Impulse trip to Boston

[Qacer]

... I'm feeling the itch to leave out of town for the weekend. I've never really explored Boston, so I almost pulled the trigger on Expedia. Anyway, for a first timer like me, where would be a good place to stay without having to rent a car? I figured I can just do flight+hotel because the prices are already in the $500 to $700 per person. I figured leave Florida on a Friday and come back on a Sunday. I know it's not enough, but if I get at least a day to explore bits of the city, then that should be good enough.

... if I can't decided on Boston, then I'll probably go local. I've never been to Miami.
Thanks!

 

[Gibson486]

Where is the hotel? If the hotel is at the air port, you will be limited w/o a car because the T shuts down at 12:15-12:50 AM. If you are in downtown (backbay, chinatown, north end to name a few) or in the Harvard or MIT part of Cambridge, then who cares because everything is in walking distance.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

BackBay, South End, or Cambridge would all be great places to stay. You can walk everywhere, as Gibson mentioned. Unlike NYC or other major cities, Boston is VERY compact. You could probably walk the entire perimeter of the city two or three times in one day, if you felt so inclined.

 

[Kreon]

BackBay, South End, or Cambridge would all be great places to stay. You can walk everywhere, as Gibson mentioned. Unlike NYC or other major cities, Boston is VERY compact. You could probably walk the entire perimeter of the city two or three times in one day, if you felt so inclined.

I second that Boston is wicked compact.
I routinely walk from one side of the city to another.

I'm not really sure what your price range for hotels is, but if you feel like having a nice place the Customs House Marriot is pretty cool. Its the old customs house (not sure when it dates from though). Its pretty centrally located downtown. The Longwharf Marriott is also there.

If you're a member of the armed forces, look into the Constitution Inn. It's right near the USS Constitution, and about a 10 minute walk from the North End.

Those are the three places my parents stay when they come to Boston to visit me. I know there are a few hotels in the Back Bay, but I've never stayed in any of them.

I can say don't stay at hotels near the airport. They're really far away from the downtown, and most are cumbersome to get to public transportation.

 

[shiner]

I'll be there in a couple of weeks. Staying here

 

[thepd7]

I stayed at Hotel 140

because I got a room for $80/night. It was about the size of a closet with a double bed but all I needed was a place to sleep so it worked great. I wouldn't walk to everything from there but it's really close to two T lines and if the T is closed that cab ride would be pretty cheap.