Aussie tourist can visit either Austin or Boston - Which one? (live)
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It's two easy miles that can be covered either on foot or by public transit.
Honestly, which location you'd choose depends on you. I might go with the waterfront because it's closer to most of the sights, but I'd agree with another poster that said Back Bay would give you a more "local" experience. As a first time visitor, I'd go with the waterfront. If you ever come back, go with Back Bay. No matter where you stay, you'll have easy access to other parts of the city. It's dense and compact.
Did you say how long you were staying? There's plenty to see in Boston itself, but it might be nice to get out a bit. If you stay near the waterfront, definitely take a day trip to Provincetown (at the tip of Cape Cod) on the fast ferry from Boston. If you're staying 3 days or more, it's worth spending a day that way. In P-Town you can rent bikes and head to the beach. I'd recommend riding out to Race Point or Herring Cove beach. There's a good chance you'll see whales right from the beach.
*edit*
I love Boston (I live here), and I'd definitely choose Boston over Austin, but I'm surprised at some of the "Boston, hands down!" posts that I've seen. Austin's a cool city. It's one of those places that when you go back home, most of the people you know that have visited the U.S. probably haven't been. There aren't a ton of touristy sites, per se, but it's a vibrant, active and unique city. I think Rainey Street is one of the coolest collection of bars/restaurants I've spent time in (lots of old homes and yards coverted to neat bars/restaurants). I also think Lake Travis is a pretty unique place to get outdoors. We rented a boat (cheap) for a day and explored the nooks and crannies. I'd prefer Cape Cod and the Ocean, but Lake Travis was a unique experience. I'd still go with Boston, but I feel like Austin was a bit overlooked in this thread.
However, I think you might only have that opinion since you're already so well versed in Boston. There would have to be a pretty specific case for me to recommend Austin over Boston for a tourist. For example, if they wanted to check out music festivals, SxSW>Boston Calling (LOL not even remotely close!!!). But for the general tourist looking to get a taste of America? I think there are a few cities that you HAVE TO go to first (NYC, DC, Boston, Philly) then I totally think people should get out and see places like Austin, Minneapolis, Seattle, etc. But for someone's first time here, gotta make priorities.
For a tourist from America, I think it's less important that they go to east coast places. Just my 2 cents!
However, I think you might only have that opinion since you're already so well versed in Boston. There would have to be a pretty specific case for me to recommend Austin over Boston for a tourist. For example, if they wanted to check out music festivals, SxSW>Boston Calling (LOL not even remotely close!!!). But for the general tourist looking to get a taste of America? I think there are a few cities that you HAVE TO go to first (NYC, DC, Boston, Philly) then I totally think people should get out and see places like Austin, Minneapolis, Seattle, etc. But for someone's first time here, gotta make priorities.
For a tourist from America, I think it's less important that they go to east coast places. Just my 2 cents!
+1. But I would have to throw in New Orleans for a truly unique experience
However, I think you might only have that opinion since you're already so well versed in Boston. There would have to be a pretty specific case for me to recommend Austin over Boston for a tourist. For example, if they wanted to check out music festivals, SxSW>Boston Calling (LOL not even remotely close!!!). But for the general tourist looking to get a taste of America? I think there are a few cities that you HAVE TO go to first (NYC, DC, Boston, Philly) then I totally think people should get out and see places like Austin, Minneapolis, Seattle, etc. But for someone's first time here, gotta make priorities.
For a tourist from America, I think it's less important that they go to east coast places. Just my 2 cents!
No that's fair. I agree with you. I'd certainly recommend Boston over Austin. But I thought Austin got a tough rap in this thread.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would recommend Austin over Boston to a visitor from Australia. There is an asterisk that should be placed on the reputational claims of Austin as some sort of hip, liberal city. The facts are that Austin is indeed a hip, happening place.* If Austin were in another state, it would be indistinguishable from any other sunbelt city like Phoenix or college town like Columbus.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would recommend Austin over Boston to a visitor from Australia. There is an asterisk that should be placed on the reputational claims of Austin as some sort of hip, liberal city. The facts are that Austin is indeed a hip, happening place.* If Austin were in another state, it would be indistinguishable from any other sunbelt city like Phoenix or college town like Columbus.
*For a Texas city.
On top of that, Rainey Street isn't even that special. You can find similar streets with houses converted into restaurants and bars in Dallas and Houston. People in Austin tend to be myopic about what's outside their city.
I would vote for Boston as well. One thing I like to point out in which I find very comical and it happens alot is that people have to degrade another place because: 1. They either never stepped foot in 2. Or just drove right past.
I know Boston is clearly the bigger, older, more established city, but Austin should be given a bit more credit.
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