Things to do in Boston/NYC

[pumbaugh]

Will be traveling to NYC and Boston for a week and am looking for things to do besides what is listed in all the touristy mags/articles. I have never been to either city and will be accompanied by my 13 yr old son. I have noticed several members from these areas and thought I would throw this topic out see if there any good ideas!

Thanks in advance,

Patrick

[slacker]

Easy, hit the Lego store at the Rock! :D Since you are in the area, go to the Chrystler building. Cheaper and less crowded than the Empire state building. The Intrepid is outstanding for boys and girls. I really enjoyed the natural history museum and Moma. You can go to central park. The high line park is also interesting walk. Time square is crazy packed with tourist. Take the Staten Island Ferry ride. It's free and you get a look at the statue of liberty. 30 minutes each way.

[atmail35]

Will you have a car in Boston and are you staying in the city or outside? That will help me give you some ideas if you need more info.

You can do a Duck Tour. http://www.bostonducktours.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) are good for walking around and shopping (no Lego Store though ;))

There is the Museum of Science (http://www.mos.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), New England Aquarium (http://www.neaq.org/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) which would be good on a rainy or very hot day.

You can try to check out a Red Sox game, but tickets can be hard to come by.

There are lots of good restaurants and shopping. Newbury Street is fun to walk around and window shop (very pricey shopping) and there are restaurants and a Ben and Jerry's for ice cream too.

Let me know if you have other specific questions.

[vynsane]

Easy, hit the Lego store at the Rock! :D Since you are in the area, go to the Chrystler building.

"Top of the Rock" would be even closer ;) and that way you get to see both the Chyrsler and Empire State buildings. Click on the panoramic image on this page for a preview.

[pumbaugh]

ok...an update, yes car will be available but prefer public transportation....mainly subway/rail. Will be attending Baseball games in both cities(part of my quest to see every ball park in the country, but thats a whole nother topic) staying near times square, nyc and near fenway in boston. Not a big fan of History stuff, but should I do this Freedom Trail thing I read about on every darn site in Boston? Seems like I should be obliged to do something historical while in Boston. Always wanted to kinda see Walden Pond....How far outside Boston is it? Any Henry David Thoreau related stuff left or worth visiting?

[atmail35]

ok...an update, yes car will be available but prefer public transportation....mainly subway/rail. Will be attending Baseball games in both cities(part of my quest to see every ball park in the country, but thats a whole nother topic) staying near times square, nyc and near fenway in boston. Not a big fan of History stuff, but should I do this Freedom Trail thing I read about on every darn site in Boston? Seems like I should be obliged to do something historical while in Boston. Always wanted to kinda see Walden Pond....How far outside Boston is it? Any Henry David Thoreau related stuff left or worth visiting?

Well if you ask me Fenway is a historical site ;)

Cornwalls Pub (http://www.cornwalls.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) in Kenmore Square is a great place to get a burger before/after the game. Although the food at Fenway has improved a lot over the years.

Walden Pond (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/walden/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) is probably a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Boston. I haven't been there in a really long time so I can't offer much info on it really.

How about Old North Church (http://www.oldnorth.com/history/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) for a historical aspect...you could take the subway (T) there. I think the Freedom Trail is overrated, it's basically a walking tour. (http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

You could go to the Boston Public Garden to see the Swan Boats. (http://www.swanboats.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Boston is a very walkable and/or "subway" accessible city. I don't recommend driving around within the City if you can avoid it. IMO, it's hard to navagate if you aren't familiar with the city.

What does your 13 year old like to do? That might help me suggest a few things that are less "touristy".

[atmail35]

Here's a list of free things to do in Boston. I haven't looked at them all but there might be something of interest to you in here:

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/ ... oinBoston/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mantisking]

The only thing I have to offer is this; if you like Chinese food, go to Chinatown. There are tons of great restaurants in the Chinatowns of NYC and Boston.