Boston in April

[NancysSummerSip]

I have some time off coming up and DH and I would like to get to Boston this year (we did not make it last year because I was laid off). We would be going at the end of April/early May, flying there and not planning to rent a car (neither of us has been there and would not want to drive streets we do not know).

No issue with staying in a downtown hotel - I like boutiques and B&Bs but hubs prefers a larger, more modern hotel. We are healthy and able to walk. No problem with using public transit. We would like to see some places the usual tourists don't go.

Thoughts, suggestions?

[Deleted]

Boston Harbor Islands are fun, but I think the ferry only starts in mid-May.

www.bostonharborislands.org

Know it's touristy but I highly recommend Fenway for a game.

[chiver78]

hopefully others can help between now and Tuesday when I'll have a functioning laptop to be able to copy/paste some links. I have a few boutique hotels I can recommend, some other snazzy small chains that DH might like better, and some thoughts on better locations than others around town. I'll post links when I get to work. in the meantime...

as far as places tourists wouldn't go - when you're in the North End (because really, you're going. I know you are), you'll want to go OFF Hanover St. the best cannolis aren't actually at Mike's, they are in the little Caffe Vittoria next door. for dinner, check out La Summa. 
for sight-seeing, as cliche as it is, take a Duck Tour. I finally did one a couple years back with a Canadian friend, and thought it was great. you can pick out other things to do from what catches your eye on the tour. Karen's thing was to go check out the Liberty Hotel. it's a hotel built out in a former prison campus, right near Storrow Drive. the restaurant interior windows all have little bars on them, and the whole setup just plays on the theme. 
the Freedom Trail is touristy, but it's a huge piece of Boston history. it's also a pretty decent hike if you do the whole thing. 
you guys can walk the Rose Kennedy Greenway (what was put in place of the supports for I-93 when the Big Dig was finally completed. there are a few sitting areas, a Holocaust memorial, and other pieces of history displayed along the way. 
the harbor islands are very cool, as is Castle Island/Fort Independence at the very end of Columbia Rd in Dorchester. excellent walking scenery. if you aren't able to take advantage of the link above for the harbor islands, you can always take a harbor cruise from Seaport Blvd, where they will point out all the islands, which ones are inhabited, etc. Look up The Spirit of Boston, they have a dinner cruise. no idea on pricing, sorry. 
the Arnold Arboretum is very pretty, should be getting into spring season by the time you're up here. that's going to be outside of Jamaica Plain, at the far end of the E branch of the Green Line (Heath St end stop). You'd probably have to bus it from Heath St. I haven't been up that way in awhile, so I can't tell you what bus would get you over there. definitely look at the mbta website, that's the whole organization, from the T to buses to commuter rails. schedules/routes/maps, etc. and definitely ask if you have questions. that's how I navigated college. it's been a few years, but I can still be helpful I think. if not, garion2003 is in Cambridge. he may have some insight for non-touristy stuff as well. 

hope we can help you out!

[NancysSummerSip]

Wow, a lot there, chiver, and thanks. A hotel that is somewhere between mainstream and boutique would be great. I've been pricing hotels and I feel a lot like .

And you had me at cannolis. Yes, the North End is a definite stop for this foodie.

[chiver78]

ha, well I did live right in town with no car for almost 5 years. 

so I guess before I start recommending hotels, I should ask where you want to be centered. are there any things you already have planned that you want to be closer to? that might help me narrow things down a little. 

[garion2003]

Sorry, just saw the tag now!! Wasn't ignoring you all

Definitely do the touristy stuff, from Fenway to Freedom Trail to Quincy Market and Boston Common!

Glad you can take public transportation, it's the best way around the city IMHO (I also have uber and lyft on standby). You can by a day or7 day pass which may be better for your needs).

That time of year you can definitely spend some time in Cambridge, take the Red line to Harvard and walk around the Yard. Lots of history as well as some museums if you are into that. You can walk down Mass Ave looking at the people and shops, and jump back on the Red Line at Central, or keep walking down to MIT (Kendall stop).

I always bring people to Copley Square (Green line) and look at Trinity Church, the old Hancock Tower (it has a new name now) and the Boston Public Library. Lots of fun shops and restaurants in the Copley/Back Bay area.

[NancysSummerSip]

I just found out there is a swim meet at MIT the weekend we plan to be there. The host hotel is full, but frankly, it was not walking distance anyway.

I am looking at hotels near train lines. The meet could be doable if I could use public transit to get there.

DH spent some money at B&N on street maps (yes, I know, but he likes the visual maps). I liked the Harborside Inn, the one that is a converted warehouse. Not the cheapest, but certainly quite interesting.

[djAdvocate]

there is a museum downtown and lots of great places to eat and drink.

both are highly recommended.  it is a very picturesque place.

www.mfa.org/

[chiver78]

the MFA isn't really downtown, but it is still right on the Green Line. it's right next to my college, and actually there's an Orange Line station (Ruggles) across the Northeastern University campus where you can pick up a bus (CT2 route) that goes across to MIT if you still wanted to hit up that swim meet, Nancy. the MFA is pretty close to Copley Square, which you can get to by either taking the T inbound from the museum, or by walking up Huntington Ave straight past NU's campus. Huntington ends at Copley. 

I don't know anything about the Harborside Inn, though....sorry there. 

[dee27]

Love the MFA in Boston!

[NancysSummerSip]

Well, we are set. April 27-May 2. I am running in the MMRF 5K in South Boston on the 30th. Staying at the Marriott near the JFK library, close to the Red Line station.

[chiver78]

good luck in the race! that's a good location, close enough to the city to be able to take the T but far enough out that you can enjoy some peace and quiet.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Will you have time/interest for a meet-up?

[whoisjohngalt]

Forget meet-up, you should go to MFA - they have Botichelli and Matisse exhibits going on

[zibazinski]

3 years ago, DH and I were there the week after the bombings.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

MFA is awesome, definitely check that out! DH & I loved the Freedom Trail as well. Incredibly interesting and goose-bumpy to partake of so much history.

[NancysSummerSip]

Apr 16, 2017 19:38:05 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Will you have time/interest for a meet-up?

A meet up is possible. Sunday the 30th would be the most likely day, since that is the 5K race.

We have an itinerary sort of planned out, based on dividing the city and doing a section at a time - downtown one day, the Navy yard another, Harvard one day and Beacon Hill/Back Bay on one day.

I can message my contact info to anyone interested - I will have my phone and tablet with me.