Adnams

Taking a weekend trip to Boston this coming Friday.

Have never actually been to Boston apart from to the airport, thats a bit pathetic seeing as we only live an hour and forty minute drive away!

Anyway wanted to know what areas and sites people would recommend visiting. Will only be there from Friday to Sunday so time is limited and I know that there's a huge amount to see.

We're interested in art / history (but I am not doing the freedom trail) and pub crawling.... funny that.

Cheers in advance for any advice.

wtkp0u

Hmm 4th July weekend - better go to this one then:
http://www.celticweb.com/greendragon/
"Headquarters of the American Revolution"

Also take a boat trip across the harbo(u)r to "Old Ironsides" a bit of Brit defeating history:
http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/

Elvira

Whatever you do, do *not* leave out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum!!!

Maz

Well I'm not overly interested in history, but I found a trip to the Old North Church 15 months ago absolutely fascinating. Go do that. Then go back to Faneuil (rhymes with "Daniel") Hall and get a nice curry.

krizzy

Boston...lucky you...can't help you with history...we just walk around mostly shopping....oh yeah...and eating...

Hiro11

* Go to the MFA which is an amazing, sprawling Museum. Also see the IS Gardner Museum which is right around the corner.

*Take the Red Line out to Harvard Square and get a burger and frappe at Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage. Alternatively, Herrell's has what might be the best ice cream in the US. While there, also see what's happening in the local clubs. Also, see MIT's Stata Center in Kenmore Square: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stata_Center
It's surreal.

*Boston is a walking city. Walk through the Public Garden and the Commons through to Chinatown and Downtown Crossing. Hit the Fens and riverside if you have a chance.

*Check out the 100 foot arcs of electricity from the Van Der Graaf generator at the Museum of Science. Hearing one of those things hit is a memory you won't forget. http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/

*Catch a game at Fenway...if you can

*Shopping on Newbury Street for you-can't-afford-this stuff or Mass Ave for the more funky stuff.

*take a Green Line train to see the oldest subway in the US.

*Megabucks dinner at Hammersley's Bistro, The Federalist, No. 9 Park or Radius. Or hit Locke-Ober to see old school Boston

*Drink some Tremont Ale, also here's a brewpub guide:
http://www.boston.com/ae/food/gallery/local_brewpubs/

*Freedom Trail...it's really worth doing. Go out to Charlestown and the Naval Yard if you have a chance.

*Walk through Beacon Hill, my favorite urban neighborhood in the States.

*Spend one night in the North End for the best Italian food you've ever had. Hit Mike's Pastry afterward.

*Walk through Fanueil Hall. It's a tourist trap, though. The Aquarium is OK, not terrific. Avoid The Bull and Finch (also known as the "Cheers" bar) like the plague.

*Lunch at the Union Oyster House. Clam chowder (chowdah).

Rete

I've also enjoyed the sightseeing cruise from the Harbor up to Gloucester, have lunch and return. Gloucester is a great little artist community.

Adnams

So many suggestions! Thank you all! Sound likes I need a month to fit it all in not just 48 hours. Certainly got the Boston Arts Museum on my list - top of it, after a bit of intellectual stimulation one can hit the restaurants / bars and not feel guilty for being a wastrel. Thanks for all the suggestions!

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Bob

surprisingly enough, there's some stuff in the wiki...i've not added in a while, so if Hiro has a bit of time to add what he suggested, that would be good.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Boston%2C_MA

Bob

had the biggest case of the squits eating their once, but yeah, generally very nice.

krizzy

Thanks for sharing Bob...

Bob

I added it, with links to the places...not digging lunch today.

Bob

Bob

check your local library to see if you can get free day passes at a bunch of places, well our local library has a bunch of day passes that they share with a bunch of other libraries, just have to ask a day or so in advance for when you want them and they are free

Adnams

Thank you very useful