First things first, I’m from Chicago so I’m well aware this isn’t a tropical vacation where I’ll be lying on the beach and clapping my hands to have cocktails brought to me. I’ve got plenty of warm weather clothes.
My interests are history, art, theatre, music, good beer and cocktails, and museums which lend themselves to an indoor vacation. I’m well aware I won’t be strolling along the river nor visiting charming neighborhoods. I may visit one or more of the colleges in the area if the weather isn’t too bad.
This would be around my birthday which falls near the MLK holiday around January 20. I’m Wyndham rewards platinum so I’ll start looking at their properties soon. I only use public transit or Uber, so don’t worry about me driving.
We got all that stuff. Come on down (or is it up?) You can spend a lot of time at the Museum of Fine Arts. I would check the listings first, though, to see if any exhibits, shows, etc. will be going on that interest you.
Bring boots. Public transit will suck if the weather does, so definitely be prepared to Uber. But yes, everything you’re looking for will be available.
The weather will probably be just like home, but sometimes we get weird warm spells. New Year’s Day was in the 60s and utterly fabulous. More often that’s when we get our single digit spell, but we like to keep everyone on their toes. On the plus side the snow seems to wait for February, like it’s too cold to snow in January.
There’s really only one Wyndham hotel in Boston proper, that’s the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill. That’s a great area to stay in, close to everything and very walkable even in winter. You’re right near a few T (subway) stops so you can get to most everything quickly, including great restaurants. The other Wyndham options are much further away and not close to anything interesting.
The weather can be anything, but there’s certainly a good chance you’ll be able to walk around sections of the city.
I haven’t been in Boston in years, but damn I loved that city, rain or shine or snow. If you are prepared to trudge through icy weather, go for it. It can be beautiful in the snow, and you can enjoy roaring fires and hot chocolate indoors. The museums and restaurants are terrific. The entire city has a buzz of energy that I think is the result of having such a large number of colleges and universities.
I’m fully committed to never leaving Hawaii except as required for life events like family graduations/marriages/births/funerals, but thinking about Boston almost makes me want to book a trip there.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is supposed to be lovely. I enjoyed seeing the USS Constitution when I visited. Harpoon is a brewery of some renown, and you’ve heard of Sam Adams. Doubtless there are other great breweries to try. Clown Shoes is in Ipswich, which is a bit far, but otherwise would be worth your time. Someone here was talking up Privateer Distilling as one of the best in the US. They’re in Ipswich too.
I liked the oysters at Neptune in the North End. Arrive early. Maria’s is better than Mike’s for cannoli (but his are better than I’ve had anywhere other than Boston.
Boston in January can be okay or it can be miserable. It all depends on how snowy the sidewalks are and how windy it is. I’m not thrilled that Pax East is the last week of February this year because February is much the same.
You can get around in Boston using the T (subway), or for short stretches you can walk. By all means, come.If you like museums and such there’s:
The Museum of Fine Arts
The Boston Science Museum
The Instituite of Contemporary Art
The Boston Children’s Museum (if you have kids)
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Boston Aquarium
outside Boston you’ve got
The Agassiz Museum of Natural History at Harvard
Several Art Museums at Harvard
The MIT Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA
In addition, you’ve got lotsd of historical sites and museums
The Paul Revere House
The Old North Church
U.S.S Constitution (Old Ironsides)
Bunker Hill Museum and Monument
Museum of African American History
JFK Library
Boston Tea Party Ship
and too many more to list, although these people try
If you’re coming to the city on MLK weekend, you can also drop by the Boston Westin Waterfront hotel for Arisia, the first of Boston’s three science fiction conventions. I’ll be on panels there, including one on The Year in Bad Science.
Damn. Rent must have been amazing for their space. Too bad. Glad you got to get some of their last pastries though.
Well dale, Mike’s is still really good. I’ve heard Modern Pastry is amazing too. Both Modern and Neptune are down the street from Paul Revere’s house. I think you can throw a baseball in between all of them, were it not for the buildings getting in the way.
Boston, at least the North End and downtown, is a lot of fun that way. Everything is right next to one another. Which can make restaurant seating a bit snug, but you can’t have everything.
Mike’s is good, but it’s a commodity. Modern is better, and many of the smaller places are amazing. You can’t go wrong, but Mike’s is definitely more touristy. And Mike’s has branch stores all over the place - it’s nearly as common as Dunkin’.
For good beer in Boston proper consider the new Nightshift Brewing on Lovejoy Wharf (love their sours), Trillium Garden on the Greenway, Democracy Brewing, and Beerworks near the Boston Garden.