Boston Travel Forum

We live in Nova Scotia and will be vacationing in Montreal this summer, but on our way back home, we've decided to drive south of Montreal to Boston and spend four days in Boston before driving back home through Maine and New Brunswick.

We were wondering what were the absolutely-must-see attractions in Boston from a local point of view. We are definitely visiting the JFK Library as it is at the top of my son's list.

Also is it advisable to park our car at the hotel and then use the metro day passes for transportation?

Any pointers from forum members would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Vilma

i highly recommend just parking your car and walking and using metro to get around as much as possible. i stayed in the back bay area and there were lots of places to walk to and many subway stops. i recommend taking one of the "duck" tours your first day. it will give you an overview of the city and show you what places are within walking distance. great city.

My vote is for the Duck Tours too! Take in a Red Sox baseball game if you can get tickets!

If you want to save money on hotels you could book your stay at a hotel that is NOT in Boston - but close to the MBTA rail line! We have a cheap commuter train referred to as the "T" which you can use to take you into Boston. There are convenient connections at South Station and Back Bay for the subway or simply do a little "walk-about!"

I live in Mass. and never drive to or in Boston! I take the train in! There are lots of commuters from Rhode Island who never drive to Boston but use the "T" every day for work.

Smaller towns along the route, like Attleboro and Mansfield for instance, offer cheaper hotels and a "smaller" town atmosphere. Got some spare time you could also even take the "T" into Providence, R.I. too!

If you do still want to stay in Boston don't drive! The price of parking your car is quite a bit more than the commuter rail!

Good luck.

Hal

Great trip, I love Montreal, - use to stay on Peel Street going up to Mount Royale.
As suggested staying out of town and commute in on the "T" is the only way to go.
MBTA ("T") visitor passes are available for unlimited travel on city buses and subways for one-, three-, and seven-day periods (fares are $7.50,$18,and $35, respectively). Buy passes at the following MBTA stations: Airport, South Station, North Station, Back Bay, Government Center, and Harvard Square.
Passes are also sold at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center
Examples of using the "T"

JFK Library - Take the "T", Red Line (any red line train) to JFK/UMASS Station. There is a free shuttle bus to the Library every 20 minutes beginning at 8:00 a.m. and running until Museum closing. Please take the buses marked ‘JFK.’

1)You can take the "T" Red or Green Line to downtown Boston (Park Station) and check out the Freedom Trail. Talk about History!
Follow the red line on the sidewalk of the Freedom Trail. It's a 2.5 mile walking tour that takes you on a journey back in time to the birthplace of the American Revolution. Lots to see..,take water.

2)Via the "T" - Historic Fenway Park - the Sox have played their since 1912 and they even have a tour if you want to go inside and check it out.

3)Harvard Square - Via the "T" - Great place for a walk around and just absorb the history and ambience. Have a drink in one of the many fine restaraunts/bars or just grab a bottle of your favorite beverage and sandwich and sit along the Charles River and enjoy the scenery.
With so much to do and see, it just depends on what your into.

I'd check out the MBTA website for the map and schedules of the subway system.
I grew up here (since left) and you wont regret using the "T". With the crazy traffic and trying to figure out how to get around you will spend more time driving than seeing things and having fun.

I grew up in Cambridge and didn't need a licence until I moved -thanks to the "T"

Enjoy

Without knowing your son's age I would also recommend the following:
New England Aquarium also whale watching available www.neaq.org;
Museum of Science-has an IMAX Theater www.mos.org;
Children's Museum www.bostonkids.org;
MBTA web site = www.mbta.com;
Museum of Fine Arts = www.mfa.org;
2 of my favorite museums: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum = www.gardnermuseum.org;
The Fogg Art Museum = http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/fogg/;
Top of the Hub Skywalk = http://www.topofthehub.net/skywalk_home.html;
Don't forget Little Italy in the North End!
Enjoy!