Trip report 5/16 -5/22

I just returned from Boston and had a wonderful time. It is a beautiful, pedestrian friendly city. We stayed at the Westin in Copley Square and it is wonderfully situated and had a beautiful room with views of the Charles River out one window and down toward Prudential Tower out the other. I loved the covered walkways connecting Copley, Prudential Center and Tower and the convention center.

We did the Freedom Trail (I would’ve liked to have gone a little more in depth there, especially in the North End and Faneuil Hall area, but didn’t get to), USS Constitution, Duck Tour, Boston Public Gardens, the Top of the Hub for a cocktail, and a couple of side trips. I loved the pond in the Garden, especially since there were actual baby ducklings with a real Mr. and Mrs. Mallard! In hindsight I wish I had done the Trolley Tour instead of the Duck Tour. We had already covered the area around the garden, Boston Common, Newbury, etc. on Sunday and would’ve liked the option of hopping on and off. Because it was cold, the people in front of me zipped the window, so I had a difficult time getting pictures. The one I started on broke down, so we had to change and maybe we didn’t get to see everything. I had a seat in the back where I could see, but the new duck was made different.

We took a side trip up through New Hampshire and as far North as Kennebunkport. Unfortunately, it was raining while we were in Ogunquit and we didn’t get to do the walk along the coast. I loved the drive, actually better than the beaches up there. The actual beaches were dark, nothing like what I saw along the outer Cape or what you see in the Caribbean. In Texas we have lots of flat plains and the rolling hills and trees were lovely! The river right before you go into NH with the island off to the east was beautiful – as was the bridge we crossed. I wasn’t crazy about Gloucester, or Wells, but thought Newburyport, York, and the Kennebunks were beautiful. We also drove down to Cape Cod to the beautiful National Seashore. I was disappointed in that drive, though, because you really don’t see a lot of the beach from the roads. The beach was all but deserted with beautiful almost white sand and huge sand dunes. I even stuck a toe in, but it was a cool day and the ocean was freezing! One day I took a whale watch and saw many whales, including 2 mamas and their babies. What a treat! I got to see one’s barnacled head and lots of “tails”. I wanted a shot of those 2 things, but by the time my digital would click, I’d end up with the body or lots of water! I am not the photographer in my family and my husband was in meetings.

I had lots of good clam chowder. We tried lobster rolls and fried clams and they weren’t my favorite, but worth a try. We enjoyed Legal Seafoods, Atlantic Fish, Summer Shack, Pour’s (Pub maybe?), and Giacomos. I liked Summer Shack’s clam chowder best and loved their crab club sandwich. I though Atlantic Fish’s lobster pot pie was divine! Pour’s has good chowder and is much more affordable than anything else around Copley. Giacomos was wonderful and very reasonable, as well. We popped into Modern Pastry and oh my gosh, their chocolate coated ricotta cannoli was heaven! My hubby liked the vanilla custard one. I didn’t have a bad meal anywhere!

I loved the old buildings, homes, churches, Longfellow Bridge, and the history in general. We don’t have anything that old in TX.

The weather was quite chilly, except last Sunday, which was a gorgeous spring day. I wished for my gloves on the whale watch and duck tour and also was quite cool anywhere along the coast. Of course, when I arrived home to TX, it was mid 90s and super humid!

I felt very safe walking and riding the subway alone. Transportation was so easy and you don’t need a car unless you are planning to take side trips. In fact, driving is a bit confusing, especially when you have to take the U-turn back to downtown Boston. There was a game at Fenway one day when I was on the T and it was PACKED! I got a little claustrophobic! Luckily I got on at North Station or I wouldn’t have been able to get on. I got a great shot of Fenway packed for the game last Sunday from the Top of the Hub.

Thank you to all you locals who helped me plan my trip. You were very patient with my questions. Now my husband is ready to go on vacation and just sit. No driving! You have a beautiful city and I enjoyed my stay there.

Trip report 5/16 -5/22

Thanks for the report. Don%26#39;t be shy about offering your opinions on what to see in the Boston area, and where to eat - you probably know the various seafood restaurants better than the local experts who hang out in this forum!.

I would love to read more detail and in particular would really enjoy hearing what your impressions were of Newburyport.

Trip report 5/16 -5/22

THANK YOU so much backtotheislands for your trip report. I%26#39;m anxiously counting the days until my own Boston trip so it was a real pleasure to read about your%26#39;s. If I remember correctly you are headed back to school now. Good luck with your last few days. As you know, they can be the most hectic! :D Thanks again for the report. I wish more people would take the time to write them.

It looks like you decided to do 2 side trips,

Now I have a few questions for you...

Which is more scenic:

Lower coast of Maine or Cape Cod?

Which way would you advise for a 1 day only trip???

Thanks for the trip report :)

Remay,

Even though both were pretty, for me, I think the more scenic drive is North. Enjoyed driving through all the little towns along the coast on 1A, however, I did love looking at the beach. You just can%26#39;t see it as you drive along and it was certainly too cold even just to sit out there long. My hubby definitely enjoyed the sand and beach at Cape Cod. Thanks for steering me correctly!

Teacher,

Take some good walking shoes. I didn%26#39;t want to wear my tennies and thought I had on good, comfy walking shoes, but a few hours and a couple of blisters later, I realized I was wrong. That is 1 reason for wishing for the trolley! :)

Thomas,

We just did a quick drive through in Newburyport, but the homes were fabulous! I just thought it was a beautiful old town. I wouldn%26#39;t want to live up there, though . . . my blood is just too thin! I like our milder winters! A lot of our winter is like it was in Boston this past week. I know, I%26#39;m a wuss!

I wonder if it will be as cold when I get there on June 5th as it was when you were there? If so I don%26#39;t think I need to waste any suitcase space on shorts.

Thanks for the tip about wearing my tennis shoes. They are not as cute as say a pair of Yellow Box, but I guess in the long run comfort trumps fashion!!

BTTI - thanks for taking the time to write! It was a great trip report.

Teacher - just keep an eye on the weather - it could actually be hot when you get here in June. Altho, it could also be cold ;o) you just never know! BTW - We were in San Antonio last year in November and I was FREEZING, I had to go out and buy long pants and a jacket.

thomas....http://www.newburyport01950.com/

born and raised here in the metropolis of Newburyport. plenty of shops and good restaurants. nice boardwalk along the river.

Thank you thank you thank you! For visiting and then taking the time to write a trip report. You certainly accomplished a lot.

Do you recall what the difference was on the new duck you had to transfer to? Which whale watching company did you use and would you recommend? It sure is hard to predict our weather. It has been feeling more like fall lately although they predict 80 degreees for Monday.

Kendrick, I will definitely do a ';weather check'; before packing for our trip.

Freezing in San Antonio is not the norm. However, in Texas we always say, ';If you don%26#39;t like the weather, wait and it will change!'; So, if you%26#39;d waited a day or two, you might have been wearing shorts! Ha!

MrSki, I%26#39;m typing this in my living room in Newburyport. :-) I was just curious what a Texan would think of Joppa Town.