So it looks like I will have some training in Boston the week of May 5th. I was going to head up early to spend the weekend in town and drive into the city a couple of times during the week. Do any Bostonians out there have good suggestions for cheap places to stay and things that I must do when I am there? I have never been before and would like to make the most of it.
Not a Bostonian but I did go there about a year and a half ago for a concert. If you want to see the city, take one of those duck-boat tours. You go down the Charles(?) River, see all sorts of buildings, and the guides are amusing and knowledgeable.
The Cheers bar has some pretty good hamburgers, and when I went on a weekday for lunch, it was hardly busy. There are some great eateries up around Hanover street (near Faneuil Hall) as well.
First, do you want the usual historical and touristy stuff or do you want some suggestions more tailored to you?
There’s a lot to see and do in Boston. So, what are you interested in? What kind of food do you like?
If you like baseball, I’d definately take a tour of Fenway Park.
I went to Boston two years ago to see a special exhibit at the Museum of Science. I’m a sucker for science museums, particularly for kids’ science museums. The MOS is a good one, IMHO.
I stayed at a great Bed & Breakfast in Cambridge - The Harding House. I have no relationship with them except as a happy customer. It was affordable (very affordable by Boston area standards), walkable to two MBTA stops (saved my renting a car), and very comfortable. I lucked into a room with a private bath - very handy when my sinuses decided to go nuts during the night. They also had a great selection of cable TV channels. This is common in independent hotels and rare in chains. I was traveling with my then 11 year old son, and being able to let him watch his favorite shows was very helpful to our enjoyment of the trip. The food was good, too.
One thing I learned the hard way about MBTA passes - some of them are just good for one day. I don’t mind that I had to buy a second pass card, but I wish they made it clear to this particular tourist when I bought the passes. I know I have no right to complain compared to the DC Metro, but there it is. This might have changed in the last two years, but maybe you can avoid my mistake.
One thing you can do is attend a Dopefest. Let’s see, that would make five in just one year.
You must eat at Durgin Park. That’s pretty much the law. As for places to stay, the B&Bs in Cambridge and Brookline are far cheaper and better than any hotel you’ll find.
It has definitely changed. They revamped the entire system last year. The cost is now $2 for a single trip anywhere, so either you’ll need a bunch of ones or buy a Charlie ticket.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will have a car as work is already paying for it for a week’s rental. I will be by myself. I am not a huge history buff, but like visiting all sorts of interesting things. So, “This is the street where such and such happened, but now it looks like any other modern American street,” doesn’t hold much for me. I am not a big sports fan, but might like to tour Fenway. My tastes in food veer to the exotic. The odder the better.
Do you mind me asking what the training is for? I ask because I’m scheduled to teach a class that week, and we have a salesperson (and customers) from Newport News. I’d find it too coincidental if you happen to be scheduled to be in a class I’m supposed to teach.
However, with all the tech companies in the area, I think its a pretty small probability.
I have very little to add of value, only that I’m extremely jealous. Boston is a beautiful city in and of itself – add in the fact that I study Revolutionary War history for fun and drink coffee like some people breathe air, and it’s a paradise. I’ve only been once, and then for only a few hours, but I instantly wanted to move there and never ever leave.
I doubt it, unless you teach people how to buy battleships. Apparently somebody got a bug up their ass several years ago about how the top level government officials had not idea how to run a procurement operation, so they created a training program for them. They made a very large training program, so now to justify its continued existence they make everybody take the training. Three days of it to be followed by a five day class in a couple more months. Nightmarishly boring.