Planning trip to boston. Any locals advice

Im looking to visit Boston for 5 days in August. My top priorty is visiting Fenway Park for my first time. Looking like they will be playing the Royals. I really want to see the city and show the wife a good time. Like i said im open to all suggestions. Im going to stay right in the heart of the city. I hate driving in cities im unfamiliar with, so ill be walking/cabbing it.



Thanks for any help. Pretty excited about the visit. Is stub hub tickets reasonable for Fenway or should i buy them in town.

Avoid driving at all cost, rely on uber and you will enjoy your time more...road system for is a confusing mess

DesertNole said:

Avoid driving at all cost, rely on uber and you will enjoy your time more...road system for is a confusing mess

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agree

If you're staying downtown some things to check out: Jacob Wirth, Boston public library, walk along the Charles River, Boston common and public gardens, Harvard Square (across the river in Cambridge), the area around the aquarium - and all the way up to the north end (Italian restaurants, great bars, Greenway, and the garden).

Juet off the top of my head. Will post again if I think of anything.

consider taking a duck tour (reserve in advance) or at least a bus tour ( no need to reserve).
staying outside the city is much cheaper, but be close to subway access.
mile's pastry in the north end for cannoli. freedom trail walk is fine, but can be long.
Kenmore square close to fenway and the citgo sign is usually busy and fun; but it
will be slower with most schools on vacation. Italian food is quite good, but can't
recommend a place. seafood is good, always liked the no name restaurant on the fish pier.
consider seeing/touring the uss constitution. hope this helps.

Since you'll be at fenway, hit up Cask N flagon. Make sure to walk through Beacon Hill at some point. There's tons of great museums, if that's your thing, let us know.

Make sure you check into Cheers.....I did when i was there.....84 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108

Thanks for the response...exactly that stuff im interested in doing. That cheers bar would be sweet. My wife mentioned that

i was in boston on memorial day. everything was closed. sucked.

portland maine is less than a couple hours north...go there. it's much better there

Spent a few nights there in early June. Saw 2 games at Fenway vs Toronto.

Let me know if you have any questions. We stayed at the Hotel Commonwealth. Excellent hotel and basically right across the street from Fenway. Another decent option is the Hotel Buckminister which is almost right next door. That is an older hotel where the famed "Black Sox" scandal deal went down.

Avoid driving and use the subway. Its much better than the NYC subway. At least it was much less crowded when we went.

Walk the Freedom Trail. Its free and it takes you by many sites.

the advice I was going to give is already here

walk, and walk the freedom trail, eat in the old north end at least one time, sail Boston Harbor (might find a private boat for reasonable cost), go to the Top of the Prudential Center, see the USS Constitution

so much History, if you're into that, and a great "small town" (relatively speaking)

Take a side trip to Newport Beach, RI for the day....

The Falls said:

i was in boston on memorial day. everything was closed. sucked.

portland maine is less than a couple hours north...go there. it's much better there

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silly

Eat in the north end specifically Hanover street.

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:

Take a side trip to Newport Beach, RI for the day....

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We did this too. Its only about a 90 minute drive from Boston. Well worth it. Amazing mansions everywhere. Amazing little town in general.

Desert Devil said:

Walk the Freedom Trail. Its free and it takes you by many sites.

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I'll reiterate that the Freedom Trail is a must, especially if you have any interest in American History.

Also find some good New England clam chowder.

Appreciate all the info.... sounds great

As others have said, if you like good food, you MUST go to the North End.

If you want to eat cheap, for $1.60 you can get a slice of Sicilian pizza at Parziale's bakery on Prince Street (down just over a block from Hanover St). Ideally go there at 9:30 AM. The pizza is coming out of the oven for the first of several times during the day. You can get it all day but shortly after it comes out of the oven it is the best pizza anywhere. Did I say it's only $1.60 a slice.
Ask for Aldo, or Augie. Those are the son / father team who own the bakery and do the baking. They are about fourth generation. Pretty sure Parziale's is the oldest bakery in Boston, probably New England. It's a gem that most don't know about. Tell them Jim sent you. They are great Patriot fans and my friends.

After you have eaten the pizza, you can go back to Hanover Street. Take a right onto Hanover from Prince and a couple of doors down you will run into Mike's Pastry. I think a couple of other guys have already mentioned Mike's. Mike passed away a couple of years ago but his son carries on his legacy of the best pastry anywhere. The first cannoli I ever had was at Mike's. The shells are made right there and filled with a delicious fresh mix of ricotta and powdered sugar. They also have yellow cream filled. And can dip in chocolate or pistacios or several other variations. All the Italian pastries are fresh and superb. I also love the rum cakes, and paraginas, and Neopolitans. But my favorite is their eclairs. Fresh, delicious shells, filled with the richest and best yellow cream you will EVER eat and topped with the richest and best chocolate frosting you will EVER find on an eclair. Best eclairs anywhere. Get ready to spend 4 or 5 bucks for each pastry. Pricey treat. But worth every penny. I spring for a whole bunch for all special occasions and celebrations, including my Super Bowl party every year.

If you want a breakfast pastry. Go up Hanover to Modern Pastry. Their coffee rolls and pastry twists are tremendous. And only $1.50 ea. Gotta get there before 9:00 AM though or they may be out.

On another night, go back to the North End for dinner. You're gonna have to open your wallet a little wider but the Italian food of the North End is hard to beat ANYWHERE. So many good restaurants I don't know where to start to recommend. Virtually all have menus posted for viewing from the street. Maybe you could try my friend Donato Frattoroli's new restraunt "Il Molina" on Commercial St across from Union Wharf between the North End and the waterfront. He has opened several restaraunts over the past 30 years (all still operating). I saw him last week having coffee in Modern Pastry. He said that this is his latest. Think it is scheduled to open this week. He is a fabulous cook and host. Maybe you could try the place and let me know how it is. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Buon appetito.