Boston, Must see & do.

We are two married couples in our late 40%26#39;s and will be arriving in Boston late pm Monday 18th May. We have 3 full days in which to see the city and surrounding areas.

What are the best history/culture places to visit.

We have a car so getting about will not be a problem.

Thank you

Vince.

Boston, Must see %26amp; do.

';We have a car so getting about will not be a problem.';

LOL

Boston, Must see %26amp; do.

A car is considered a hinderance in Boston. If you plan to stay in the city and then fly to your next destination, return it.

Where are you staying? Most downtown hotels charge $35+ a day to park. One person recently posted that the Hyatt downtown is charging $48/per day.

That said, tell us what you like to do and we%26#39;ll make suggestions. History? Art? Food? Ocean views?

Hi again Vince ... I just posted this in response to another thread and htought I%26#39;d cut and paste it here to be sure you see it. To those reading all the posts .... sorry it it%26#39;s a rerun! ;)

You won%26#39;t need or want a car downtown. Boston is very much a walking city and the subway is good too.

If you are going to be here a while and want to see Cape Cod or go shopping at the Wrentham Premium Outlets, then you *might* consider renting a car that trip.

As for where to stay ... Boston is pretty compact. The hotels located closest to tourist sites are in the areas of Back Bay, Downtown, Beacon Hill, Boston Common and Quincy Market/Faniuel Hall. (Terminology used varies from site to site).

If you do have a car and want to save $$, consider staying outside the city and commuting in by subway.

Here%26#39;s a few lower cost, conveniently located downtown area hotels: John Jeffries House, Holiday Inn Government Center, Holiday Inn Select on Friend Street and the Harborside Inn.

Things to do ... Boston is a historical place. Take a trolley tour or a duck tour to get an overview. The trolley tour comes with all day on/off priviliges and the stops are near many historical sites, so if you choose, you could use this as one day of transportation.

There%26#39;s the ';Freedom Trail'; that links a bunch of historically significant sites in a logical walking pattern, identified by a red line (sometimes paint, sometimes brick in-lay) on the sidewalk. There%26#39;s the black heritage trail.

There%26#39;s Museums: Museum of Fine Arts (w/a great %26#39;funereal art%26#39; (mummies) exhibit); Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (many consider THIS a %26#39;hidden gem%26#39;). The Harvard Univeristy museum of natural history.

Do you like old architecture? Check out Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. Walk through the Beacon Hill neighborhood, being sure to find Louisburg Square.

Stroll the North End (Italian nieghborhood) stopping for coffee and a canolli or dinner. Visit the JFKennedy Museum/Library. Check out Harvard Square.

If you are here for an extended time, take a train or Ferry to Salem Mass and learn about it%26#39;s rich Maritime History, China Trade and the tragedy of the Witch Trials.

There%26#39;s a start ... click on %26#39;things to do%26#39; on the left and post again if you have more specific questions. (Don%26#39;t pay TOO much attention to the %26#39;popularity%26#39; on the things to do list ... some of us question how those rankings are done.

OOOPS ... just read your original post ...I really shouldn%26#39;t post before having coffee!!! If you only have 3 days, no need to consider trips outside the city ... there%26#39;s plenty to do.

And ... I forgot to include on of MY favorites (and others thing I%26#39;m crazy ;) ): RIDE THE SWAN BOATS in the Public Garden. They just opened this past weekend. Check out the children%26#39;s book ';Make Way for Ducklings'; by McCloskey (sorry, drawing a blank on the author%26#39;s first name). This story made the Swan Boats famous! They are old-fashioned, inexpensive and a cool way to get 15 minutes of down time!

McCloskey%26#39;s first name was Robert.

And Forgot, I know you meant me, and I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;re crazy. Not as far as I can tell from here, at least.

Thanks a lot folks,

I now realise I%26#39;m lumbered with the car but I like the idea of staying on the outskirts of city centre and using the public transport system instead.

Forgotmypword, you have given some very interesting suggestions especially the walking tour and trolley bus for hop-on hop-off visits. I assume the trolley bus will visit various museums and historical sites.

Is there a route map available on-line for the walking tour and trolley bus?

Thanks again

Vince

Trolley tour information: http://www.trolleytours.com/boston/

Duck tour information:

www.bostonducktours.com

Map of Freedom Trail: www.thefreedomtrail.org

Thanks Mahj, these look great and I think I%26#39;ll manage to squeeze in the chocolate tour (first)

Vince

The Museum of Fine Arts is first-class if you are into art.

If you are looking for a nice evening activity, consider going to a Boston Symphony/Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall. The orchestra is world-class.