First Boston Visit in Sept - Best Area to Stay

Planning a trip to Boston in September. What are the best areas to stay in, so I can search for a reasonable hotel deal? If we stay downtown, will it be easy to get around if we don%26#39;t rent a car?

What are the best places to see? My husband loves history. Any tips appreciated.

Also, any hidden ';jewels'; hotels or restaurants?

Thanks!

First Boston Visit in Sept - Best Area to Stay

You won%26#39;t need or want a car downtown. Boston is very much a walking city and the subway is good too. Parking at hotels is upwards of $35 a day (on top of your room rate). Somebody recently posted a rate of $48/night at the Hyatt downtown.

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).

Here%26#39;s a few lower cost, conveniently located 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;); Do you like old architecture? Check out Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library in CopleySquare. 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. Beware --- if you are here late in the month the %26#39;atmosphere%26#39; of Salem may be changing as they play up (many would say exploit) the witch history and gear up for tons of visitors in Octoboer who wish to celebrate Halloween in Salem.

There%26#39;s a start ... clcik on %26#39;things to do%26#39; on the left and post again if you have more specific questions.

First Boston Visit in Sept - Best Area to Stay

Just in case you are doubting the advice above, I will confirm that you do not need or want a car in downtown Boston. It would be more of a hindrance than a convenience, and an expensive one, too. Hotels typically charge about $40 a day for parking. Garages during the week can easily be in the $30 range.

Thank you so much! We will be there almost two weeks. My brother lives in Cape Cod so we will visit there. We are thinking of renting a car after staying in Boston and traveling around. Maybe see Maine, Vermont?

If you ever need any San Francisco info...let me know. I live near Sausalito and have tons of info..

There is a great deal we got at the Sheraton Boston under their %26#39;offers%26#39; which is the ';Pay rates equal to Birth Year.'; [it%26#39;s in the Back Bay area] The first night is $189 and the next 2 nights at the rate of the last 2 digits of your BD. Reg price is in $200%26#39;s a night otherwise. The location is one of its greatest attributes with easy access to 2 T stops and adjoins the Prudential mall. We traveled to Boston for the first time fall of %26#39;07 and parked our car and never drove it out, using the T to get everywhere. This yr we%26#39;re flying and not getting a car at all, as the overnight parking fees will get you. Using the T is a very easy way to get around and very affordable. One of our favorite parts of our trip was eating at Atlantic Fish Co which is also in the Back Bay area. Enjoy your trip!