Parrothead Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 all the "normal" touristy stuff. We're going for a week. We spent a week there about 2 years ago. We've already been to Bunker Hill, the Constitution, the aquarium, Paul Revere's house, Old North Church, etc. Is there anyplace I can drive to the beach? We will be staying downtown Boston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treestarfae Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Castle island is right next to downtown. It has history and a little beach, snack area. http://www.celebrateboston.com/castle-island.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Singing beach is lovely. It is north of Boston. One place I used to take people who came to visit was to the Christian Science headquarters. I am not of that faith, not even close, but there is a stained glass world globe room that you walk through on a glass bridge (so you are actually on the inside of the stained glass world globe) that is just incredible. It was free when we used to go and everyone I took loved it. It doesn't take long but it is really pretty cool. If you go, be sure to stand at the very center and whisper. Also, catching a live Boston Pops concert down at the river is really wonderful too. I miss Boston:glare:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Also, you can take the ferry over to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket. You can ride bikes or scooters around and they have lots of wonderful beaches. I think you can do at least one of these as a day trip but can't remember which one. Or you could drive to the Cape, which is also lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 There are some in town beaches, like Castle Island or Revere or Malibu beach in Dorchester, and then there are lots of ocean beaches if you don't mind driving. Salem is a nice day trip; you can see the House of Seven Gables and then all the witch stuff. Have you done the Museum of Science? A Duck boat tour? whale watching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulubelle Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Georges Island is really cool. It has an old fort to visit and a beach. You have to bring food, but there is a small snack shop. And, bring a flashlight to explore the old fort - parts are pitch black. Did you already do Plymouth Plantation? Whale watch out of Gloucester. Franklin Zoo, top of the Prudential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace is Sufficient Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 It's north of Boston -- a bit of a drive, but if you go all the way to the end of the island/peninsula, there's a wonderful beach with a tide pool area that is amazingly full of cool things. We found huge clam shells -- unbroken, many other unique and interesting shells, occasionally sand dollars and starfish, even. Also, there are areas where the sand is a maroonish purple color. (Okay, we moved 8 years ago, so this might be somewhat out of date... I'd see if you can find recent info online, since a lot can change in 8 years!) Less of a drive (but maybe you saw one or both as part of the more typical 'touristy' places) are Walden Pond and Concord. We used to live about 10 minutes from each. Have fun -- Boston is firmly in the 'GREAT place to visit, but I'm glad I don't live there anymore' category in my heart! Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Thanks everyone. Looks like enough to build a decent itinerary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewish Mama of 4 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Duck boats are a lot of fun :) If you have a car and can drive to the Cape then I strongly recommend that as a fun place to go, lots of shopping, beautiful rocky beaches and wonderful bike trail along the canal. Also if you have a car, then Concord is full of history. First shot heard round the world :) Minuteman National Park - Old North Bridge. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery - the burial site of a number of famous Concordians, including some of the United States' greatest authors and thinkers, especially on a hill known as "Author's Ridge." Visit Walden Pond or go for a bike ride on the minuteman trail. PM me if you have any questions - I lived there for 10 years :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 If you are museum folks, the Gardner Museum is fantastic. I second Plum Island! And a drive into the Berkshires is a treat in the opposite direction. Tanglewood! There are also walking tours of the downtown building in Boston that add another dimension to the city that isn't just early America. Then, of course, you could just eat your way around!! Great restaurants. (I loved Boston when I lived there...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) If you haven't seen any of the Chihuly exhibits, there is one at BFA this summer! http://www.bfa.org/chihuly Edited July 6, 2011 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 You could take the trains out to Salem and/or Plymouth! (That's what I'm going to do next time....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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