Boston Travel Answers

The historical center and Cambridge as in Harvard Yard area are good for "pootling about" (love it! my spell check does not recognize the term!) When I was living in Cambridge they were redoing the subway system and it was hell getting around, but that was a couple of decades ago. I certainly hope that it has improved but you might still be wise to choose a pootle-friendly area.

Thank you! 'Pootle' is a UK slang word really...aimless but enjoyable wanderings. :-)

I think that you`ll be fine in the financial district because it is handier than Back Bay for the Freedom Trail and for taking the train to go trips. If you were in Back Bay you would have more walking or have to take the T but it`s still a good location. You can`t lose! :-)

Thanks.....I'd thought that might be the case. :-)

If you are close to the T then everywhere is easily accessible, and pootleable - the T is fast, frequent and relatively cheap. If you've got the right price for your financial district hotel then stick with it for the time being. Boston can be expensive hotel-wise although it will be worth your while checking every so often to see if a better hotel/price deal comes up. The only caveat I would have about the financial district is that it might be a bit like the "City" in London - where all the bars shut at some ungodly hour: like 9 pm ;)

Thanks John. Had already twigged that Boston is like London cost-wise but is worth it on this first visit to the US, as I can get an open-jaw into NY and out of Boston. As you know, I shall be seeking my bed & book by 9pm. :-)

HA!

Shhhhhhhhhh! :-)

First visit?? wow!! hope we are good to you!!!

Maybe best you look for a hotel in Watertown - open the pic before you read any further LOL - members.virtualtourist.com/m... ;) Seriously though Watertown was a great place to stay, although a bit out of the way. I ended up there having set up a mini VT meet in Boston at short notice but not realising that it was the Marathon weekend and that was the closest I could get. Interesting area and Cambridge was the local T stop.

I'd stick to the Financial District. The Back Bay is good, but FD is more central. I'd also use the T (MTA) to get around as it is convenient, if old and very creeky. Walking the Freedom Trai is a must do. Long day, but great history. Note the names on the graves at Park Street Church. Lots of history there. Lunch/Dinner at Ye Olde Oyster house is in order (on Tremont Street) as is wandereing Faneuil Hall. A pint at the Black Rose is also in order while there. The train to Salem is easy. Salem is quite walkable. The House of Seven Gables and the Witch Museum are a couple of good venues and the old grave yard as well (this is especially good near Halloween with a bit of snow on the ground). If time permits also continue to Rockport; very picturesque. And, again if time permits, instead of Taxi - vehicle, consider the water taxi to Logan. The restaurants on and near Rowe's Wharf used to be quite good, but I've not been there in a few years so things may have changed. If it's still there the No-Name Restaurant is (at least it was when I was there last) great. www.noam.com 15 1/2 Fish Pier Boston, MA 02210

Thanks, Al! I'll def be going to Salem and will now investigate the possiblity of Rockport too. :-)

Watch out for those witches! :)

I'm not afraid of no witches! :-)

Well, I guess you have a lot of them there, in your native land, what with WICCA and all!! :)

Wiccans, yes. But there have always been many who follow other paths, and that's fine by me. :-)

Just kidding of course - Anglo Saxons do seem to have a fascination with esoterism and sorcery etc - others too I guess - but you hear of it a lot in your Isles - I think that Salem might even sponsor a witches conference or something - wouldnt surprise me!

Nothing to do with Anglo-Saxons as such, everything to do with the differences between European history and US history. The ancient religions (which some call 'witchcraft' and others call 'Wicca' and still others call 'paganism') were here & in mainland Europe long, long before Christianity (which arrived in the UK in Roman times). They have never really gone away, merely been watered-down, their believer numbers reduced and practices/beliefs hidden entirely when it was sensible to do so. Many 'pagan' festivals, images and practices were adopted by Christianity as it spread and developed here and in Europe (e.g. the date of Christmas, many Easter customs, the Green Man etc). The Salem issues derived from those ancient beliefs and fears which had been brought over by early settlers.

And it is fascinating - at least for me - to see how certain customs, practices, etc have persisted - The syncretism too is of course interesting - In rural France, for instance, but also in most of Europe, probably even more in the East, one can still find all kinds of neat celebrations - costumed dances, processions, and so on - deriving from "pagan" times or integrated into Christianity. Really great - and they provide a richness to the culture that we lack in the States. Well, we do have our Wiccas and lots of other groups but we don't have the history, in European terms. Native American culture had its own wonders, some of which are being revived, but we Europeans did a good job of stomping pretty hard on their stomping (dances)! I would be interested, if you have time and think of it, to hear how you found Salem. It is one of our oldest settlements; is there a sense of experienced time there, of historical depth, or is it just touristic? Ok, waiting for your witch report! Hope the journey will be worth it for you....

O, there will definitely be a Salem VT page from me....sometime mid-August onwards, all being well. :-)

Financial District should be fine...as another member said, if you've got a good price, stick with it. Boston is very expensive. And, the FD is changing A LOT. If you finish that book, I bet you'll have a few bars and restaurants open - the Rose Kennedy Greenway is changing that whole area, now that the Big Dig is complete. And, you should research the whole Big Dig history before you arrive. I think you'd find it fascinating to see the "new" Boston. Watertown is cute, but it's a strange suggestion - IMO. Boston is arguably the most walkable, compact city in the US. You'll see the following hoods by foot - Financial District, Downtown Crossing(trashy), Faneiul Hall, North End(famous Italian quarter), Back Bay, South End(largest cache of Victorian Architecture in North America), and the inimitable Beacon Hill. That said, don't avoid the metro. The "T", as it is called, is simple to understand and is your best transpo around the area. You must take the red line out to Harvard Square, naturally. And, even better, go slightly further out on the same trip and take in Davis Square. Davis underwent a stunning revival in the late nineties and is now the most progressive and hip area in Boston. When you get your fill of tattoos and ironic tees, head back into town and finish that reading. One of the best aspects of Salem is that it is not a mere tourist destination. It's quite the blue collar, gritty town underneath that cobblestone and Federalist architecture. Cool place. And, Rockport, yes is a picture perfect New England accessible by commuter rail. Welcome! GC

Thank you very much! I shall stick with the Financial District hotel I've booked, I think, and will certainly investigate the Big Dig info. I always take the book with me, btw..I hate sitting alone in bars/restaurants etc without something to read. :-)

I too enjoy pootling - you see so much more on foot. We were based in Back Bay and didn't find it too far out for walking the freedom trail and we had the added benefit of being near the best shops. We visited Boston in February and also went by train to Salem - most of which was closed for the season but you should be fine in July. Don't miss walking the black heritage trail through the Beacon Hill area - gorgeous.

Thanks, Tracey..nothing like a good pootle to find out what a place is like, imo! :-)