CelticsStrong
Other Discussions => Off Topic => The City Of Boston / Travel Tips => Topic started by: Drucci on July 24, 2009, 08:34:10 PM
-
Hey guys,
As you may know, I'm a French Celtics fan, living in France. I thought many times how cool it would be to visit Boston and to attend some Celtics games, although it sounded like a pipe dream to me. But, now that this idea has been in my mind for a while, and because I may have the opportunity to visit the city next year, my first thought was that I needed advices from people who could help me with their knowledge since they are living in Massasuchetts (or at least in the USA). So, your help and advices will be really appreciated, and I have no doubt that you can be really helpful to me since I've seen many of you guys benefit from their fellow "colleagues" of CB (for many cases, by the way : love, diet, etc).
So, to give you some idea about my hypothetical trip, here are some ideas/questions I throw around in no particular order :
- Would there be a legal problem with my age? I would do the trip on my own. To book an hotel, to visit, etc. I'm 19, I've reached the majority in my country (18), but it's 21 in the USA so I wonder if it could be an "obstacle".
- The main goal would be to attend Celtics games. Of course I would visit the city of Boston too, but my priority would be to attend Celtics games in the Garden. I know it sounds foolish to make such a big trip to attend basketball games, and it probably is truly foolish but hey, I really want to do it, I think it's a kind of a "once in a lifetime experience" and I want to experience it with the current Celtics team.
- The estimated date of the trip would probably be around the end of January or the beginning of February, since it would correspond to my college holidays and to the NBA season. Is it the best period for NBA games? I know there is the risk of injuries, but what period is considered the best for NBA games?
- Boston is known as a cold city, but is it really THAT cold? I guess so, especially in February, but you certainly know better than me.
- Do you know some places (hotels, restaurants) where I could go and not pay too much? Since I would probably benefit from a special offer, I wouldn't have to pay the flight tickets so I would have more budget at my disposal, but still not so much, so...
- I will know what locations are to visit after reading a guide but what places should really be seen by tourists in Boston, in your opinion?
- Where are the best seats of the Garden, who put you near the court while staying affordable? Are courtside seats too costly?
- Is it true that players from the team always sign autographs and meet fans before games? I've heard it somewhere but I don't know if it's true or not.
Again, these are just ideas I've thrown around like that, my trip is really hypothetical right now. So, please feel free to give me answers/advices to whatever questions you can answer.
By the way, CB has clearly made my passion for the C's grow up this year, so thanks to the whole community, and hopefully my project can become reality with your advices. ;)
-
im sure seats prices went up when scalabrine kevin g and ray allen got there...
-
I've done this exact trip before drucci. In february, coming from overseas at the age of 19. So i'll try and answer your questions as best I can.
Would there be a legal problem with my age? I would do the trip on my own. To book an hotel, to visit, etc. I'm 19, I've reached the majority in my country (18), but it's 21 in the USA so I wonder if it could be an "obstacle".
No, you wont have a problem, just wont be able to drink that's all. (though we did get away pretty easily with buying beer from the corner store.
The main goal would be to attend Celtics games. Of course I would visit the city of Boston too, but my priority would be to attend Celtics games in the Garden. I know it sounds foolish to make such a big trip to attend basketball games, and it probably is truly foolish but hey, I really want to do it, I think it's a kind of a "once in a lifetime experience" and I want to experience it with the current Celtics team.
It's doesn't sound foolish to me, it's a fantastic experience to be had and seeing an NBA game in the flesh is a truely unique experience, you wont regret it.
The estimated date of the trip would probably be around the end of January or the beginning of February, since it would correspond to my college holidays and to the NBA season. Is it the best period for NBA games? I know there is the risk of injuries, but what period is considered the best for NBA games?
that's just before the all-star break, so I wouldn't think you would see many injuries but it's something you can never count on. We were unlucky enough to not get to see KG play as he was injured for a few games (championship season).
Boston is known as a cold city, but is it really THAT cold? I guess so, especially in February, but you certainly know better than me.
Boston IS COLD!!!, but it didn't stop us from walking around in it. Just make sure you keep warm as possible and it'll be fine. You will probably find it more pleseant than me since i'm used to the warm.
Do you know some places (hotels, restaurants) where I could go and not pay too much? Since I would probably benefit from a special offer, I wouldn't have to pay the flight tickets so I would have more budget at my disposal, but still not so much, so...
I cant really help you here as we stayed in Hostels, we stayed at the YMCA, the room was not heated enough and we were quite cold, but they had an indoor basketball court at their disposal so we made the most of it and played some pickup games with the locals which was good fun!
Where are the best seats of the Garden, who put you near the court while staying affordable? Are courtside seats too costly?
We sat in the first row opposite the c's bench (not courtside, but no seats infront of us). I highly recommend investing in good seats, especially if it's a one off trip! If your really well prepared you could buy them through the celtics at the start of the season. But we still had no troubles finding good tickets through the third party ticketing agencies (ie, Coast to coast, acetickets.), they're more epxensive but it definently didn't change the experience 8)
I hope this helps my friend! It's definently a worthwhile trip to say the least!
-
1. Legal problem with your age? No. It would help, however, if you had a credit or debit card that U.S. businesses will accept, e.g Mastercard, Visa or American Express.
2. Check the schedule on Celtics.com. I would book tickets to the games well ahead of time. IMHO the best deals are in the upper balcony near midcourt in the first few rows.
3. Boston is not much colder than Paris in February. A little more snow, a little less rain.
4. I would try to get a tour package with airfare and hotel. You can get a clean, but not luxurious, room for a decent price (around $100 per night) at most of the big U.S. hotel chains, e.g. Holiday Inn or La Quinta. As for restaurants, stick with ethnic food (Chinese, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Cambodian, Vietnamese)in areas frequented by students, such as Cambridge or Allston. There are good Italian restaurants in the North End, but they are not cheap.
5. Boston has alot of attractions, but not so many in February. For example, the whale watching boats do not run in the winter. What are your interests? The one attraction that comes immediately to mind is the Museum of Science.
The Museum of Fine Arts and the Gardner Museum sometimes have good exhibits, but these do not compare to the great French museums. Alas, there is no Louvre in Boston.
Boston is famous for two things: its universities (Harvard, MIT, etc.) and its hospitals, which are among the best in the world (Mass General, Childrens, the Brigham, Beth Israel). If you are interested in things academic or medical, I would just poke around those places.
Have a great trip! I hope you enjoy coming here as much as I enjoy going to France.
-
Drucci,
I live less than two miles from the Garden and have been a life long Celtic and Bostonian. For the most part. First a couple of things:
1. Find someone to travel with, it's always more fun and safer.
2. I don't know where in France you are from but Boston is on the ocean and cold and the windiest city in America. In January and February you can almost count on at least one good 12 inch dump of snow in one storm every two weeks during that time period. Never expect temperatures to be above 0 degrees Celcius and expect the nights to be -10 to 0 degrees C. and wind chill factors much lower than that. If you are not use to that type of weather buy Thinsulate boots and gloves and dress in thin layers. Tee shirt, shirt, sweater, heavy coat.
3. I don't know what your budget is but really good front row balcony seats on the side of the court will run $100 American easy and maybe more. Something in the lower log on the sidelines about $150-$200 American and floor near court side $300 + American. That's all per ticket from third party vendors. You can always find sclapers outside looking to drop tickets for a lot less but the seat selection isn't always great.
4. It's best to find a hotel outside of Boston close to the public transportation trains(MBTA subway). The hotels will be much less expensive and riding the T, as it is called will get you right into downtown and right outside the Garden in mere minutes.
5. You're under 21 so the nightlife will be limited. There are a ton of great pubs and clubs but you won't be able to get in. As for other attractions Fanuel Hall day or night is outstanding with lots of restaurants, shopping, street entertainers and in the winter it's lit up beautifully at night. The Museum of Science is a great day time take. The Museum of Fine Arts is also a good daytime attraction. Copley Plaza and the Copley Square Mall as well as Newbury Street are excellent shopping areas if a bit expensive. Being 19 you will be the same age as a ton of students at many of Bostons and America's best college's and universities. Visit one or two during a Friday or Saturday afternoon and I'm sure you could find a party for that night. With a French accent, you'll fit in well and score some night time fun for sure.
6. It's always safer to carry a debit or credit card than cash. If looking for someplace to stay avoid areas just south of Boston like Mattapan, Roxbury, Dorchester, or South Boston. You'll be better off staying in the city(if you have the budget) or in metro north or west near an MBTA stop. Charlestown, East Boston and Chelsea are areas north of the city you might want to avoid as well. I recommend areas west of Boston like Somerville, Cambridge, Watertown, Brighton on the Red and Green lines or Medford or Malden on the Orange line or areas well south of Boston like Quincy or Braintree on the other end of the Red line.
7. Boston is a fast paced town, expect to be on the go from sun up to sun down. Have fun
Nick
-
I'm also 19 and life in the Netherlands. I did not go on vacation this your because i also want to do a Boston trip next year! So i will keep checking this topic for info!
Europe + same age = perfect topic for me! TP!
By the way France is a great country i went a few times to Paris with the speed train 'Thalys'. From Rotterdam to Paris just 4 hours!
-
Wow, I didn't expect to get answers so fast, and with so much details! A big thanks to you guys for your help and for taking the time to answer me. I will try to resume what would be best for my trip according to your advices.
- No problem with my age, expect for pubs and nightclubs, so it's OK (since I knew from the start that you must be 21 for pubs). As for the credit card, I have on and I can use it in the USA (I had no problem while in New York).
No, you wont have a problem, just wont be able to drink that's all. (though we did get away pretty easily with buying beer from the corner store.
Thanks for the news, and thanks for sharing your trip's details, it's kind of "encouraging" to know that you did this trip in the same circumstances.
2. Check the schedule on Celtics.com. I would book tickets to the games well ahead of time. IMHO the best deals are in the upper balcony near midcourt in the first few rows.
That's what I plan to do if I do the trip, and the NBA schedule's release should be made in the first week of August so I'll look at it with interest, trying to select the best games of February. Hopefully there is a stretch of home games for the C's.
Boston has alot of attractions, but not so many in February. For example, the whale watching boats do not run in the winter. What are your interests? The one attraction that comes immediately to mind is the Museum of Science.
The Museum of Fine Arts and the Gardner Museum sometimes have good exhibits, but these do not compare to the great French museums. Alas, there is no Louvre in Boston.
Boston is famous for two things: its universities (Harvard, MIT, etc.) and its hospitals, which are among the best in the world (Mass General, Childrens, the Brigham, Beth Israel). If you are interested in things academic or medical, I would just poke around those places.
I'm not a big fan of museums, though it's always interesting to visit them, especially in foreign cities/coutries in my opinion. So I guess Boston's museums would be part of my trip, as the universities would be (they are really intriguing to me), although you can't visit them I suppose, but just stay around?
What I usually do when I'm touring is that I visit a big part of the city by walking, everyday and during all my trip, trying to avoid the subway or the bus as much as possible to discover the most part of the city. The problem is, the weather in February doesn't seem to allow this kind of visit, so it could give me a problem in my occupations in the city (although Nick gave me some interesting advices about the animated places which sound really attractive to me).
1. Find someone to travel with, it's always more fun and safer.
Well, I would travel with someone if I could but... unfortunately only one of my friends is a big fan of basketball and NBA, and he would enjoy the trip but he wouldn't have the budget to pay the tickets + the hotel + the restaurants + the games, etc. My other friends wouldn't do a trip to Boston just for NBA games, and especially in late january or early february. As for my family, I usually travel with my father but he wouldn't come to Boston either (and once again the period isn't appropriate for him).
I know it would be cooler to visit the city with someone but at the same time I thought that it would be interesting to make the trip on my own. It's part of the experience in my mind.
2. I don't know where in France you are from but Boston is on the ocean and cold and the windiest city in America. In January and February you can almost count on at least one good 12 inch dump of snow in one storm every two weeks during that time period. Never expect temperatures to be above 0 degrees Celcius and expect the nights to be -10 to 0 degrees C. and wind chill factors much lower than that. If you are not use to that type of weather buy Thinsulate boots and gloves and dress in thin layers. Tee shirt, shirt, sweater, heavy coat.
Wow, much more colder than I expected! :o Now I know what to expect (and what clothes I should bring), thanks for the accuracy.
3. I don't know what your budget is but really good front row balcony seats on the side of the court will run $100 American easy and maybe more. Something in the lower log on the sidelines about $150-$200 American and floor near court side $300 + American. That's all per ticket from third party vendors. You can always find sclapers outside looking to drop tickets for a lot less but the seat selection isn't always great.
OK, so if I resume with what jackson_34 and Brickowki told me too, the best affordable seats are the upper balcony near the court. 100/150$ is fine. I think I would envision more easily the seats you're talking about when I will see the plan of the Garden. When do they usually start the tickets selling on celtics.com? Just after the NBA's schedule release?
By the way, how much a courtside seat costs? And is it really worth this price (you're close to the players but do you really see the game well, if you are in the middle of the court for example?) Maybe I could go in the balcony for one game and try courtside for the following one, to experience the two. Once again it depends on the interest of the courtside seats and its cost.
As for my budget, since the flight tickets would be gratis, I would say it would be around 2130$ dollars for the whole trip (hotel, restaurants, tickets for the games + souvenirs). I have no idea of where I "could go" with this budget so your advices are welcome once again. Anyway, this is the budget I have right now and it can only grow until february since I'm not spending much to increase this value.
It's best to find a hotel outside of Boston close to the public transportation trains(MBTA subway). The hotels will be much less expensive and riding the T, as it is called will get you right into downtown and right outside the Garden in mere minutes.
Good idea, I would never have thought of it myself, so thanks again. Do you have some names of hotels, or addresses you know? Or just some suburb area's name to find some hotels in this area on Internet to compare the prices and the locations.
You're under 21 so the nightlife will be limited. There are a ton of great pubs and clubs but you won't be able to get in. As for other attractions Fanuel Hall day or night is outstanding with lots of restaurants, shopping, street entertainers and in the winter it's lit up beautifully at night. The Museum of Science is a great day time take. The Museum of Fine Arts is also a good daytime attraction. Copley Plaza and the Copley Square Mall as well as Newbury Street are excellent shopping areas if a bit expensive. Being 19 you will be the same age as a ton of students at many of Bostons and America's best college's and universities. Visit one or two during a Friday or Saturday afternoon and I'm sure you could find a party for that night. With a French accent, you'll fit in well and score some night time fun for sure.
These places sound really cool to visit and to stay around! Especially Fanuel Hall and the Mall. As for my accent, it would be cool if I could use it an asset, hopefully you're right about the party possibility. ;D
I also take note of the areas to avoid and the areas to see that you mentioned after in your post, and I'm going to do some research (or buy a tourism guide) about Boston and its suburbs to envision the places you quoted.
Thanks again to you guys for all your advices, it's great and it helps me plan my trip. TP's for all of you (and more coming after the karma limitation).
PS : Nowee, of course it would be cool if this thread could be used to help all the people planning this kind of trip to Beantown! :)
-
What's up Drucci,
Well, if you come to visit this year please feel free to come by and visit me at my job (I work at an international school.) I'll introduce you to some other people from France if you'd like and you can go out and chill with them. They'll have been in Boston for four months already and will be able to show you around. Just send me a message if you're interested and I'll give you the details.
Also I have a few different hotel recommendations. One that I've pointed a few different people towards is this one:
http://www.beaconinn.com/
Located on the border of Brookline and Boston, its a really safe area with T access right outside the door which can take you quickly to anywhere in the city (including the Garden.)
Glad to hear you're coming. Hope to catch up with you at some point.
Peace.
-
Nick your from Boston... TP. Us Boston people have to stick together on this site, aren't that many of us. Boston actors man.. Boston actors.
-
Nick your from Boston... TP. Us Boston people have to stick together on this site, aren't that many of us. Boston actors man.. Boston actors.
(http://www.laughtertherapy.com/bean_laughing_hb.gif)
-
Nick your from Boston... TP. Us Boston people have to stick together on this site, aren't that many of us. Boston actors man.. Boston actors.
I'm a suburbanite, but have lived in Boston when I went to college.. It is a great place to visit, there is so much to do...
because others have given pretty full synopsis's, I'll keep it simple
1) Yes travel with someone else, or someone else's - sometimes just being with one other person for an extended period of time can get pretty rough, especially if they aren't into what it is you came to do (watching the celtics)
2) Tickets are fairly easy to come by - I'd buy in advance, either through the box office or stub-hub; we've actually got tickets for cheaper on stub-hub than at the box office. Better yet, find a season ticket holder who's on vacation that week or willing to sell a couple seats.
3) Depending on funding, I'd stay a little bit outside of the proper city; it gets expensive. There's a couple of pretty good places in the Allston/Brighton area, which is more the college area and about a 25 minute T ride to the Garden.
4) Boston has some great places to eat - as someone said the ethnic food is great. There's also some good pub/American food. We're not known for our French cuisine though, but I bet you want to get away from that anyways =) (though I remember going to London and all the Americans wanted to eat at Micky D's, stupid americans)
5) Plan extra travel time. Logan airport will shut down if someone looks at it wrong. A snow storm ruined my 1st attempt to go to Vegas, as the "next flight" was 3 days later due to bumping. You wouldn't want to buy game tickets and not be able to actually go to the game.
hmm what else? If I think of anything, I'll throw it out there
We should contact group sales and do a CB Night at the garden!
-
TP for u cdif.
-
When you arrive to Boston, you only need to know two words: Ana's Taqueria.
-
TP to other Bostonites in the thread.
But you may want to look into being a club green member. This way you can buy some tickets before they go on sale the the public, most likely a few days before they're released. Also IIRC the tickets generally go on sale around the 3rd week in September.
For the price the sidelines on the balcony are great seats. The Garden isn't that big, and you can see everything from every seat. Have fun, and TP for making the trip.
-
Ana's Taqueria is awesome, great call. Many try to copy Ana's but none succeed.
-
Hit the North End for at least three meals in three different Italian restaurants. You won't regret it.
-
We should contact group sales and do a CB Night at the garden!
That's a great idea!
-
We should contact group sales and do a CB Night at the garden!
That's a great idea!
theres a lot of season ticket holders on here that would already be attending as well.
i know i have met a few cb'ers at games
-
When you arrive to Boston, you only need to know two words: Ana's Taqueria.
mmm my favorite!
-
We should contact group sales and do a CB Night at the garden!
That's a great idea!
theres a lot of season ticket holders on here that would already be attending as well.
i know i have met a few cb'ers at games
you still haven't taken me =( jk
-
I think I would envision more easily the seats you're talking about when I will see the plan of the Garden.
This link will help you envision the view from various seats
http://www.seats3d.com/nba/boston_celtics/
-
When you arrive to Boston, you only need to know two words: Ana's Taqueria.
mmm my favorite!
Beer Please..
two more very important words
-
Thanks Prof. Clutch for the invitation, I appreciate it. I'm not sure already if I will be coming to Boston but I clearly would visit you with pleasure.
Thanks cdif for the advises and thanks Fatkits for the 3D seats viewer, very helpful!
I'm going on holidays for more than a month, starting today, and I won't have access to the Internet before some time so I won't be able to follow CB for a while, so thanks by advance for the future advices that you may be posting.
I will try to see if I can do the trip to Boston at another period (maybe late november), as it seems that February isn't the ideal month of the year to visit the city.
-
When you arrive to Boston, you only need to know two words: Ana's Taqueria.
TP.
-
- Would there be a legal problem with my age? I would do the trip on my own. To book an hotel, to visit, etc. I'm 19, I've reached the majority in my country (18), but it's 21 in the USA so I wonder if it could be an "obstacle".
Not for getting a hotel, but you can kiss dreams of getting alcohol and renting cars goodbye. That being said, Boston has enough to see without needing a car.
- The main goal would be to attend Celtics games. Of course I would visit the city of Boston too, but my priority would be to attend Celtics games in the Garden. I know it sounds foolish to make such a big trip to attend basketball games, and it probably is truly foolish but hey, I really want to do it, I think it's a kind of a "once in a lifetime experience" and I want to experience it with the current Celtics team.
Here's my tip. I've been going to a lot of games now, but if you're a good ebay-er, REALLY ebay for tickets. The best deals, and I haven't been scammed yet (I've went to watch 15 games last year including 2 playoff games, and my tickets are almost always cheaper than those of my friends).
- The estimated date of the trip would probably be around the end of January or the beginning of February, since it would correspond to my college holidays and to the NBA season. Is it the best period for NBA games? I know there is the risk of injuries, but what period is considered the best for NBA games?
I've always found the best to be after the all-star game when teams make their push, and when rosters are finalized. However, Celtics games are good year long. YOu don't have to worry about that
- Boston is known as a cold city, but is it really THAT cold? I guess so, especially in February, but you certainly know better than me.
It is VERY cold. I'm from Hong Kong (and I'm guessing as a French person you figure things in celcius) but our low peak was -26C. When you live here, you get used to it fast, but yes, it is very cold.
- Do you know some places (hotels, restaurants) where I could go and not pay too much? Since I would probably benefit from a special offer, I wouldn't have to pay the flight tickets so I would have more budget at my disposal, but still not so much, so...
It's a college town, so there are a lot of cheap diners and foodlers around, especially restaurants near the BU and BC campuses. Also, places like California Pizza Kitchen and Cheesecake Factory are pound for pound really good (huge portions), and there's always a chance of bumping into Big Baby if it's the one in Prudential.
- I will know what locations are to visit after reading a guide but what places should really be seen by tourists in Boston, in your opinion?
North End is good. Quincy Markets also very fun. I'm a huge seafood fan, and the legal seafoods on the harbour is great since they let you pick fresh fish.
- Where are the best seats of the Garden, who put you near the court while staying affordable? Are courtside seats too costly?
For a big market, prices are good, especially for bad games and again on Ebay. I had row 15 of opposing team entrance section for a Knicks game for just $40 per. Even for the good games, you can get decent lower level tickets for under $100. For almost every game, you can definitely get $40-50 tickets for upper section center, which I've always found is great. The fans in the upper deck are also a lot better (section 4 in my opinion is the worst, only because everyone there is too old to cheer).
- Is it true that players from the team always sign autographs and meet fans before games? I've heard it somewhere but I don't know if it's true or not.
Paul Pierce signs autographs before team meetings, but this is WAY before the game (around 4pm during a 8pm game). Most players do not however, unless you have box seat tickets (again, not always that expensive on ebay). Box seat tickets allow you to enter the game 2 hours in advance and have buffet with drinks where some Celtics legends show up, and players may or may not be there. This is called the "legends pass". I've only had a legends pass once, but I did see Jo Jo White, Tommy Heinson and Mikki Moore.
Hope you enjoy your trip.
Oh and Ana's Taqueria is awesome. The pulled pork is the best thing there imo.
-
Hit the North End for at least three meals in three different Italian restaurants. You won't regret it.
Just to add to this since I live in the North End here is a list of all the restaurants in the North End that you can check out the prices beforehand since you are on a budget
http://www.northendboston.com/dining-restaurants.htm
For a 19 year old I would recommend the original Pizzeria Regina for a pregame meal before the Celtics game. Usually a long line before games to give you a heads up but it's great pizza. If you want a quick lunch Dino's has the best subs around in my opinion.
-
After a detailed comparison between the Celtics schedule and my own college schedule, I can now envision quite clearly my trip, but I still have numerous questions so please feel free to answer it and thus help me.
Finally, I won't go to Boston in February, that's for sure. The C's are on a West coast road trip when I'm in vacation during this period, and it would have been too cold anyway, and would have lack events/stuff to see/do according to your answers.
So, my trip would take place from the 30th of October (arrival date, in the morning or early morning) until the 2nd of November (departure date). It would be a three day trip, starting on Friday, and finishing on Monday (departure in the early afternoon or late morning I think).
Thus, I would visit Boston during the week end and attend two interesting C's games (Chicago @ Boston on Friday and New Orleans @ Boston on Sunday). In my ideal scenario, I would come earlier in the week (Wednesday morning) to attend the opening game of the Garden but I don't think I will be able to come this early, budget wise and "college wise" (I will have to miss classes any way to come during this period).
Also, I have found an interesting website (starthereboston.com) and an hotel which seems perfectly located, though a little expensive according to my initial budget. Here are infos on the hotel's location and rates : http://travel.ian.com/hotel/propertydetails/163178/SUMMARY?isHRN=true&travelDetail=[20091030-3]1&cid=158261
The estimated price of the hotel for 3 nights is $438. What do you guys think about it? I find it a very interesting price since the hotel seems really nice and very well located, while not too costly, especially if you consider that I won't pay the flight tickets thanks to a promotion and that my overall budget (hotel + restaurant + C's tickets) would be from $1450 to $2100.
Also, the area attraction sound great to me : Downtown Crossing Shopping: 1 block
Old State House: 2 blocks
Faneuil Hall: 2 blocks
Quincy Market: 2 blocks
Post Office Square: 2 blocks
Chinatown: 3 blocks
Theater District: 3 blocks
Boston Common: 0.5 mile
Freedom Trail: 0.5 mile
New England Aquarium: 0.5 mile
Boston Convention and Exposition Center: 1.0 mile
I like to walk and visit cities while avoiding transportations as much as possible.
A lot of attraction sound great (the aquarium, some museums - the african american history museum for example -) and the area seems perfect for walks (on the docks, in the garden, in the financial district, etc).
So, your thoughts on my ideas are welcome, and I also have a few questions :
- Is there any other way than the Club Green one to buy Celtics tickets a few days before they go one sale? Do you know if I can receive the tickets while being located in France?
- Do you know some restaurants/bars in the area nearby (or in) the Financial District? Is this whole area (as you can see it on the map attached to the link I posted above) expensive overall or interesting for my age and budget?
That's the two only questions I have in mind right now, and once again I would be glad to benefit from your knowledge of the city if you want to help me. :)
-
A hotel in that price range in the financial district won't be luxurious, but it will probably suffice.
Restaurants: Sultan's Kitchen, 116 State Street (Turkish, Middle Eastern)
Rabia's, Salem Street in the North End (short walk from the TD Banknorth Garden) Italian, seafood, not cheap but good.
Union Oyster House-- Touristy, but there's alot of history there.
There is a good Japanese restaurant on Broad Street but the name escapes me.
Try Chinatown one night. Plenty of good places there, Chinese of course.
Stay away from the restaurants around Faneuil Hall. Tourist traps. Stay away from the bar at the Hampshire House (where the popular TV show "Cheers" was filmed). Another tourist trap.
If you want to spend alot of money to eat, there are plenty of expensive restaurants in the financial district too.
Downtown Crossing isn't all it's cracked up to be. The convention/exposition center is in South Boston, a long walk. Not worth it unless there's an exposition that interests you.
But the aquarium and Boston Common are definitely worth seeing. If you walk across the common try Beacon Hill, which will remind you of a European city with cobblestoned streets and gas lights. Very exclusive residential area.
I'd suggest going down to Rowe's Wharf and checking out the harbor cruises. The weather should be fine in October. Also, if you are arriving at Logan before 10 pm local time, don't take a cab from the airport. Take the water taxi to Rowe's wharf instead (there is a shuttle bus that will take you there from your terminal). Great view of the harbor and skyline. Rowe's wharf is 5 minute walk from Post Office Square, which is the heart of the financial district.
Good luck!
-
Wed, Feb 03 Miami @ Boston 8:00 PM ET
Fri, Feb 05 New Jersey @ Boston 7:30 PM ET
Sun, Feb 07 Orlando @ Boston 2:30 PM ET
Tue, Feb 23 New York @ Boston 7:30 PM ET
Thu, Feb 25 Cleveland @ Boston 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Feb 27 New Jersey @ Boston 1:00 PM ET
The celtics have a pretty long road trip in februay...
pretty sure you noticed it yourself already but a little heads-up nonetheless...
-
North End, South End, Back Bay
Great food in all areas!
-
Thanks Brickowski and jv for your answers, I take note of the good restaurants/locations you gave me.
Wed, Feb 03 Miami @ Boston 8:00 PM ET
Fri, Feb 05 New Jersey @ Boston 7:30 PM ET
Sun, Feb 07 Orlando @ Boston 2:30 PM ET
Tue, Feb 23 New York @ Boston 7:30 PM ET
Thu, Feb 25 Cleveland @ Boston 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Feb 27 New Jersey @ Boston 1:00 PM ET
The celtics have a pretty long road trip in februay...
pretty sure you noticed it yourself already but a little heads-up nonetheless...
Hum... the only week of vacation I have in February begins the 15th and ends the 21st. And where are the Celtics at the time? On a West coast trip :
February 16 @ Sacramento Kings
February 18 @ Los Angeles Lakers
February 19 @ Portland TrailBlazers
Sunday, February 21 @ Denver Nuggets
-
Bumping my own topic just to thank all the CB members who helped me plan my trip. Unfortunately, it won't happen since I've too many things that I just can't skip (college, and family related) in late October.
It was nice to plan the trip and to envision attending Celtics games at the beginning of the season, though. Maybe I will have the chance to make the trip in April to attend playoffs games(at that time I'm sure I won't have any problems coming to Boston, and it would be a gift for my 20 years birthday).
Anyway I just wanted to thank you all guys, and apologize for making you spend your time for a trip that won't came true. I'm keeping all your advices since it could help me some day.