# I'm going to Boston, any advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 24, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503 "2005-08-24T22:27:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/1 "2005-08-24T22:27:10Z")
Hello fellow Dopers. I am Going to a wedding in Maine next week. We are flying into Boston and driving up to Kennebunkport (sp?). I plan to check out Cape Cod. I don’t know anything about the east coast. Are there any things I really should not miss? I would appreciate some suggestions. Thanx. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/2 "2005-08-24T22:36:30Z")
How long do you have? The Cape is in the opposite direction from Kennebunkport. Since you’re going north anyway, Maine has lots of really lovely little towns along the coast. If I were you I’d hang around up there instead of the Cape. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/3 "2005-08-24T23:14:54Z")
I second the suggestion to skip the Cape too. It overcrowded and overrated IMHO. It is in the opposite direction too. Kennebunkport is a lovely town. Go to an authentic Maine lobster shack. The only thing on the menu is the sizes of lobster they have and a couple of sides to choose from. Are you actually going to be in Boston for any length of time? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/4 "2005-08-24T23:49:44Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Are you actually going to be in Boston for any length of time? Unfortunately not. I fly in on Tuesday and fly out the following tuesday. I have to be at the wedding in Kennebunkport Friday and Saturday but other than that I am going to poke around. Too bad about Cape Cod, I am kind of locked into a dinner in Provincetown and will spend at least a day their. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/5 "2005-08-25T00:00:32Z")
You know, it’s a long and troublesome drive from Boston to Provincetown. You should consider taking the ferry from Boston. It doesn’t take any longer, and you get to take it easy on the way. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/6 "2005-08-25T00:07:04Z")
> [@Sal Ammoniac](#): > > You know, it’s a long and troublesome drive from Boston to Provincetown. You should consider taking the ferry from Boston. It doesn’t take any longer, and you get to take it easy on the way. I am taking the ferry. Apparently there is a two hour one, and a three hour one. I think I am on the two hour trip. Get there noon monday goof around till dinner. Spend the night (Yikes the hotel is Expensive) and fly out of Boston Tuesday night. ---
**Author:** ![Arch\_Trout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@Arch\_Trout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arch_Trout)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/7 "2005-08-25T04:57:04Z")
If you like Baseball take the tour of Fenway. I found it thoroughly enjoyable. GO SOX ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/8 "2005-08-25T10:39:24Z")
I’d suggest, if you want something further from the shore, going to Concord. First, off the Old North Bridge is still there, and the site of nice battlefield park. Then there’s the Louisa May Alcott House, the graveyard with “Author’s Row” where Thoreau, Emerson, and Alcott are all buried. Concord Green is still there, too. As is the Inn. You can have a very nice, but pricey, lunch there, and just walk around the center of town. Last time I was there it was full of odd and enjoyable shops. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/9 "2005-08-25T13:14:26Z")
You can go to Salem and take a tour of the witch museum. I did it recently and it was pretty cool. The House of Seven Gables is there too. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/10 "2005-08-25T13:32:24Z")
Cape Ann is pretty nice, and on the way to Maine. Go to Rockport and take a walk up Bearskin Neck. If you have disposable income to spend on expensive art, that’s the place to be. Get a lobster at the Roy Moore Seafood Company (not affiliated with whackjob judges). Get the best hot dog you’ve ever had at Top Dog. Visit Captain Steve to buy his shells and view his 9/11 airline ticket. Visit nearby Gloucester and have a drink at the Crow’s Nest, popularized by George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. Fun, fun, fun. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/11 "2005-08-25T13:38:32Z")
If you like shopping a people watching, then take a walking tour of Newbury Street. It is in the tony Back Bay area of Boston and should give you a good feel for the city’s tony side. While you are there, don’t miss [Gargoyles, Grotesques, & Chimera - 262 Newbury Street](http://www.weeklydig.com/index.cfm/issueID/87eceb2a-4e53-4709-88c9-e96136829eb3/fuseaction/Article.view/issueID/87eceb2a-4e53-4709-88c9-e96136829eb3/articleID/9d7ed561-ee76-470e-a6d7-45be8c780cf7/nodeID/03db94a1-15d0-443d-a7a3-1eab00dc5a6a). It is probably one of the strangest stores you will ever come across in your life. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/12 "2005-08-25T13:39:55Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Cape Ann is pretty nice, and on the way to Maine. Go to Rockport and take a walk up Bearskin Neck. If you have disposable income to spend on expensive art, that’s the place to be. Get a lobster at the Roy Moore Seafood Company (not affiliated with whackjob judges). Get the best hot dog you’ve ever had at Top Dog. Visit Captain Steve to buy his shells and view his 9/11 airline ticket. Visit nearby Gloucester and have a drink at the Crow’s Nest, popularized by George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. > > Fun, fun, fun. I second Rockport. I started going a couple of years ago and now I take all my out-of-toen guests there. It is very pretty, very New England, and pretty unique. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/13 "2005-08-25T13:44:18Z")
**askeptic** , it might help people tailor suggestions to fit you if you could provide more specific information about your interests - art, literature, sports, history, nightlife, nature, etc. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/14 "2005-08-25T13:47:39Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > If you like shopping a people watching, then take a walking tour of Newbury Street. Good call. And Quincy Market is the ultimate tourist site in town. For the quintessential dining experience, Durgin Park is a must. With any luck, you’ll get Dottie as a waitress. She’s the last of a dying breed. She’ll yell at you good! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/15 "2005-08-25T13:48:46Z")
Here’s an idea–an Eastern MA Dopefest! ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/16 "2005-08-25T14:57:45Z")
> [@Papermache Prince](#): > > **askeptic** , it might help people tailor suggestions to fit you if you could provide more specific information about your interests - art, literature, sports, history, nightlife, nature, etc. Thanks. Thanks all for the helpfull advice. From the above list I would say literature, history and nature. Nature being probably of most interest to me. I have travelled extensively around the world and the West coast and Southern US but the only time I have been to the East coast was a week in NYC for New Years Eve in 2000. Is the Provincetown area of the Cape a good place for day hiking? I am guessing my wife will be more interested in the town while I like to get away from the hustle and bustle. Again thanks for all the suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/17 "2005-08-25T16:03:07Z")
I like Quincy Market but maybe it’s just me. If you are a history fan, take the Freedom Trail. What I like to do is take the ferry from the Aquarium area over to Charlestown, go climb Bunker Hill monument, tour the Constitution, then walk back over the bridge and visit Copp’s burying ground (I love those old timey thin tombstones with the skulls), then hit the Old North Church on the way back. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/18 "2005-08-25T16:13:04Z")
If you like nature and history, then you might like Thoreau’s [Walden Pond](http://nanosft.com/walden/) in Concord. You can even swim in it this time of year. They have a replica of his cabin and it is a lovely park. ---
**Author:** ![EarthStone777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@EarthStone777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EarthStone777)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/19 "2005-08-25T16:40:13Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > And Quincy Market is the ultimate tourist site in town. For the quintessential dining experience, Durgin Park is a must. With any luck, you’ll get Dottie as a waitress. She’s the last of a dying breed. She’ll yell at you good! I second Durgin Park as a unique experience but be sure to let the waitresses know that you like being played with. They used to do it to everyone, but due to some tourists who didn’t understand, they toned it down a bit. I make it a habit of sassing the waitress right from the start and they give it right back with glee. It always gets me great service and choice meals, we all have fun,… and I leave a generous tip… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503/20 "2005-08-25T16:49:45Z")
Ah, so that’s the secret. Lately, I’ve been getting male waiters there, and they’re as nice as can be. Hey, I’m a paying customer, and I deserve to be treated rudely, dammit! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-boston-any-advice/318503.md?page=2)