Boston - Is it worth going?

[Lord Bamber]

Considering taking Lady B somewhere special for her 40th Birthday. Having done lots of european city breaks & New York, Boston is a possibility and she seems keen.

Good folk of NSC, can anyone help with any tips, suggestions, hotels, dont go for this reasons etc.

Thanks.

 

[The Oldman]

Boston - Is it worth going?
Yes! Great city break and despite the fact that it revels in its history of getting rid of the Brits they quite like us. One of the few US cities where you can walk about. Go for it.

 

[Peever]

My cousins were just in Boston for a few hockey games and they had a fantastic time. Plenty of things to see and do and as said by [MENTION=442]The Oldman[/MENTION] its on of the few cities where you can walk around and find everything with ease. you wonjt be disapointed with going thats for sure!

 

[Lethargic]

I assume you mean in the one in Massachusetts not Lincolnshire. Yes it is the city centre is compact and easy to get around, crime is not an issue, it does have some history and more of a European feel than most US cities and it soes have some reasonable pubs and restaurants especially if you like your sea food.
Also useful for the missus, travel up to New Hampshire (about 30minutes) and its tax free shopping.

 

[ryeseagull]

One of my favorite cities, alongside Philadelphia.

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

I assume you mean in the one in Massachusetts not Lincolnshire.

well that my 'hilairious' post knackered

 

[Devon Seagull]

Went to Boston in 1999 with my wife. We did New York first and they are two very different cities. Boston seemed more historic with older buildings and not so much glass and chrome as NY. Can't recommend a hotel as we did it fairly budget..I think Comfort inn or Days. I find a good tip on any city break is do the tour bus thing first and this will give you a great insight about the said city and on the tour you can identify places you want to go later and take a better look at. Good luck

 

[Lord Bamber]

Thanks all for your responses, it seems a resounding thumbs up so far!

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Well worth a visit and would happily go back sometime. For starters it's an hour shorter flight each way than New York. If there is time Cape Cod, the White Mountains and New York are options for travelling around a bit.

Compact city, very walkable, several downtown hotels to choose from. Great shops, nice harbour area and market, Boston common (the central park) and restaurants/bars. Could try for Red Sox tickets if planning a summer visit. The historical links from the colonial days make it feel a bit British so feels different to most US cities, although the yanks are very proud of it as their cradle of independence. They make a lot of the Irish connection too. We were there for 4th July a few years ago while touring New England. Stood in a boistrous crowd as the Governor of Massachusetts traditionally read the original declaration of independence from the balcony on the old town hall. Felt a bit like being in the home end at Selhurst! They then have a huge open air concert and fireworks by the river. Conversely did a nice short break over Thanksgiving a couple of years ago, good festive atmosphere, aided by a some seasonal snow. Mrs SoC got to do most of her Xmas shopping too, so I got loads of gold stars. Surprisely the flights were only half full, so worth considering. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[Lord Bamber]

Well worth a visit and would happily go back sometime. For starters it's an hour shorter flight each way than New York. If there is time Cape Cod, the White Mountains and New York are options for travelling around a bit.

Compact city, very walkable, several downtown hotels to choose from. Great shops, nice harbour area and market, Boston common (the central park) and restaurants/bars. Could try for Red Sox tickets if planning a summer visit. The historical links from the colonial days make it feel a bit British so feels different to most US cities, although the yanks are very proud of it as their cradle of independence. They make a lot of the Irish connection too. We were there for 4th July a few years ago while touring New England. Stood in a boistrous crowd as the Governor of Massachusetts traditionally read the original declaration of independence from the balcony on the old town hall. Felt a bit like being in the home end at Selhurst! They then have a huge open air concert and fireworks by the river. Conversely did a nice short break over Thanksgiving a couple of years ago, good festive atmosphere, aided by a some seasonal snow. Mrs SoC got to do most of her Xmas shopping too, so I got loads of gold stars. Surprisely the flights were only half full, so worth considering. Hope you enjoy it.

What part of Boston would you recommend staying in?

 

[Scoffers]

I go to Boston regularly as my company has the HQ there. I am in Boston now, in fact!

I like it a lot. Improved a lot in recent years after "The Big Dig"

 

[Lord Bamber]

I go to Boston regularly as my company has the HQ there. I am in Boston now, in fact!

I like it a lot. Improved a lot in recent years after "The Big Dig"

Any tips on where to stay eat shop gratefully received.

 

[piersa]

yank i know said if you are going to go anywhere in USA go to new england and boston.

 

[portlander]

Live about 100 miles away. Great city, easy to navigate, full of history (although much of it refers to the British losing the Revolutionary war), food of every description available. Great sports city although the Celtics are on strike (with the rest of the NBA) and the Sox are in their off-season - the Bruins are a fun night out, especially with the way they're playing right now. Several excellent museums dotted around, and a side trip to Cambridge to tour Harvard and its environs is recommended. Go for it!

 

[Martinf]

Any tips on where to stay eat shop gratefully received.

I would advise against eating a shop.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

I'd go along with all the comments so far. I'd just add that it's worth going up to Harvard University and wandering around the grounds and doing the Whale Watch, but that depends on the time of year you are going. It's a really nice place - probably my favourite city in the US after New York.

 

[RexCathedra]

If youngish, Cambridge/Somerville/Newton/Watertown.

Technically seperate cities, but all right on the MBTA. A little like Oxford, a little like London NW.

Oh, and Harvard wags have been going to London King's Cross and asking for "A ticket to Cambridge, England, please." Perhaps it's time to get even.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

If memory serves me correctly (used to produce the holiday brochures back in a previous job incarnation), many of the main hotels are in the Back Bay area of the city, offers pretty easy access to most of the key sights. So I guess that'd be worth a punt.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Any tips on where to stay eat shop gratefully received.

I ran this years Boston marathon and had a whale of a time. I stayed in Brighton! A studenty part of the city but you might want to try somewhere a bit more upscale as it's a special occasion. Defo eat at Ye Olde Oyster House; ages old trad oyster lobster house all washed down with frothy Harpoon IPA. If ale/craft beer is your thing then The Sunset Grill Bar (I think this is what its called. PM me if you cannot find it) is a must as they have 120 taps of real and craft ale. Oh, there's plenty of history as well.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I'd go along with all the comments so far. I'd just add that it's worth going up to Harvard University and wandering around the grounds and doing the Whale Watch, but that depends on the time of year you are going. It's a really nice place - probably my favourite city in the US after New York.

Harvard is cool but I'd also recommend visiting MIT, the Harvard rival and where god knows how many things very invented eg the Internet. Check out the MIT 'Hackers.' Also, one of their buildings was designed by Frank Gehry and you can go inside.