Boston Area

[bukhrn]

I tried to piggy back this question on another thread, so I'll start a new one.
How many days to see the History stuff around Boston, you know, Concord/Lexington, Paul Revere house, Freedom Trail, that kind of stuff. I know you could probably spend a month there, but can most/all of the history stuff be done in 4-5 days? :?

[Crowe]

Are there any surface parking lots in or around the Boston historic area - no garages - one that I could park a Class B in safely for the day? Or adjacent to the "T"?

Most of the "T" parking areas are garages. How tall is the B? No open parking left in the city-when they took the El train structure down they turned it all into greenway. Looks lovely but took away a lot of parking. However, there is at least one, if not two, garages that have oversized parking areas. Google "Boston Parking Garages" and it will come up with a list of them. Parking heights might be listed but they are manned most of the time so you can call and ask. The other option is parking in the oversized area at Logan, but then you'd have to get into the tourist area. Easily done by cab.

On edit: There's a place called "Hilton's Tent City" over near North Station and the old Boston Garden. There used to be open lots over there. Call Hilton's and ask if they are still there. You are a bit outside the area where you want to be, but again, you should be able to take a taxi. No guarantee of availability in any of the areas but at least you know where to look.

[buta4]

1775 wrote:
Are there any surface parking lots in or around the Boston historic area - no garages - one that I could park a Class B in safely for the day? Or adjacent to the "T"?

There are (used to be?) several large open parking lots with attendants, along the waterfront off of Summer Street going towards South Boston. With all of the new construction though, I don't know how many of the lots are still there.

As an aside that may not apply to you in particular but others may be interested, cars with Handicapped Plates or windshield Placards can park in any legal parking space on the street at NO charge. FREE parking, Mass. State law. I do it all the time when I find a metered spot.

[buta4]

1775 wrote:
Are there any surface parking lots in or around the Boston historic area - no garages - one that I could park a Class B in safely for the day? Or adjacent to the "T"?

There are (used to be?) several large open parking lots with attendants, along the waterfront off of Summer Street going towards South Boston. With all of the new construction though, I don't know how many of those lots are still there.

[1775]

Are there any surface parking lots in or around the Boston historic area - no garages - one that I could park a Class B in safely for the day? Or adjacent to the "T"?

[jdphillips73]

we camped outside of boston in a state park... cant remember the name...google... but it was nice.

I also drove in boston on 2 separate occasions. Boston roads are not based on the "grid system" they are windy, curvy, turns, etc... just to stay on the same road. I missed a few turns, but managed without incident... except for parking outside of "Cheers" and got a ticket. I wrote the city of Boston and they dismissed it.

I am a Doctoral Student at the University of Boston... Highlights for me when im in Boston are visiting- Harvard University, Freedom trail, Cheers, Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, MIT, etc...

you can get anywhere on the "T" Good luck!

[Crowe]

The rule for driving in Boston is "One hand on the wheel, one hand on the horn".

That's now for the "amateur" ranking. It's one KNEE on wheel, one hand out the window giving the American salute, and the other hand clutching the Starbucks so as not to spill. :B

[noe-place]

We've been to Boston a number of times, stay at Minute Man CG and from there take the train into the city. We usually spend a week and can easily visit the points of interest in town during that time. Like Crowe says if you go to Lex/Concord you need a couple of extra days. Be prepared for a LOT of walking around Boston as there are so many places worth seeing but some are several blocks apart.

[Jim_Shoe]

The rule for driving in Boston is "One hand on the wheel, one hand on the horn".
Years ago, the Navy flew me into Logan Airport and I took a cab to my ship at South Annex. About 3 miles. I was a sobbing mass on the floor of the cab when I got there.
Take the subway.

[Crowe]

As a local, do NOT and I repeat do NOT drive the RV in the city. If you are nervous around traffic and craziness, do not drive the city at all. If you do stay at Normandy Farms you are not far from Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place. However, you are 45 minutes outside the city. Minuteman Campground is in Littleton, not Lexington, also about 45 minutes away. That's if there's no traffic, so keep this in mind when determining commute times. The T (public transit) is a good way to see the city and it is a very walkable city. In 5 days you can hit the highlights-will take at least 7-10 when you start adding Concord, Lexington and some of the other historical sites outside the city, mostly because of driving time.

Lexington/Concord - 1 day if you enjoy biking, you can go along the bikeway between the sites - Lexington Common to Concord Bridge

The bike path stops in Bedford-there isn't a maintained link to Concord. A trip to Minuteman National Historic Park is well worth the time, though.

[bobjogone]

Look into a T pass - allows you to get to the different sites around Boston. http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/passes/ - 7 day pass


Public Garden/ Boston Common - Freedom Trail starts near there at NPS Visitor Center

Lexington/Concord - 1 day if you enjoy biking, you can go along the bikeway between the sites - Lexington Common to Concord Bridge

[kknowlton]

I don't know if I'd say "most all" could be done in that amount of time, as the more you learn, the more you find there is to see & learn! However, I think a 5-day timeframe would allow you to hit the highlights with enough time to enjoy & absorb some of the things you learn there. Well worth it.

BTW, Boston is a tough town to drive in, and I would NOT do it in an RV. Camp outside the city (Normandy Farms in Foxboro is nice, and Minuteman CG near Lexington gets good reviews) and take the "T" (commuter rail) in. Tickets aren't expensive and you can get most anywhere in the city with them and a little walking. It's a great city to walk in!

[NMDoyle]

We did a five day trip to Boston a few years back. Not enough time! I would say at least 7 days. Don't miss Salem, neat tours available. We stayed at Normandy Farms, beautiful campground with nice staff!