Visiting Boston

[Aneurysm]

Hi

I'll be flying over to Boston early October and just wanted to ask if anyone's got any recommendations on where to go and what to do there. It's going to be my first visit to the US and I am definitely looking forward to it. I am quite into photography and will be grateful if anyone's got any ideas on where I can get great scenics.

Hope this is the right place to post!

 

[Confuzius]

I've got a soft spot for the aquarium, other than that, head to the park; Boston Public Gardens. You can get some great pictures there, plus you can see the Make Way for Ducklings statues!

 

[Aneurysm]

OK will add that to the list of "to go" places.

Forgot to add that I am definitely going to Colonial Drugs as well!

 

[David in Boston]

While your in Harvard Square I would suggest getting a picture of yourself in front of Leavitt and Peirce the Tobacconist.

Old time Cigar store that also sells shaving supplies.

Leavitt and Peirce
1316 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

As for other suggestions you may want to consider is "Old Ironsides" the U.S.S. Constitution.

 

[raisindot]

Hi

I'll be flying over to Boston early October and just wanted to ask if anyone's got any recommendations on where to go and what to do there. It's going to be my first visit to the US and I am definitely looking forward to it. I am quite into photography and will be grateful if anyone's got any ideas on where I can get great scenics.

Hope this is the right place to post!

As a native Bostonian, I would say that for scenic photos, don't miss:

Copley Square, particularly the must-have shot of Trinity Church with the John Hancock building in the background (the Hancock in itself is a beautiful shot, particularly in mid to late afternoon on a sunny day)

Anywhere on the HarborWalk, but if you go to the plaza of the Institute of Contemporary Art you're in a near perfect place to get great photos of the Boston skyline. Even better if you can take a shuttle out to one of the near Harbor Islands.

The Esplanade -- Can't be a tourist without getting a shot of the bandstand where America's most famous 4th of July musical event occurs every year. From there you can also great shots of the Charles River.

Longfellow Bridge or Mass Ave bridge -- From the Longfellow you can get a great shot of the Charles and the Cambridge/MIT side of the river. From the Mass Ave bridge you can get a great shot Back Bay and the State House dome.

Observation deck, Prudential Tower -- The highest publicly accessible point in the city. Good if you like skyscraper shots.

The North End --Hanover Street or any of the side streets in Boston's Italian section are great for charming, old world shots. While there, get a shot of the Old North Church and Paul Revere's house for your tourist collection

Fenway Park -- If it's not a game day you might be able to take a tour of the historical home of the Red Sox tears and triumphs

The Greenway -- This is the now large open area starting around Summer Street and going all the way to the north end that used to be an oppressinge overhead highway called the southeast expressway until $14B of your tax money put it all underground in the Big Dig.

Jeff in Boston

 

[82R100]

The Greenway -- This is the now large open area starting around Summer Street and going all the way to the north end that used to be an oppressinge overhead highway called the southeast expressway until $14B of your tax money put it all underground in the Big Dig.

It wasn't his tax money.

- Chris

 

[raisindot]

It wasn't his tax money.

- Chris

Oh, that's right. We dumped all of his tax money into Boston Harbor in 1774.

 

[David in Boston]

Here you go.

 

[Aneurysm]

Wow ! makes me wanna smoke and shave (though not at the same time).

OK my list is getting longer.

Am also thinking of making a day trip out to Rockport for some nice photos.
Any places to recommend there?

 

[tsmba]

Do they still have "The Pewter Pot"?

 

[David in Boston]

Do they still have "The Pewter Pot"?

The "Pot" is still there but guess what replaced it.

 

[raisindot]

Wow ! makes me wanna smoke and shave (though not at the same time).

OK my list is getting longer.

Am also thinking of making a day trip out to Rockport for some nice photos.
Any places to recommend there?

Personally, I think Rockport is way overrated. I'd recommend taking a little longer drive down to the Cape. It'll be empty this time of year, and the photo ops are much better. Make your way to any of the beaches on the National Seashore in Eastham, Wellfleet or Truro (the Mass Audobon society preserve in Wellfleet is a great place for photo--forgot its name). Stop off in Provincetown for some real "atmopshere." On your way back, if you're into historical photographs, go to First Encounter Beach in Eastham, the place where the Mayflowerers first met with Native Americans before ending up in Plymouth. Everything went downhill from there (at least for the Native Americans).

In you insist on going north, I'd avoid Rockport altogether (it really is a glorified tourist trap) and instead head to Plum Island in Newburyport. It has a gorgeous nature preserve up there with miles of trails and beautiful, mostly unspoiled beaches. Amd by this time of year the dreaded greenflies should be gone.

Jeff in Boston

 

[Jake]

If you want beach views, Duxbury Beach is considered the best and most beautiful near Boston. And Crane Beach is number 2 on the North Shore, Horseneck Beach in Westport, ma in Southern Massachusetts.

 

[thirdeye]

You could always take a ride about 1-1/2 hours south and check out Gentlemen's Best in Southington, Ct. I hear it is an awesome men's grooming and wet shaving store not to mention the custom laser goodies....

 

[telcontar]

If you are going to Rockport, take the shore route. Route 127 starts in Beverly and winds its way through Manchester-by-the-Sea, Magnolia, Gloucester and ends in Rockport. Bearskin Neck is a trap but Halibut Point is very nice.
Ipswich has Castle Hill and Crane Beach.
Stay away from Salem.
For more info on the North Shore please contact me via back channels.

 

[Aneurysm]

Thanks guys for all the great recommendations. In the end I didn't get to go to rockport or out of Boston. The ACEP Conference I went for took 3.5 days and after that I've not much time left. But I did visit Colonial Drugs and Leavitt and Pierce, filled my luggage with Pinaud, Truefitt and Hill, etc. Since there's already a photo of good old Leavitt and Pierce I'd thought I'll complete it with a photo of Colonial Drugs.