Return Visit

Hi everyone

We visited Boston on two occassions previously (both in winter) and have decided to come back in September to see the city and surrounding districts in warmer weather. We are thinking of staying outside Boston - possibly Cambridge area so as we can hire a car and do a little bit of touring. We will have around 10 days and I%26#39;m wondering if you have any suggestions on what we could do during that time. We%26#39;re two adults, with a reasonably generous budget (although I%26#39;m always happy to save where I can) who love to try local cuisine and see places where the locals live. Any suggestions would be great - our previous trips were really enhanced by the suggestions of you all.

Samantha

Return Visit

Just so you know, Cambridge isn%26#39;t considered staying ';outside'; of Boston. It%26#39;s an urban area with much the same, if not more, difficulty and cost in parking. So having a car there versus Boston isn%26#39;t going to help you unless the particular accomodation offers free parking.

AlanM

Return Visit

I guess I should start with where your planning to stay. While there%26#39;s absolutely nothing wrong with staying in Cambridge, it%26#39;s nearly as expensive as staying in Boston itself. The parking rates cost less, but they are still high and will add up over the course of your stay. Finally, you say you want to go exploring other areas. Staying in Cambridge will subject you to the same traffic problems as Boston since the two cities are only seperated by a river. Are you sure you want to use Cambridge as a base for your touring?

Given your advice I think I really should change my plans - I hadn%26#39;t realised that Cambridge would be so expensive to park - so thanks for that. Really what we%26#39;d like to do is find a good base to travel round from and perhaps be able to visit the city while we%26#39;re there. Thanks again

Maybe somewhere on the North Shore like Newburyport or Rockport? It%26#39;s really nice around there in its own right, you would have train access into Boston and could drive up the coast into New Hampshire and Maine. It might still be warm enough to go to the beach, too.

Think about breaking up the 10 days to different areas. The days you spend in Boston or Cambridge you do not need a car. The Cape is very nice in September and you will be able to get decent rates.

Newport Rhode Island is another place to think about spending a few nights. You don%26#39;t need to stay right in Newport. Look into places in Portsmouth and Bristol for good rates.

I like the girls suggestions. Staying 2 or 3 nights in different areas would be the best. I realize it would mean packing/unpacking your luggage more than you might want, but it would also allow you to enjoy the different areas much better without dealing with traffic. Starting or ending your stay in Boston or Cambridge would be the key. This way you won%26#39;t need the rental car and could totally cut out the parking fees. The Cape Ann area north of Boston would be nice to spend a couple of nights. As mentioned, Rockport or Newburyport are both nice. They would allow you to do daytrips up into New Hampshire and Maine. The Newport, Rhode Island area is another beautiful place to check out in the Fall. There%26#39;s a fantastic bed and breakfast called Shamrock Farms in Portsmouth, R.I., about 10 minutes drive from Newport worth looking into. The innkeeper and his daughter are irish and have irish happy hours all the time. Spend a couple nights there and you still may have a couple nights to spend on Cape Cod. Just some ideas for you. I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll have lots of suggestions.

I like eileengs suggestion for Newport, Rhode Island. Exactly what I was thinking... And she is right that you can find more reasonable prices in neighboring towns for lodging. But if you go during the week there the prices are lower and the B%26amp;Bs have fewer min nights stay requirements in Newport. Plus in Sept the prices will be lower (but not by much as Newport is getting to be a year round place to visit).

I also like the suggestion to break up the 10 day trip a little. Just try to stay at least 2 nights in any one place to avoid changing lodging so much. The other suggestion to do the north shore (newburyport or Rockport) is a great one. You could then do day trips to southern Maine, Portsmouth NH.

Samantha--

Absolutely no need to change your plans.

Cambridge is a lovely place to base your trip, convenient both to the T for downtown sights and nightlife and to most major highways for outlying sights and day trips, as well as having many of its own excellent restaurants and things to do at night.

There are a number of very nice B%26amp;Bs in Cambridge that have private parking and are within a short walk to the T. Here are just a few to start. There are some nice, but less expensive ones as well, or some convenient apartment rentals. (pm me if interested)

http://www.acambridgehouse.com/

http://maryprentissinn.com/

http://www.cambridgeinns.com/irving/

http://www.cambridgeinns.com/harding/

Will007 looking at our cross postings... strange we think so much a like!

Thanks everyone. I%26#39;ll spend a few hours looking at the areas you have suggested and see what turns up.