What Would You Do in Boston?

[SacramentoMike]

Circumstance take me to Boston in a couple weeks; we'll have just a few hours, like 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I know about the Freedom Trail, Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill; I've been there a few times, years ago. But in half a day, cab or public transit, hard deadline, I'd love some different ideas. Locals? Thanks.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Circumstance take me to Boston in a couple weeks; we'll have just a few hours, like 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I know about the Freedom Trail, Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill; I've been there a few times, years ago. But in half a day, cab or public transit, hard deadline, I'd love some different ideas. Locals? Thanks.

If you like museums, it is hard to beat the MFA or Gardner for a couple hours of fascination. The Science Museum has a few things to do/see. Top of the Prudential Tower has a great view. Brattle Street and the Harvard Square area is a fun take for a few hours. You can walk around the Harvard Yard, check out the local shops, and the Border Cafe (if still there) has great blackened catfish and a wicked margarita.

 

[Khunajawdge]

1st, avoid Yale at ALL costs!

2nd, probably not everybody's cup of tea but, I always stop at the Harvard University botanical department's collection of glass flowers executed by Rudolf and Leopold Blashka around the turn of the last century. See Here. Wait, I mean stop there now not then!

3rd, there IS no 3rd!

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

1st, avoid Yale at ALL costs!
2nd, probably not everybody's cup of tea but, I always stop at the Harvard University botanical department's collection of glass flowers executed by Rudolf and Leopold Blashka around the turn of the last century. See Here. Wait, I mean stop there now not then!

3rd, there IS no 3rd!

1st, Yale is in New Haven, CT -- a bit of a slog to do in a few hours, though clearly superior to Hahvid in all ways to those in the know (I know you'll understand George )

2nd, I want to see that collection. I had no idea, and I'm sure my wife will as well. Thanks for the tip.

3rd, That reminded me of the Fogg Museum and all the other fascinating museums at Harvard:

https://www.harvard.edu/museums/

 

[beemerdons]

4. Laugh at all the silly drunken Irish. jes' sayin'

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

4. Laugh at all the silly drunken Irish. jes' sayin'

They would be at Boston College.

 

[BkrK12]

They have a pretty nice aquarium and you could then go to Faneuil Hall and see how many of the food vendors you can get through before keeling over, In the same area, there's the Black Rose (used to be HQ for raising funds for the IRA).

 

[08FJR4ME]

+1 on Faneuil Hall, Oysters on the half shell. Legal seafoods a good choice to boot. Sam Adams beer aint the best IMO.

Enjoy,

Dave

 

[FJR Flyer]

Fenway. And the Sam Adams brew pub.

 

[Threepointlanding]

4. Laugh at all the silly drunken Irish. jes' sayin'

Hey, I'm Irish....hicup.....

I would have to check out the chowder, not sure why I like to do that in towns. San Fran's chowder was the goods. Perhaps I do it to abuse my mates around me afterwards. Either way the Chowder and the after abuse should be grand.

 

[Old Michael]

Go see Juanita in the Combat Zone.



(I know. It's all different now.)

 

[Fred W]

+1 on Fanuel Hall Marketplace. People watching on a Saturday can be as entertaining as the shops and restaurants. The Aquarium is a good take. If it's a nice day the Whale watching tours (;eave from beside the aquarium) are pretty fun. Take your Dramamine first if you are apt to get queazy.

For the very best raw bar in the world, go to the oldest restaurant in America. Union Oyster House. It's just around the corner from Fanuel. Was just there last week when working over at MGH. The oysters are excellent.

Then after all the raw oysters you can go back to the hotel room and... well.. you know.

 

[beemerdons]

Go see Juanita in the Combat Zone.

(I know. It's all different now.)

He moved to Roseburg! OM, we're talking about Shiny, aren't we?

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Go see Juanita in the Combat Zone.

(I know. It's all different now.)

He moved to Roseburg! OM, we're talking about Shiny, aren't we?

Saw my first nekkid girl in the combat zone. I was 18 and legal (in them olden days drinking was legal at 18). Saw a woman do amazing things swinging bewtween... never mind. Saw girl-on-girl live. Wild place and wild times. They ruined Boston when they gentrified it.

A big second thumbs up to the Oyster House. JFK used to take Jackie there and you can see the booth upstairs that they always used. Food is still some of the best in Boston. Took my wife there when I visited Boston and she wasn't my wife yet. The Purple Shamrock is convenient between Fan'l Hall and the Oyster House in case you need a beer walking the three blocks to it.A fun bar (if it's still there). Picked up a fine Irish Lass there one time.

I'd personally pass on the Aquarium, but that's me. If I thought the Sox had a day game (rare these days), I'd try to grab some bleacher seats and see an inning or two. Always some fun taking the T into Kenmore Square and people watch as you follow the folks over the Mass. Pike to Yawkey Way.

Fan'l Hall is a tourist trap IMHO, but a fun place to eat. +1 on Legal Sea Foods; their chowda is hard to beat.

Good ideas all.

I doubt if it would be available, but I used to like to get rush seats at the Symphony a few minutes before the performance at the ticket window (big discount). But again that would be an evening thing. A ride on the Duck boats might be fun. I did that with the kids a few years back and we had some laughs while we saw the sights and people watched.

 

[ionbeam]

What floats your boat? History, sports, museums, music, etc.

If you can walk, start at the Boston Commons and go to the Freedom Trail start point and get a map. The first part of the walk will take you to historical churches and grave yards that have headstones from just about everyone you learned about in history class. The trail will take you to Faneuil Hall, the Old South Meeting House, past the Union Oyster House where you will have lunch, old state house (with a life size bronze donkey in front) and Paul Revere's house. At this point you will probably be out of time and out of feet. The Constitution is a long walk and probably worth a cab ride if time permits.

Or, you can take a Boston Duck Boat tour and get a narrated and informative ride through Boston. You will get to see much of the city and a few of the surrounding towns via the Charles River.

As others have mentioned there are specific places to go where you can burn a whole day. This takes us back to what your interests are.

For an adventure of a life time, rent a car and drive around in the city of Boston

It will turn your hair white, leave you hoarse from swearing at the other drivers, dazzled and amazed at the driving habits and thankful if you survive this near death experience. Afterwords you will be saying, "There is no place like home, there is no place like home...."

 

[Fred W]

If I thought the Sox had a day game (rare these days), I'd try to grab some bleacher seats and see an inning or two. Always some fun taking the T into Kenmore Square and people watch as you follow the folks over the Mass. Pike to Yawkey Way.

Ha ha!! Score a couple of tickets to a Sox game? On a weekend? Good one!!

You can bring a wallet full of money and take your chances with the scalpers out on Yawkee way...

Spoiler

It must have been a long time since you were in Boston, Shiney!!

 

[Patriot]

eat chowder, lobster, and baked beans

you're welcome... :yahoo:

 

[Randy]

Go to Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods and fund your trip.

 

[Papa Georgio]

Walk every place it is a small city. I grew up there

Hit the North End (Hanover St) great Itailian food and pastry

5 min walk to Fanual Hall

from there Beacon Hill or downtown Crossing both a couple of blocks away

Boston Common or Puplic gardens both near Beacon hill or downtown X

Go up Newbury st and back down Boylston

You can also do Charlestown my old home town, climb the Bunker Hill Monument, See the USS Constitution the oldest commissioned war ship in the USN