A Sea Of Red

My family (me, my wife and (a fun) 19 year old son) are going to be spending a week in Boston in August.

1. I booked our room in Brookline. Was that an ok idea?
2. Any restaurant ideas that are unique / a must in Boston?
3. Top 5 things to do?
4. Recommended short trips outside of Boston, or should we just maximize our time there?
5. Is Cambridge (right there via subway) worth a day?

I would welcome any insights, comments or suggestions.

Go to a Red Sox game if they are in town. Who knows how much longer Fenway is going to be around?

Smoothie is the resident Boston expert, but I've been there several times. Quincy Market is a must for at least one meal. If you like history or American literature, I'd also recommend a trip over to Concord and Walden Pond, just a few miles west of Boston. And Salem is just a little north.

lynchburgwildcats wrote:Go to a Red Sox game if they are in town. Who knows how much longer Fenway is going to be around?

Fenway isn't going anywhere. The current ownership group has pumped a ton of money into the place to bring it to more modern standards (clubhouse notwithstanding). Anyway, I would highly recommend going. I'm a bit biased.

The Bleacher Bar located in the Right/Center field wall of Fenway is pretty cool

Purple, is that the restaurant where you can view the field from the men's room urinal?

Cider Jim wrote:Purple, is that the restaurant where you can view the field from the men's room urinal?

Ummmm. Not sur I didn't use them. I was sitting at the tables watching batting practice

If you can see the outfield from inside the restaurant, it's the same place.

The Black Rose near Quincy Market is a great restaurant. We ate there a few weeks ago when we were in town.

Cider Jim wrote:If you can see the outfield from inside the restaurant, it's the same place.

Ill take your word for it. Unlike you, I don't loiter in men's bathrooms!

If you're looking for a short trip outside the city, I'd recommend Newport, RI. Amazing place. And not just the mansions, the coastal scenery is fantastic.

When we were kids we'd take field trips to the Boston Science Museum, though it might be more of an option if you had younger kids. Whale-watching is pretty big there, too, but that's not necessarily unique to Boston.

Is there a real Cheers up there?

Actualy yes...two actually...one on Beacon Street and one on South Market Street. The exterior shots were of the Bull and Finch Pub, also in Boston (according to a Wikipedia page about the show)

The TV series was based on the Bull and Finch. The 2 Cheers bars they have now are knockoffs opened after the show became popular.

While it sounds like a kind of hokey ¨touresty¨thing to do, I highly recommend the Duck tour. Great way to see the city from the land and the wáter and the driver/guides are both informative and entertaining.

http://www.bostonducktours.com/

Fenway Park tour is a must if there is a game or not. Hit up the top of the prudential tower for a great view of the city. A duckie tour is also a great way to see and learn about boston. The science museum and the new england aquarium are also great spots to visit as well as fanueil hall and quincy market. All of that stuff is very family friendly. I would also recommend checking out harvard over in cambridge. What a campus. Bunker Hill and Boston Common are also wonderful places. So many great places to eat, but wherever you go get a lobster roll. One more thing, try the codzilla speed boat ride into the boston harbor. So fun and you will get wet.

Cider Jim wrote:Purple, is that the restaurant where you can view the field from the men's room urinal?

That is indeed the place where you can take a whiz while overlooking the bar and there are tables where you can sit and watch the game from field level in the outfield. The Bleacher Bar is cool.

I forgot, food places, atlantic fish co, Jerry remys seaport, mamma maria, legal seafood, atlantic beer garden, no name, mr. Dooleys, warren tavern, and the fours. Also a good dive breakfast joint is the new york deli in watertown and mr. Bartleys a classic burger joint in Cambridge.

bigsmooth wrote:I forgot, food places, atlantic fish co, Jerry remys seaport, mamma maria, legal seafood, atlantic beer garden, no name, mr. Dooleys, warren tavern, and the fours. Also a good dive breakfast joint is the new york deli in watertown and mr. Bartleys a classic burger joint in Cambridge.

What's the place on the corner by Fenway you told me to eat at? It was really good

Cask and flagon?

bigsmooth wrote:Cask and flagon?

I think that's it. Big place right on the corner. Had a Yuke Juice! I watched the Celtics, Soccer and the baseball game all from my booth!

I've been to Boston 3 times, all for the same reason. In my opinion, the only way to view the city is by foot- starting in Hopkinton and finishing on Boylston Street.

DB89 wrote:My family (me, my wife and (a fun) 19 year old son) are going to be spending a week in Boston in August.

1. I booked our room in Brookline. Was that an ok idea?
2. Any restaurant ideas that are unique / a must in Boston?
3. Top 5 things to do?
4. Recommended short trips outside of Boston, or should we just maximize our time there?
5. Is Cambridge (right there via subway) worth a day?

I would welcome any insights, comments or suggestions.

1. Brookline's a good place. I recommend parking at the Brookline Village subway stop and taking the train in. It's a lot cheaper and so much easier to navigate.

2. Quincy Market is always a good stop with many great choices. Also about an 8-10 minute walk from there is Mike Pastries. IMO, there is no better place for deserts in New England. Fire&Ice is a personal favorite restaurant of mine.

3. A.) Catch a show in the theatre district.
B.) Visit Newbury St. for some shopping.
C.) the Boston Commons in a great place for an afternoon walk.
D.) As has been said, Harvard/Harvard Square are great places to visit. Plus there are tons of restaurants there.
E.) if you love history take a walk on the freedom trail.
4. Quincy is a great place to visit and it's only 15 mins South of Boston
5. Cambridge is a nice town, but I don't think of it as a place to spend a whole day in. Beside all the best parts of Cambridge are within walking distance walking distance (or short subway ride) of Downtown Boston.

I hope you guys enjoy your stay!

Thank you all the great suggestions. We spent a week - it was so much fun!

Highlights (including the recommendations from FF)
1. Courtyard Marriott, Brookline. Steps away from the "T". Great location, safe neighborhood and super hospitality.
2. Quincy Market
3. Clam Chowder Bowl at Quincy Market
4. Lobster Roll at The Black Rose (great recommendation!)
5. The Boston Aquarium
6. Prudential Tower Lookout - awesome recommendation!
7. Harvard, including lunch at Mr Bartley's- YES I had my Liberty Flames (Nike) shirt on.
8. MIT campus tour
9. JFK Library
10. Old North Church...Meeting Place etc.
11. Little Italy
12. China town (San Fran's was much better)
13. Outdoor concert at City Hall
14. We shopped everywhere....great walking city


Only downer...the BoSox were away:( ...but ok, I'm a Mets fan)

Thanks again!

Sounds like a great stay. See what crowdsourcing on Flamean is capable of producing? Sweet!

I hate Boston. I'd have told you not to go.