Boston, what do I need to know?

[SoShallINever]

We are hoping to go to Boston next month. I've never been to the US before and I'm hoping that I just need an ESTA rather than a full VISA?
What areas are good to stay in? And what tours or attractions are must see's?
Thank you for any advice.

Be prepared to be cold. We went in November a few years ago and it was freezing. I had to buy a coat.

Thanks beguiling I love the colder autumn weather. Will ensure we pack for the outdoors.

Go on a boat trip with Boston aquarium to see the whales. We went and saw humpbacks and it was amazing. Sam Adams brewery is good too.

On the flip side, we went in October, I was told to expect snow - it was really quite mild, so take clothes for both eventualities!

I completely loved it, it's really a beautiful city. We did lots of walking, you really need comfy shoes - we did the freedom trail which takes you round all the historic sites, so interesting. We also did a 'duck' tour on an amphibious boat, not sure if they do them anymore, but that was fun!

The beacon hill neigbourhood is beautiful, they all had super-tasteful Halloween decorations all around their front doors when we went.

We are going end of October. We are planning to do a duck tour. Plus the tea party ship.

Also a Harvard tour and it looks like you can get official one free through eventbrite rather than paying through like likes of viatour. Only book able a week ahead.

We are also going Salem for a day - it's about 30 minutes by train. If you want to go there you need to book activities in advance I think.

You can buy the hop on and off trolley tour - its a good way to see stuff and decide what you want to go back to. I second the whale watching trip - it's very good. Unless you are travelling with kids I wouldn't bother with either the aquarium or the science center. We had 6 days at the end of August - we did a lot of walking! We were staying in the Seaport district - while the hotel was great it was a bit out of the way. Public transport though is good - buy a Charlie Card at a subway station (they call them "Ts" . They can be used on connecting bus / subway trips. ie we could use our card and only pay once to take the bus from our hotel then transfer to subway.

Ooh Thank you! The whale watching is first on the list, we are also keen to do a bit of birdwatching. Can I ask regarding typical prices in restaurants? Is it similar to London or much more expensive?

I grew up in Boston. Never seen snow in October @Pootles34! In fact it doesn't really get going snow wise til after Christmas most years.
Anyway OP amazing time to go. Eating out I'd say is cheaper than here, a generally very generous servings - totally normal to ask to take leftovers home. Legal Seafoods always reliable. Cheesecake Factory is delicious and OMG the cheesecakes are AMAZING. Check out Dunkin Donuts - not what it was when I was growing up but much better than Krispy Kreme.
If doing a side trip then the Berkshires are fantastic foliage but that's quite a bit of driving, or head up to Newburyport (hour and a bit north of Boston on the border with New Hampshire) for lovely Colonial town.
Fogg Museum if in Cambridge, Isabella Gardener Museum also worth a visit.
If going to aquarium you must visit Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail is near there too.
Have a fantastic time!

Cheesecake Factory is a fusion restaurant- it doesn't just do cheesecake!

Have to say I thought the restaurant prices were extortionate when we went in August (but I live in Scotland so have no idea on London prices!) - and Legal Seafoods in Boston Seaport was really disappointing. We had been to the one on the harbour previously and it had always been a great experience.

Thanks mondaytosunday

Boston is lovely, I nearly didn't come back to the UK after I visited.
Definitely do the day trip to Salem as pp suggested. Otherwise take advantage of the amazing food, shopping and culture. Visit Harvard and if you get a chance visit Mt Auburn Cemetery. Honestly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.
Have a fantastic time.

If you haven’t applied for your ESTA yet, do that first

Yes, Salem would be a good trip, especially in October. I went in Dec and it was quiet and empty but bound to be different around Halloween.

I agree that the Halloween decorations are a 'must see' for the time of year - probably along with Salem although it will be busy.

When we went we went to the Boston Tea Party museum. It was a bit pantomime but good fun and taught us about the Revolution - in time for our Freedom walk the following day. (We downloaded an App so we took it slowly).

We also took a ferry to Cape Cod (Provincetown) and had a fabulous day there (it was my favourite day of the holiday - probably this year!) It was however a nice summers day - it will be cooler now obviously.

We also went to Harvard (interesting).

We loved the Tatte bakery and went to three altogether.

@Rysimo good to hear about the cemetery - was planning to visit there for some of the whole leaves thing.

Would love to do a proper trip but it won't be on a teens / preteens list of fun ideas!

Beware of the Cape Cod ferry this late in the year. It can be very, very rough. The last time we went late in the season literally everyone except the crew was throwing up. Just drive there.
I like the tea party ship, it’s fun. I also like the Skydeck at the top of the Prudential Tower, the audio tour gives a good overview of the city. Nice to have a coffee or a cocktail in the restaurant there as well. The Mapparium is an unusual attraction which is worth seeing. The glass flowers in the Harvard Museum of Natural History is my favourite thing of all, I really like that museum in general. The MFA and the Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum are both excellent, the second is probably better for a short visit.
I personally find Salem unbelievably tacky and disrespectful of those accused of being witches. The Peabody museum there is very good though, and they run a sensible historical walking tour.
You can also get the train to Concord where you can visit the Louisa May Alcott house, which is very well presented and fascinating. There is also an excellent general museum there.

Go to the Boston tourist sites now.

Boston is my favorite US city! I've been in October before and had mild, sunny weather and damp chilly weather so be prepared for anything.
The whale watching boat is fantastic but we did it on a very hot July day and it was still freezing out at sea so I'm not sure I'd do it in October.
The Freedom trail walking tour is really good, I wasn't keen on the duck boat tour, I think a hop on / off bus would be a better way to see the sights.
The Italian restaurants in North End are fantastic, I would happily eat every meal there!
We stayed in the Hyatt Regency (downtown not the marina) and that was a good location. We were able to walk to Beacon Hill, North End and the harbor from there.

I went a few years back and stayed in the Sheraton Hotel at the prudential centre & it was a decent location.

Definitely do the Freedom Trail early into your holiday. It’s only a couple of miles total but you can spend the whole day visiting the attractions along the way.

I’d also recommend going to the inspiration for the Cheers bar - The Bull & Finch. There is also a replica at Faneuil Hall.

Maybe try to take in a sports game. Not sure of your dates but you may be able to see the Red Sox or New England Patriots.

For food I went to Cheesecake Factory (always on the list for US visits!), Sonsie (which was ‘the place to be’ back when I went, and also had some clam chowder along the way too!

Harvard was a lovely town & I just wandered around the college grounds myself & snuck into a few buildings 🤣🤣 For lunch I went to a burger place called Mr Bartleys that was really nice. And got myself a Harvard sweatshirt!!

And go sit on the bench from the movie Good Will Hunting 😄

historical aspects of ben franklin, i believe

Boston is lovely! Salem is definitely worth a day trip. We did the hop off/hop on shuttle to give us a good overview of the city. Cheers bar is good nostalgia. Don't eat at the cheesecake factory, pretty average food, worth getting a slice of cheesecake to go though. Lots of good, fresh seafood to check out

I know you meant the USA, but I wonder how many of us were thinking it might be Lincolnshire …..?

@BackToWhereItAllBegan

I have booked Carmelinas as had seen it recommended in a few places. It seems pretty popular as tables were non existent at main dinner time on the weekday I could go. (And that's over a month in advance) Ended up with a very early dinner!

Oh and don't forget a quick drink in Cheers!