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Post by refugeepea on Aug 22, 2024 3:20:10 GMT
I'll be there mid October. For sure, we will see the Rebecca Nurse homestead (Danvers). One of the people we are going with says a seance is a must and watching the Salem Witch play.  I know she's been to Boston a lot, but I haven't asked her about that area. I thought some local-ish peas may have some ideas.
I did a search and the I found one from seven years ago. I copied and pasted what I gleaned from the thread. Any more suggestions? It seems there is a dispute for the best bakery!
BOSTON
-Turner’s Seafood on Church Street
-afternoon tea at The Langham Hotel yesterday
-Lousia May Alcott's house
-The Chart House
-Sea Level Oyster Bar on Derby Wharf (less fancy than Turner's)
-Maria's Pastry is the best in the North End
The Freedom Trail
Hammond Castle in Gloucester
Isabella Stewart Gardner museum
-My favorite bakery is in the seaport-it's called Flour (they have 2 or 3 locations around boston, I believe)it beats Mike's pastry any day
-The Union Oyster House has amazing chowder and corn bread
Cheers is still open in Faneiul Hall
-Neptune's Oyster House in the North End, getting in line early (10:30am ish)
Fenway tour
SALEM
A&J in Salem
ETA: I love the idea of seeing Louisa May Alcott's house and I want to know where I can eat the very best clam chowder if it doesn't kill the budget. I'm kind of freaking out at the hotel options. I did read that Cheers isn't worth going to, because it moved.
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Post by quinlove on Aug 22, 2024 4:02:45 GMT
The Union Oyster House has delicious clam chowder. And, I don’t particularly even care for it. But my son insisted that I try it. It’s really really good. See if you can sit in President Kennedy’s favorite booth.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,773 
Location: So. Calif.
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Post by garcia5050 on Aug 22, 2024 4:18:44 GMT
I’m following this thread!! I just found out today that I’ll be there in mid-November!!
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Post by malibou on Aug 22, 2024 5:42:16 GMT
Salem is super busy by mid October. Parking will be a problem.
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 22, 2024 6:54:57 GMT
The Louisa May Alcott house is in Concord, which is a very cute little suburb/town that also contains Walden Pond, which you can walk around. The JFK library is cool, if you are interested in that. I usually end up parking (if I am driving) in the giant garage under Boston Common and using it as a home base to walk around the common/garden, the granary (the old cemetary), commonwealth avenue, and beacon hill. I often do take the freedom tour (there are two legs of it). DH likes Quincy Market, so we usually go there, but I kinda hate it. It is also pretty to walk around Harvard (and the unaffiliated Harvard Bookstore is one of my very favorite bookstores), but parking over there is an issue. I usually take the T from wherever I am staying. If you are a crafter, Gather Here in nearvy Inman Square is a great store, and there are some good Portuguese restaurants right there. I am not up on the food scene at this point! It has been years since I lived there  . |
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Post by heckofagal on Aug 22, 2024 13:33:41 GMT
I wanted to take me daughters to Salem but I guess we will have to try for next October. I've heard parking is a big problem, I was wondering what it's like to get an Uber. Anybody know?
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Post by MorellisCupcake on Aug 22, 2024 14:08:38 GMT
My daughter lives in Boston - she’s less than a block from the Common so when we visited in May we walked everywhere. It was a straight shot down Tremont Street to Faneuil Hall and during that we walked past the Granary Burying Ground where Paul Revere etc are buried, etc. it’s a fabulous city to walk around.
Salem - we went in May. We took the ferry across and the train back, but once you’re in Salem you can walk around, no Uber needed. DD went once in October and vowed never again - the crowds are insane.
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Post by KelleeM on Aug 22, 2024 14:24:40 GMT
Another somewhat local who won’t go to Salem in October. I once had to take a sick kid to a doctor in Salem on an October afternoon and I was so angry with the traffic!! That was over 25 years ago and it’s even worse now!
Turner’s in Salem has good food and a nice atmosphere. Pickering Wharf is nice to walk around and check out the shops.
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Post by birukitty on Aug 22, 2024 15:41:38 GMT
The house of Seven Gables is in Salem if that might be of interest to you. I visited my long time friend who lives in Boston several years ago and she and her husband took me sightseeing for several days. We visited both the Louise Alcott house and this house.
We went to lots of different places but these two I remember very well.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,803
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 22, 2024 19:45:00 GMT
Turners and sea level are both very good. Sea level is sctually on the water.
The Peabody Essex museum in Salem is great. They have the coolest collection of Asian export items which fits in with Salems history of clipper ships traveling to Asia.
I used to live in Salem — it’s a great town for walking around. Another warning about weekends in October. There’s no place to park your car so take the train.
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Post by Linda on Aug 22, 2024 19:52:08 GMT
October isn't the best month for Salem especially if you're more into history than Halloween
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Post by karenlou on Aug 22, 2024 20:04:38 GMT
I live in Peabody and work in Salem....It is a s__t show in October, although if you take the train or ferry from Boston it is worth the experience!!!
Finn's on Pickering Wharf is a great place for lunch/dinner. Right on the water and reasonable prices. Ledger's is also good...although pricey....you get what you pay for.
All the must see places...including the "people" are walking distance from the train or ferry
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Post by Karene on Aug 22, 2024 20:18:09 GMT
The House of the Seven Gables is interesting. We stayed at a B&B almost right across from it that was very nice. Morning Glory B&B. It was walking distance to the ferry from Boston.
We liked the Witch House which used to belong to one of the judges from the Salem trials and is now a museum. We were just in Salem 3 weeks ago. We did go to the Peabody Museum but my husband was disappointed.
He went to see the original transcripts of the witch trials but they don't have them there anymore, just copies on the wall that were enlarged and plaqued. It cost $25 to get in.
This year and last year we stayed two weeks in Rockport. I love this town. The houses are gorgeous and very well kept. Most are quite old. We went in to Gloucester for whale watching trips. The Blue Collar Lobster Co is a great place it eat on the Gloucester harbourfront.
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Aug 22, 2024 21:06:41 GMT
I live here.... Great recommendations- especially Salem sucks in October. There- I said it Mike's pastry- don't know what Maria's is.. assuming typo? Also, the feud is Mike's/Modern. I'm firmly on the side of Mike's. Also, you can't go wrong with food in the North End. It's just the best Italian- anywhere. I fully recommend Giacomo's. Pay attention to the hours though (there will be a line) and it's cash only. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Good. Also, recommend Limoncello. Bigger menu than Giacomo's.. Takes reservations, and the food is stellar. I'd still go to Giacomo's though! Don't pay for the Paul Revere house. Meh. Do the Freedom Trail if you have time/mobility/weather. It's a great way to see alot. Union Oyster House is pretty cool. Overpriced for sure... but you can see Kennedy's booth (if you watch as you go upstairs...) I don't love their food. It's alright, but it is in the middle of alot of history, and has alot of history of it's own. Louisa May Alcott house is really good (Orchard House) and if you make the drive to Concord, and have time/mobility/weather, the Battle Road Trail is really great. Alot of historic sights alot of people don't think about- but are very very historic. Paul Revere capture site, etc.... Super nice. They are doing some trail maintenance, so there are sections closed, but hopefully will be done by Oct. I just went to Hammond Castle about a month ago, and went to the Isabella Steward Gardner House a couple years ago. Gloucester is quite a bit off the beaten path (I totally recommend it during whale watch season- the whales and basking sharks are crushing it right now!! This is an excellent year for it!) and if you don't go to Salem, I say go to the ISG and call it done. They are both pretty unique. ISG has alot of very very interesting art and a really cool story. ALOT of it. The Hammond House has art as well... but it is the story and the architecture that make it good. Flour--- definitely recommend it over Tatte (and Tatte isn't a slouch!).... The deserts are super good. The food, coffee and drinks are good too! But--- it is NOT in any way a comparison to Mike's. Mike's is a bakery. Flour is a coffee shop with yummy pastries. Fenway is super cool. See if you can catch a Sox game. Tickets are cheap enough that even if you don't want to spend a bunch of time at a game, access to (what used to be) Yawkey Way, the stadium and the vibe are worth it. Newbury St is a great place to spend money or window shop. I love parking at the Common, going through the Gardens, taking people to see Cheers (BIG EYEROLL! But some people just HAVE to do it when they come here.) Go to Trinity, and some of the other church's, Freedom Trail/Faneuil Hall and all that good stuff from there. If you happen to be here when there is a reenactment of the trial and Boston Massacre at the Old State House. Very interesting! Also, no one mentioned yet the Seaport. The Seaport is a great spot to walk around and take in the current vibe of Boston. Also, between the Seaport and the North End (back to time/mobility/weather) is the Financial District. Lots of great restaurants (way better than the touristy crap like the Union Oyster House. Seafood abounds! Lastly... If you have a car... I can't say enough.... if you hit the RIGHT weekend in October (there are usually 2) you can drive up to Maine, NH or Vermont (pick your poison based on the year) and have a glorious road trip. We have apple picking galore, smore's, cider, craft beers, wines, cheeses, crafts...-- omg I can just smell fall right nowwwwwww!!) Take a day trip- you won't regret it! But Salem? Nah. |
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Aug 22, 2024 21:16:26 GMT
OP... Oh?? Cheers moved? It's been in the same spot for the 12 years that I know about lol It was still in it's "spot" off the Common this summer. Speaking of the Common.. Walking around Beacon St shows some of the most expensive homes in Boston (and given how much stuff costs around here.. that's saying something!) Edited to add: Acorn St is also right off the Common. Most photographed street in Boston. Cobblestones and brownstones.. It's gorgeous in the fall, and actually not super busy.. Also, I forgot to mention the Museum of Fine Arts, the Contemporary Art Museum (Seaport) and the controversial Embrace sculpture (MLK.) So much to see and do here. Also edited to add: Alot of the Universities and pharma companies in Boston/Cambridge have exhibits and learning opportunities. Don't count them out And.... the MBTA ("the T") gets a lot of crap. But it's pretty easy to use, and cheap. Parking is super expensive, so not moving your car (or not having one) is goals. |
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Post by peano on Aug 23, 2024 1:29:45 GMT
We've done tea at the Langham Hotel, but I also really enjoyed afternoon tea at the Courtyard Tea Room at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. Reserve ASAP.
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Post by refugeepea on Aug 23, 2024 18:17:38 GMT
I used to live in Salem — it’s a great town for walking around. Another warning about weekends in October. There’s no place to park your car so take the train. Is there a way to get to Danver if you take the train from Boston to Salem? I'm related to Rebecca Nurse and really want to see her homestead. I am clueless about public transportation. Fortunately, my husband's cousin will be with us and she's been there multiple times.
October isn't the best month for Salem especially if you're more into history than Halloween I'm definitely into Halloween! It will be October 9-13. I am into history, so hoping to get more of that in Boston. It seems like there's a lot of fun Halloween stuff on Essex street.
ETA: Sorry for not responding sooner to this thread. It's been a little crazy the last couple of days.
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Post by refugeepea on Aug 23, 2024 18:21:11 GMT
We have talked about a road trip as well, but I'm starting to wonder if we can fit that in there.  |
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Post by Linda on Aug 23, 2024 18:27:18 GMT
I'm related to Rebecca Nurse and really want to see her homestead check the days/hours - it was closed the day we were in Salem DH is related to Rebecca Nurse (and a half dozen other victims of the witch trials) - I recommend Proctor's Ledge - there's a small but nice memorial there www.atlasobscura.com/places/proctors-ledge |
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Post by refugeepea on Aug 23, 2024 18:32:40 GMT
check the days/hours - it was closed the day we were in Salem It is open Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. |
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Aug 23, 2024 19:00:43 GMT
I used to live in Salem — it’s a great town for walking around. Another warning about weekends in October. There’s no place to park your car so take the train. Is there a way to get to Danver if you take the train from Boston to Salem? I'm related to Rebecca Nurse and really want to see her homestead. I am clueless about public transportation. Fortunately, my husband's cousin will be with us and she's been there multiple times.
October isn't the best month for Salem especially if you're more into history than Halloween I'm definitely into Halloween! It will be October 9-13. I am into history, so hoping to get more of that in Boston. It seems like there's a lot of fun Halloween stuff on Essex street.
ETA: Sorry for not responding sooner to this thread. It's been a little crazy the last couple of days.
You can take a ferry from Boston to Salem, then Uber to Danvers. May not be cheap though. I have no idea about the Rebecca Nurse homestead.... The train also goes into Beverly... Honestly, I'm gonna recommend renting a car because it's alot of transfers and timing. A car is a headache, especially parking it in Salem but it seems like a better way to see what you want to see. Danvers is an actual city. It isn't a touristy place, and I have no idea how that would work with your sight seeing... That said, I'd definitely recommend checking the local media for parking restrictions etc.. in Salem in Oct. Last time I went, we were able to park ($$$ and patience, and walking) but the last couple times my son went in Oct, he took a shuttle because a lot of parking was shut down as a crowd control measure. |
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Post by refugeepea on Aug 23, 2024 19:27:39 GMT
You can take a ferry from Boston to Salem, then Uber to Danvers. May not be cheap though. I have no idea about the Rebecca Nurse homestead.... The train also goes into Beverly... From what I understand, it's about 5 miles from Danver to Salem. Uber is another thing I need to learn about; the pricing. |
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Post by caspad on Aug 23, 2024 22:34:45 GMT
Maria's Pastry in the North End closed a few years ago.. Mike's and Modern Pastry are both terrific in the North End. Locals very much favor one or the other. Honestly, I like them both. I get a florentine cannolli with chocolate chips at Mike's and a chocolate dipped with pistachios at Modern. Definitely try Flour if you are near one. The savory items are just as good as the sweets. It's a totally different type of bakery than the Italian bakeries of the North End. The original Cheers location is still open in Beacon Hill. If you are over that way, pop by to take a photo of the exterior and peek inside. The Cheers in Faneuil Hall closed. A cup of chowder will probably be one of the more economical dishes you can order in Boston so you could try several places and find your favorite. (And report back and let us know!) If you are in Beacon Hill, I like The Parish Cafe for good food and reasonable prices. They serve Jasper White's chowder recipe which is excellent. Like FuzzyMutt said, The Union Oyster House is fine but it's not the best ever. This Eater Boston article has a great list of places to try for chowder. Saltie Girl, Legal Seafood, The Barking Crab, Ned Devine's are all fun places to check out. If you go to Louisa May Alcott's house, try to plan a stop to Walden Pond. It will be beautiful in October. Nashoba Brook Bakery is a good spot for lunch and treats. For more colonial New England, the Colonial Inn is a classic. Also stop at a farm stand on Route 2 for a cider donut! My favorite thing about autumn in New England. The ferry to Salem is supposed to be great and then you won't have to deal with the traffic and parking. October in Salem is crazy. Maybe if you go on a week day it won't be so crowded? Honestly, I'd suggest a few days in Boston using the T and walking to get around and then rent a car to travel to Concord and Salem/Danvers with an overnight in the suburbs between those two spots. The hotels might be less expensive and you'll get to see more on your own schedule. |
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Aug 24, 2024 2:38:11 GMT
You can take a ferry from Boston to Salem, then Uber to Danvers. May not be cheap though. I have no idea about the Rebecca Nurse homestead.... The train also goes into Beverly... From what I understand, it's about 5 miles from Danver to Salem. Uber is another thing I need to learn about; the pricing. Well that’s good news- then my ferry from Boston then Uber may work for you. Just please realize the crowds are insane in Salem in October. Also, in Massachusetts at certain times of the day.. it can literally take me 30-45 minutes or more to drive 5 miles lol. Not sure where you’re from- but our traffic is way more terrifying than anything in Salem today lol Just be aware of Uber availability, and surge pricing etc. Just a little worried about you. |
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 5, 2024 1:54:30 GMT
Well that’s good news- then my ferry from Boston then Uber may work for you. Just please realize the crowds are insane in Salem in October. Also, in Massachusetts at certain times of the day.. it can literally take me 30-45 minutes or more to drive 5 miles lol. Not sure where you’re from- but our traffic is way more terrifying than anything in Salem today lol Just be aware of Uber availability, and surge pricing etc. Just a little worried about you. I did not think about surge pricing. I've never used Uber. I do live in a very different area; but I know it does take forever to get places in Salem and Boston. |
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Post by scrappintoee on Nov 1, 2024 3:41:54 GMT
refugeepea....Did you have fun on your trip? This thread is SO interesting; and prompted me to watch some youtubes and google a few topics.
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I know she's been to Boston a lot, but I haven't asked her about that area. I thought some local-ish peas may have some ideas.
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