My wife Jen and I originally published this list of Boston activities for visitors at our wedding. It may help you work up an appetite before hitting one of our favorite restaurants.
Boston Area Activities
If you are extending your stay in the Boston area, and wish to visit some other places in and around Boston, here are some ideas to help you plan your vacation. We have been to almost all of these places and can recommend them to our guests. If you are looking for something special or have any other questions, please do not hesitate to email us or call!!
North Shore
Newburyport -- About 40 minutes from Methuen, Newburyport is a bustling small New England town on the waterfront. You can park downtown and walk around, enjoying shops featuring local artisans and a walk along the ocean. There are a number of good restaurants in town, including Michael's Harborside (right on the water), Glenn's (upscale and delicious), Bluwater Cafe; as well as pubs like The Grog, which features local bands.
Rockport -- About an hour from Methuen, Rockport is another waterfront New England town featuring local artisans, shops and restaurants. There are some beaches in town, including some beautiful rocky beaches to walk along, but be patient when trying to find a place to park -- Rockport tends to be very crowded in the summer.
Gloucester -- A New England fishing town which appeals to tourists and locals alike; you can go on a Whale Watch if you are interested.
Crane Beach is near Ipswich and is our favorite North Shore beach with good sand and lots of people. They have a large parking lot, but expect to pay $10-20 for parking.
The Peabody-Essex Museum is in Salem, Mass., and features maritime and whaling exhibits including art and architecture. You will also find the House of Seven Gables and the Salem Witch Museum in Salem.
Hampton Beach in New Hampshire is about 30 minutes from Methuen. The atmosphere is a bit "honky-tonk," as the beach is along a boardwalk with T-shirts, tattoos, and lots of fried clams. There are a lot of people, but the beach is large, with nice sand, and plenty of places to eat, drink, and have a good time. There are cabins near the beach for rent, but if you are interested, you should look around ASAP.
Kittery, Maine, is a big factory outlet shopping mecca. It is about an hour drive from Methuen. Freeport, Maine is another factory outlet shopping city, and is the home of L.L. Bean.
Concord, Mass. houses the Concord Museum (Revolutionary War history) and the DeCordova Museum (contemporary art). Walden Pond, the home of Henry David Thoreau, is also nearby. About a 40 minute drive south from Methuen.
Boston/Cambridge
Getting there: If you are staying north of the city, you can: 1) drive into Boston and park downtown; 2) take the commuter rail; or 3) park at an outlying subway station. By car. Parking for the day during the week will cost $25 or more in the city. On the weekend or for an evening, you can usually find lots for $10. Street parking is sometimes available, especially in the early evening. Sundays you can park anywhere in Cambridge on the street for free. By commuter rail or subway. The commuter rail runs often during commuting hours but less so in the middle of the day; you will have to plan your trip carefully. Here is the MBTA web site with schedule information. You will want the Haverhill line if you are staying in Andover. It will cost $8 round-trip and take about 50 minutes to get to North Station, which is near Faneuil Hall and the North End. You can take the subway, or "T," anywhere else in Boston or Cambridge. The "T" is very safe and easy to use, we highly recommend it for getting around Boston. You can also choose to drive to Alewife Station, park there, and take the "T" directly from there. Alewife is about 25 miles from the Wyndham Andover, and will take about 40 minutes during non-commuting hours. We do not recommend making the drive during commuting hours (8-10 am or 3:30-6:30 pm).
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are popular tourist areas near North Station. There are many indoor and outdoor shops, historic sites, and street performers within a few minutes walk. Be sure to visit the Holocaust Memorial while you are there. The Freedom Trail is a red brick path which will take you on a walking tour to many historic buildings, churches, and cemetaries in the area, including many in the North End, Boston's Italian neighborhood. Check out Mike's Pastries or Cafe Vittoria for some coffee and Italian desserts. Favorite restaurants include Artu ($), Dom's ($$), the Florentine Cafe ($$), and Terra Mia ($$$). For some local nightlife, there are a number of Irish pubs (among them the Black Rose (your best choice), the Harp, and the Purple Shamrock) and other bars including our favorites in the area, Boston Beer Works (which makes all their own beer and has good chow too) and Porter's (you'll feel like you were at that other famous Boston bar!)
Across the river from North Station is Charlestown, which features "Old Ironsides" -- a 19th century naval tall ship with tours and a nearby museum. You will also find the Bunker Hill Memorial here. In the other direction down Atlantic Avenue in Boston is the New England Aquarium. At Rowe's Wharf near the aquarium, you can catch a dinner cruise, sunset cruise, or a whale watch.
If you hop on the "T" you can take the red line to Cambridge, where you can check out Harvard Square, Porter Square, or Davis Square -- all fun places to hang out. Eat at the Border Cafe or John Harvard's Brew Pub in Harvard Square -- or try Fire and Ice for a cool, build-it-yourself Mongolian barbeque. If you are looking for live music, Cambridge has an abundance of clubs. For jazz, check out the Regattabar in the Charles Hotel, try Ryle's in Central Square, or Sculler's at the Doubletree. Rhythm & Spice serves up Carribean food and bands. In Central Square, best bets for local music include the Middle East, T.T. the Bear's Place, and the Plough & Stars. For a complete listing of clubs and bands by night, see the Boston Phoenix.
Other attractions in Boston include Newbury Street, a good place to sit at an outdoor cafe and people-watch (you'll probably see a Ferrari or two); the Museum of Fine Arts; the Institute for Contemporary Art; the Musuem of Science; the John F. Kennedy library and museum; and much more. Enjoy your stay!
Links:
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The Beantown Whale Watch, departing from Rowes Wharf in Boston
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Cape Ann Whale Watch, departing from Rose's Wharf in Gloucester
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Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston
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Greater Boston Covention & Visitor's Bureau's guide to Boston for visitors
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The Boston Phoenix, alternative guide to music, restaraunts, theater, and more in Boston.
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Citysearch, another good guide to the Boston scene