Furious Styles
Footballguy
I will second the suggestion of Newport over the Cape
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Need help from Boston FBG's (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter playin4beer
- Start date
HellToupee
Footballguy
Just don't hesitate , drive aggressively & you'll be okThe Cape is a nice place but pretty boring this time of year . I'd suggest either'playin4beer said:
Plymouth which is at the base of the cape or Salem .Plymouth gives you all the pilgrim stuff. The plantation ,Mayflower , rock etc. Salem gives you all the witch trial stuff and is probably 15-20 miles from Waltham. The mansions in newport are cool if you sport a vag
...... jk
HellToupee
Footballguy
btw good luck with your fill's surgery
Dickie Dunn
Footballguy
You're right across from my office in the Seaport district. 
playin4beer
Footballguy
Thanks for the suggestions and well wishes. And I don't have any problems driving aggressively. It's just hard to do that when you don't know where you are going.
Getting ready to head to the hospital. Today is going to be a long day.
Getting ready to head to the hospital. Today is going to be a long day.
playin4beer
Footballguy
Not the outcome we wanted. The tumor was wrapped around the arteries by the heart. Couldn't do surgery. The plan now is to send him home for chemo to try and shrink it and then do the surgery. Drinking my pain away at Fenway.
BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
:( oh man...im sorry. Wishing you all the luck i can muster. Stay strong !!!
playin4beer
Footballguy
FIL seems to be in pretty good spirits considering and the entire family is dedicated to staying positive and helping him fight through it and hopefully surgery will still be an option. The good news is that it hasn't spread or gotten worse, it's just in a bad spot. On a side note, we did quite a bit of walking around today (freedom trail) and the hotel has been great and the people very helpful.
HellToupee
Footballguy
Despite his bad health your FIL is lucky to have such a caring family .
playin4beer
Footballguy
Had a nice day yesterday taking in the sights. Decided to go north. Stopped in Salem (wasn't a fan) and then Ipswich, Gloucester, and Rockport. We got a free pass for Crane Beach at the Ipswich visitors center. Also got to see my possible ancestors house.
Crane Beach was nice, wish we would have brought the girls suits. Also stopped at an orchard/winery and picked up a couple bottles of wine. Spent the most time in Rockport looking at the shops at eating. Weather was gorgeous, traffic wasn't bad and the kids had fun.
Crane Beach was nice, wish we would have brought the girls suits. Also stopped at an orchard/winery and picked up a couple bottles of wine. Spent the most time in Rockport looking at the shops at eating. Weather was gorgeous, traffic wasn't bad and the kids had fun.
dgreen
Footballguy
Talk to me about Gloucester and Rockport. Nice places? Looking for a vacation spot for my family and BIL's family in August. Flights to Boston are pretty cheap. Wife and I like the idea of just hanging in Boston, but her brother would rather be in a quieter NE setting.Mostly looking for good seafood, some fun family activities (for example, whale watching from Gloucester would be perfect), some beach time for kids, and the wife likes quaint small towns to look in shops and stuff. My personal goal is to not break the bank. I don't really know what our total budget will be yet, but lodging prices seem decent in Gloucester and Rockport (better than Cape Cod?). I like the idea of getting there easily without a car (fly into Logan and combine some trains to get to town).Flights into Providence are also cheap if there's a nice quaint town nearby that isn't expensive like Newport.
Furious Styles
Footballguy
You are going to need to rent a car regardless of where you go. Gloucester isn't my idea of a family vacation or even a "beach" experience. You might want to look into Narragansett, RI as it will be cheaper than Newport.
johnnycakes
Footballguy
I agree with Furious Styles on both points. Rockport has a cute little downtown area with a number of cute little galleries in the summertime. Parking in Rockport is tough, and the police will stand and watch your meter expire to write a parking ticket. Yes, there is the commuter rail that runs up to Gloucester, but in order to get anywhere after you're off that train in Gloucester, you will need a car. And most common folk would consider Newport to be somewhat expensive. You need to figure what kind of budget you're dealing with. If you're looking for lots of little shops "and stuff", I would be thinking the Cape all the way.. both P-town and Chatham. If you want to stay on the Cape, though, don't stay in P-town if you want to save money... plus, parking is tough. Look more towards Wellfleet for a more affordable B&B or something like that. Other ideas - there is a high-speed ferry that runs from Boston to P-town. If you go to P-town, you really don't need a car. You could "base" yourself in Boston, or even outside of Boston if you really want to save money, then take the ferry to P-town for one or several days. That might be the easist way to avoid a car rental entirely. You can get a good whale watch from P-town as well as from Boston or Gloucester or any number of other ports. P-town also has quite a few restaurants. Some are quite good and fresh seafood is easily found everywhere. Cape Cod Seashore has miles and miles of quiet beaches, but except for what you can walk to in P-town proper, you will probably want a car to get there. Or you can rent bikes and ride... it really isn't all that far. If finding a nice beach is important, I would not go to either Gloucester or Rockport. Though they have beaches, they don't compare to the Cape. Plus, if you go there in July, you may become more intimately acquainted with green head flies than you care to be. Use google if you don't know what green head flies are. They're worst in mid-July. Plum Island Reservation and Crane Beach, both on the North Shore, are notorious for green head flies. They're nasty and can easily ruin a day at the beach.
bostonfred
Footballguy
Gloucester is good for this stuff, actually, except the beach. There really isn't much in the way of beaches nearby except hampton beach which is a big cheesy boardwalk on a kind of dirty beach with rough sand. Every now and then they have decent shows at hampton, too - no huge acts, but we saw black crowes up there a little while back and theres some other mid tier talent that stops in from time to time. You'll probably want a car to get there, unless the hotel has a shuttle to the beach or something. Personally, I wouldn't spend a whole week there, but for what you're looking for, its not a bad couple of days. Id prefer the newport area, but you're not doing that without a car. I do think you'd be better off getting a car, though. Lots of good sightseeing in new england, and gloucester is a pretty good launching point for boston, salem, hampton, portland, portsmouth, and a bunch of other places which are great day trips for what you guys want. And even with the car, its probably cheaper than staying in boston.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
Good Harbor in Gloucester is a fine beach - as much so as all but the best the Cape has to offer. If you daytrip to Gloucester, free or cheap parking can be had @ Stage Fort Park. Annisquam to Halibut Point would be my 1st choice to look for rentals on Cape Ann, but youre probably going to pay
southeastjerome
Footballguy
dgreen! Glad to hear a fellow skins fan is coming to MA, if even only for vacation. If you are looking for quaint towns and beaches, I would recommend the cape over Gloucester or Rockport. If you do go there, Crane's (Ipswich)and good harbor (Gloucester) are the places. johnnycakes is right though, beware of the greenheads. They are seemingly endless during peak season, annoying and bite too. I would avoid staying in Gloucester, although you can find some nice spots, Rockport is much nicer. Rockport has more of that quaint feel, good restaurants and beaches as well. The Causeway in Gloucester is a smaller hole in the wall type place, but it has some of the best seafood around in my opinion. They don't serve alcohol, but there is a little wine shop next door. The wife and I usually just grab a bottle there and take it with us for dinner. Personally, if you care about the beaches and are looking for the quaint town feeling and shops, the cape is your best bet. Particularly Provincetown or Chatham. Both have nice beaches and are great for shopping/strolling. Provincetown is popular with gay and lesbian crowds, so just a head's up in case any of your party are uncomfortable with same sex pda. It really is a beautiful place though. There are great places for seafood all over the cape and as someone else mentioned there is a high speed ferry to and from Boston out of P-town, so you could make a day trip to Boston if you decide to stay on the cape, or a day trip to Provincetown. Best of luck with your planning!
dgreen
Footballguy
Beaches aren't that important. Just something I am sure kids will want to do if there is one nearby. Wife and I honeymooned on the cape and did day trips Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Ideally we'd hit one of the islands, but that's obviously not good for the budget.We are still in the early stages of planning. It may end just being a long weekend, rather than a full week. I think the only thing agreed upon is doing something in NE and having some good seafood.
wilked
Footballguy
I would recommend Portsmouth NH over both of those, not much further, more to offer. Whale Watch out of Rye NH, you have lots of different beach settings to explore (York, Ogunquit are a couple). And only an hour into Boston (there is a bus you can take too to simplify, C&J Trailways)
Furious Styles
Footballguy
Ogunquit is a great call, such a great place to bring a family and not at all infested with them queers.
cobalt_27
Footballguy
Say what?
cobalt_27
Footballguy
This is so true. But, if you avoid the few weeks that these little buggers are around, there is nothing like spending a day in Newburyport and hitting up Bob's Lobster shack en route to the reservation beaches on Plum Island. Truly an awesome place. My wife an I do day trips there multiple times in the summer.
nightmare
Footballguy
Old time Mainers(homophobes) have a joke about Ogunquit-"If you get a flat tire there just keep driving till you hit Wells" It is a nice town though.
dgreen
Footballguy
We ended up booking a spot in Bar Harbor. We'll land in Boston on Monday, August 19, around noon and grab a rental car. We plan to take our time getting up there and are looking to make stops. I'm sure we'll want to lunch in Boston and probably just walk around for a little bit before heading up north out of town. Lunch recs? Wife and I did Union Oyster House about 15 years ago. Good spot? Some other Boston-type of place?
I've seen good things about Portsmouth, NH, so I think we'll make that one of our stops. What other New Englandy places to make some quick stops? Portland? We will head back to Boston Friday, August 23, dropping the car off by 6 PM. Awesome job by me scheduling the drop off at Logan in Friday evening rush hour. Am I a total moron for that? I'm sure we'll head out of Bar Harbor in the morning to give us time to make a quick stop or two heading back south.
I've seen good things about Portsmouth, NH, so I think we'll make that one of our stops. What other New Englandy places to make some quick stops? Portland? We will head back to Boston Friday, August 23, dropping the car off by 6 PM. Awesome job by me scheduling the drop off at Logan in Friday evening rush hour. Am I a total moron for that? I'm sure we'll head out of Bar Harbor in the morning to give us time to make a quick stop or two heading back south.
Cunk
Footballguy
You have to stop in Portland. Great little city with great restaurants/beer and a lot of character.
johnnycakes
Footballguy
Personally, I like the Chart House on Long Wharf. Lots of good places, though. if you want a good view and decent food, you can try Top of the Hub atop the Prudential Center. My go-to place for a special occasion is the old Oak Room, now called the Oak Long Bar & Kitchen in the Copley Plaza Hotel, right in the center of Back Bay. good luck driving in Boston. And get used to call it Bah-Hahbah. 
And for God's sake, learn how to eat a lobstah before you get there.
And for God's sake, learn how to eat a lobstah before you get there.
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PinkydaPimp
Footballguy
dgreen
Footballguy
How about some non-special occasion places? We'll have three kids (10, 8, and 6), so not looking for anything too nice. Good restaurant suggestions on the cheaper side would be appreciated. Other than seafood, what's Boston known for food-wise?johnnycakes said:Personally, I like the Chart House on Long Wharf. Lots of good places, though. if you want a good view and decent food, you can try Top of the Hub atop the Prudential Center. My go-to place for a special occasion is the old Oak Room, now called the Oak Long Bar & Kitchen in the Copley Plaza Hotel, right in the center of Back Bay. good luck driving in Boston. And get used to call it Bah-Hahbah.
And for God's sake, learn how to eat a lobstah before you get there.
playin4beer
Footballguy
Still with us.. thanks for asking...
He's just a shell, and can't do much physically anymore... I don't think surgery is an option anymore (they couldn't do it in Boston because the cancer was attached to the aorta).. so they have been "maintaining" it with chemo.
He doesn't give the kids too much info, I think he's trying to spare them bad news, but based on what he's been doing and taking care of certain details, I don't think he has a whole bunch of time left...
PinkydaPimp
Footballguy
Sorry to hear that. I will keep you and the family in my prayers. I just lost my mom which was tough. Make sure you have those tough conversations with him now while he is still able to talk:
Do not resuscitate - does he want to be kept alive if something acute happens?
cremation or burial? - seriously, you will wish you asked when your making the arrangements.
Does he have a plot? - ask. he may not, but some folks buy them in advance.
does he have life insurance? - check to see if its up to date or late
Is there a will?
Bank accounts - where are they? It will help with things if someone elses name is placed on those accounts now.
Hospice - if this is an option, look into it. it is a great way for him to have some comfort in his last days
Most important, talk with him about his life and say what you need to say now. When its time, let him know its ok that he moves on(sometimes they need to hear this). Tell him to give you a sign hes ok. that may help you and the family. there was a rainbow the day my mom passed and words cant express how much seeing that helped.
I'm sure i forgot some stuff but if you have any questions when you are at that stage don't hesitate to reach out.
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johnnycakes
Footballguy
Italian food, especially in the North End, would be something Boston is "known for". Don't try driving in the North End... streets are very narrow and parking is impossible. Instead, park near Faneuil Hall and walk. Faneuil Hall marketplace has lots of non-special places, too. It sounds like you're going to only have like... an afternoon in Boston? If so, your two best choices are the Faneuil Hall/North End section, or Back Bay. Either way, plan to do lots of walking, since you're not going to want to drive from one place to another. Park once and walk or take the subway to where you want to go.How about some non-special occasion places? We'll have three kids (10, 8, and 6), so not looking for anything too nice. Good restaurant suggestions on the cheaper side would be appreciated. Other than seafood, what's Boston known for food-wise?johnnycakes said:Personally, I like the Chart House on Long Wharf. Lots of good places, though. if you want a good view and decent food, you can try Top of the Hub atop the Prudential Center. My go-to place for a special occasion is the old Oak Room, now called the Oak Long Bar & Kitchen in the Copley Plaza Hotel, right in the center of Back Bay. good luck driving in Boston. And get used to call it Bah-Hahbah.
And for God's sake, learn how to eat a lobstah before you get there.
In the North End, non-special places would include Gennaro 5 North Square, Benevento's, or Al Dente, among others.
In Back Bay, you can try Skipjack's... I've been here for lunch many times when I was with The Firm... it's consistent, and a good meal, but it's not going to wow you at all. Summer Shack. Asana, in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is very good... it's another one of our favorites, but it might be a bit pricey for 5 people.
We don't consider any of Boston's Chinatown restaurants to be particularly good or authentic, fwiw. I would not go out of my way to hit one of those.
if you're looking to slum it, you can try Durgin Park at Faneuil Hall. Definitely screaming-brat-friendly. I happen to like the food and I am particularly amenable to the rude wait staff. Most people don't like it, though.
Cunk
Footballguy
Even though I've never eaten there (although I walk by it every day at lunchtime), ****'s Last Resort at Fanieul Hall looks like a good non-special bet for the kids. Their thing is that they are purposely rude and they do stuff like make giant hats out of paper and put them on your head with something scribbled on it ridiculing you.Italian food, especially in the North End, would be something Boston is "known for". Don't try driving in the North End... streets are very narrow and parking is impossible. Instead, park near Faneuil Hall and walk. Faneuil Hall marketplace has lots of non-special places, too. It sounds like you're going to only have like... an afternoon in Boston? If so, your two best choices are the Faneuil Hall/North End section, or Back Bay. Either way, plan to do lots of walking, since you're not going to want to drive from one place to another. Park once and walk or take the subway to where you want to go.How about some non-special occasion places? We'll have three kids (10, 8, and 6), so not looking for anything too nice. Good restaurant suggestions on the cheaper side would be appreciated. Other than seafood, what's Boston known for food-wise?johnnycakes said:Personally, I like the Chart House on Long Wharf. Lots of good places, though. if you want a good view and decent food, you can try Top of the Hub atop the Prudential Center. My go-to place for a special occasion is the old Oak Room, now called the Oak Long Bar & Kitchen in the Copley Plaza Hotel, right in the center of Back Bay. good luck driving in Boston. And get used to call it Bah-Hahbah.
And for God's sake, learn how to eat a lobstah before you get there.
In the North End, non-special places would include Gennaro 5 North Square, Benevento's, or Al Dente, among others.
In Back Bay, you can try Skipjack's... I've been here for lunch many times when I was with The Firm... it's consistent, and a good meal, but it's not going to wow you at all. Summer Shack. Asana, in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is very good... it's another one of our favorites, but it might be a bit pricey for 5 people.
We don't consider any of Boston's Chinatown restaurants to be particularly good or authentic, fwiw. I would not go out of my way to hit one of those.
if you're looking to slum it, you can try Durgin Park at Faneuil Hall. Definitely screaming-brat-friendly. I happen to like the food and I am particularly amenable to the rude wait staff. Most people don't like it, though.
dgreen
Footballguy
Thanks. Yeah, probably just spending a couple hours (lunch and walk around a bit) that first day. Then maybe a couple more hours Friday night. We are flying in, but we are Amtraking out from South Station Friday night. So, Friday evening, we will drop the car off at Logan and then hang out for a couple hours until our train leaves at 9:30.
If we had to pick one neighborhood to eat and walk around, what would it be?
If we had to pick one neighborhood to eat and walk around, what would it be?
johnnycakes
Footballguy
My personal favorite is Back Bay. You have the Boston Common, the Public Gardens, Newbury Street.... lots of good restaurants (in ALL price categories) and stores. This time of year, a walk down Marlborough Street is a pretty walk, too... that's just a residential neighborhood, but very picturesque. Back Bay is not nearly as touristy as Faneuil Hall, too... you can park at the Boston Common garage and easily walk from there. Beacon Hill also is an easy walk from Back Bay. But for me, Back Bay is my favorite neighborhood... if I were to live in Boston proper, it's the only neighborhood I would consider.
munga30
Checkin' my email
dgreen
Footballguy
Thanks. I noticed that mentioned in the recent pizza thread. What are some of the walking highlights in North End? Any particular street better than others?
Cunk
Footballguy
Yes, Hanover Street is the go-to street in the North End. You have the Old North Church and Paul Revere's house. The North End abuts the new Rose Kennedy Greenway which is a real nice walk all the way from the North End to South Station. It has different fountains for the kids (or you) to splash in if they desire. I work right near the North End and frequently walk to South Station during the summer. Takes about a half hour.
SaintsInDome2006
Footballguy
There's a Hilton in Woburn too, I've stayed there many times - the ride in from Woburn to Boston can be bad, in the morning, but there is also a major rail hub there I believe. The rail system there is great, so consider finding a transit map to see what I mean. The train station in Woburn is very easy, runs early and late.
Also, this is the Element in Lexington - very nice place but affordable, and kind of focuses on green living, it's pretty cool. It's also extended stay and closer than Woburn (town is nicer too).
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/element/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3210
ETA: I was directing this at the original poster, but now I see it's more than a year since he asked his question.
Also, this is the Element in Lexington - very nice place but affordable, and kind of focuses on green living, it's pretty cool. It's also extended stay and closer than Woburn (town is nicer too).
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/element/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3210
ETA: I was directing this at the original poster, but now I see it's more than a year since he asked his question.
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HellToupee
Footballguy
Driving into Boston from 630AM-930ish AM is a nightmare from the north.After 10 its a breeze , the orange line on the T can be picked up in Malden & Medford which is south of Woburn. Parking is like $5 and its only a 10 minute train ride into Boston
HellToupee
Footballguy
johnnycakes
Footballguy
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SaintsInDome2006
Footballguy
Well ok, there's a stop in Medord, I could have sworn there was a decent rail line and station somewhere in or around Woburn - not all the way to Medford, but north around Woburn - that ran all the way to the north station Boston by the Garden. I think the train goes north of Woburn too. It's been a while, anyway the whole thing was easy.
dgreen
Footballguy
Man, I love New England. Of course, I've never spent one second there during Winter so my view could be a tad skewed.
Really enjoyed the little time we had to walk around the North End. The pizza place had a line, so we skipped it and ended up at one of the Italian places. Got some gelato, too, and then hit the road towards Bar Harbor.
Made a quick stop in Bath and grabbed a lobster roll at some random place. They definitely packed that roll full of lobster. And only about $12. Can't beat that.
Cadillac Mountain, whale watching, walking around the town of Bar Harbor, hiking, climbing around the rocky shores around Thunder Hole, and a lot of restaurants filled our week on Mt Desert Island. Really didn't want to leave.
Lunched in Portland on the way back to Boston. Duckfat is an amazing restaurant. Great fries. First time eating poutine. And they also make some killer donut holes. Would have loved to spend more time walking around Old Port, but we had to get back to Boston and swung by the Portland Lights on the way out.
A few more hours in Boston Friday evening, mostly in Boston Commons. I was a bit surprised by the number of crazies and homeless and beggars on the walk from Boston Commons to South Station.
An overnight train ride back to DC worked for the kids, but the wife and I didn't sleep much. I got home Saturday morning and slept until about 4:30 PM.
Really enjoyed the little time we had to walk around the North End. The pizza place had a line, so we skipped it and ended up at one of the Italian places. Got some gelato, too, and then hit the road towards Bar Harbor.
Made a quick stop in Bath and grabbed a lobster roll at some random place. They definitely packed that roll full of lobster. And only about $12. Can't beat that.
Cadillac Mountain, whale watching, walking around the town of Bar Harbor, hiking, climbing around the rocky shores around Thunder Hole, and a lot of restaurants filled our week on Mt Desert Island. Really didn't want to leave.
Lunched in Portland on the way back to Boston. Duckfat is an amazing restaurant. Great fries. First time eating poutine. And they also make some killer donut holes. Would have loved to spend more time walking around Old Port, but we had to get back to Boston and swung by the Portland Lights on the way out.
A few more hours in Boston Friday evening, mostly in Boston Commons. I was a bit surprised by the number of crazies and homeless and beggars on the walk from Boston Commons to South Station.
An overnight train ride back to DC worked for the kids, but the wife and I didn't sleep much. I got home Saturday morning and slept until about 4:30 PM.
dgreen
Footballguy
I'll be in Boston for a few days in early August for work. Taking a day off and staying over an extra day before flying out. Staying at the Kendall/MIT T stop in Cambridge. Any good breakfast recommendations near there? Good coffee houses?
My wife will be joining me for one evening and then my day off. We'll probably want to head back to the North End and walk around there some more. We only got to spend a couple hours there a couple years ago. Anything Cambridge worth exploring? We just like to walk around cities and check out interesting places/shops/dining.
My wife will be joining me for one evening and then my day off. We'll probably want to head back to the North End and walk around there some more. We only got to spend a couple hours there a couple years ago. Anything Cambridge worth exploring? We just like to walk around cities and check out interesting places/shops/dining.
johnnycakes
Footballguy
Are you kidding? Harvard Square???The best coffeehouse I go to is Passim, also in Harvard Square. Good place for folk. If you're under 40 you'll hate it.
http://www.clubpassim.org/
dgreen
Footballguy
I'll admit I had to google Harvard square
. Looks like somewhere we'd like to walk around. Thanks. And I'm nearing 40, so Passim might work!
johnnycakes
Footballguy
wilked
Footballguy
Friendly toast is in Kendall, good spot, not a coffee house though. You won't find a coffee house in Kendall worth a damn, go to Central to Andala if you like Turkish coffee (just walk). Which days of week will you be there?
dgreen
Footballguy
I will arrive Sunday evening. Wife will join me Tuesday afternoon and we both fly out Wednesday evening.
