who can give us tips for visiting Boston and interesting places up and down the coast?
It´s our 10th anniversary and we have flights booked free with Iberia in First Class using airmiles collected from years back and have rented a house in Annesquam for the 9 days.
We have permission to take ONE teckel with us in the passenger cabin right now and are PRAYING for permission for TWO. Both Red and Islay have International Pet Passports. Only two dogs are allowed in the cabin and someone else in the coach section had already booked one, we´re hoping they´ll cancel (for the best of reasons). We have a good friend here who is adored by Islay & Red and also adores them who will take them into her home if we can only fly with one of them - no way can I separate them. They would miss us terribly, but miss each other even more. It won´t be as good a trip for us if our babies can´t both be with us, not to mention how I´d worry non-stop, but it´s a one-off chance to do the trip and we can´t change the dates either.
SO, any great doggie visits for us if we can come as a complete "family"? Any pretty walks or doggie friendly places? Any special doggie shops or eateries? Any perfect dachshund haunts?
We´re hoping for loads of lobster to eat and tons of fresh seafood and veg., so tips for simple, good & reasonably priced places to eat would be great too. I´m under pressure to cook for the last 3 nights when we´ll be joined by friends from Phoenix, AZ, who are contributing 900USD to the rent only if I promise to cook for them!
We have hired a car so will be mobile to visit places but need a good rest too, so don´t want to drive around all day every day.
We´ve been looking forward to this trip for years and can´t believe it´s nearly here, now all pawsies crossed - please - for a 2nd doggie flight permission and we´re all off, up, up and away......to the US of A.
My daughter was in Boston in March and fell in love with the city-so much that she is hoping to move there next year after she graduates (guess that means Randy and I will be making quite a few trips north!). Her best friend just moved there in January and I could probably find out about some of the hidden treasures she has found. I know that Meghan absolutely loved the Boston Public Library, the Trinity Church and the old North Church. You also have Quincy Market, Haravard University, the theater district and oh, so many things. I'll have to send you some of her pictures. They also visited Salem, Massachusetts, where the witchcraft trials took place in the late 1600's. One of the things that amazed her was how old some of the buildings were.
You should have a wonderful time and the weather should be great. It isn't too hot yet, or at least not everyday. That will be nice for sightseeing and relaxing.
woo-hoo!!!!!!!!! Boston is a great US city, but it's a tangle of streets, hilly and congested, so be prepared for some hiking and a lot of frustration. Study your map well in advance.
Should you find yourself traveling about, Salem, Mass and Portland, Maine are two, more manageable quaint and friendly towns!!!!!!! Salem, despite being famous for the witch trials, is a funky place with shops and restaurants. Portland is another literate destination with bookstores, museums. You may want to go to the Chamber of Commerce websites for each. We were there a few years ago, and although the people were great, the economy even then was not so good. That said, you should try to get up to the minute info from websites (and not printed tour books) because many business you are looking forward to may not be there. :-(
If you find yourself going west of Boston, there are several preserved Shaker Communites, that while, off the beaten track, are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Google: "Shaker Massachesets" (try to spell Massachewsett right, ha ha)
as far as good places to eat, we always scout out Diners--I don't know the Euro equivalent name, but they usually have reasonably priced food and fast and hot! Seriously, sometimes the best bet for Lobstah is a simple roadside stand with picnic tables.
Sounds like an awesome trip !!!! All I can say is....smuggle...... smuggle both puppies in !!! LOL !!!! Sure am hoping it works out so both kids are able to travel..... try contacting the other folks and "make them a deal" LOL !!!
And WW folks you can bizit while up there? (I say up there - because Texas is way DONW there !!!!)
Quote from: Teresa on June 18, 2009, 05:17:22 AM
My daughter was in Boston in March and fell in love with the city-so much that she is hoping to move there next year after she graduates (guess that means Randy and I will be making quite a few trips north!). Her best friend just moved there in January and I could probably find out about some of the hidden treasures she has found. I know that Meghan absolutely loved the Boston Public Library, the Trinity Church and the old North Church. You also have Quincy Market, Haravard University, the theater district and oh, so many things. I'll have to send you some of her pictures. They also visited Salem, Massachusetts, where the witchcraft trials took place in the late 1600's. One of the things that amazed her was how old some of the buildings were.
You should have a wonderful time and the weather should be great. It isn't too hot yet, or at least not everyday. That will be nice for sightseeing and relaxing.
Thanks for giving me so many ideas, Teresa, sounds like we´ll have a great time. I´d love it of Meghan could let me have some of her pics taken there and any tips she´s picked up, we´ll definitely be going to the library and all museums too. The weather - even if it´s hot and muggy - should still be cooler than here, so we´ll cope, I´m sure. It´s funny you should say about the age of the buildings. Miguel is an architect/architectural judge/engineer and my parents house was originally built in 1329, my Aunt lives in a more "modern" house from 1571 - all back in N. England and Scotland, old England and old Scotland, that is! We´re really looking forward to the architecture over there and Annesquam, near Gloucester on Cape Ann, seems a good bet to get around and see things.
Quote from: Leslie on June 18, 2009, 07:37:37 AM
woo-hoo!!!!!!!!! Boston is a great US city, but it's a tangle of streets, hilly and congested, so be prepared for some hiking and a lot of frustration. Study your map well in advance.
Should you find yourself traveling about, Salem, Mass and Portland, Maine are two, more manageable quaint and friendly towns!!!!!!! Salem, despite being famous for the witch trials, is a funky place with shops and restaurants. Portland is another literate destination with bookstores, museums. You may want to go to the Chamber of Commerce websites for each. We were there a few years ago, and although the people were great, the economy even then was not so good. That said, you should try to get up to the minute info from websites (and not printed tour books) because many business you are looking forward to may not be there. :-(
If you find yourself going west of Boston, there are several preserved Shaker Communites, that while, off the beaten track, are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Google: "Shaker Massachesets" (try to spell Massachewsett right, ha ha)
as far as good places to eat, we always scout out Diners--I don't know the Euro equivalent name, but they usually have reasonably priced food and fast and hot! Seriously, sometimes the best bet for Lobstah is a simple roadside stand with picnic tables.
Hi Leslie, sounds like we should have booked for a longer stay with all the places worth visiting. The house is in Annesquam, near Gloucester, on Cape Ann, and seems pretty well located for exploring. I´m hoping the locals can cope with my British English because I certainly won´t be able to manage their accent! Red & Islay - and I´m preaying they can get there with us - won´t have the same difficulties.....
Great idea to check out the Chambers of Commerce first, and about the diners and fish shacks too. I hadn´t thought about the recession and so many businesses closing down. We didn´t notice any price drops in the house rentals! Maybe it´s just because we´re too wet behind the ears to know the going rates from way over here.
I can almost smell those lobstah roadside stands you mention right now, will have to get working on that accent.
Quote from: Barb on June 18, 2009, 10:12:06 AM
Sounds like an awesome trip !!!! All I can say is....smuggle...... smuggle both puppies in !!! LOL !!!! Sure am hoping it works out so both kids are able to travel..... try contacting the other folks and "make them a deal" LOL !!!
And WW folks you can bizit while up there? (I say up there - because Texas is way DONW there !!!!)
Hi there Barb,
don´t think I haven´t tried. We booked a year ago and I´ve been earbashing the airline trying to get them to let me contact the other couple ever since - they won´t give their details out, understandably, I suppose. Ours are freebie tickets so we´re not able to select different dates, just what the airline offered - I´d pay the flight change for the other pupper and his family to be able to travel with both of mine.
We´d love to meet up with WW members whilst we´re there, it would be a real treat to put some faces to names. Anyone out there and available?
Shame Texas is way down there. A future trip - in cooler months - would take us back to Phoenix to visit Nick there again - so working a stop in Texas wouldn´t be out of reach. Only finances and airmile collecting are holding us back......we dream on.
Oh, and NOT that you will EVER need this while you are here, here is the link to the Salem, Ma vet clininc.
'cause ya nevah know.... (yikes)
http://www.creaturehealth.com/
Quote from: Leslie on June 18, 2009, 12:55:43 PM
Oh, and NOT that you will EVER need this while you are here, here is the link to the Salem, Ma vet clininc.
'cause ya nevah know.... (yikes)
http://www.creaturehealth.com/
Thanks Leslie, that´s very thoughtful - let´s hope the vet info serves as a talisman and we NEVER have to use it. Good to have it in our pocket at all times. We´re really looking forward to the trip, it´s going to be a lot of organizing to get away, but pawsies tightly crossed that all 4 of us make it.
You might want to look into Gloucester MA if your looking for a low key day. It's a lovely little fishing community and very furkid friendly. I think it is only about a half hour drive from Boston. They have a ton of really quaint antique stores and galleries to browse through.
When your in Boston I would definatly check out the North End for dinner or pastries. There are tons of little family owned Italian restaurants where the food is heavenly!
Quote from: TerriL on June 19, 2009, 10:10:27 AM
You might want to look into Gloucester MA if your looking for a low key day. It's a lovely little fishing community and very furkid friendly. I think it is only about a half hour drive from Boston. They have a ton of really quaint antique stores and galleries to browse through.
When your in Boston I would definatly check out the North End for dinner or pastries. There are tons of little family owned Italian restaurants where the food is heavenly!
That´s great news! Annesquam is less than 3 miles from Gloucester so from what you´ve said we should be in a really nice spot there on Cape Ann. Sounds like the food is gong to be irresistible, I can feel another 10lbs sneaking up on us right now.....thanks so much for the reassuring info.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. We'll keep positive thoughts that Red and Islay will also be able to join you! Wish Washington State was closer......would be grand to meet you! Dee
Quote from: DeeanDave on June 19, 2009, 04:40:57 PM
Sounds like a wonderful trip. We'll keep positive thoughts that Red and Islay will also be able to join you! Wish Washington State was closer......would be grand to meet you! Dee
Hi there Dee, the US is so huge it really is a pity we can´t see you whilst we´re there, it´s just too far to combine with this trip. Nick, our friend who is flying up from Phoenix to join us for 3 nights, used to live in Portland, Oregon, and I´ve stayed with him there many times in the past and travelled to Washington State a little. It would be marvellous to show Miguel the West one day, he´s only been to Phoenix, Tucson and Sedona/Flagstaff/Grand Canyon etc. and Washington DC so far. Thos tripw were in the bad old days when I had to fly a lot to the US on business buying and supervising development of hotels an hotel chains, so we got the hotels free and it made travelling a lot cheaper!
We still have all paws crossed for a second doggie authorisation....love to you all, Andrea & crew
Hello! A good friend of mine lives in Boston and absolutely ADORES the city - she does not have a dog, so sadly she doesn't know a lot about doggie-friendly haunts, but she did have this to say:
"Definitely go to Harvard Square and just wander. It's delightful, and there are all sorts of little places you can pop into to eat. Harvard Square is the site of Border Cafe, my favorite restaurant in Boston and very reasonably priced, I think. Tealuxe is also there, and there's a little cafe over near Grafton Street that serves panini sandwiches that's really nice. I can't think of the name right now, I'll have to look when I get home.
Quincy Market is nice, if extremely touristy and probably over-priced. The Common and the Public Gardens are nice to wander through. Newbury Street is full of upscale shops. Charles Street is famous for antiquing, and borders Beacon Hill, which is a gorgeous old neighborhood that is quintessentially Boston-y.
Any restaurant in the North End serves excellent Italian, you can't really go wrong. Also lots of fun.
You need to see the South End, my current favorite place in Boston. Very hip and trendy and Boston-y, and right now the center of the Boston restaurant scene. Probably a bit pricy, BUT every place I've been there has been absolutely phenomenal.
Boston is an extremely walking-friendly city. The best plan is to pick an area and wander along the streets. If you're walking quickly, you can walk from one end to the other in about 90 minutes, so, if you're taking your time, you can still cover most of Boston's charm in a day.
As for indoor activities, our Museum of Fine Arts has one of the finest collections of Asian art anywhere; the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, also nearby the MFA, is quite charming; and I adore the JFK Library, which is a bit outside of Boston but is great if you are a Kennedy person.
Really, Boston is a city that rewards a good wander. If the weather's nice, then it's perfect, and you will not be disappointed almost anywhere.
However, it's an extremely expensive city. I'm used to it, so I don't notice, but I imagine it could be a shock to a visitor. You're not being ripped off; it really is just that expensive here."
I hope this helps!
Boston has the Freedom Trail to walk in the city but it is a long way to walk. The aquarium is neat too.
We walked it over 20 years ago.
Salem also has the House of Seven Gables house and they have the Salem Witch trials and dungeons.
Merion & the ZZ's
Quote from: scootersmom on June 22, 2009, 02:11:57 PM
Hello! A good friend of mine lives in Boston and absolutely ADORES the city - she does not have a dog, so sadly she doesn't know a lot about doggie-friendly haunts, but she did have this to say:
"Definitely go to Harvard Square and just wander. It's delightful, and there are all sorts of little places you can pop into to eat. Harvard Square is the site of Border Cafe, my favorite restaurant in Boston and very reasonably priced, I think. Tealuxe is also there, and there's a little cafe over near Grafton Street that serves panini sandwiches that's really nice. I can't think of the name right now, I'll have to look when I get home.
Quincy Market is nice, if extremely touristy and probably over-priced. The Common and the Public Gardens are nice to wander through. Newbury Street is full of upscale shops. Charles Street is famous for antiquing, and borders Beacon Hill, which is a gorgeous old neighborhood that is quintessentially Boston-y.
Any restaurant in the North End serves excellent Italian, you can't really go wrong. Also lots of fun.
You need to see the South End, my current favorite place in Boston. Very hip and trendy and Boston-y, and right now the center of the Boston restaurant scene. Probably a bit pricy, BUT every place I've been there has been absolutely phenomenal.
Boston is an extremely walking-friendly city. The best plan is to pick an area and wander along the streets. If you're walking quickly, you can walk from one end to the other in about 90 minutes, so, if you're taking your time, you can still cover most of Boston's charm in a day.
As for indoor activities, our Museum of Fine Arts has one of the finest collections of Asian art anywhere; the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, also nearby the MFA, is quite charming; and I adore the JFK Library, which is a bit outside of Boston but is great if you are a Kennedy person.
Really, Boston is a city that rewards a good wander. If the weather's nice, then it's perfect, and you will not be disappointed almost anywhere.
However, it's an extremely expensive city. I'm used to it, so I don't notice, but I imagine it could be a shock to a visitor. You're not being ripped off; it really is just that expensive here."
I hope this helps!
I'm going to copy this and give it to Meghan for her next trip there, which will be in August. She visited a lot of the places on her trip in March, but I'm sure she will love to know about the restaurants. She loved Quincy Market and Museum of Fine Arts. She got some great pictures from Harvard Square. By the time Randy and I get there, we should know exactly what we need to go and see!
Quote from: scootersmom on June 22, 2009, 02:11:57 PM
Hello! A good friend of mine lives in Boston and absolutely ADORES the city - she does not have a dog, so sadly she doesn't know a lot about doggie-friendly haunts, but she did have this to say:
"Definitely go to Harvard Square and just wander. It's delightful, and there are all sorts of little places you can pop into to eat. Harvard Square is the site of Border Cafe, my favorite restaurant in Boston and very reasonably priced, I think. Tealuxe is also there, and there's a little cafe over near Grafton Street that serves panini sandwiches that's really nice. I can't think of the name right now, I'll have to look when I get home.
Quincy Market is nice, if extremely touristy and probably over-priced. The Common and the Public Gardens are nice to wander through. Newbury Street is full of upscale shops. Charles Street is famous for antiquing, and borders Beacon Hill, which is a gorgeous old neighborhood that is quintessentially Boston-y.
Any restaurant in the North End serves excellent Italian, you can't really go wrong. Also lots of fun.
You need to see the South End, my current favorite place in Boston. Very hip and trendy and Boston-y, and right now the center of the Boston restaurant scene. Probably a bit pricy, BUT every place I've been there has been absolutely phenomenal.
Boston is an extremely walking-friendly city. The best plan is to pick an area and wander along the streets. If you're walking quickly, you can walk from one end to the other in about 90 minutes, so, if you're taking your time, you can still cover most of Boston's charm in a day.
As for indoor activities, our Museum of Fine Arts has one of the finest collections of Asian art anywhere; the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, also nearby the MFA, is quite charming; and I adore the JFK Library, which is a bit outside of Boston but is great if you are a Kennedy person.
Really, Boston is a city that rewards a good wander. If the weather's nice, then it's perfect, and you will not be disappointed almost anywhere.
However, it's an extremely expensive city. I'm used to it, so I don't notice, but I imagine it could be a shock to a visitor. You're not being ripped off; it really is just that expensive here."
I hope this helps!
Hi Noel,
thanks so much for thinking of us, the info is fantastic and will help us a lot, I´m sure. We all love walking and will go well prepared with comfy shoes and any-weather gear. I really appreciate her restaurant tips since there´s so much to choose from, it´s a bit of an (expensive) minefield otherwise and it´s great to have advice from a local.
We´re still praying for the o.k.from the airline to take both Red and Islay, it wouldn´t be the same without them.
BTW, Scooter looks so well on the pics you posted, as handsome as ever, even with only one tooth showing!
love to you all,
Andrea & team
Quote from: Merion on June 22, 2009, 03:35:15 PM
Boston has the Freedom Trail to walk in the city but it is a long way to walk. The aquarium is neat too.
We walked it over 20 years ago.
Salem also has the House of Seven Gables house and they have the Salem Witch trials and dungeons.
Merion & the ZZ's
Thanks, Merion, for all the info. Sounds like the Freedome Trail is a good way to walk all that delicious Italian food and the pastries off!