So, next month is our 1st anniversary, and we’re going to spend it in Boston. Already have the hotel and flight set. Neither of us has really spent time there before.
I know a couple of the obvious sites… USS Constitution, Old North Church, Freedom Trail… probably going to Fenway Park for a tour and to the Sam Adams Brewery, Museum of Science and Museum of Fine Arts… might tour the state house…
Any suggestions of can’t miss restaurants? Best lobstah? Best view? Any other sites that are worth a trip? We’re history buffs and generally fairly casual.
Summer Shack, maybe? It has lobster, and is casual. I think there is a location just off of Boylston Street near the Hynes Convention Center. I suggest this specifically for casual seafood in Boston. For less casual seafood there is Atlantic Fish Co. (also on Boylston Street).
Can you tell us which hotel, or at least which neighborhood you are staying in?
May is really pretty here. I’d also suggest hopping on the Orange Line and walking around the Arboretum and Forest Hills Cemetery if that’s convenient, or heading to Cambridge and the Mt Auburn Cemetery. Both of those cemeteries have some good history and are lovely to wander.
If you’re already at the Museum of Science, it’s a 5-10 minute walk to the Galleria Mall in Cambridge. The mall, while nice, isn’t a tourist attraction. However, there’s a boat tour that leaves from the mall’s food court, with a good view of Boston’s skyline.
Cambridge’s Harvard Square is accessible by T and on summer weekends is full of street performers and interesting little stores.
I’m not at all a sports fan, and even I enjoyed the tour of Fenway Park. Inexpensive and informative.
If you don’t manage to get out to the Arnold Aboretum or Mount Auburn Cemetery (both are nice), you can still take a walk around the Public Gardens and/or Boston Common.
Newbury Street has probably Boston’s fanciest stores and also quite a few places to eat. I only go there once in a while myself, but it’s very popular and an easy walk from the Commons.
The Aquarium isn’t a can’t-miss wonder of the world, but is pretty cool for a couple hours of looking at jellyfish and bizarre-looking seahorses, etc. It’s also right downtown, near Fanueil Hall, etc. (And for lunch, you can do worse than the Indian or Thai places in the Fanueil Hall food court).
The lilacs will be in bloom in the Arboretum, but it’s a bit of a pain to get to on public transportation. The Public Gardens (and a ride on the Swan Boats) is a worthwhile diversion.
Lobster is lobster. Anyone with a pot of water can essentially make a lobster that will taste the same as the finest restaurant. I prefer lobster on a picnic table along the Maine coast or Cape Cod. For basic lobster Legals and Summer Shack do a fine job, but they’re not the cheapest places. For more elegant seafood, especially if you like a raw bar, try B&G Oysters or Oceana.
A trip to the North End for a fine Italian meal, followed by pastries at Mike’s (too touristy for my tastes) or the Modern Pastry is a must. Too many restaurants to choose from, wander around and see what you like.
It’s possible to take a day trip to Provincetown, the fast ferry starts running on May 21st.
The Duck Tours are campy, silly, and one of the best ways to see the city. It’s fun, just enjoy the ride.
Seem to recall there was a restaurant at the top of the Prudential building called Top of the Hub, maybe, that had great views (don’t remember if the food was any good) Might be fun for a special dinner. Otherwise, one of the things I love about Boston is it’s very compact & walkable, & if you’re history buffs, you’ll find it all around you. I’d wander around Beacon Hill, Newbury Street, the Common/Public Garden, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, the North End, & just explore. I try to get to Fenway every year for a game, & also think of that as a must, even if you’re not that into baseball.
I’ve also heard rumors you may find a decent pint of Guiness here & there!
Have a great time & happy anniversary
Durgan Park Restaurant in Faneuil Hall. The indian pudding with vanilla ice cream is to die for, and from a very old recipe. The waitresses are not as rude as they used to be though.
I think the boats go all the way upriver to Harvard University, and there’s not much to see from the water there. If you just want to see the skyline you can walk along the Cambridge side of the river and it would save you some time. And who knows, if you stop in the middle of the path to take pictures, that guy on a bike, ringing his bell and trying not to look annoyed, might be me.
Does Boston have any bicycle rentals? Along both sides of the river, from the Museum of Science to the Harvard Bridge (which, ironically, goes right to MIT) is a beautiful ride. I’m headed there myself this afternoon.
I was sadly disappointed during my last visit to the Aquarium. The new sea mammal area isn’t nearly as visitor friendly as the old “boat/auditorium.” The interior of the aquarium hasn’t changed much in the past 30 years either, and it’s starting to become obvious.
I’m relatively local, and have never taken, but have heard great things about, and plan to, ride the Duck Boat tour.
If you’re into art, the Museum of Fine Arts is a very nice place to visit as well.
The duck boat tour is a lot of fun, especially if you’ve got kids - they let the kids drive when you’re on the water. Reasonably informative as well. Just make sure you take the original one, with the WWII ducks, and not the new “superduck” tour.
A fact I became well aware of when I was part of Community Boating. Those guys certainly don’t follow the rules of the road. Nor do the adults who are supposed to be driving.
I got to pilot one of those when I was on the tour (they allow anyone, not just kids) and those suckers handle like a supertanker. They don’t really maneuver, they meander. There’s not much a person behind the wheel can do other than attempt to keep them on the river. The drivers are actually pretty good at steering them.
