Anyone been to Boston (MA) not Lincs ?

[Myideaofhell]

I am lucky enough to get the chance to go to Boston in the States for 3 days in May. I am googling like mad but has anyone been/ got tips etc. I do like history and would like to go to Salem - happy to use public transport. I also like crafting so am looking up craft shops. So excited.

So you're going to miss out on the Boston Stump?

Oh I love it! It’s such a gorgeous walkable city. Enjoy!

It's not exactly radical but dp and I just did the Freedom Trail and absolutely loved it. It took us a long time as we are such history nerds and stopped off at many of the sights the trail covers. It took us a very long day but spreading it over 2 is probably better and you'd see more.

We also stopped off at the Public Market for a meal as we were doing the trail, though it's not as special as a decent European covered market.

Then we took a tram to the Boston Museum of Fine Art which is superb. The tram goes past some of the incredible number of world-class universities in Boston. What a city.

Not a tram, the metro! Got confused as it's overground at that point.

Boston is a fabulous historic city with a really cool local accent; ‘Bawstin’. Enjoy the lobster rolls, local beers & try to catch a Red Sox game if you’re there in the baseball season.

I have been twice. Loved it - more than New York. We got the train up the coast to Rockport and we stopped in Salem on the return. I also wanted to see the house where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Wonen - this was Concord if I remember correctly - and we went by train too. Did an excursion and boat trip to Cape Cod. Visited Harvard. I do remember extremes of weather though.

Beautiful city. It’s an absolute wind tunnel though, remember hat/gloves/scarf and sunglasses. My eyes were streaming!

Aquarium is fabulous, Quincy Market/ Boston Market great for street food. There are good Boston tea party museums etc. Harvard is a train ride away and is stunningly beautiful for a wander. Boat tour worth it for the views of the city. Enjoy it - it’s a wonderful city…

Ooh and whale watching - we went from Provincetown…

Yes! In October this year.

We went just before Halloween so Salem was busy but we'll worth a trip (Reds Sandwich Shop had great food). We got the ferry over; be warned it can be choppy and because of timings you will need the best part of a day assigned to Salem.

We did the Boston Tea Party Museum (ship) which was really good fun and did a lot of walking including The Freedom Trail. Boston Common is lovely, especially if you like squirrels, and a short walk to the Cheers Bar and North End (great Italian food).

Fenway Park was great to see - not sure if there will be any sports games on whilst you're visiting but I'd always recommend that in the US!

We booked whale watching which was cancelled due to bad weather so went to Harvard instead (probably wouldn't recommend this esp. if you only have three days)

I didn't think there was much night life in Boston when we went which suited us as we had busy days, with lots of steps, so welcomed the quite early nights. It felt very safe though, and quite 'familiar'- far more like London than any other US city I've visited.

Have fun- very jealous!

Absolutely loved it. We went to the cheers bar. The Ally Mcbeal locations (big fan) went to the Boston massacre site and just walked around. Also went to the baseball park, can’t remember the name. It was DH choice.
It’s a beautiful city and I absolutely loved it. Would go back in a heartbeat

Oh yes, and lobster rolls.. $$$ but worth it IMO!

Fenway park. That’s the one. We also went whale watching and saw humpback whales. Incredible.
Quincy market for food too

Also the most amazing cannoli shop. Mikes pastry

Thank you everyone. I am so excited - thanks for tips on clothing - I always take the wrong things x

Boston is fabulous. One of my favourite American cities when I was cabin crew. Do the duck tour, it’s great fun and interesting. Salem is worth a visit. You can get there by boat or by train. Otherwise just walk around. It’s not that big and easy to get about on foot.

Is that the one that ties the boxes up with string? Ah, I'm reminiscing...

OP, room for one more?

Boston Duck boats tours, great fun!! Plus the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour!!! The Barking Crab for a meal on the waterfront, delicious!! So much to do, wonderful city. Enjoy!

We went in August. Salem is easy to go to by train and we enjoyed it.

We walked all the time apart from when we went to see the USS Constitution, we had a bus tour and stopped there and boarded it again.

There are several cemeteries around with 17th century graves, lots of walking tours but if you read up a bit you can do everything on your own.

We saw
The Old State House
The Old Meeting House
Paul Revere House

The Quincy Market is lovely and there is also a small museum

Boston Common is a lovely park.

Duck tour!!

My niece lives there so have been a couple of times, it has the most European feel of any city in America. Whale watching was the highlight for me plus the clam chowder was amazing. I did go to Salem and the memorial was very moving and sad. Think I have done everything listed but those stuck in my mind the most.

My son is Cabin Crew - that’s why I have been so lucky. He is allowed an add on !

Lucky you! I love Boston. It’s the most beautiful city. Lots of things to do suggested above so I can’t think of anything to add. You’ll have a great time.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Boston (although didn't stay very long). Salem way nicer and less tourist trap-y than I had expected, and I went in October! Ferry there, train back. Glad I went. Just popped into a few quirky shops and a simple restaurant really but had a nice vibe. Enjoy!

Boston is my favourite of the US cities I have been to for all the reasons already stated, but particularly the whale watching which was an unforgettable experience.
Have a great time!