Swede's first visit to Boston. 3 day trip, where to stay? What are the must see's? Any tips appreciated! (Cambridge: car rental)

[henric88]

Hello all!


My first post here - stumbled upon this site a few days ago, feels like a friendly forum!

Me and my friend are going to the US for a couple of weeks (we're Swedish) and travelling around to a lot of cities, the first one being Boston! Our stay will be 3 nights, and we're trying to figure out where in the city to stay, and what to see/do.

We're in our early 20s and will be visiting Harvard for one of the three days, other than that we want to see the main sights and check out the night life, like the nice Irish pubs I've heard about (which I believe are around South Boston?).

Any tips on where to stay are appreciated! From what I understand South End or Downtown are lively nightime? I've found it is really hard to find a cheap place to stay, and the few hostels I have looked at (YMCA, etc.) have gotten horrible reviews. What we would really want is something for maximum 50-60$/night (hostels are fine, as long as they are safe), but we're slowly realizing that it might not be possible.

Is it a good idea to live outside the city center and use the metro? Can the metro take you out to the Harvard area as well?

Any other tips are appreciated, we're both completely new to Boston and want to soak up as much as possible in 3 days!


Regards,
Henric

[Tombstoner]

I honestly think any guidebook (or on-line guide) could quickly give you the "must sees" for a 3-day trip; that kind of thing is very well documented for Boston and you'll be coming at a great time of year. As that's not particularly insightful advice , I thought I would just raise the possibility of staying in a dorm room (thousands have recently been vacated due to the end of the semester, and universities sometimes allow a floor or wing of a residence hall to be used as a kind of hostel). Sorry I don't know which universities do this, but you might try emailing Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern. Maybe others on this forum might have more specific information.

[henric88]

Thanks for the tip!
I'll check the universities for rooms.

You're right, that kind of info is easy to find. Mostly, we want to know if living outside of Boston is much of a hassle? The metro is supposed to be very nice, so one could live in Cambridge for example, and travel into town for the day?

[Cantabridgienne]

It depends which part of Cambridge but generally, yes. You could take the subway, a bus or even walk from Cambridge to Boston, depending where you were and where you wanted to go.

[mm4]

Look, here's what you do: there's a Motel 6 across the street from the Braintree T Red Line station (end of the line). If you book the place over the net, there's probably a discount over what is already a decent value.

[Redsox1972]

Originally Posted by henric88

Hello all!


My first post here - stumbled upon this site a few days ago, feels like a friendly forum!

Me and my friend are going to the US for a couple of weeks (we're Swedish) and travelling around to a lot of cities, the first one being Boston! Our stay will be 3 nights, and we're trying to figure out where in the city to stay, and what to see/do.

We're in our early 20s and will be visiting Harvard for one of the three days, other than that we want to see the main sights and check out the night life, like the nice Irish pubs I've heard about (which I believe are around South Boston?).

Any tips on where to stay are appreciated! From what I understand South End or Downtown are lively nightime? I've found it is really hard to find a cheap place to stay, and the few hostels I have looked at (YMCA, etc.) have gotten horrible reviews. What we would really want is something for maximum 50-60$/night (hostels are fine, as long as they are safe), but we're slowly realizing that it might not be possible.

Is it a good idea to live outside the city center and use the metro? Can the metro take you out to the Harvard area as well?

Any other tips are appreciated, we're both completely new to Boston and want to soak up as much as possible in 3 days!


Regards,
Henric

The transit's website is www.mbta.com Our subway is called the "T" and even though I've used it many times, I still think it's confusing. That said, you can still get a feel for where the T trains and buses will take you relative to where you want to stay and visit. There is a train station (Harvard) right in Harvard Square, so, you will be all set in terms of getting in and out of Harvard. It is on the Red Line. From using the T you can get to many places in Boston. I suggest that you take the Red Line to Park Street Station and get off there. There are old churches and part of The Freedom Trail there. (Look up The Freedom Trail in your searches for Boston tourism stuff....I think that would be a good thing to do being that Massachusetts in entrenched in American history and the Revolution. Also, I suggest doing a Fenway Park tour. We have the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and baseball is popular in this city.

In terms of lodging .... Boston is expensive and if you are not traveling by car (and therefore can get a bit aways from the city) you will be hardpressed to find something in your price range.

I suggest, for lodging and for things to do, to review TripAdvisor. I've used that site for a bunch of trips and it came in handy. I also have used Hotwire the most to find hotels and car rentals. That site has worked well for me.

[Jimrob1]

I can guarantee you will find absolutely nothing in your price range in Boston or its suburbs. As mentioned Boston is expensive and that is an understatement. I would also recommend contacting the many colleges in Boston, and ask if they offer accomodations when the schools close for summer. Otherwise Im afraid all you would find even if they have vacancies is the hostels and the YMCA. Or as another poster mentioned the Motel 6 near the transit station in Braintree is an option, but definitely book it over the net. In fact go on priceline and see what it gives you for lodging in Boston. Braintree is a close in suburb and is directly connected to Boston by the Rapid Transit Red Line. If you stay there it will definitely lower your hotel costs for your visit and give you quick access to Boston. The busy tourist season is quickly approaching in Boston now and you will see thousands of tourists.

Definitely get yourself a travel book on Boston and it will give you all the sights to see. Its a very walkable city and transit oriented area.

Have fun.

[lukec]

You're young and seem interested in the nightlife. Be careful with the commuter rail and T if you stay outside the city; they stop running long before the pubs and nightlife ends. Just be prepared to tak ane expensive cab ride home.

There are good pubs everywhere. I think South Boston in over-rated for a group like yours. Its sort of "townie" as we say and a bit out of the way. You can just hit the bars on Broad Street and work the Irish pubs around the Financial District and Faneuil Hall. Lots of stuff within walking distance. The Times, The Littlest Bar, Battery Park, Mr. Dooleys, Kitty Osheas, Black Rose, Mcfaddens, Paddy Os, Hennesies, Durty Nellys... There are other areas too, including a nice strip around Boylston and Mass Ave.