STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Boots · Gucci

Boston reccomendations?

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

I would not stay in the downtown waterfront area.

I did extensive research on hotels for a 2010 trip. I'll get back to you on places and things to do later today.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Okay. So, to ammend what I said about not staying in the downtown financial district, it depends on what you want to visit in Boston.

We stayed at The Back Bay Hotel (TBBH) and liked it quite a bit.

My mom and sister and I went on the trip, and, at the time, my mom wasn't feeling too well. She did okay until we hit a warm, sunny day. Then she lost her energy, big time. We were doing a ton of walking. We used the subway and bus system too. Still, a lot of walking.

TBBH was in the Back Bay, but I would have liked it to be like one block north of where it was. One block north, you'll find a bunch of hotels.

In 2000, I stayed at the Marriott Copley Place. It was connected to two malls and was in the center of everything. Close to Newbury street. It is a huge hotel that often hosts numerous conventions. Go at the wrong time, and you could be facing lines, long elevator waits, etc.

I rely on TripAdvisor for hotel reviews. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g60745-Boston_Massachusetts-Hotels.html

Attractions

Loved Boston Commons park/gardens Public Garden

Trolling around Beacon Hill

Newbury Street - it isn't what it used to be (filled with independent, charming shops and restuarants), but it is still worth a gander.

Cambridge/Harvard - I love just hanging out on Harvard's campus. Very relaxing and interesting to watch students. There are some fun shops and restaurants across the street from campus too.

We did a Duck Tour - fun

I LOVED the Museum of Fine Arts

We didn't make it to the Contemporary Art Museum (the newer one on the waterfront)

Boston Public Library

We took a day trip to Plymouth - that was great too.

Right across from the oldest running restuarant in the US is the Holocaust Memorial. It is very jarring to have it right in the middle of all these super touristy and kitschy attractions. It's worth some time, but I wish I would have had a little warning it was there. I guess the whole point is to stop you in your tracks, but I felt it was in somewhat poor taste and didn't honor the victims and their families as fully as a memorial would have/could have.

Faneuil hall

You used to be able to go up in the John Hancock Tower, but Im not sure if you still can. We didn't attempt.

If you have questions, let me know.

Boots · Gucci

Thank you so much! You've given me a place to start. I'll probably have more questions later too.

I rely on Trip Adviser too when I'm narrowing down my decisions. The somewhat unbiased reviews are extremely helpful when trying to figure out what place or activity will suit my taste the best.

Good to know that the Museum of Fine Arts will be worth a visit. I love to hit up the local art museums when I'm in a new city and had heard that Boston had an excellent one. And I would never had throught of a Duck tour, but I'm going to look into it now. I haven't been on one since I was 12 and in WI Dells!

Boots · Gucci

UPDATE

Just booked a late September vacation for my mom & I at the Back Bay Hotel. Thanks so much for your recommendations. The Back Bay was exactly what I was looking for (my mom is especially excited about the Irish breakfast there. Me, not so much.) I'm also looking into a day trip to Martha's Vineyard (my grandma had property there back before WWII and my mom would vacation there as a little girl) and another one to Plymouth (which sounds interesting and unique.)

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Just saw this. Great! I hope you enjoy your trip!