Tourist help from MA Locals

[Abandonhope16]

Our trip is all booked. We are really looking forward to it. The plan is to fly in and take the blue line from the airport to the orange line; to North station to get the commuter to Salem. We are probably going to rely heavily on the metro for getting around since it seems pretty straightforward and similar to the system we have here. Looks like we have a stop close to us where we are staying in Cambridge, just on the other side of the river. We are hoping to take a tour of the Brewery. And I'm going to start looking up what else we should do.

[Garandman]

// We are hoping to take a tour of the Brewery. And I'm going to start looking up what else we should do.

Which one? Sam Adams, Harpoon, or Boston Beerworks?

[Abandonhope16]

My wife deals with a Sam Adams vendor, so he told us to give him a heads up when we go.

[gf2020]

So where did you decide to stay?

[rouar]

Looks like we have a stop close to us where we are staying in Cambridge, just on the other side of the river. We are hoping to take a tour of the Brewery. And I'm going to start looking up what else we should do.

Where are you staying and what stop? Lechmere (off Green Line) isn't open during all T hours btw. But the Red Line does (Kendall/Central stations).

[Abandonhope16]

In Salem we are staying at a B&B. We were going back and forth b/n the Salem Waterfront and a B&B, but we decided on a B&B b/c it was cheaper and we figured it was only 1 night, so we didnt need the hotel amenities. Plus, I've never stayed at a B&B, so we figured it would be a good time to try it.

 

In Boston we are at a Marriott, which looks like it is right across the street from the Kendall station. So metro seems like it will be our best bet for getting around.

Could someone tell me about what a Charlie ticket is (I think thats what its called). Here, rates vary depend on how far you take the metro, but I couldnt exactly figure out how that ticket worked.

[rouar]

Could someone tell me about what a Charlie ticket is (I think thats what its called). Here, rates vary depend on how far you take the metro, but I couldnt exactly figure out how that ticket worked.

CharlieTicket is just a paper pass. They stopped using tokens last year. You buy your ticket at electronic kiosks at any T entrance and you can put any amount you want onto your ticket (or buy a weekly/monthly pass).

http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/charlie/?id=5592 (CharlieTicket info halfway down the page)

 

A ride on the subway lines (Red/Green/Orange/Blue) costs $2.00 no matter where you're going, excepting the Ashmont-Mattapan high-speed rail. You can transfer lines for free at Park St, Downtown Crossing, State St, and Government Center. Commuter trains cost $6 per ride IIRC, unless it's gone up since I last used it.

[RobE]

My wife deals with a Sam Adams vendor, so he told us to give him a heads up when we go.

that sounds pretty sweet

[Garandman]

In Salem we are staying at a B&B. We were going back and forth b/n the Salem Waterfront and a B&B, but we decided on a B&B b/c it was cheaper and we figured it was only 1 night, so we didnt need the hotel amenities. Plus, I've never stayed at a B&B, so we figured it would be a good time to try it.

 

In Boston we are at a Marriott, which looks like it is right across the street from the Kendall station. So metro seems like it will be our best bet for getting around.

Could someone tell me about what a Charlie ticket is (I think thats what its called). Here, rates vary depend on how far you take the metro, but I couldnt exactly figure out how that ticket worked.

You can pick one up at the Airport, paying by cash or charge.

 

Since Kendall is on the Red Line, follow signs at the airport for the Silver Line. This is an articulated bus service that will take you to South Station in about 10 minutes. Then take the Red Line from South Station to Kendall Square. If you take a cab they'll hit you for around $25. Do NOT take the shuttle buses to the MBTA (they're Blue) as you'll have to wait at the T station, then transfer from the Blue Line to the Red Line anyway.

 

If you are on the River side you'll have great views of Boston at dawn and at night.

 

What kind of things do you like to do in the city? History, shopping, sports, nightlife, boating, music, eating?? As you are taking your wife, "checking out college girls," is probably not a primary interest.....

[Abandonhope16]

I think we'd really like to experience the nightlife there. And I'm definitely down for getting good food. I think my wife may want to shop or atleast browse. And basically walk around and take in the sites (my wife loves taking pictures). As far as checking out college girls, my wife has really high standards; so they better be hot

[Garandman]

Check and see what's going on for concerts and other live performances. That's a really active time of year.

 

So far, the things visitors have liked best are the harbor tours, Fenway Park, the Constitution, and "the ocean."

 

Spend some time walking around Boston Common, it's a trip.

[LongHiway]

Back from vacation. Fried clams = Woodman's By The Sea, in Essex MA. Maybe a 1/2 hour drive from Salem. It's the classic clam shack - dirty floors, cold beer and the best fried clams (scallops ain't bad either).

 

Get the onion rings as well, the best I've ever had.

 

You can also have a lobster there.

[Abandonhope16]

Allright, trip is a week away. Any advice as far as night-life in Boston. Any clubs or lounges. We arent too picky; though really crowded kind of sucks. Keeping in mind that our modes of transportation will be walking, metro, taxi. TIA!!

[gf2020]

You're staying in Cambridge, right?

 

Try:

 

http://www.regattabarjazz.com/

 

http://www.mideastclub.com/

 

You can take the Red Line, as mentioned above, to Park Street and walk down Tremont Street to these clubs on Boylston Street:

 

http://www.sweetwatercafeboston.com/

 

http://www.theestateboston.com/

 

The Sugar Shack

3 Boylston Place

(617) 351-2510

 

The Red Sox are at home to finish the regular season next week, including hosting the Yankees next weekend. You can take the Red Line to Park Street, change to the Green Line outbound and take that to Kenmore Square. Plenty of clubs to choose from there as well as the general craziness of a Red Sox home game.

 

Are you still visiting Salem as well?

[Abandonhope16]

I believe we are right next to the Kendall Station. Yeah, we are going to be in Salem on Thursday. Then off to Boston on Friday and leave for home on Sunday.

[LongHiway]

Since you are already in Cambridge, the recommendations from gf are great, close (via the "T" or subway) and convenient. Technically not Boston but the best in the Boston area. Don't let this dissuade you, the practical difference between Boston and Cambridge are a river, a bridge and a city of people even loonier than Boston. FWIW, it was "Goth" Night at the Mid East last week so check before you go. They book all sorts of music, but rarely belly dancing (Tuesday?).

 

http://www.regattabarjazz.com/

 

http://www.mideastclub.com/

[Jonathan]

Weston? Unsafe?

Heh, maybe they're glare at you for not being old money.

Yes, unsafe.

 

The police in Weston are notorious for approaching "suspicious strangers" with loaded guns pointed at your head whilst they perform a search on you.

 

Racist bigots basically telling you to stay out of their town. One of these days someone is going to "accidentally" get their head blown off. Avoid this town at all costs, you may save your own life.

[Garandman]

It's all the same..like Compton vs. W. Compton....NOT like Marblehead vs. W. Marblehead....

No.

 

West Roxbury is a leafy suburb. Parts of Roxbury (and Dorchester) have the highest violent crime rates in the city, although much of it is inter-gang related. There aren't any tourist spots there and he's staying on the other side of town.

 

The only other area that can be shaky are parts of the Fenway and the Huntington Ave. and Washington St area around and W of Northeastern. Again, those are not areas that tourists would be out late at night.

 

They'll likely hit the North End, Beacon Hill, South End and Back Bay, all relatively safe unless you are walking down the street at 2am with $100 bills glued to your body.

 

Here's the 2008 "Homicide Map." South Boston has two this year, highly unusual. One gang-related, the other a druggie burned out a house.

[Abandonhope16]

Thanks for the suggestions all. We want to do atleast one nicer dinner while we are there and we figured that we might as well get what we assume is more of a speciality up North. So we are trying to find a restaurant that my wife can get a lobster tail (not whole, as she doesnt like to do battle with her food) and I can get fried clams and clam chowder. So far I've come across the following, any other suggestions. http://atlanticfishco.com/

[rice_rocket]

Atlantic fish co is not bad, all of them are going to be a little big pricier.

You can check out similar restaurants.. Legal Seafoods (which is a BIG chain) Or Skip Jacks, or even Naked Fish.

 

These are all around Boylston/Newburry/Prudential, so you can walk around the nice areas after that.

 

If you want better food, but less asthetics (ie more of shacks) Then you go to "no name seafood" by the wharf, or the barking crab, which is also by the wharf.

 

Since you are around that area, there are TONS of clubs downtown in the theatre district.

[LongHiway]

Can't go wrong with any of the choices from Rocket. I'll add Turner Fisheries (back bay area of Boston), Great Bay (Kenmore square / Red Sox & Fenway Park section of town). A bit upscale with pricing to match compared to the No Name restaurant and on par with Legal. Legal is achain but still excellent. And lastly, if you are on the North Shore (1/2 hour from Salem), try Woodmans by the Sea, the classic New England Clam Shack (with lobsters and fried clams - as said before, try the fried scallops).

 

Stay a while and, enjoy them all.

 

BTW for steak, you have all the national chains so try Grill 23 in Boston (Berkely Street).

 

Fish and steak are not cheap. The North End has great Italian with a range of restaurants from hi end to affordable.

 

http://www.turnersboston.com/

 

http://www.greatbayrestaurant.com/

 

http://www.woodmans.com/index.cfm

 

http://www.grill23.com/

[Garandman]

Thanks for the suggestions all. We want to do atleast one nicer dinner while we are there and we figured that we might as well get what we assume is more of a speciality up North. So we are trying to find a restaurant that my wife can get a lobster tail (not whole, as she doesnt like to do battle with her food) and I can get fried clams and clam chowder. So far I've come across the following, any other suggestions. http://atlanticfishco.com/

You can get lobster tail anywhere, as only Maine Lobsters have claws.

 

But it can't be called lobster in MA unless it's a "real" Maine lobster. So get some chowder (good most places), and order baked stuffed Schrod anywhere, or scallops, or many of the grilled ocean fish on the menu: price and availablility will vary. Most of the local joints will have seafood dishes.

 

The Raw Bar at the Union Oyster House is a good place to go if you like shellfish: but a lot of it comes from the Chesapeake.

 

Legal Seafoods is a local chain that does fish very well, but is city-priced. If you go over to the ICA in South Boston, the Legal Seafoods Test Kitchen is right up the street. The Barking Crab is on the downtown side of South Boston. Hook Lobsters had a fire but I believe it's open again.

 

The North End has many small italian places. The South End has many smaller places, and many of the places on Newbury Street or Boylston Street will have an entertaining clientele.

[Abandonhope16]

We have Legal Seafoods down here and its not very good; so I'm assuming that it is much better up there if multiple people are recommending it.

 

Could you elaborate on the "entertaining clientele"? We were planning on going up and down Boylston, as it seems there are quite a few things to do there at night.

[LongHiway]

Here's a thought. WW.Boston.COM

 

Pretty extensive listing and reviews of the almost all the restaurants mentioned and also "Arts & Entertainment".

You can pre-screen some of the recomendations and see if what's offered is what you like.

[Abandonhope16]

Thanks. We've primarily been checking out Trip Advisor, Yelp, and City Search; but you never know what reviews are made by employees.