wh500special 2,188 #1 Posted July 6, 2021 My family wants to take a trip to Boston for a few days. We’re driving from Illinois and my wife and daughter have made out their lists of things to see while there and on the long slog out and back. I’ve been to Boston, but never really have been outside of the city having flown in. My wife and I stayed near the downtown/beacon hill area when we were last there and we walked everywhere. It’s an easy city to walk. Parking the car - I mean pahhking the cah - gets wicked expensive there if we are driving in. Actually, compared to the Midwest, everything is crazy expensive there. I don’t know how you guys do it…get east of Ohio and whew! Anyway, we had planned to just bite the bullet and stay in town like last time and walk everywhere but also thinking maybe staying in a suburb would make sense. We could drive in, ditch the car for the day , and walk about. Might give us more freedom to be outside the center of the city. And the room rates are better and don’t always charge extra to park. anyway, I see tons of chain hotels located all around the perimeter of the city. But know nothing about any of the areas. Would like to pick something where the car is likely to still be there with all of its windows intact in the am. Ideally around a half hour or 45 minutes or so into town would work. Obviously I don’t need to head into the city during the morning rush so I would imagine traffic can be managed. the things to do are scattered hither and about, so no preference as to which side of the city to basecamp. We’ll be coming into town from CT/RI and probably leaving on a more northerly route if that makes any difference. We realize there are still a lot of closures due to COVID. suggestions on a reasonably safe suburb around Boston would be appreciated. Or, maybe just as good, suggestions on where to avoid would be nice. But it’s easier to hurt feelings that way… Thanks, Steve. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,677 #2 Posted July 6, 2021 Steve I've got family that lives nearby there. I'll copy and paste this and send it and see what results I get... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #3 Posted July 7, 2021 There you go, Eric said you can stay with his family... 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,015 #4 Posted July 7, 2021 (edited) Most suburbs around Boston are safe. Anywhere outside the I95/Rt128 belt seems from your description where you would want to stay. Maybe somewhere like Framingham would be easier on the hotel budget and you can also take the T train in and out of the city. Same for Natick or Southborough. The suburbs west like Newton, Wellesley, Weston are fairly affluent areas but closer to the city and south areas like Roxbury, Jamaica Plains and Dorchester, you probably want to avoid. If you're into the history stuff look towards the northwest areas like Lexington and Concord If you happen to end up in the Museum of Science, Check out the huge ceiling screens (probably can't miss them). I installed those when they did some remodeling years back Edited July 7, 2021 by wallfish 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,677 #5 Posted July 7, 2021 36 minutes ago, roadapples said: There you go, Eric said you can stay with his family... I wouldn't put you or anyone through that!! I like John's suggestions. Here's the response I got: " Sure thing! Stay away from directly north or south of Boston, more crime. Towns like Chelsea, Roxbury, Charlestown, Revere, etc. West of the city or further north or south tends to be fine, sometimes even quite nice! Burlington is good, Woburn and they both have a ton of commercial businesses so they’re used to catering to visitors. Newton, Arlington (close to redline T means no car into Boston). Cambridge or Belmont are nice He may want to check out staying inside the city because businesses are trying to recover from being shut down for so long and May have reasonable rates/specials and all walking/taking the T. Within Boston, government center is cool and should have decent places to stay at. The Nine Zero on Tremont is fantastic and walking distance to quite a bit! If he wants to stay outside the city and take the T into Boston for the day, take a look at the subway maps to see where the hotels are in relation to any stops and this could help him have no need to take the car out of the hotel lot. And check parking at hotels, parking can vary and be expensive or free! " 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,611 #6 Posted July 7, 2021 About 5yrs ago I spent a week at a motel in Dedham while I was working in Needham. Both towns seemed pretty decent at that time and they are both about 30min from Boston. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldcpecdr 255 #7 Posted July 7, 2021 I've lived in and around Boston for most of my 75 years. Can you tell us where your wife and daughter are wanting to go ? History oriented ? Sports ? Ocean and beaches? Lots to choose from. If they like baseball make sure you catch a game at Fenway Park. Both the North Shore and Cape Cod have some great beaches. Museum of science is fantastic. If you are into history Do the Freedom Trail in Boston and then out to Lexington and Concord....don't miss the National Historic site at the old North Bridge Concord Ma "the rude bridge that arched the flood where once the embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard around the world." the park rangers there do an INCREDIBLY good presentation of April 19, don't miss it if you go there. Concord also has the Hawthorne house and many other historical sites. A ride through the neighboring town of Acton's center will get you a look at the Monument to Isaac Davis, the first man to die in the Concord battle.. read April Morning or a good historical account before you go. Salem the Witch City is always fun ... House of Seven Gables, and MANY walking tours of the whole witch trial story... many of the buildings date back to that time period. Another great beach is Crane's Beach in Ipswich (great name) that is not too far from Salem. Gloucester is another fun place to walk about... or you can head South to the Cape and fight a little traffic but the National Seashore is worth it. A stop at Plymouth Plantation is worth a stop on the way down, and Heritage Museum in Sandwich is also fun, AND has some great antique cars among many other attractions. Another great beach is Crane's Beach in Ipswich (great name) that is not too far from Salem. OK that's about two week worth....lol Just noticed you are coming in from Ct/RI so I would hit the Cape and Plymouth and then work North. Are you continuing on to NH and Maine? If you need more specific info let me know. Mike B 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,921 #8 Posted July 7, 2021 9 hours ago, Achto said: About 5yrs ago I spent a week at a motel in Dedham while I was working in Needham. Both towns seemed pretty decent at that time and they are both about 30min from Boston. As much pork butt as you smoke Dan... I completely understand why you would be in Needham and Dedham for a whole week! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,968 #9 Posted July 7, 2021 We will be there next week in very close to Boston. My daughter lives in Medford. Waltham is a great place to stay with lots of hotels just west of Boston. We have stayed there. we have been going to Boston for years but usually flew in to Logan Airport . This is actually the first time we are going to do some tourist things! Going to take the 90 minute Boston Harbor boat tour that goes by many historic sites. Hornblower boat tours is one of the better ones. Old Ironsides, USS Constitution is now open again for tours at Charlestown Navy Yard. Bunker Hill Monument has 244 steps to foot of monument but near Old Ironsides. Boston has the Freedom Trail downtown a designated and well marked trail with signs for many historic sights and buildings. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,243 #10 Posted July 7, 2021 All great suggestions (except that Crane's Beach now requires reservations--check online!) Bicycling within Boston is doable, though it is a city so casual cyclists need to adapt to being mostly on-street. The Segway tours are a lot of fun though pricey unless you can get a coupon (online again!) The USS Constitution is within walking distance of downtown and to me was a highlight. There are cruises from the downtown wharfs around the harbor, out to the harbor islands, and (taking several hours) to the whale watching areas. The Aquarium is pretty cool, but if you are in Boston I'd say focus on stuff that is the best there or only there. I have stayed often at Marriott properties along the I95 / Rt 128 belt, Dedham and Waltham mostly, and the prices are lower than nearer in and, so far, free parking. There are quite a few options from other brands, too. However not many hotels out there are close to the "T" or the commuter train stations (no need--guests are drivers!), so you may want to check on shuttle options from the place you stay. Parking in the commuter lots near the suburban "T" stations is safe, but limited and not all stations have parking. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex175 784 #11 Posted July 7, 2021 (edited) Boston is for sure one of those cities that you cannot get bored in, no matter what your interests are there is something for you. I've seen a bunch of great recommendations already that I would like to echo, the Boston Science Museum, Fenway, and the Freedom Trail are all huge recommendations from me. Additionally the Sam Adams brewery tour is pretty awesome according to my wife (I still haven't had the pleasure yet), and if you do end up out in Cape Cod try and visit the Whydah Pirate Museum, my wife and I went there last weekend and it was well worth the price of admission if you like history, archeology, or anything maritime related...it was amazing. I can't speak to the areas around Boston...except for Roxbury even though I have never been there. I grew up and still live in Roxbury Connecticut, a small well to do town of around 2,200 people. Growing up I was always very confused as to why whenever I told anyone from Massachusetts that I was from Roxbury they immediately got standoffish and took 3 steps back...that's how I learned about the reputation of Roxbury Massachusetts. Edited July 7, 2021 by Alex175 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldcpecdr 255 #12 Posted July 7, 2021 Another thought if you are coming by way of RI, you can scoot up 195 to New Bedford and see the New Bedford Whaling Museum..... and if you are ok with a little gore the Lizzie Borden Homestead.... you can also see the Battleship Massachusetts in New Bedford , I don't know if the tours are open yet but an impressive sight . Mike B Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
