Boston Travel Hints

Just back from a quick and fun 2 and 1/2 day Boston getaway. I'm always wondering how much to post about vacations as having someone go on and on about what a great time they had can be pretty boring, much like watching someones vacation movies at a house party. But I do want to give travel hints on this trip, especially since a trip to Boston is almost the quintessential historic family getaway. A couple quickies:

For all it cost, and as long as it took, The Big Dig may be the biggest improvement to a northeastern city since the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. It has transformed Boston from what used to be a rusty dirty loud exhaust choked walking city into a beautiful walking city . You can walk walk the Greenway from the North End all the way to Chinatown. Another result is incredible access to Logan airport. I kid you not, the ride from our hotel in Charlestown to the Airport was faster than from Tonawanda to the Buffalo airport. What used to be an hour ride in Boston in now just 20 minutes tops. And because there is now an airport only access road from the now underground central artery, the time allotment doesn't go up much even w rush hour traffic. Here's the difference:
















Hint #2: Our hotel, the nearly new Residence Inn by Marriott in Charlestown (found by my wife on Tripadvisor.com) was incredible and perfect for families with kids of walking age. The rooms are huge (all suites), the price is about 30% cheaper than staying in the city, but you are RIGHT THERE in just a short walk over the Charlestown bridge with incredible city views from all rooms (see pics). Located right next door is the North Station T, which has trains connecting to everywhere.


The Residence Inn is also cost saving because each morning they put out a HUGE buffet breakfast, absolutely free. And it's not just sausage, bacon and greasy food (though that's all I tend to eat), but healthy cereals and fruits as well. It probably saves a family of 5 about $50 a day.
For close by dinners there are a bunch of pubs and eateries in Charlestown within a 5 minute walk. Think places like JP Bullfeathers and the old Jimmy Mac's. If you can walk an extra quarter mile a day, we highly recommend this hotel!