[jencat215]

Okay, DH and I are going to Boston next month for a conference. What are the 'must see' and 'must eat at' places in town? We are thinking of taking a couple of days after the conference to sight see. Should we rent a car? Can we get to the Cape w/o one? Any ideas would be great-we've never been to Boston, I'm too emotionally drained to do any internet searching, DH is a guy so planning isn't programmed into his DNA, and I know lots of you girls are from Boston!

Thanks!!!

[lidaam]

You have to eat at Legal Seafood. I think it's a must for Boston. I would also recommend café Marche. And definitely take Duck Tour (they leave from Prudential Mall). On the weekend Faneuil Hall is a very nice place to go to. There is a lot of shopping, and many street performers. And of cause it’s a historic place that captures Boston’s atmosphere. There are two beautiful gardens in the heart of the city. They are between Arlington and Park Street stations. Newberry St is nice too. You don’t need a car while in Boston. The T is not expensive and will take you almost anywhere. Plus parking as in any major city is not so easy to find. But to go to Cape you will need a car.

Oh, I miss Boston!

[hopeful2bmom]

Hi Jencat, if you want a true Boston experience then you must avoid the Chain restaurants!!!! Although Legal Seafoods is ok. Walking and riding bikes in Boston is the best way to see the city, for there is much construction and traffic. The T is very convienent for getting from place to place. You should take the red line from South Station to Harvard Square in Cambridge. The houses are beautiful and the Harvard campus is espeically beautiful and quiet in the summer time. (I am going there today!) The best restaurants are in the South End. Mostly a gay area, with lots of vibrancy and great food. I will give you a few a my favorites. There is Union, which I belive is on Washington street. The cornbread in the skillet is to die for. For tapas, there is El Tapeo on Newbury Street, and Toro on Washington Street. Masa on Tremont Street is also very good. Fos seafood, The Union Oyster House is great on Union Street, not to be confused with Union bar and grille on Washington which I mentioned above! Boston Common is a very pretty park to walk through, but you cannot ride your bikes through it. Riding around by the Charles River is fun and you have to try to go to a Red Sox game if you have time. You can get tickets on the street at the last minute or even into the first two innings for a decent price. Or just ahnging at one of the bars on Landsdowne Street and watching the game on Tv is a unique Bsoston experience! If you have any questions, email me at satsac14@yahoo.com. I am in Boston and Cambridge at least three times a week. I used to work there and all my friends live there! have a blast it is so much fun! I did the Duck tour once and it was not my cup of tea. It's better to walk to get the full experience.

[Boston73]

I'm from Mass also...Boston is such a great city. You should definitely check out the Fenway area. Especially if there's a game it's such a great place to be. They close off Yawkey Way before the game, which is the street Fenway is on. But Unfortunatley they only allow ticket holders in once it's closed off. If you can get tickets it's a great time. They have outside bars and tons of food and the pro shop is also on that street. It's a big party.

I love the North End for food! So many great restaurants. My favorite is La Broche (sp?) on Salem Street. My husband and I know the owner. Very, very contemporary and the food is to die for. Faneuil Hall is also a great place for food and shopping. A great seafood restaurant in Faneuil is KingFish, very good. Tons of good bars to hang out too. Also Down Town Crossing is a great place for shopping, tons of great places. It's right near the Boston Common.

There's really a lot to see in Boston. The other girls mentioned some really great places also!

You and dh will definitely have a great time!!!

[jencat215]

Thanks ladies!!! So much easier than dragging my butt to the book store and better advice too. DH and I lived in Evanston, just north of Chicago, and we just loved to walk around the city.

Are there any areas to avoid (or will we just KNOW that we should avoid these areas).

I love seafood and tapas so it all sounds like we will have lots of good places to go.

We are staying at the Lenox Hotel but the conference is at the Marriott Copley Place.

So if we were to go to the Cape, do you have any recommendations on where to stay? what to do/eat?

[Elsee hopeful]

Hi Jen,

I live in the South End and work in Boston. It is a great city. If you're staying at the Lenox, you may want to look at Back Bay restaurants. I love Davios for Italian, Abe & Louie's for Steak (right across the street from the Lenox) and Legal Seafoods or Great Bay for Seafood. For a great drink outside on a patio, try Cuffs-an Irish Bar at the Jurys Boston Hotel. Voted "Best Hotel Bar" from Improper Bostonian and Boston Magazine. It is hip hotel in the heart of Back Bay. You'll love it!

For the Cape, I would recommend Chatham and the Chatham Bars Inn. Brewster and Osterville are my other favorite towns. For a truly fun/interesting experience, you may want to go all the way down to the tip of the Cape to Provincetown. It is primarily a gay tourist town, but it is lovely with lots of great restaurants and shops. If your staying overnight, stay in the heart of it all at the Crowne & Anchor. A true Cape Experience. The chance to peoplewatch alone is worth the trip!

Have fun!!!

[hopeful2bmom]

Jen- Elsee is right. I got married at Chatham Bars Inn two years ago it's quintesential Cape Cod in Chatham. Hyannis has some good restaurants but it is really busy over there and alot of strip malls that are not attractive. Chatham Bars Inn is pretty pricey in the summertime, so see if you can get an internet deal if you go.
Elsee, I love Davios and I love the South End!

Jen- Copley Square is full of shops, malls and restaurants as well. The Lenox is really nice. I am so excited for you, you and DH need to get away and have a blast. The beached in the Cape or gorgeous. Especially Race Point In Provincetown all the way at the end of the cape. Provincetown is bustling and really lively in the summertime. You will love it. Go see a cabaret show with the drag queens, it's a blast!

[Junebug]

I agree that you must try the North End for Italian food. All of the restaurants are great. You should try Mike's Pastry shop or Modern Pastry across the street for cannoli after dinner!
And, I would definitely aviod the chain restaurants. Marche is now closed anyway. If you want good seafood try the Barking Crab or the No Name restaurant down the fish pier.
You should definitely try to "scalp" tix to a Sox game during the 1st or 2nd inning- you can get in for relatively cheap that way.
I highly recommend the Duck Tour. I went on it a few years back when I had friends in town from NY- it was a blast...even for a lifelong Bostonian!

You definitely need a car to get down to the Cape. If you don't want to rent a car-a good thing to do instead might be to take an early morning bus from South Station (a short T or cab ride from your hotel)down to Woods Hole and then take the ferry over to Martha's Vineyard. They have these school bus looking things over there that travel all around the island, and you can buy a day pass for under $10, I think. Would probably work out cheaper than driving down to the Cape, and I think it is much more fun!

let me know if you need more info!

[Junebug]

Thought of a few more things you might want to check out while here...

The Freedom Trail (walking tour of Boston)
The New England Aquarium
A whale watch (leaves from Long Wharf, right near the aquarium)