OT: Shipping Up to Boston
My wife and I are going to Boston this summer for the first time. Maybe it's from growing up watching reruns of Cheers & Wings, but I've always been fascinated with the idea of going to Boston, catching a game at Fenway and spending a couple nights over in Nantucket. Although I'm sure it's not much different than the many other cities I've visited and I'll leave there with the sensation of a 1,000 lost sneezes, it's just something I need to cross off my list. We picked a "random" week in July for our vacation. It just so happens that the Tigers are playing the Red Sox that week ... how convenient. I'm well aware this isn't tripadvisor.com, but I figured I'd seek advice from the greatest community in the history of human civilization:
Where should I sit in Fenway?
Which attractions in the city are must see and which should I avoid?
Nantucket doesn't seem to have many places to stay and they're pretty pricey. Any recomondations on hotels there or should I go somewhere else in Cape Cod instead?
Any advice/snark/ and omg shirtless photos from your trip to Cape Cod are much appreciated.
TYIA
My in-laws live in Boston (backbay, actually) so am a bit acquainted with Boston itself.
Freedom Trail is awesome. If you are in the North End and love seafood, highly recommend Neptune Oyser. The place is tiny and does not take reservations, so would recommend getting there as they open, unless you enjoy waiting. Hot lobster roll is excellent, best in the city.
Near Fenway, would recommend Island Creek Oyster Bar. Oysters from the Cape tend to be smaller (and saltier) but they are delicious, and typically have up to a dozen varieties on any given night. Can't go wrong with the shortrib with lobster-roe noodles, or if they have the seafood pot pie.
Only really fancy restaurant we went to in Boston is L'espalier (Back Bay). There is a Daniel Boloud outpost, but was not wowed by the DC branch (and that was a pale comparison to the NY one). L'espalier is high-end French. Fantastic if you are into it, the prix-fix lunch (with the wine pairing, of course) gives you a pretty good sample of the chef's skill at 1/2 the price of dinner.
Hotels are crazy expensive in Boston; Back Bay hotels ran $300+ in the fall/winter a night...and we are talking the Sheraton or Hilton, not the Taj or Four Seasons :/
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Spend up for good tickets to the game and do not consider obstructed view seats as you might end up directly behind a support beam. This is actually a great tool for double checking:
http://www.preciseseating.com/fenwaypark2.php
Get to Fenway early to drink lots of beer across the street at Cask N Flagon and Boston Beer Works.
I've posted previously about McGreevy's, America's oldest sports bar at 911 Boylston Street. It's associated with the Red Sox and the Dropkick Murphys, but it also has been a Michigan bar in recent years. It's a reasonable walk from there to Fenway Park where I'd recommend taking in the Fenway Park Tour that lasts about an hour and costs $30 on game days.
Depending on when you go to McGreevy's, try to first stop for a photo at the Boston Marathon Finish Line at 665 Boylston Street.
For history buffs, try to take the Freedom Trail Tour if you have a couple of hours to spend walking around the city. And after the walk, a stop at Mike's Pastry in the North End might be worth the calories.
Try to budget some time to visit The Michigan of the East in Harvard Square and consider taking one of the tours offered there. Fans of blues, jazz and folk music might like a stop at Club Passim in Cambridge. They haven't listed their July concert schedule yet.
Depending on the length of your stay, a trip to the Cape in July should take into account the heavy traffic that you can expect to encounter; but if you decide to stay overnight, take in a Cape Cod League Baseball game. There's a chance that you mioght see a future Major Leaguer there.
Boston is a great walking city. It is a lot smaller than you would think. If you start in Boston Commons, you can see the swan boats and the capitol building and start the Freedom Trail, which is a great way to see the city, and is easy to follow, as it is a red line through the streets.
On the Freedom Trail I would recommend the kings chapel buring ground, which I believe you can go across the street and drink a Sam Adams while looking at Sam adams (in the grave. The picture on the bottle is of Paul Revere), the old meeting house, the old corner bookstore, old state house, and Fanueil hall, which you enter through the back and go up to the second floor. I'd grab lunch at Quincy Market, which has lots of options to eat new and upcoming places that are getting their start.
Head up to the north end and grab some dessert at Modern Pastry, and stop by Paul Rever's house. Then you can head on to the North Church and possibly the aquarium. There's a great place to eat seafood on the Wharf that I can't remember, but ask people, and they will tell you.
On top of this, I'd suggest taking the Duck tour. I've been 3 times, and learned something new every time. They leave from the prudential building and I think the aquarium, but look it up to be sure. Each driver had a specific personality and I still remember a lot of my history from those tours. Like the north end started as protestants, changed to irish, then to a jewish area, and finally is now itallian. Also learned about their famous crooked mayor Curly, who won an election from jail on the slogan "I did it for a friend" and the famous "If it's not Curly it's straight". Also learned about the Sam Adams thing too.
If you love history, you will really love Boston, as they've kept a lot of it around. Just try not to drive as the streets make no sense and the T is really easy to use.
Then class started. Sorry about that.
1. Where to sit at Fenway - SRO tickets are the best. The seats are all uncomfortable unless you're able to swing monster seats, and anything along the 1st base line requires you to twist your head awkwardly to see the action. I can't emphasize enough just how uncomfortable every seat not in the RF box or on the monster is. I've had the best luck with RF roof SRO tickets. Very few people blocking your view or competing for a spot on the rail, plus it has its own bar. The stadium is the most uncomfortable in baseball so prepare yourself.
2. Attractions - If you're like me you'll dig Faneuil Hall, the waterfront, and the North End the best. Grab dinner in the North End if you like Italian food (Saraceno if you're on a budget, Fiore's if not, plus they have a badass roof deck). You can take in all the must see attractions in a day, so from there I'd head to Harvard Square if the weather's nice. There's also some amazing burgers and pizza there if you're not watching your waistline.
3. Nantucket - I've never stayed due to the price, but I'd recommend a B&B anywhere along the cape.
I've noticed quite a few comments about seafood. If you're into that sort of thing, the Daily Catch is pretty solid.
Is my North End go to. The calamari and mussels are tremendous apps. Favorite dinner is Frutti di Mare. Then next door to Mike's for a little something for dessert. Was my dad's favorite place for dinner whenever he came out to visit.
both domestic and internationally for 35 plus years for work ( as I type Im at the Grand Velas in Playda del Carmen for 3 wks..God I love my job) Boston Is and always has been one of my most favorite cities..I lived at the Park Plaza for 8 months when I got shipped up there during the Eastern Airlines Strike 25 years ago..In fact I was there when Michigan beat Seton Hall in 89..Oh the memories...anywhoo its a Great City..shopping and restaurants on Newberry(sp) and Boylston Streets..the Commons, Faneuil Hall, all the historical sites..Theres a History Pub Crawl you might look into that stops at alot of the famous historical sites and the bars near by...Its a great city to walk around and you dont need a rental car...In fact I dont recomment it unless you are going way outside the city..parking intown is really bad...There is alot to do downtown and the Original Legal Seafood place is at the Park Plaza...Have Fun hopefully you will love it as much as I do
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