tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
this thread is a great place for those of us who are local to the area and know boston well to suggest activities for the fest-goers. things like quincy market, etc. show off your local knowledge!
Bostonians! Suggest things to do in Boston here!
- Thread starter tdipoet
- Start date
dieseldorf
Top Post Dawg
One of the many local breweries!
Quincy Market is on every tourist's list. It good to see. Lots of outdoor places to eat and walk around. Overall it is a big outdoor mall with tourist kitsch added in. I consider it rather over rated.
BUT, there are lots of great things to do:
If you like people watching be sure to stroll along Newbury Street with its fine shops, outdoor cafes and diverse people. Stephanie on Newbury and the Armani Cafe, while not cheap, are a great place to sit and enjoy the street scene.
Harvard Square in Cambridge is bustling with activity even in summer. NOT to be missed. There are several museums at Harvard that are a must see, such as the Fogg Art Museum. Au Bon Pain in Harvard square has a large outdoor patio that is great for people watching. It also provides some nice shade with all its trees.
Boston is a walking town. I highly suggest walking in and around Boston Public Garden, it is so beautiful. Boston Common is nice too but the Garden is so much better! From Boston Public Garden, stroll right down the center of Commonwealth Ave in Boston's Back Bay. The trees lining the median in the street and its path, which is a park in its out right (part of Boston's Emerald Necklace), provide shade in the hot of summer too. The architecture and beauty on Comm Ave, as the locals call it is awesome!
Also, be sure to walk Beacon Hill. THis is a great area just to wander around it and explore. Walk down Charles Street with its beautiful shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Don't miss the gold domed state house(corner of beacon and park), Louisburg Square is a real gem with its stately row houses, and don't miss Acorn street; the oldest paved road in the USA. It is still cobblestone!
Also, the BEST view of the Boston skyline is from Memorial Drive, right along the Charles River in Cambridge.
And DO NOT miss this: Viewing the skyline of Boston at sunset from the Boston University Bridge which crosses the Charles River. The setting sun basks the entire skyline in a rich golden pinkish hue. Absolutely BREATH TAKING!
As a side note: Parking in Boston for the uninitiated can be a total PIA. I highly suggest that if you are going to spend the dat in Boston to ditch the car and use Boston's "T" trolley system. Not as good as some in larger cities but it will but you within walking distance of anything you may want to see. I think they sell day passes. Parking in Boston is EXPENSIVE. YOu can sometimes find a meter spot but they are usually 1 or 2 hours. THE METER MAIDS ARE ROUTHLESS!
There is a WHOLE lot more that I can add, if anyone's interested. Just post with an idea of what sorts of things interest you! I can also reccomend a bunch of innexpensive places to eat in the Boston area.
Hope this helps, TOmmy
BUT, there are lots of great things to do:
If you like people watching be sure to stroll along Newbury Street with its fine shops, outdoor cafes and diverse people. Stephanie on Newbury and the Armani Cafe, while not cheap, are a great place to sit and enjoy the street scene.
Harvard Square in Cambridge is bustling with activity even in summer. NOT to be missed. There are several museums at Harvard that are a must see, such as the Fogg Art Museum. Au Bon Pain in Harvard square has a large outdoor patio that is great for people watching. It also provides some nice shade with all its trees.
Boston is a walking town. I highly suggest walking in and around Boston Public Garden, it is so beautiful. Boston Common is nice too but the Garden is so much better! From Boston Public Garden, stroll right down the center of Commonwealth Ave in Boston's Back Bay. The trees lining the median in the street and its path, which is a park in its out right (part of Boston's Emerald Necklace), provide shade in the hot of summer too. The architecture and beauty on Comm Ave, as the locals call it is awesome!
Also, be sure to walk Beacon Hill. THis is a great area just to wander around it and explore. Walk down Charles Street with its beautiful shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Don't miss the gold domed state house(corner of beacon and park), Louisburg Square is a real gem with its stately row houses, and don't miss Acorn street; the oldest paved road in the USA. It is still cobblestone!
Also, the BEST view of the Boston skyline is from Memorial Drive, right along the Charles River in Cambridge.
And DO NOT miss this: Viewing the skyline of Boston at sunset from the Boston University Bridge which crosses the Charles River. The setting sun basks the entire skyline in a rich golden pinkish hue. Absolutely BREATH TAKING!
As a side note: Parking in Boston for the uninitiated can be a total PIA. I highly suggest that if you are going to spend the dat in Boston to ditch the car and use Boston's "T" trolley system. Not as good as some in larger cities but it will but you within walking distance of anything you may want to see. I think they sell day passes. Parking in Boston is EXPENSIVE. YOu can sometimes find a meter spot but they are usually 1 or 2 hours. THE METER MAIDS ARE ROUTHLESS!
There is a WHOLE lot more that I can add, if anyone's interested. Just post with an idea of what sorts of things interest you! I can also reccomend a bunch of innexpensive places to eat in the Boston area.
Hope this helps, TOmmy
tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
the hotel is strategically located on the red line of the boston "T" subway system. so there is zero need for anyone to park anywhere but the hotel if they are planning on going into boston.
dieseldorf
Top Post Dawg
Lineman
Veteran Member
Take a drive through the Big Dig, see your Federal gas tax at work! /images/graemlins/smile.gif Approximately 7 miles of tunnels for $14 Billion.
(I-93 through downtown boston, and I-90 from I-93 to Logan Airport are the main parts of the Big Dig)
http://www.bigdig.com
Summary :
http://www.bigdig.com/thtml/summary.htm
(I-93 through downtown boston, and I-90 from I-93 to Logan Airport are the main parts of the Big Dig)
http://www.bigdig.com
Summary :
http://www.bigdig.com/thtml/summary.htm
MITBeta
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2001
- Location
- Boston's Metro South-West
- TDI
- 2001 Jetta TDI, 2004 Sprinter CDI Passenger (Mid/High), former: 1996 Passat TDI Variant
[ QUOTE ]
the hotel is strategically located on the red line of the boston "T" subway system
[/ QUOTE ]
Does the hotel run a shuttle to the T station? The Fest is at the Sheratin Tara across from the SS Plaza, is it not?
the hotel is strategically located on the red line of the boston "T" subway system
[/ QUOTE ]
Does the hotel run a shuttle to the T station? The Fest is at the Sheratin Tara across from the SS Plaza, is it not?
tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
The fest is at the Sheraton (they dropped the Tara and are apparently pretty sensitive about it) and yes, they are across the street from the plaza. There is a free shuttle to and from the T station, it's very fast.
tas
Veteran Member
dont forget about f1 outdoors in w.brigewater.same owner as boston .the company iwork for paved the track its awesome .just a sugestion..
tom
tom
tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
tas, you know f1 boston is one of the main events for the fest, right?
we went with the indoor track due to its proximity to the hotel and the potential for rain.
we went with the indoor track due to its proximity to the hotel and the potential for rain.
MITBeta
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2001
- Location
- Boston's Metro South-West
- TDI
- 2001 Jetta TDI, 2004 Sprinter CDI Passenger (Mid/High), former: 1996 Passat TDI Variant
Okay... I'll put in a plug for America's Hometown: Plymouth, MA.
Come see the Mayflower II, Plymouth Rock, and Plimouth Plantation. Or, lay on the beach. Or go on a Whale Watch or deep sea fishing. Only 40 minutes from the hotel...
Come see the Mayflower II, Plymouth Rock, and Plimouth Plantation. Or, lay on the beach. Or go on a Whale Watch or deep sea fishing. Only 40 minutes from the hotel...
If you have a taste for history, you have struck the mother-lode!One thing not to miss is the USS Constitution, Old Ironsides", the world's oldest commissioned warship. The men of the crew are all active-duty Navy personnel,and it is considered a prize assignment. You don't just stand on the dock and look. In peak times they may organize you into tours in order to accommodate the numbers, but most of the time you just walk up the gangway and ask the officer of the deck permission to come aboard. Believe me, there are plenty of Navy and Marine Corps veterans whose first move once they step on deck is to face aft and salute the national ensign (by placing one's right hand over one's heart, because in the Navy you don't render a military salute if not in uniform). Across the dock is the USS Cassin Young, a WWII-era destroyer, and all around you is the Charlestown Navy Yard. whose granite drydocks and shop buildings only hint at the 200 years of shipbuilding gone on there. Hungry? Barret's restaurant overlooks the pier and you can digest the information you heard while you eat if you ask the hostess to seat you near a window; or you are very close to the North End, one of the three or four most cohesive and mono-ethnic Italian-American communities in the US. Plenty to eat there!
For a Christian Scientist, the Mother Church is in Boston and is the site of the non church-related hollow globe, a thirty foot stained glass globe of the earth that you walk through. At one time this was on everyone's must-see list, but is now a quaint testament to geopolitical name changes over sixty years.
North of town you will find Salem, Mass., site of those unfortunate pressings and hangings a while ago. Death by pressing is when they pile rocks on you until you die. The Peabody-Essex Museum is a great place to learn about clipper ships, the China trade, whaling, early architecture, and it includes the House of Seven Gables made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Chestnut Street in Salem is considered one of the most beautiful streets in America due to its well-preserved Federal architecture.
If you're really interested in whaling and seafaring though, you should go south of Boston to the city of New Bedford and visit the Whaling Museum there.
Auto history? Assembly Mall in Somerville is where Henry Ford built Model A's and later cars up through the forties, Fisher Body built Buicks and Oldsmobiles in Framingham until the sixties, and you just might find the factory in Newton Lower Falls where F.E and F.O. Stanley built the Stanley Steamer until 1930 or so.
Of course if you visit Plymouth Rock, you should definitely visit Plimouth Plantation, a reconstruction of the very earliest English settlement in New England.
Stuff to do? It just goes on forever.
For a Christian Scientist, the Mother Church is in Boston and is the site of the non church-related hollow globe, a thirty foot stained glass globe of the earth that you walk through. At one time this was on everyone's must-see list, but is now a quaint testament to geopolitical name changes over sixty years.
North of town you will find Salem, Mass., site of those unfortunate pressings and hangings a while ago. Death by pressing is when they pile rocks on you until you die. The Peabody-Essex Museum is a great place to learn about clipper ships, the China trade, whaling, early architecture, and it includes the House of Seven Gables made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Chestnut Street in Salem is considered one of the most beautiful streets in America due to its well-preserved Federal architecture.
If you're really interested in whaling and seafaring though, you should go south of Boston to the city of New Bedford and visit the Whaling Museum there.
Auto history? Assembly Mall in Somerville is where Henry Ford built Model A's and later cars up through the forties, Fisher Body built Buicks and Oldsmobiles in Framingham until the sixties, and you just might find the factory in Newton Lower Falls where F.E and F.O. Stanley built the Stanley Steamer until 1930 or so.
Of course if you visit Plymouth Rock, you should definitely visit Plimouth Plantation, a reconstruction of the very earliest English settlement in New England.
Stuff to do? It just goes on forever.
Boston is beautiful, but I have to make a case for my adopted state of Rhode Island. Afterall Providence is only a short hop of less than 45 minutes from the Sheraton in Braintree. I highly recommend visiting Providence. Here are some Rhode Island Highlights.
Providence:
1. State House Capitol Building; made of white marble, its gorgeous inside and out
2. Roger Williams park and zoo; MUCH nicer that the zoo in Boston
3. Benefit Street, The most historic mile in America.
4. The view of downcity Providence at sunset from Prospect Park on Congdon Street.
5. Strolling along Canal Street on the Providece Riverwalk
6. Thayer Street; college town kitsch
7. Blackstone Boulevard; shady, parklike, beautiful homes
8. Downcity area of Providence; the square at weybosset and westminster is really nice. they are redoing a lot in this area
Wickford Village:
A really quaint historic seaside town that is nice for strolling and antiquing. A must see
Tiverton, Little Compton, and Adamsville:
Routes 77 and 81 are soo beautiful. Sakonett Point and Sakonnet Vineyards are well worth the visit. If you want a step by step route for an awesome tour, let me know.
Newport:
BUSY in summer especially labour day weekend! The main town is cute and Ocean Drive and Bellevue Ave is a must. The summer "cottages" of the rich and powerful are marvelous. But, if you want to tour them, its gets EXPENSIVE.
Bristol:
Quaint historic town. Colt State Park is a MUST SEE. There are also some large mansions open to visitors.
Pawtucket:
I hear this is great for families, but cannot say for sure as I have never been personally: Slater Mill, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
A little out of the way but worth it if you have time:
Chepachet:
Some really cute antique shops
Watch Hill (part of Westerly):
Beautiful mansions and a nice beach
If anyone wants specifics email me: TDIinRI@aol.com
Providence:
1. State House Capitol Building; made of white marble, its gorgeous inside and out
2. Roger Williams park and zoo; MUCH nicer that the zoo in Boston
3. Benefit Street, The most historic mile in America.
4. The view of downcity Providence at sunset from Prospect Park on Congdon Street.
5. Strolling along Canal Street on the Providece Riverwalk
6. Thayer Street; college town kitsch
7. Blackstone Boulevard; shady, parklike, beautiful homes
8. Downcity area of Providence; the square at weybosset and westminster is really nice. they are redoing a lot in this area
Wickford Village:
A really quaint historic seaside town that is nice for strolling and antiquing. A must see
Tiverton, Little Compton, and Adamsville:
Routes 77 and 81 are soo beautiful. Sakonett Point and Sakonnet Vineyards are well worth the visit. If you want a step by step route for an awesome tour, let me know.
Newport:
BUSY in summer especially labour day weekend! The main town is cute and Ocean Drive and Bellevue Ave is a must. The summer "cottages" of the rich and powerful are marvelous. But, if you want to tour them, its gets EXPENSIVE.
Bristol:
Quaint historic town. Colt State Park is a MUST SEE. There are also some large mansions open to visitors.
Pawtucket:
I hear this is great for families, but cannot say for sure as I have never been personally: Slater Mill, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
A little out of the way but worth it if you have time:
Chepachet:
Some really cute antique shops
Watch Hill (part of Westerly):
Beautiful mansions and a nice beach
If anyone wants specifics email me: TDIinRI@aol.com
dieseldorf
Top Post Dawg
Newport:
Providence:
Providence Skyline at sunsuet
Rhode Island Statehouse at sunset
Prospect Park at sunset
Boston:
Boston skyline viewed from Memorial Drive in Cambridge
Luisburg Square on Beacon Hill
Trinity Church, Copley Square, Back Bay of Boston
Providence Skyline at sunsuet
Rhode Island Statehouse at sunset
Prospect Park at sunset
Boston:
Boston skyline viewed from Memorial Drive in Cambridge
Luisburg Square on Beacon Hill
Trinity Church, Copley Square, Back Bay of Boston
Mass. Wine Guy
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- May 21, 2001
- Location
- Ipswich, Massachusetts
- TDI
- 5-speed, 2015 Golf S 6-speed manual; 2015 Golf Sportwagen SEL 6-speed manual
For a less commercial experience, walking around the North End (the city's Italian section) is pleasant. There's a really European feel to it, and the coffee and canolis are good, too. It's a easy walk from the aquarium or Fanuel Hall.
GeWilli
Top Post Dawg
where's the comprehensive listing of bars/pubs/watering holes?
/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Oh and the all important: Package Stores!
I'll start:
Reccomendation - in Warren, R.I.
Tinkers Nest!
Great place - great beer, the tap lines were installed and designed by one of the best contractors in N.E. and deliever one of the best Draughts of Guiness you'll find...
What time we meeting there /images/graemlins/grin.gif (Nate knows where it is)
/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Oh and the all important: Package Stores!
I'll start:
Reccomendation - in Warren, R.I.
Tinkers Nest!
Great place - great beer, the tap lines were installed and designed by one of the best contractors in N.E. and deliever one of the best Draughts of Guiness you'll find...
What time we meeting there /images/graemlins/grin.gif (Nate knows where it is)
Phoenix42
Veteran Member
[ QUOTE ]
Great place - great beer, the tap lines were installed and designed by one of the best contractors in N.E. and deliever one of the best Draughts of Guiness you'll find...
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah yeah but it a well know fact that you can't get a decent Pint outside of the old country.
Great place - great beer, the tap lines were installed and designed by one of the best contractors in N.E. and deliever one of the best Draughts of Guiness you'll find...
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah yeah but it a well know fact that you can't get a decent Pint outside of the old country.
squeeze_cheese
Veteran Member
Three words:
Wonderland Greyhound Park!
Wonderland Greyhound Park!
MITBeta
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2001
- Location
- Boston's Metro South-West
- TDI
- 2001 Jetta TDI, 2004 Sprinter CDI Passenger (Mid/High), former: 1996 Passat TDI Variant
[ QUOTE ]
where's the comprehensive listing of bars/pubs/watering holes?
[/ QUOTE ]
The best brewpub in the state is right across the street from the hotel:
Rock Bottom (Have you hit Rock Bottom lately?)
We did a TDIClub GTG there a couple of months back, and I've since met the brewmaster who makes the best beer I've ever tasted... (sorry Nate).
where's the comprehensive listing of bars/pubs/watering holes?
[/ QUOTE ]
The best brewpub in the state is right across the street from the hotel:
Rock Bottom (Have you hit Rock Bottom lately?)
We did a TDIClub GTG there a couple of months back, and I've since met the brewmaster who makes the best beer I've ever tasted... (sorry Nate).
tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
the fest organizing committee has done extensive research into the facility which MITBeta speaks of. /images/graemlins/grin.gif
we give it the thumbs up!
(though for the very best beer ever, it is actually necessary to drive to portsmouth brewery and get the black cat stout. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
we give it the thumbs up!
(though for the very best beer ever, it is actually necessary to drive to portsmouth brewery and get the black cat stout. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
GeWilli
Top Post Dawg
[ QUOTE ]
(though for the very best beer ever, it is actually necessary to drive to portsmouth brewery and get the black cat stout. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
that sounds great... but...
can we stumble back to the hotel from there /images/graemlins/wink.gif say if we have too many black cats?
(though for the very best beer ever, it is actually necessary to drive to portsmouth brewery and get the black cat stout. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
that sounds great... but...
can we stumble back to the hotel from there /images/graemlins/wink.gif say if we have too many black cats?
tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
we don't need to... they sell growlers! /images/graemlins/grin.gif
MITBeta
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2001
- Location
- Boston's Metro South-West
- TDI
- 2001 Jetta TDI, 2004 Sprinter CDI Passenger (Mid/High), former: 1996 Passat TDI Variant
Maybe we could get them to run a hose across the road...
It's not the most scenic or romantic thing, but what about a trip to Burke Oil for a fillup (B-100, B-20, ULSD and #2). I'm thinking World Energy, Sprague, Irving and VW may want in on some publicity as would Burke Oil Co.
Talk up alternate fuel, diesels and fuel efficiency, 2006 dreams, etc.
We could make a splash in the news...
?
Talk up alternate fuel, diesels and fuel efficiency, 2006 dreams, etc.
We could make a splash in the news...
?
BeetleGo
TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
For awesome skyline views of Boston here are a few reasons to do a little driving:
1) Blue Hill. Take exit 8(?)off of 93 (southeast xpressway) in Quincy and wind your way upward. Not only is it especially fun to do this in a TDI, but the view of Boston from up there is great! Just keep looking right and pull over at the first 'scenic outlook' parking area.
2) Drive up the Charles and go to Mt. Auburn Cemetary in Watertown. It's one of the nation's oldest, is beautifully laid out, and has a stone tower you can climb to the top of and take in a 360 degree view of metro Boston, including the Charles River as it winds it's way into downtown. GREAT VIEWS!
3) Head out rte 2 west. When you get to the top of the big hill (you wont' miss it), you can take the exit by the huge, greek revival water tower. Head back down the hill in this residential area and discover slopeside park in Arlington Heights. Even if you can't find it (not 100% sure of the street names), you'll still get an awesome view of the Boston skyline coming back down rte. 2 to come back into the city.
Mi dos centavos, Beetlego /images/graemlins/cool.gif
1) Blue Hill. Take exit 8(?)off of 93 (southeast xpressway) in Quincy and wind your way upward. Not only is it especially fun to do this in a TDI, but the view of Boston from up there is great! Just keep looking right and pull over at the first 'scenic outlook' parking area.
2) Drive up the Charles and go to Mt. Auburn Cemetary in Watertown. It's one of the nation's oldest, is beautifully laid out, and has a stone tower you can climb to the top of and take in a 360 degree view of metro Boston, including the Charles River as it winds it's way into downtown. GREAT VIEWS!
3) Head out rte 2 west. When you get to the top of the big hill (you wont' miss it), you can take the exit by the huge, greek revival water tower. Head back down the hill in this residential area and discover slopeside park in Arlington Heights. Even if you can't find it (not 100% sure of the street names), you'll still get an awesome view of the Boston skyline coming back down rte. 2 to come back into the city.
Mi dos centavos, Beetlego /images/graemlins/cool.gif
BeetleGo
TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
[ QUOTE ]
It's not the most scenic or romantic thing, but what about a trip to Burke Oil for a fillup (B-100, B-20, ULSD and #2). I'm thinking World Energy, Sprague, Irving and VW may want in on some publicity as would Burke Oil Co.
Talk up alternate fuel, diesels and fuel efficiency, 2006 dreams, etc.
We could make a splash in the news...
?
[/ QUOTE ]
I would be willing to sign up for 'tour guide' on this. Make it part of the pan-bigdig experience? Speaking of which, while we're over there why not go over to the Logan Hyatt and take in yet another great skyline view of Boston, then head back down to Plymouth via the Ted?
~BG
It's not the most scenic or romantic thing, but what about a trip to Burke Oil for a fillup (B-100, B-20, ULSD and #2). I'm thinking World Energy, Sprague, Irving and VW may want in on some publicity as would Burke Oil Co.
Talk up alternate fuel, diesels and fuel efficiency, 2006 dreams, etc.
We could make a splash in the news...
?
[/ QUOTE ]
I would be willing to sign up for 'tour guide' on this. Make it part of the pan-bigdig experience? Speaking of which, while we're over there why not go over to the Logan Hyatt and take in yet another great skyline view of Boston, then head back down to Plymouth via the Ted?
~BG
tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
bg, your knowledge of the area makes you a very desirable tour guy indeed... we'd love to have your assistance.
If people are interested, I'll ask Burke if they want the press on the Saturday of the Fest and let them get someone from the providers to speak about alternative diesel fuels in case we get media coverage - like on Chronicle. Maybe a local VW dealer or VWOA would be interested as well...
Am I green lighted?
Am I green lighted?
tdipoet
Top Post Dawg
thanks betzel. let's hold off on that for a bit. we are looking into the possibility of burke providing some ULSD for the fest, and want to get a better handle on exactly what will be available. the two should not be mutually exclusive, however.