What to do around Boston?

[Leros]

I'm thinking about taking a 4-5 day trip up to Boston just as a random trip. Never been there before. I figure I can spend at least a few days in the city doing the main touristy stuff.

The New England area is packed together enough that it looks like I can drive to a bunch of other places in just a few hours. What else is worth seeing? Head up to Vermont? New Hampshire? Maine? Going to stay away from NYC as that's a trip of it's own.

I'm from Texas so driving for 2-3 hours is nothing to me. I've heard that people from that area would consider that a horridly long drive.

 

[IronWing]

I spent a week in Salem a few years ago. The historic stuff was interesting with the House of Seven Gables and the witch stuff. The Essex Peabody Museum is cool but huge. Salem is accessible from downtown by commuter train.

Driving sucks. Seriously, coming from Texas, you will wish death a hundred-fold on the people of Massachusetts before you've moved ten miles. It just takes a damn long time to go short distances.

 

[Leros]

Oh yeah. Salem would be cool. I could probably only devote a day to it though.

I haven't though about it too much yet, but I'm probably going to rent a car even if I don't use it everyday. I don't want to stay in the city the entire time.

Edit: Just saw your edit about driving. So, maybe stay in the city and use public transport within the city. I'd like to get out and drive around a bit though. I'd love to see some of the country side and I'd like to find an old sawmill to tour if possible.

 

[crashtestdummy]

Do you like hiking? When are you going?

I'd first do the walking tour of Boston. Start in Copley Square, walk over to the public gardens and the commons, from there to quincy market and the waterfront, then up to the North End. See the historic sites and grab a cannoli at Mike's. If you're still feeling energetic, head over to Harvard Square and try to pick up some Harvard girls.

The next day, head up to the While Mountains and spend some time there. If camping's not your thing, this is my favorite B&B in the world. Super nice owner, good food, very nice house. Go hike around. The Franconia ridge trail is one of my favorites, if you're an experienced hiker and the weather is nice. I'd just spend the rest of your trip in the mountains, but then that's my style of vacations in general. I never really loved visiting cities.

 

[Leros]

I'd enjoy a few hour hike. Don't want to do any camping on this trip.

Thinking about going early June.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Go watch the Habs kick some ass! :awe:

 

[crashtestdummy]

I'd enjoy a few hour hike. Don't want to do any camping on this trip.

Thinking about going early June.

Definitely do some hiking in the whites, then. Make sure you get above tree line. Mt Moosilauke is probably the easiest of them, but I'd suggest Lafayette if you're up for it. If you get to the top and it's nice, you can do the rest of the Franconia ridge loop. It's one of the best hikes up there that doesn't require backpacking.

 

[jaedaliu]

I went here http://www.cannonmt.com/ last October to walk the Flume. It was a slow walk as it was rather crowded, a single file line with people taking pictures, but it was beautiful.

On your way up, you could stop at a sugar shack and get breakfast. Nothing fancy, just really good quality breakfast served with real maple syrup made by the location you're eating at.

I would suggest not getting a car when you land. Paying for parking in the city is not cheap. I'm sure you could rent in the city for when you need it.

And for Boston, it's not a big city. Well, it's actually pretty big, but the interesting stuff is concentrated in the middle. The freedom trail is a good way to walk around, seeing it.

 

[spaceman]

head to a kappys
make ur way up to salisbury beach
and hampton
itll be hopping at that time

 

[spaceman]

when ur there
get the fried dough on the main drag
go to the arcades