Going to Boston, MA today for 1st time

[azasadny]

I'm going to Boston today for a few days to attend a conference at the Hilton Back Bay. This is the 1st time I've been to Boston and I'm looking forward to some lobster and crab meals. I won't be there long enough to do much sight-seeing, but hopefully I'll get to walk around downtown a little after the conference finishes up on Wed and Thurs. Flying back Thursday PM and taking a vacation day on Friday.

[widebody911]

I just went a couple weeks ago - stayed at the exact same hotel, even.

[azasadny]

Did you find any good restaurants there? I'm sure there are many...

[azasadny]

Getting ready to head to the airport...Lobsters and crabs look out!!!

[Hugh R]

When you get there, go to the Union Oyster House for at least one meal. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is cool as well.

[RWebb]

Combat Zone

[Tishabet]

You will be about 15 minutes walk from two of the best seafood restaurants in Boston.
B&G oysters at 550 Tremont street. Have the lobster BLT here, $28
Island Creek oysters at the hotel commonwealth, 500 commonwealth ave. Have the oyster sliders ($4) and the lobster roll here($19).

[Neilk]

If you are flying out on AA out of Logan, you can eat at Legal Seafoods at the airport. One last shot at a good meal you can expense.

Check out Tom's post last week. Lot's of good suggestions.

[jluetjen]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Combat Zone

Randy; When were you last in Boston? The "Combat Zone" has shrunk to a mere shadow of it's former self. It was down to just 1 or 2 theaters and a similar number of adult item stores scattered over a few blocks. If put it in the same place it would hardly take up a block. It's a very different place now from when my employer (Teradyne) was located a couple of blocks down Washington street 15-20 years ago.

[Monza_dh]

Moon Villa...ask for the cold tea......

[azasadny]

Thanks for the good info, guys!!

[szyzygy]

Bull and Finch pub if it's still there and if you're a Cheers fan

[Noah930]

Lots of good restaurants within walking distance of your hotel in Boston. Legal Sea Food (a local chain) is solid, can't-go-wrong fare. There are a lot of good (though maybe not great) restaurants along Newbury Street. In the current snowy weather, you can take sky bridges between your hotel and the Copley and Prudential Center for shopping/getting around the neighboring few blocks.

If you get the chance and want Italian food, a cab ride over to the North End is worthwhile. It'll probably be a little farther than you're interested in walking. Some of the North End restaurants don't take credit cards, FWIW. (Just so you're not surprised/embarrassed when the check arrives.)

The Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace area is touristy, especially on weekends. Shops, restaurants, street performers, etc. Durgan Park and Kingfish Hall are two good restaurants in that area. Boston Chipyard has great chocolate chip cookies.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Combat Zone

Does the combat zone even exist anymore? I remember going there many times when I was in college. Those were the days. Boston is a great city, lots of pretty young women and great restaurants. Union Oyster House is top of the list. Have fun.

[Tishabet]

Quote de RWebb

Combat Zone

Does the combat zone even exist anymore? I remember going there many times when I was in college. Those were the days. Boston is a great city, lots of pretty young women and great restaurants. Union Oyster House is top of the list. Have fun.

Not really... Locals will know what area you are talking about, but I haven't heard the term used unironically in many years. Still not the best section of town late at night, but nothing to get freaked out about.

[azasadny]

Guys, Thanks for the good advice! We ate at the hotel last PM (seafood mac and cheese) and it was excellent. We went to Legal Sea Foods across the street from out hotel tonight and I had the famous "lobster roll", which was fantastic beyond words!! Busy schedule, but I'll try to get one more lobster roll at lunch before we leave tomorrow afternoon. Thanks again!!

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Guys, Thanks for the good advice! We ate at the hotel last PM (seafood mac and cheese) and it was excellent. We went to Legal Sea Foods across the street from out hotel tonight and I had the famous "lobster roll", which was fantastic beyond words!! Busy schedule, but I'll try to get one more lobster roll at lunch before we leave tomorrow afternoon. Thanks again!!

There's a Legals in Logan, too.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Does the combat zone even exist anymore?

Not really. 2 strip clubs, and maybe 2 dirty book stores. I used to work at Tufts, across the street. The neighborhood is still good for a fatal shooting/stabbing 'bout once per year, though.

[azasadny]

We stopped at the Legal Sea Food in the Boston airport (Logan) and had a fantastic lobster rool before we left. A nice guy we were talking to said there is one in the Philly airport, so when we had our layover, I stopped at the restaurant and got Beth a lobster roll and cole slaw to try. When we got home. Beth tried the lobster roll and loved it!

My bag was lost on both ends of the trip and I'm waiting for USAirways to deliver it to my house today. Nice flights, but why my bag got lost twice, I have no idea....

[jluetjen]

Not to be a wise-azz, but they lost your bag because you gave it to them. This isn't a knock on USAir either (I fly them all the time) but airlines can't lose your luggage if you don't give it to them -- and they are all known for losing luggage. When I fly domestic it's always with just a single roll-on carry-on bag. I do that international trips too, but it's a little more difficult since many of the overseas airlines have a silly 5 kg limit for carry-on bags.