Boston Sights and Sounds

[Dark Prince]

Hey everyone, to those of you living in the Boston area, what are some sights and sounds you can recommend? I'm taking a couple of extra days for the trip since I'm making a road trip out of it with my gf. We're looking to explore boston a bit.

Anything anyone can recommend? I'm doing some research myself as well to see what we can do. Any suggestions are appreciated!

[diablopath]

Hey everyone, to those of you living in the Boston area, what are some sights and sounds you can recommend? I'm taking a couple of extra days for the trip since I'm making a road trip out of it with my gf. We're looking to explore boston a bit.

Anything anyone can recommend? I'm doing some research myself as well to see what we can do. Any suggestions are appreciated!

The Freedom Trail!

[destoo]

Miskatonic University.

[jeffbax]

Off the top of my head

Food
-----
Hei La Moon Dim Sum (Chinatown)
North End (Italian)

Drinks
-------
Sam Adam's Brewery
Sunset Grill and Tap
Deep Ellum
The Publick House

Tourism
---------
Freedom Trail (takes a long time)
Fenway Park
The Boston Common
The Boston Public Garden
The Esplanade / Charles River area
Duck Tour (pretty funny, and you get to see where Leonard Nemoy grew up)
MIT / Harvard
New England Aquarium
Museum of Science
Prudential Center Observatory (see whole city really well)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Newbury St
TD Bank Garden (Bruins game)
Charles Hotel or Frog Pond (ice skating)

[Dark Prince]

Off the top of my head

Food
-----
Hei La Moon Dim Sum (Chinatown)
North End (Italian)

Drinks
-------
Sam Adam's Brewery
Sunset Grill and Tap
Deep Ellum
The Publick House

Tourism
---------
Freedom Trail (takes a long time)
Fenway Park
The Boston Common
The Boston Public Garden
The Esplanade / Charles River area
Duck Tour (pretty funny, and you get to see where Leonard Nemoy grew up)
MIT / Harvard
New England Aquarium
Museum of Science
Prudential Center Observatory (see whole city really well)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Newbury St
TD Bank Garden (Bruins game)
Charles Hotel or Frog Pond (ice skating)

Great ideas, will certainly be writing those down. Might have to take a ride to one of those drinks places. :p

The Freedom Trail was certainly on the top of the list for me too.Thanks!

[jeffbax]

Sams is a great tour, usually scoring you an experimental beer tasting or two.
Sunset has like 450 beers to choose from, about 50 I think on tap
Ellum and Publick both have awesome belgian beers to choose from on tap.

[PathMaster]

I have heard of a place with extremely hot wings. Nearly impossibly to eat for all but the bravest.

[jeffbax]

Great ideas, will certainly be writing those down. Might have to take a ride to one of those drinks places. :p

The Freedom Trail was certainly on the top of the list for me too.Thanks!

Oh, and as payment, I accept Flying Fish NJ Exit Series (http://www.exitseries.com/) beers as I am trying to collect the whole turnpike from afar ;)

Alternatively, anything NJ Devils related. Nothing I like than more antagonizing a haughty masshole :D

[Inverarity]

Plan to walk a lot. Pretty much everywhere you might want to go is reachable by subway and foot, and walking is by far the best way to get around town. Bring good shoes. Oh, and Boston and Cambridge are expensive places to eat, drink, and shop compared with much of the country...

As for attractions, I'm guessing that many people here will find the MIT Museum (http://web.mit.edu/museum/) fascinating.

The Museum of Fine Arts (http://mfa.org/) and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (http://www.gardnermuseum.org/) are more or less right next to each other. Both are world-class art museums; if you only have a short time, try the Gardner, which is smaller and more idiosyncratic.

For food, try Mr Bartley's (http://www.mrbartley.com/) in Harvard Square, The King and I (http://www.kingandi-boston.com/) on Beacon Hill, and the Elephant Walk (http://www.elephantwalk.com/) on Beacon St.

If you're looking for a really nice (and expensive) dinner out, I'd recommend Craigie on Main (http://www.craigieonmain.com/), L'Espalier (http://www.lespalier.com/), or O Ya (http://www.oyarestaurantboston.com/). O Ya is one of the most astonishing places I've ever eaten, but it's not for the timid of palate or pocketbook. <g>

If you have a car and can venture out of town a bit, there's lots more- including national parks (http://www.nps.gov/lowe/index.htm), mini kart racing (http://www.f1boston.com/), and the amazing Peabody Essex Museum (http://pem.org/).

Is there anything in particular you're looking to do?

[Voodoo]

Is there anything in particular you're looking to do?

Of particular interest to me is what is situated near to where PAX is being held. For instance, in Seattle there was this kick ass bar called the Tap House (http://www.taphousegrill.com/) within just a few blocks of PAX. Are there any kick ass bars near to where this PAX is being held? Yes, for me, after visiting PAX for a day a kick ass bar within reasonable walking distance is fairly high on the importance level. :D

Hell, just about all of the large CoG PAX meetings were held at the Tap House and it will most certainly be the place of choice this year.

Any suggestions?

[Inverarity]

There aren't many places in the immediate vicinity that I'd recommend, just because it's not the kind of neighborhood that has many hang-out-and-relax types of bars. There's the Pour House, right across Boylston St., but it's a more of a loud, boisterous zoo, especially on weekends.

What sort of radius are you looking for? A few blocks' walk? If you're willing to cross the river (a ten-minute subway or cab ride), I'd recommend Flat Top Johnny's, a pool bar in Kendall Square near MIT. It's got good drinks, pool, and pinball, and it's quite a bit less frantic and loud than the places you'll find near the Hynes. Off the top of my head, it's the best place I can think of as a CoG HQ, despite the moderate distance from PAX.

Any other New Englanders want to chime in here?

[Dark Prince]

There aren't many places in the immediate vicinity that I'd recommend, just because it's not the kind of neighborhood that has many hang-out-and-relax types of bars. There's the Pour House, right across Boylston St., but it's a more of a loud, boisterous zoo, especially on weekends.

What sort of radius are you looking for? A few blocks' walk? If you're willing to cross the river (a ten-minute subway or cab ride), I'd recommend Flat Top Johnny's, a pool bar in Kendall Square near MIT. It's got good drinks, pool, and pinball, and it's quite a bit less frantic and loud than the places you'll find near the Hynes. Off the top of my head, it's the best place I can think of as a CoG HQ, despite the moderate distance from PAX.

Any other New Englanders want to chime in here?

Since I'm making the drive, I'm looking for anything in a miles drive or so. Something like the Freedom Trail perhaps. Will definitely have to keep in mind on Flat Top Johnny's.

Any sort of museums or walking trails would be nice. Something not too expensive.

[Inverarity]

Any sort of museums or walking trails would be nice. Something not too expensive.
Well, there are plenty of good walks in the area - the Arnold Arboretum (http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/) is a great place to stroll, have a picnic, or just be a botany geek - but we're talking late March here, so the weather is not likely to be on your side. (Spring doesn't really get into gear here until late April.) Urban walks like the Freedom Trail, which is painted or set in red brick along the city's streets, are your best bet as far as 'trails' go.

Besides the big museums, there are small museums on just about every university campus. Harvard's got a ton (http://www.harvard.edu/museums/index.php), most of which are free.

[Dark Prince]

Plan to walk a lot. Pretty much everywhere you might want to go is reachable by subway and foot, and walking is by far the best way to get around town. Bring good shoes. Oh, and Boston and Cambridge are expensive places to eat, drink, and shop compared with much of the country...

As for attractions, I'm guessing that many people here will find the MIT Museum (http://web.mit.edu/museum/) fascinating.

The Museum of Fine Arts (http://mfa.org/) and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (http://www.gardnermuseum.org/) are more or less right next to each other. Both are world-class art museums; if you only have a short time, try the Gardner, which is smaller and more idiosyncratic.

For food, try Mr Bartley's (http://www.mrbartley.com/) in Harvard Square, The King and I (http://www.kingandi-boston.com/) on Beacon Hill, and the Elephant Walk (http://www.elephantwalk.com/) on Beacon St.

If you're looking for a really nice (and expensive) dinner out, I'd recommend Craigie on Main (http://www.craigieonmain.com/), L'Espalier (http://www.lespalier.com/), or O Ya (http://www.oyarestaurantboston.com/). O Ya is one of the most astonishing places I've ever eaten, but it's not for the timid of palate or pocketbook. <g>

If you have a car and can venture out of town a bit, there's lots more- including national parks (http://www.nps.gov/lowe/index.htm), mini kart racing (http://www.f1boston.com/), and the amazing Peabody Essex Museum (http://pem.org/).

Is there anything in particular you're looking to do?

Wow,. great suggestions here. I'm looking for something like historial walks like the Freedom Trail that was mentioned which I'll use for one day.

Is there any good night life out there? Mini Cart Racing sounds fun.

Btw, I was also wondering about weather conditions too, which I think someone mentioned before here I believe.

[jeffbax]

Elephant Walk is good, as is Fukagyu Sushi (also on Beacon)

Helmand is great Afghani.

Flat Top's is pretty relaxed and probably not hard to "take over", there's a dearth of places that aren't loud and obnoxious though, in my experience.

[jeffbax]

Weather depends when you're coming. It's super cold in the winter, and pretty hot in the summer.

[Dark Prince]

Weather depends when you're coming. It's super cold in the winter, and pretty hot in the summer.

Since we're going for PAX, we're looking at how the weather is like around the end of March.

[Inverarity]

Late March is usually blustery, with lots of wind, rain, and mist. Temps are typically between 30 and 45 F during the day. Cold snaps with snow and ice are very possible at that time of year, though.

If you're going to do a lot of walking - and you should, because it's a great city to just walk around in - I'd suggest a light hat or cap, light gloves, and a sturdy pair of walking shoes. A short scarf (the broad, thin sort that you tuck into your coat, not the bulkier sort that you wrap around your face) is often a good idea if the wind's up.

To answer your other question, there's plenty of night life, but it depends entirely on what you're looking for and what sort of crowd you want to be around. I gave up long ago on places that are thronged with college students (and in Boston, there are a LOT of students- about a quarter of a million), so I can't help you there, but I can recommend some music venues and quieter spots.

[Dark Prince]

Late March is usually blustery, with lots of wind, rain, and mist. Temps are typically between 30 and 45 F during the day. Cold snaps with snow and ice are very possible at that time of year, though.

If you're going to do a lot of walking - and you should, because it's a great city to just walk around in - I'd suggest a light hat or cap, light gloves, and a sturdy pair of walking shoes. A short scarf (the broad, thin sort that you tuck into your coat, not the bulkier sort that you wrap around your face) is often a good idea if the wind's up.

To answer your other question, there's plenty of night life, but it depends entirely on what you're looking for and what sort of crowd you want to be around. I gave up long ago on places that are thronged with college students (and in Boston, there are a LOT of students- about a quarter of a million), so I can't help you there, but I can recommend some music venues and quieter spots.

That would be great actually, in case we want to go out and find something to do after PAX hours.

Will definitely have to keep that in mind about the weather when packing. Thanks.

[Inverarity]

I'm led to believe that "after PAX hours" is very late indeed, in which case your options are limited. State law says closing time is 2pm; Boston, Cambridge and Somerville laws differ on the actual closing times. Most places start closing up around 1-1:30.

But if you're just looking for something in the evening, I'd look into the following venues once they flesh out their March schedules:

The Middle East (http://www.mideastclub.com/), Cambridge
TT the Bear's Place (http://www.ttthebears.com/), Cambridge (right 'round the corner, actually)
Harper's Ferry (http://www.harpersferryboston.com/), Allston

The Boston Phoenix (http://www.thephoenix.com) (the weekly paper) is the best place to check for venue listings.

[Dukefrukem]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I am going to strongly recommend we hang out at the Sunset Grille at some point. Putting it simply, it's my favorite bar in the world; 380+ bottles and 112 on tap. Need I say more? It's also one of the FEW places that has excellent food. Read here (http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/01/400-bottles-of-beer-boston-ma-sunset-grill-and-tap-bars.html) and here (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1058/) if interested.

[Dukefrukem]

Elephant Walk is good, as is Fukagyu Sushi (also on Beacon)

Helmand is great Afghani.

Flat Top's is pretty relaxed and probably not hard to "take over", there's a dearth of places that aren't loud and obnoxious though, in my experience.

I can confirm that the Elephant Walk is fantastic and would support eating here.

I'm led to believe that "after PAX hours" is very late indeed, in which case your options are limited. State law says closing time is 2pm; Boston, Cambridge and Somerville laws differ on the actual closing times. Most places start closing up around 1-1:30.

But if you're just looking for something in the evening, I'd look into the following venues once they flesh out their March schedules:

The Middle East (http://www.mideastclub.com/), Cambridge
TT the Bear's Place (http://www.ttthebears.com/), Cambridge (right 'round the corner, actually)
Harper's Ferry (http://www.harpersferryboston.com/), Allston

The Boston Phoenix (http://www.thephoenix.com) (the weekly paper) is the best place to check for venue listings.

And I could disagree about the Middle East. One of the most overrated places to hang out in Cambridge.

[Dukefrukem]

Off the top of my head

Food
-----
Hei La Moon Dim Sum (Chinatown)
North End (Italian)

Drinks
-------
Sam Adam's Brewery
Sunset Grill and Tap
Deep Ellum
The Publick House

Tourism
---------
Freedom Trail (takes a long time)
Fenway Park
The Boston Common
The Boston Public Garden
The Esplanade / Charles River area
Duck Tour (pretty funny, and you get to see where Leonard Nemoy grew up)
MIT / Harvard
New England Aquarium
Museum of Science
Prudential Center Observatory (see whole city really well)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Newbury St
TD Bank Garden (Bruins game)
Charles Hotel or Frog Pond (ice skating)

Oh shit! you've already recommended Sunset Grill! Ok, now I know you know what your'e talking about. The North End is my favorite place to eat in the city.

Good recommendations all around.

[Inverarity]

And I could disagree about the Middle East. One of the most overrated places to hang out in Cambridge.
As a hangout? Yeah, it's not great- I'm with you there. But the music booking is pretty damn good, which is why I brought it up.

[jeffbax]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I am going to strongly recommend we hang out at the Sunset Grille at some point. Putting it simply, it's my favorite bar in the world; 380+ bottles and 112 on tap. Need I say more? It's also one of the FEW places that has excellent food. Read here (http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/01/400-bottles-of-beer-boston-ma-sunset-grill-and-tap-bars.html) and here (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1058/) if interested.

The only problem with Sunset is accommodating a large group. I had my birthday there in November and it took 2 hours to seat 16 people together. Not horrible if you don't mind splitting up but it's pretty fucking busy :(

Food is great though, which you can't always say about a place focusing on beer.

[Dukefrukem]

The only problem with Sunset is accommodating a large group. I had my birthday there in November and it took 2 hours to seat 16 people together. Not horrible if you don't mind splitting up but it's pretty fucking busy :(

Food is great though, which you can't always say about a place focusing on beer.

Yeh i've never waited for a table there. Usually just head to the bar. Btw, I got my name on the back of a chair there. ;)

[Voodoo]

Sunset sounds like the place to go!

[Klunka]

Well, you guys mentioned all the best places to get a meal. But what CoG'ers really want to know is, what's the best place to clog my arteries right?

http://www.dailyfork.com/Eagle's-Deli-Burger.jpg

Well that would be The Eagle's Deli

[Inverarity]

That's spectacular, sure, but there are plenty of more...achievable gut-busters. Bury yourself in fried clams, scallops, shrimp, and everything else at the Clam Box in Ipswich! Have a Boott Mill Sandwich in Lowell (have two!) or a Kimball's Special in Carlisle!

You may want to reserve a bed in one of our excellent hospitals while you're at it. <g>

(Oh, if only the Greenhouse was still open in Harvard Square...triple-decker grilled cheese sandwiches, thick fries, and slices of cake quite a bit larger than the plate they were served on. Good stuff.)

[Dukefrukem]

That's spectacular, sure, but there are plenty of more...achievable gut-busters. Bury yourself in fried clams, scallops, shrimp, and everything else at the Clam Box in Ipswich! Have a Boott Mill Sandwich in Lowell (have two!) or a Kimball's Special in Westford!

You may want to reserve a bed in one of our excellent hospitals while you're at it. <g>

(Oh, if only the Greenhouse was still open in Harvard Square...triple-decker grilled cheese sandwiches, thick fries, and slices of cake quite a bit larger than the plate they were served on. Good stuff.)

Fixed - my hometown and a much better place to hang out.

[Inverarity]

They won't be selling ice cream by PAX at either location, though, right? If I remember correctly, they usually kick things off around the second week in April...

I went to the Westford location all the time as a kid, but as they've expanded it's become quite crowded. These days, I prefer going to the Carlisle stand and watching the geese.

[Klunka]

That's spectacular, sure, but there are plenty of more...achievable gut-busters. Bury yourself in fried clams, scallops, shrimp, and everything else at the Clam Box in Ipswich! Have a Boott Mill Sandwich in Lowell (have two!) or a Kimball's Special in Carlisle!

You may want to reserve a bed in one of our excellent hospitals while you're at it. <g>

(Oh, if only the Greenhouse was still open in Harvard Square...triple-decker grilled cheese sandwiches, thick fries, and slices of cake quite a bit larger than the plate they were served on. Good stuff.)

See, I thought we were trying to stay in the greater Boston area. Those places are all close to 45 minutes away with traffic in your favor. If we're allowed to travel, well then I just don't have enough room to fit everywhere.

[Inverarity]

Oh, I was just trying to get in a plug for some of my northern-MA favorites. Don't mind me. Staying within the limits of the T is a very good idea.

[Inspector Fowler]

See the Make Way for Ducklings statue! See it! See it!

Okay, maybe spending a good chunk of my early childhood in MA makes that book more special to me than to others.

[Sl1pstream]

Just to make sure, PAX ends at 2am on Friday and Saturday.

[destoo]

Some buddies can't recommend enough the Sam Adams brewery. They do take reservations from groups, so this could be an event.

[Serapth]

... New England Aquarium ...

Go, I went to Boston a few years back and checked this out and its actually one of the most impressive aquariums ive been to. Highly recommend, not to mention the surrounding area is quite scenic ( and most of the other attractions are more summer things... ). Its pretty cool, there is a penguin room, but the main body of the place is a giant walk around acquarium and a 4 or 5 story spiral ramp around it. Octopii and sharks and giant turtles, its quite cool.

[Sl1pstream]

Some buddies can't recommend enough the Sam Adams brewery. They do take reservations from groups, so this could be an event.

It might also be an Enforcer event on Monday after teardown. As much as I love beer, I don't think I'm taking that tour twice. :p

[Dukefrukem]

Go, I went to Boston a few years back and checked this out and its actually one of the most impressive aquariums ive been to. Highly recommend, not to mention the surrounding area is quite scenic ( and most of the other attractions are more summer things... ). Its pretty cool, there is a penguin room, but the main body of the place is a giant walk around acquarium and a 4 or 5 story spiral ramp around it. Octopii and sharks and giant turtles, its quite cool.

I had no idea that Aquarium was so impressive. It might be because I've been there like 12345342452 times in my life, but I always imagined other cities had much better Aquariums than Boston.

[Serapth]

I had no idea that Aquarium was so impressive. It might be because I've been there like 12345342452 times in my life, but I always imagined other cities had much better Aquariums than Boston.

I think thats it.... they really don't. The just aren't that common anymore. Hell, closest we have any more is water based theme parks, which just aren't quite the same.

[Sl1pstream]

Our aquarium (http://www.petershamgroup.co.uk/index.php?page=aquatopia) is pretty rad. There's a link to the official website there, but it's aimed at kids and pretty horrible.

If I booked an extra day, I probably would've gone though, it's just that there isn't a whole lot of time to do stuff since I booked pretty late and had to take what was still available.

[Klunka]

It might also be an Enforcer event on Monday after teardown. As much as I love beer, I don't think I'm taking that tour twice. :p

The Sam Adams Brewery in Boston is not REALLY a tour for the beer drinker. It's a tour for the beer enthusiast. It's a small brewery, and it's not used for any real production outside of the Boston area. It is where they come up with and test 90% of their beers before mass market. The people that work there are beer obsessed. None of the employees are someone just trying to make a living (except maybe the gift shop), these people love beer.

They do understand why the majority take the tour however, and will assure you to make it quick so you can go to the tasting room. You'll only get 3-4 glass fulls of a very small glass. Goddamn does it taste good though. Even the basic Boston Lager has a much better flavor when that fresh. If you can get your hands on it, I cannot recommend the Brick Red enough. Almost certain that's a Boston only one.

[Sl1pstream]

I live in Belgium. We don't drink beer, we live it. Or something like that anyway.

[Mayhem]

Three things that are a must when in Boston...

- Sam Adams tour
- Cheers formely (Bull and Finch Pub) this is the pub that spawned the TV show "Cheers" http://www.cheersboston.com/pub/main_locations_beaconhill.html
- Faneuil Hall
http://www.faneuilhallboston.com/

extra time - Freedom Trail, Harvard University (amazing)

[Serapth]

Three things that are a must when in Boston...

- Sam Adams tour
- Cheers formely (Bull and Finch Pub) this is the pub that spawned the TV show "Cheers" http://www.cheersboston.com/pub/main_locations_beaconhill.html
- Faneuil Hall
http://www.faneuilhallboston.com/

extra time - Freedom Trail, Harvard University (amazing)

I went to cheers, it sucked.

Service sucked, food sucked, really unless you are a rabid fan, I would skip that part.

[Inverarity]

Don't go to Cheers. Really. There's no point whatsoever. And Faneuil Hall is nice, but it's just a semi-open-air shopping mall with some marginally above-average food. Better shopping, walking, and people-watching can be had a block from PAX, on Newbury Street, and a better bar can be found by walking in any random direction from wherever you happen to be.

(Not trying to belittle your taste, Mayhem, but both Faneuil Hall and Cheers are very, VERY touristy, and equivalents to them can be found in most American cities. The brewery tour is worthwhile, though, as is a stroll through Harvard's campus and museums.)

[Psykoboy2]

Only speaking for myself here but I imagine this won't be my only trip to Boston, so I'll take this as I did Seattle - blind. Traditions will be formed in the now, and not because we planned them but because we made them.

[Sl1pstream]

Only speaking for myself here but I imagine this won't be my only trip to Boston, so I'll take this as I did Seattle - blind. Traditions will be formed in the now, and not because we planned them but because we made them.

As long as the bar doesn't decide that after serving me alcohol for two years in a row, they suddenly decide to make up a law that prevents me from drinking alcohol. A law that doesn't seem to apply in other bars.

I'm still not too sure about wanting to go back to Von's, especially since I really liked the Taphouse, both on the night that we all went and when I went to lunch-that-turned-into-dinner-with-too-much-alcohol with a group of Enforcers Friday afternoon.

[Mayhem]

The tag indicated "Sights and Sounds" of Boston, since I have only been once and went to the places I suggested, (also 20 different places including Salem, Harvard, day and night tours)...I would think the first time going to Boston (being a tourist), those would be the things that I thought would be nice. Now if you want a pub crawl, by all means, there are pubs and Dunkin Donuts on every block...have at it, but if you want to be a tourist, with a small budget...

[PathMaster]

I think I will visit the Sam Adam's Brewery on Monday before I head home.

[jeffbax]

The Sam Adams Brewery in Boston is not REALLY a tour for the beer drinker. It's a tour for the beer enthusiast. It's a small brewery, and it's not used for any real production outside of the Boston area. It is where they come up with and test 90% of their beers before mass market. The people that work there are beer obsessed. None of the employees are someone just trying to make a living (except maybe the gift shop), these people love beer.

They do understand why the majority take the tour however, and will assure you to make it quick so you can go to the tasting room. You'll only get 3-4 glass fulls of a very small glass. Goddamn does it taste good though. Even the basic Boston Lager has a much better flavor when that fresh. If you can get your hands on it, I cannot recommend the Brick Red enough. Almost certain that's a Boston only one.
Brick red gets distributed, at least on the East Coast.

And there was a law changed recently that allows them to sell beer at the brewery that is not available in other places, so you're able to buy growlers of Sam's beer that can't be found anywhere else.

[DangerousDaze]

Don't forget to go and throw a polystyrene box of tea into the harbour, pull it back out using the attached rope and throw that sucker right back in again! Not tacky. :p

[Dukefrukem]

The city is mighty gorgeous today

[Datul]

Gonna get cold for PAX:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8-VPlfkt-1s/S6kWZGTcqNI/AAAAAAAAAOc/UUATbSvP3tQ/s800/WeatherInBoston.JPG

[Psykoboy2]

Love that weather!

[Dukefrukem]

yeh that's unfortunate considering last weekend we were in the 70s.

[PathMaster]

So did anyone see anything special?

[destoo]

We saw some special sights.. But alas, no pictures, so it didn't happen.

While looking for a power adapter for a weird tablet (needed a 5v, 3.5a supply with the socket the size of a pencil lead), I ran between Best Buy and Radio Shack a few times and got to see people. There was the Christian Science Plaza that looked interesting, architecturally, but I decided going back to the convention was more important at that time.

[PathMaster]

The Christ Science plaza was right outside my window. Northeast U apparently.

[Dukefrukem]

The Christ Science plaza was right outside my window. Northeast U apparently.

my school!

[PathMaster]

my school!

I bet that plaza with the huge pool would be a sight to see in the summer. I am sure the woman flock to the area as well.

[Sl1pstream]

I don't like Boston, and edited this post to avoid getting murdered by Bostonites.

Seriously though, I really don't like Boston and don't think "hate" is a bad word for my feelings towards the experience I had. So I'm sticking with that. I hate Boston.

[Inverarity]

Is that just a general statement, or did we do something to offend?

[Sl1pstream]

On top of the horrible weather (might just be the season but that doesn't really matter), it's expensive and really, really loud.

[Inverarity]

On top of the horrible weather (might just be the season but that doesn't really matter), it's expensive and really, really loud.
I'll give you loud (though no louder than any other good-sized American city, I've found - I guess it's a matter of perspective). And expensive? Sure, especially for a visitor who has no choice but to stay in the city; it's less expensive than, say, NYC, but so is everywhere else, I suppose.

Is it really worth condemning the city for the weather, though? It's a temperate zone in March, so I'm not sure what you were expecting.

I had assumed that something pretty bad must have happened based on your emphatic original post.

[Sl1pstream]

I'll give you loud (though no louder than any other good-sized American city, I've found - I guess it's a matter of perspective). And expensive? Sure, especially for a visitor who has no choice but to stay in the city; it's less expensive than, say, NYC, but so is everywhere else, I suppose.

Is it really worth condemning the city for the weather, though? It's a temperate zone in March, so I'm not sure what you were expecting.

I had assumed that something pretty bad must have happened based on your emphatic original post.

I'm in no mood to start an internet war with some random guy, so I'll just leave it at that. I don't like Boston. There. Now go write a letter to my ISP about how I should be banned from the internet for even suggesting that.

[Dukefrukem]

Slip after meeting you, and considering how shy you are IRL, i'm taking your rant with a grain of salt.

[Inverarity]

I'm in no mood to start an internet war with some random guy, so I'll just leave it at that. I don't like Boston. There. Now go write a letter to my ISP about how I should be banned from the internet for even suggesting that.
Wow. You're obviously in a really bad mood, so I don't think it's worth pursuing the discussion any further. For what it's worth, I was perfectly ready to sympathize. Sorry to have got in the way of your desire to post an unchallenged rant.

[Sl1pstream]

Wow. You're obviously in a really bad mood, so I don't think it's worth pursuing the discussion any further. For what it's worth, I was perfectly ready to sympathize. Sorry to have got in the way of your desire to post an unchallenged rant.

I don't really think it's worth a discussion at all. It wasn't meant to be personal. I don't think anyone should've taken it personal. I had a bad experience and didn't like the city, so I'm not going back, ever. Considering the fact that I already wanted to leave on Friday, I'm pretty sure that it's safe to say that I hate Boston.

I'm also never going back to Austria or Germany. I get the idea that you all feel the need to defend your city but not everyone is going to like it.

[Dukefrukem]

I had a bad experience in Miami once, but I'll be fucked if I'm gonna let that city win and beat me. Been back multiple times since. Positive vibes.

[Sl1pstream]

I had expectations that the city didn't meet and spent money and time I could've spent on other things. While I like the idea of second chances, I'm not going to take the risk.

Why is this such a big deal?

(also, I'm done, this discussion isn't going to change anyone's mind)

[Psykoboy2]

I really liked Boston. Hell, I LOVED the weather, but then again, cold and windy is my climate. Probably why I like Chicago so much.

[Psykoboy2]

I had expectations that the city didn't meet

That happened to me with L.A. I was really excited to be there, but the more time I spent and the more of it I saw...just left a really bad taste in my mouth. Only part of it I can stand is just that little area near the LACC, Staples Center and the Nokia area.

Hollywood can fuck off and die, which, by the looks of it, it already has.

[Dukefrukem]

I really liked Boston. Hell, I LOVED the weather, but then again, cold and windy is my climate. Probably why I like Chicago so much.

Did you know Boston is windier than Chicago?

[Ravenlock]

So far I've been to Boston twice - once, a guy sliced open my chest (heart surgery), and this time somebody stole my iPhone. Was a fan of everything not connected to those events, though (and honestly, unpleasant though it was to go through, the surgery turned out well). ;)

[destoo]

I brought a tick back from Pax. A blood sucking parasite on my knee that I had to remove with tweezers tuesday and that was still wriggling as I flushed it down in disgust.
I definitely picked it up during the Jonathan Coulton show, sitting on that auditorium floor.
And it also might have infected me with Lyme disease or whatever. I'll know in a few weeks, I guess.
But even with that, I had a great time.

Timing was definitely not good for you. I really hope better stuff come up.

[Dukefrukem]

I brought a tick back from Pax. A blood sucking parasite on my knee that I had to remove with tweezers tuesday and that was still wriggling as I flushed it down in disgust.
I definitely picked it up during the Jonathan Coulton show, sitting on that auditorium floor.
And it also might have infected me with Lyme disease or whatever. I'll know in a few weeks, I guess.
But even with that, I had a great time.


huh ? You're kidding right?

[PathMaster]

I had a blast in Boston.

Was parking outrageously expensive? Yes.
Was the food/meals expensive? Yes.
Was the 4.5 hr drive back a bitch? Yes. (GPS decided back roads would be an awesome way to go home.)

That being said, I will return next year.

[destoo]

huh ? You're kidding right?
Nope.

Some parasite decided to bite the back of my knee and attach itself to suck blood. I even brought it back to Canada.
Wikipedia said there was a 4 in 5 chance that it would be swelling around 5 inch in diameter if I were infected by Lyme Disease, but since no "bullseye rash" or itching went on, I think I'm safe. No fever, either.

If my wife wouldn't have seen it Tuesday morning (honey, there's some something disgusting on the back of your leg) it would probably still be there today. Yuck.
The smart thing to do at the time would have been to keep it for analysis, but seeing it drown in the toilet was much more rewarding.

Moral of the story: don't sit on the floor.

[Serapth]

Nope.

Some parasite decided to bite the back of my knee and attach itself to suck blood. I even brought it back to Canada.
Wikipedia said there was a 4 in 5 chance that it would be swelling around 5 inch in diameter if I were infected by Lyme Disease, but since no "bullseye rash" or itching went on, I think I'm safe. No fever, either.

If my wife wouldn't have seen it Tuesday morning (honey, there's some something disgusting on the back of your leg) it would probably still be there today. Yuck.
The smart thing to do at the time would have been to keep it for analysis, but seeing it drown in the toilet was much more rewarding.

Moral of the story: don't sit on the floor.

Dude, dont bring shit like that back to Canada!

[Klunka]

On top of the horrible weather (might just be the season but that doesn't really matter), it's expensive and really, really loud.

Sorry to bring this back up, but he's completely justified. Sure I love it here, but can any of my other Bostonians argue these statements:

1. We get horrible weather
2. The city is loud
3. It's ridiculously expensive.


S|1p, should you ever decide to come back I'd be happy to take you out of the city and more into the surrounding areas to have some fun.

[Inverarity]

Surely the weather thing is a matter of taste, though? New England comes as close as anywhere in the country to getting the stereotypical four seasons of weather (if you want to be picky, we get a slightly longer winter and a shorter summer). Plenty of places have far rougher winters and hotter, more humid summers. Some have both.

I think the expense is the most valid criticism. It can be hard to start out in the Boston area if you don't want to have a roommate or live in a less-than-perfect neighborhood. Of course, wages and benefits also tend to be better here; not enough to completely make up the difference with expenses, in my experience, but close enough to make it worthwhile when you consider the other benefits of the area. That doesn't help visitors, though - like NYC, San Francisco, etc., there can be severe sticker shock for someone who's just passing though.

[Dukefrukem]

Nope.

Some parasite decided to bite the back of my knee and attach itself to suck blood. I even brought it back to Canada.
Wikipedia said there was a 4 in 5 chance that it would be swelling around 5 inch in diameter if I were infected by Lyme Disease, but since no "bullseye rash" or itching went on, I think I'm safe. No fever, either.

If my wife wouldn't have seen it Tuesday morning (honey, there's some something disgusting on the back of your leg) it would probably still be there today. Yuck.
The smart thing to do at the time would have been to keep it for analysis, but seeing it drown in the toilet was much more rewarding.

Moral of the story: don't sit on the floor.

It must have been the size of a dime by the time you saw it. I'm sorry, but picking up a tick in Boston is unheard of. I'm speechless.

[Dukefrukem]

I hate it when people complain about the weather in the Northeast. There isn't a place I'd rather live more in the US than the Northeast. I love how the weather actually changes here. I love the foliage we get that the south doesn't. I love how we never see hurricanes or huge thunderstorms, or tornadoes, or need to worry about earthquakes like the South, Midwest, and West do respectively. I love how we don't get DEEP colds for long periods like the Midwest does. I love how when it actually is hot and humid, its bearable, unlike FL or Texas...

I'd sacrifice a huge stormstorm in the winter for the beautiful spring summer and fall days, while at the same time being 30 minutes from the beach, and 1 hour from the White Mountains. No other place in the country like this.

[Voodoo]

I will know when visiting Belgium that the weather will be beautiful and the cost low.

[Sl1pstream]

I will know when visiting Belgium that the weather will be beautiful and the cost low.

I don't see how that changes anything about Boston. Also, I know I live in an expensive shithole of a country. I'm not denying that.

[Ten19]

Spoiler alert: every major metropolitan area in the Northeast is going to be loud. It will also be windy and occasionally cold and blustery this time of year. Philadelphia is the same. Providence is the same. NYC is the same.

EDIT: Also, expensive, yes.

[Voodoo]

Spoiler alert: every major metropolitan area in the Northeast is going to be loud. It will also be windy and occasionally cold and blustery this time of year. Philadelphia is the same. Providence is the same. NYC is the same.

EDIT: Also, expensive, yes.

Honestly I didn't find it too expensive. The hotel, food & drink prices were on par with any other large metro I've been to (haven't been to California or Hawaii) in the states. I'm from Orlando so I really enjoyed having the snow on Friday and then the cold on the subsequent days. Even the rain was nice and definitely not the storms from hell that I'm used to. :)

[PathMaster]

I hate it when people complain about the weather in the Northeast. There isn't a place I'd rather live more in the US than the Northeast. I love how the weather actually changes here. I love the foliage we get that the south doesn't. I love how we never see hurricanes or huge thunderstorms, or tornadoes, or need to worry about earthquakes like the South, Midwest, and West do respectively. I love how we don't get DEEP colds for long periods like the Midwest does. I love how when it actually is hot and humid, its bearable, unlike FL or Texas...

I'd sacrifice a huge stormstorm in the winter for the beautiful spring summer and fall days, while at the same time being 30 minutes from the beach, and 1 hour from the White Mountains. No other place in the country like this.

I agree. I love that I do not see some of the really bad weather/natural disasters parts of the country see. An occasional Blizzard or Nor'easter is fine in comparison. Oddly, still get small Earthquakes, albeit very rarely.