp's hill burial ground, old south meeting house, King's chapel, Paul Revere's house -
and the Constitution ship and museum - Charlestown Navy Yard
Climb up the Bunker Hill monument
check out the battleship USS Cassin Young (all on the freedom trail)
Don't miss the presentation (The "Whites of their eyes" Pavillion")

Have Dinner in the North End at one of the Italian Restaurants on your way back

Take the Inner Harbor Ferry back from Charlestown Navy Yard pier to Long Wharf by the Aquarium
Inner Harbor Ferry - Charlestown - Boston, MA


Walk through Quincy Market on your way back and head on over to the Fours Bar by North Station, or one of the other bars near the Boston Garden for a beer and a dinner, before heading home -

if you have time you might consider going up the Prudential Tower - at Night to check out the night view. and contrst it with the day view you'll get at Brunch tomorrow at the top of the hub restaurant :-)


SUNDAY

Make a reservation in advance for the TOP Of the HUB's sunday brunch
you get a sweeping panoramic view of Boston (11:30 am start so be there by 11am)- COpley pLace. - at the Prudential tower -
Top of the Hub
Make your reservation online and enjoy the brunch and view of Boston

then you'll be near the Copley place mall, so take a stroll through the shops and such - and then

Go to the Public Gardens to check out the tulips and take a ride on the Swan Boats and see the Make Way for Ducklings Island and statue, from there, walk down commonwealth ave and check out the old brownstones and the beautiful statues and trees. take comm ave. to kenmore square and (See if they are having tours that day of the Ballpark

INDIVIDUAL RATES
Adults ... $12
Seniors ... $11
Children (3-15) ... $10
ACCESSIBILITY
Tours are fully handicap accessible. Please contact the tour office at 617-226-6666 for additional assistance.
HOURS OF OPERATION
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., every hour on the hour, or until 3 hours prior to game time
VISIT INCLUDES
50 minute walking tour of the ballpark, guided by an official Fenway Park Tour Guide. All areas are subject to availability.

Have lunch at the Bleacher Bar - which has a view of the field from some of the tables.

On the way back go back up Newbury St. in the evening - and afternoon and check out the shops, - and such maybe an ice cream cone at J P Licks -

make your way through the public gardens and make your way over to the Bull and Finch Pub to check out the front of cheers and take your picture under the sign (Dont bother going in this isn't the real cheers) walk across the common to Downtown Crossings/State Street, and make your way through Government Center to Quincy market, check out the street performers, shops, etc. and maybe eat at one of the Irish pubs along state street (the Black Rose, Kitty O'shea's etc.) ,

From Quincy Market you can walk to North Station - or catch the "T" a couple stops
to get the commuter rail back. or take the subway back














Definitely check out the Duck Tours

Boston Duck Tours - The Official Website & Online Tickets

A harbor tour

Boston Harbor Cruises, Whale Watch, Provincetown Ferry, Boston Sightseeing Tours

Dinner at the North End

The North End - Boston's Little Italy

Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail Foundation

Museum of Science and Omni theater
Museum of Science, Boston | Home

Prudential Skywalk Observatory
Skywalk Observatory - The Shops at Prudential Center

Copley place mall
Simon Malls | More Choices — Copley Place Information, Copley Place Gift Cards

Old Town Trolley Tour Boston
Boston Tours | Boston Attractions | Old Town Trolley Tours® covering Beacon Hill, Fenway Park, Boston Tea Party, New England Aquarium

Fenway PArk tour
Fenway Park Tours | redsox.com: Ballpark

Dinner Fours Bar:
The Four's - Restaurant & Sports Bar

Lunch - Bleacher Bar
Bleacher Bar - Fenway - Boston, MA
Bleacher Bar

New England Aquarium
New England Aquarium Home

Museum of Fine arts
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Home

Boston Harbor walk
The Boston Harborwalk

Boston Irish Pubs
Boston Irish Pubs