Forums » Off-Topic and Casual Chatter

Things to do in Boston?

    • 22 posts
    March 15, 2018 2:57 AM PDT

    Hi there, I plan to visit Boston for about a week around Pax East.
    But being from the old continent, I could use a bit of help making the most out of the visit.
    So any hints & tips on things to do in Boston?

    What should I add (or remove)?

    • Pax East on Thursday & Sunday
    • Meet & great the devs on Thursday night
    • Watch the Celtics game at TD Garden on Friday night
    • Quick visits to Fenway Park, Harvard & MIT
    • Museum of Fine Arts - and/or other museums?
    • Walk the Freedom Trail / climb Bunker Hill Monument / stroll around Back Bay
    • Do a bit of shopping - but what is best place to go? Prudential Center?

    Thanks, Wicky/Peter

    • 2886 posts
    March 15, 2018 3:39 AM PDT

    Welcome to Boston! Good list. If you're into museums, the Museum of Science is also very cool :) https://www.mos.org/ And though this time of the year may not be the best to see the ship, the USS Constitution Museum is also noteworthy: https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/

    See ya Thursday! :)


    This post was edited by Bazgrim at March 15, 2018 3:41 AM PDT
    • 624 posts
    March 15, 2018 4:59 AM PDT

    If you are visiting the Prudential Center, make sure you hit the observatory at the top.  The ticket isn’t expensive and the view phenomenal.

    The New England Aquarium (https://www.neaq.org/) is always fun and several whale watch boats launch from nearby Long’s Wharf (http://www.bostonharborcruises.com). Though April is the start of migration (the whales summer in New England), so the chances of sighting may be low (best to check online to see how the previous week’s excursions went if you are interested).

    If the weather is warm, picnicing on Boston Commons / Public Gardens before or after the Freedom trail (which starts on the eastern corner) would be relaxing.

    Oh, and if you are climbing the Bunker Hill monument, be sure you can handle going up 220 feet in 294 steps.  There are no places to sit along the climb to rest or catch your breath (check YouTube for numerous examples). Lucky for you, the tower won’t be beastly hot like it is mid-summer when my friends / relatives usually visit ;)


    This post was edited by Kumu at March 15, 2018 8:24 AM PDT
    • 188 posts
    March 16, 2018 9:56 AM PDT

    Boston is my favorite city in the country.  There is so much great stuff to do there.

     

    Outside of Fenway, the North End is probably my favorite spot.  Here are some things to do there:

    You can swing by Mike's Pastry.  They are famous for their cannoli, but I'm a big fan of the cookies, myself.  

    http://www.mikespastry.com/

     

    The North End location for the Daily Catch Italian Seafood restaurant is probably one of the most unique dining experiences I've had.  Great seafood, but less than 20 seats in the whole place.  Line is out the door quickly after opening.  It moves quick, but you're basically sitting in the kitchen.  They bring your meal out in the pan it was cooked in.  And it's all very fresh, tastes great.  I never would have tried it without a friend who convinced me to give it a shot... well worth it.

    http://thedailycatch.com/restaurants/north-end

     

    There are a dozen or so pubs in the north end... mostly centered around the same couple of streets.  Well worth hopping through a few for the experience.  

     

    I also love the Union Oyster House... oldest operational restaurant in the US. 

    Not a fan of Oysters, but I like sitting in the JFK booth or at the oyster bar and enjoying everything else that comes along with it.  

    http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/

     

     

     

    • 200 posts
    March 16, 2018 11:10 AM PDT

    If you can stomach the wait, just up the road from Mike's Pastries is a place called Giacomo's.   Small cozy resturant with insanely good Italian Seafood, and it always has a line out the door!

     

    IT IS CASH ONLY!!!

     

    https://giacomosblog-boston.blogspot.com/2007/04/menu-for-giacomos-northend-restaurant.html

     

    If you are into Improv,  the Improv Asylum right near all of the recommendations and was an entertaining few hours as well

     

    https://www.improvasylum.com/


    This post was edited by Warben at March 16, 2018 11:14 AM PDT
    • 56 posts
    March 19, 2018 6:00 PM PDT

    Greetings. Would be happy to join anybody in Boston if they are doing anything. Will be in town until Saturday.