Where can I take my parents in Boston?

Question

My parents are visiting for five days and I don't know what to do with them. They are in the 55-60 year old range. So far I have Boston Duck Tour, Newbury Street shopping, The Museum of Fine Arts, Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market, Boston Common... any other suggestions? Thanks.

Answer 1

Take them to a baseball game.

Answer 2

All of the above are good options. Go to the Public Garden (which is conveniently located between Newbury St. and Boston Common). It's beautiful no matter what season. And also Charles St. in Beacon Hill is neat for shopping (or at least window shopping). You could also walk all or part of the Freedom Trail, and see some of the sites along that - Old South Meeting House, Old State House, the churches and cemeteries, Old North Church, and/or Paul Revere House. The Old North Church and Paul Revere House are my favorites and are also both in the North End, which is also worth seeing in my opinion - at least for eating dinner. Just about all of the Italian restaurants around there are excellent, and I would absolutely say to go to Mike's Pastry. Actually, if you do nothing else, absolutely go to Mike's Pastry. That's the first thing my parents want to do when they visit me in Boston, haha. And they won't let me visit them without bringing cannoli or ricotta pie from there ;)

If you're visiting the MFA and want to go to another art museum as well, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is also right near there - it's definitely interesting.

If you're into baseball you could try getting tickets to Fenway if the Red Sox are in town but it might be difficult to get tickets, and will definitely be expensive unfortunately.

Also you could visit Harvard Square and Harvard Yard. Always fun. It's too bad the chain stores have somewhat taken over Harvard Square but it's still a lively shopping district and there are good restaurants there as well. And the Harvard owned museums there are also interesting and rather under-appreciated.

Answer 3

Definitely head to the North End to Dine at some point. There are also some great gourmet stores in that area as well.

There is the new ICA Museam on the waterfront - modern art. Parts of it are literally over the harbor w/glass floors to see below. That puts you close to the Barking Crab for dining option as well.

If it's a nice day, you can take them to the top of the Prudential for a birds eye view of the city.

It might be tough to score tix to a Sox game, but it could be fun to take them over to that area on a game day. It's typically a fun, carnival atmosphere over there. Head into one of the local pubs to catch a few innings w/some fervant fans.

If they like more refined options, check out the afternoon Tea at either the Bristol (Four Season Hotel) or at Novel (the new restaurant at the Boston Public Library in Copley Sq.

Answer 4

I agree you have been given great suggestions. I'll get to my thought, that wasn't mentioned in a sec. But in town the other one's I add are The Museum of Science, and possibly the Aquarium. Since you said MFA, if they are into art you might want to check out the Fogg at Harvard while doing Harvard Sq. They have some amazingly stunning paintings, some quite well known, and it's generally much less crowded and a pleasant environment. If they enjoy chinese food, Dim sum in Chinatown is always a lot of fun, especially if this is something they don't usually have access to (and you feel like you are in another country if you go to the right places!). Wish you said some of what they enjoy doing. I think that's more important to recommendations than their age lol.

Now, my question is will they have or might you be able to rent or borrow a car for a day or so? There are SO many lovely towns to poke around that are an easy drive from Boston. And if they are coming in the couple weeks the weather is supposed to be getting more glorious each day (thank goodness FINALLY!!!).

The ones I'd consider are;
Plymouth-about 45 min from Boston, lovely view of the water, easy parking, easy town to poke around. New store area that is charming. Some great restaurants that would charge double in town. Plimouth Plantation is actually quite fascinating, and it's always fun to drive by Plymouth Rock as long as you realize it's more like a pebble now. Nice view of the Mayflower reproduction too (never went on it but pretty to look at lol).

Rockport--about the same amount of time in the opposite direction. Charming waterfront town with lovely view of the waterfront, fun artsy stores, a couple notable restaurants finally. And to me sitting out back on the deck of the studel shop is a joy.

Salem-- closest to Boston--probably a little less than half an hour to get there. Another fun town as long as you don't do more than one witch museum IMHO lol. But The House of Seven Gables is one of the most interesting house museums I've ever been to, the hidden garden out back a delight, and again more fun waterfront area to poke around on.

If your folks are game, the commuter rail runs to both Rockport and Salem, so even if you don't have a car you might consider them.

But if you can, it might be nice to do something for one day in addition to Boston. Either way I'm sure they'll have a blast. And give them some time to sit, relax and do nothing too...I got tired reading all of this lolol

Answer 5

Generally, you've pretty much got everything covered in such a short amount of time.

Other places I might suggest:

Boston Public Library
Copley Plaza
Science Museum
Harvard Square (Cambridge)
Downtown Crossing
Brookline's Coolidge Corner (Will kill a couple hours and it's off the Green line)
Cambridge Galleria (Cambridge)

Answer 6

Boston have many interesting sites and places to see. One of my favorite to go is down to the North End. They are lots of good ole Itilian food and a historical church and the freedom trail down there. Harvard Square is also a nice place to see. It depends on what your parents like.

Answer 7

A game at Fenway, Bunker Hill, maybe take a drive to the Cape or up to NH, to the mountains or something, the aquarium, Harvard.

Answer 8

Harbor cruises are fun, day or night.
A visit to the Aquarium is nice too.