I've been thinking about taking my wife up to Boston one year for a vacation, because I have always wanted partake in one of those New England bus tours to see the fall foliage and tour the city of Boston. Might even try to catch a Red Sox game at Fenway while we are there. Someone I know that has been up that way claims the people of Boston aren't that friendly, and hold a very negative opinion of people from the Deep South. Has anyone on here ever been up that way? What was your overall impression of the area, specifically the city of Boston?
Anyone on here ever been to Boston, MA?
- Thread starter WayboDawg
- Start date
Well... they probably won't like you. But that's a you problem.
Duck Boat tour
Freedom Trail
Fenway
Cambridge
Italian in the North End
Drink local beers
USS Constitution
and so on...
Go. Boston far exceeded my expetations. Had a great time and was only there like four days.
Duck Boat tour
Freedom Trail
Fenway
Cambridge
Italian in the North End
Drink local beers
USS Constitution
and so on...
Go. Boston far exceeded my expetations. Had a great time and was only there like four days.
I used to travel to Boston & MIT for work ...
and it's a lot like anywhere else in the US. You can find multitudes of 'unfriendly' folks if you look hard enough but just turn on your smile and southern accent and you will find plenty of charming people. Works every time.
and it's a lot like anywhere else in the US. You can find multitudes of 'unfriendly' folks if you look hard enough but just turn on your smile and southern accent and you will find plenty of charming people. Works every time.
Echo everything, plus
...go to the original Cheers, plus see Fanuiel Hall and Harvard and take the tour of Fenway.
...go to the original Cheers, plus see Fanuiel Hall and Harvard and take the tour of Fenway.
I would suggest you go next July because...
July 3 - 4 is a Thursday and Friday...
July 3 - go to the Boston Pops Rehearsal at the Hatch Shell
July 4 - go to the Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks Show but be on the other side of the Charles River in Cambridge.
Cost of going to the event: Free. Unless you want to buy a cap, t-shirt, snack, or beverage. Heck, even the T was free leaving the Fireworks show on the 4th because the lines were long.
I agree with everything said by the others.
July 3 - 4 is a Thursday and Friday...
July 3 - go to the Boston Pops Rehearsal at the Hatch Shell
July 4 - go to the Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks Show but be on the other side of the Charles River in Cambridge.
Cost of going to the event: Free. Unless you want to buy a cap, t-shirt, snack, or beverage. Heck, even the T was free leaving the Fireworks show on the 4th because the lines were long.
I agree with everything said by the others.
I live in New Hampshire, and lived just outside of Boston for a year or so.
People in New England aren't necessarily rude by default, a lot of them just live very fast paced lives and are not very concerned about anyone's agenda but their own. That's generally the way it is Monday - Friday. The weekends or holidays are a different story though.
If you want to do very touristy things, absolutely do what everyone else has said. I'd also recommend heading out to Jamaica Plain and take the free tour at the Sam Adam's brewery. Free, fresh, cold beer on a hot summer day was a nice treat. I would suggest trying to use as much public transportation as possible and avoid renting a car as driving in Boston as an out of towner can be a **** show.
People in New England aren't necessarily rude by default, a lot of them just live very fast paced lives and are not very concerned about anyone's agenda but their own. That's generally the way it is Monday - Friday. The weekends or holidays are a different story though.
If you want to do very touristy things, absolutely do what everyone else has said. I'd also recommend heading out to Jamaica Plain and take the free tour at the Sam Adam's brewery. Free, fresh, cold beer on a hot summer day was a nice treat. I would suggest trying to use as much public transportation as possible and avoid renting a car as driving in Boston as an out of towner can be a **** show.
check airports like providence and manchester nh. they are less than an hour from boston and it might be cheaper to just rent a car and drive on in to boston, and then use the car to drive up into NH and VT to view the foliage.
the people are fine, it's the NE corridor, so they aren't going to be as friendly as the south/midwest/west coast. a lot of meatheads in boston too. like dude's that rock white sneakers, a white tight t-shirt, a flat brim sawx hat, and love to listen to some godsmack/staind/limp bizkit type rock. ha. at least when i was there in 2007. you can find places without those types, but definitely seems like they are more prevalent than eslewhere in the country. i used to have a roommate from maine that was a big boston sports fan, and after my visit, i kinda understood his whole personality much better.
the people are fine, it's the NE corridor, so they aren't going to be as friendly as the south/midwest/west coast. a lot of meatheads in boston too. like dude's that rock white sneakers, a white tight t-shirt, a flat brim sawx hat, and love to listen to some godsmack/staind/limp bizkit type rock. ha. at least when i was there in 2007. you can find places without those types, but definitely seems like they are more prevalent than eslewhere in the country. i used to have a roommate from maine that was a big boston sports fan, and after my visit, i kinda understood his whole personality much better.
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I've been there a couple of times and my best friend is from Boston. Everyone I met was very nice and happy to chat about the where I was from. The only person who said anything negative the first time I went was my friend's old high school buddy and that was when he found out I am a Yankees fan.
On my second trip the only negative thing I heard about Mississippi was from a woman at the conference I was attending but she was one of those people who was nothing but negative. All the dudes at the bar I went to while there were great.
Go and have fun.
Southwest into Manchester has worked for me. Cheaper and not dealing with Logan
traffic was great.
traffic was great.
Take the trip but don't drive in Boston. If you get on the turnpike and miss
your exit, you're screwed. Take the "T" (what they call the subway) but make sure you don't go thru China Town. Boston has some of the best seafood you'll ever eat and it's very clean for a metropolitan area. I would attribute that to the many number of colleges and institutions of higher leaning that are in the area. Go to Fenway and if the Sox aren't playing, take the tour. Well worth it. When I went there were only two of us on the tour. Got to go onto the field, in the dugouts and inside the left field scoreboard. Even sat in the white seat in right field where Ted Williams last homerun landed (it was also in his last at bat). Believe me, if you've got a week, it's not enough time.
your exit, you're screwed. Take the "T" (what they call the subway) but make sure you don't go thru China Town. Boston has some of the best seafood you'll ever eat and it's very clean for a metropolitan area. I would attribute that to the many number of colleges and institutions of higher leaning that are in the area. Go to Fenway and if the Sox aren't playing, take the tour. Well worth it. When I went there were only two of us on the tour. Got to go onto the field, in the dugouts and inside the left field scoreboard. Even sat in the white seat in right field where Ted Williams last homerun landed (it was also in his last at bat). Believe me, if you've got a week, it's not enough time.
I went one spring break with three feet of snow and loved it. Getting outside of Boston was a treat since there are a lot of traditional houses. I would recommend the autumn - since you want to view the leaves - and you can have overlap with the Patriots and Red Sox seasons (maybe preseason NBA if you go in Oct).
The friendly outnumber the unfriendly. Boston is a great sports town, of course. If you love talking sports, you won't have a problem. They love your accent as much you love theirs.
Hancock Tower has a great view of the city. Lots of universities to see. Stop by Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds near Northeastern's campus to see a couple monuments to Boston's first stadium.
The friendly outnumber the unfriendly. Boston is a great sports town, of course. If you love talking sports, you won't have a problem. They love your accent as much you love theirs.
Hancock Tower has a great view of the city. Lots of universities to see. Stop by Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds near Northeastern's campus to see a couple monuments to Boston's first stadium.
I didn't read all the responses so this may have been mentioned but I'd definitely look into getting one of these Go Boston Cards. My wife and I got them and it was well worth the money. I don't remember having to choose between the whaling trip and the duck boat because we did both but we may have paid for one of them. If you get one you will need to call and get a reservation for the whaling trip, everything else you just show up and swipe your card.
http://www.smartdestinations.com/bo..._Prod_Go&utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/
We've been , people friendly we met, great subway downtown is small
We went 3 years ago for a 4-5 day weekend, went to a Bosox game that was delayed 4 hours by rain and got to meet a lot of really nice people at the game. Used stubhub to get tickets behind home plate. Stayed near Fenway at the hotel the white sox scandal supposedly was hatched with shoeless joe jackson etc. Downtown area is small but has lots of historic places to see. They have walk around the area with sites to see called the Liberty trail or something like that. USS Constitution docked across the river. We took advantage of a deal offered there that got you rides on the tour bus, whale watching tour, tour of Fenway and the duck tour. Had a great time. Subway much easier to navigate than NY
We went 3 years ago for a 4-5 day weekend, went to a Bosox game that was delayed 4 hours by rain and got to meet a lot of really nice people at the game. Used stubhub to get tickets behind home plate. Stayed near Fenway at the hotel the white sox scandal supposedly was hatched with shoeless joe jackson etc. Downtown area is small but has lots of historic places to see. They have walk around the area with sites to see called the Liberty trail or something like that. USS Constitution docked across the river. We took advantage of a deal offered there that got you rides on the tour bus, whale watching tour, tour of Fenway and the duck tour. Had a great time. Subway much easier to navigate than NY
Harvard Square, North End, etc.
Take the T red line to Harvard Square and see the sights, and of course the Harvard campus itself. The Longfellow House is walking distance from campus, which is pretty good if you have the time.
One night for dinner go to the North End, which is the Little Italy of Boston. It has fantastic restaurants and bakeries, and just really neat to walk around. The Old North Church is there (“one if by land, two if by sea”).
Like everyone says, the Freedom Trail is the best way to capture the cities history, and the USS Constitution is a must. There should be free pamphlets which describes each site.
When we go we generally don't get a car in Boston, because the T (subway) is fantastic and you have to pay to park your car anywhere. But if you are looking for foliage, you may have to drive to catch the peak, maybe into New Hampshire. Thats a great trip in itself though. So after a few days in Boston we get a car and head out. Another great place, close by, is Concord. The Colonial Inn is really cool, and the Colonists hid munitions there. See the North Bridge, where the first British were killed, and the home of Louisa May Alcott, where she wrote Little Women. Plus walk some of the trail where the British fought their way back to Boston.
The Boston Museum of science is impressive, good for a rainy day. The Museum of Fine Arts is really good.
Some of the best clam chowder and crab cakes are at Legal's seafood in Cambridge.
Take the T red line to Harvard Square and see the sights, and of course the Harvard campus itself. The Longfellow House is walking distance from campus, which is pretty good if you have the time.
One night for dinner go to the North End, which is the Little Italy of Boston. It has fantastic restaurants and bakeries, and just really neat to walk around. The Old North Church is there (“one if by land, two if by sea”).
Like everyone says, the Freedom Trail is the best way to capture the cities history, and the USS Constitution is a must. There should be free pamphlets which describes each site.
When we go we generally don't get a car in Boston, because the T (subway) is fantastic and you have to pay to park your car anywhere. But if you are looking for foliage, you may have to drive to catch the peak, maybe into New Hampshire. Thats a great trip in itself though. So after a few days in Boston we get a car and head out. Another great place, close by, is Concord. The Colonial Inn is really cool, and the Colonists hid munitions there. See the North Bridge, where the first British were killed, and the home of Louisa May Alcott, where she wrote Little Women. Plus walk some of the trail where the British fought their way back to Boston.
The Boston Museum of science is impressive, good for a rainy day. The Museum of Fine Arts is really good.
Some of the best clam chowder and crab cakes are at Legal's seafood in Cambridge.
It's about 275 steps if I recall. My wife and I made the hike a few weeks ago.
It's a great view and right by Warren Tavern and Old Ironsides. Both are worth a visit.
Other things to think of. I like history and that area is obviously filled with it.
Not a bad drive to Plymouth and Salem and go on a walking tour.
Also easy drive to Newport, Rhode Island if you like to tour Golden Age Mansions. Most are owned by the preservation society so one ticket let's you see 8 or 9.
Lexington and Concorde is interesting.
Candlestick bowling a different twist on bowling.
Fishing for Stripers, Fluke, Cod, Shark, Bluefish and Tuna. Obviously dependent on when you go.
Not a bad drive to Plymouth and Salem and go on a walking tour.
Also easy drive to Newport, Rhode Island if you like to tour Golden Age Mansions. Most are owned by the preservation society so one ticket let's you see 8 or 9.
Lexington and Concorde is interesting.
Candlestick bowling a different twist on bowling.
Fishing for Stripers, Fluke, Cod, Shark, Bluefish and Tuna. Obviously dependent on when you go.
Oh yeah: http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/Pages/history.html food is good enough; history of the place is cool.
Get some good shoes for walking and take the T most of the time. The other times I recommend walking to and/or from your destination, especially if it involves walking across a bridge between Boston and Cambridge over the Charles. Don't even think about driving unless it's out of the city.
One thing I have noticed about NE people
ID they are much friendlier than the west coast folks. Especially San Francisco
ID they are much friendlier than the west coast folks. Especially San Francisco
uh wut?
SF is by far the most "east coast" city on the west coast, but even still it kicks the **** out of of NE corridor from DC to boston when it comes to friendliness. this coming from a guy that went MS -> 4 years on the west coast -> 5 years in the NE corridor -> rest of my life on the west coast. i'm not in SF but i've visited multiple times and it was a far friendlier place than boston.
I want to go back in May when the Boston Pops do their movie concerts. Best musical concert of my life was hearing the Pops in Symphony Hall on my birthday in 2008. I liked the museums--the science museum, art museum and the New England Aquarium. The whale watching tour on the museum's boat was fun--saw Humpbacks, Minkes, far off in the distance enormous Fins, and a basking shark that swam right up to the boat.
I couldn't disagree more
And you are the first person I have ever heard say that.
In fact I was out in Monterey a couple of weeks ago and was talking to a guy who lives out there about it and he actually brought up how unfriendly the city of San Francisco was
And you are the first person I have ever heard say that.
In fact I was out in Monterey a couple of weeks ago and was talking to a guy who lives out there about it and he actually brought up how unfriendly the city of San Francisco was
Wow, you met the one guy who is the authority on the unfriendliness of the people of San Fransisco. Impressive.
I was using one example
Hell I have witnessed it myself multiple times out there. Thanks for chiming in though
Hell I have witnessed it myself multiple times out there. Thanks for chiming in though
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like i said, SF is by far the most "east coast" like city on the west coast. maybe you met the wrong people? either way, using SF to categorize the entire west coast is pretty wrong too. portland, seattle, san diego, napa, along with all the coastal areas between LA and SF and north of SF are far friendlier than SF. LA has it's spots too, but it's a weird place. obviously the super ritzy areas are gonna be a bit snobby, but there's some great local neighborhoods and beach areas that are full of just great friendly people.