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Travel advise - we are coming to America!

laurenk

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Hi! We are coming to the US in a week and have a pretty full on itinerary. I'm hoping for some advise about must see places/restaurants/accommodation around Boston.

We will drive from NYC to Boston and have two nights here. We didn't really want to stay in the city but wanted to enjoy the New England.....

Also, apart from the obvious must do's in NYC are there any hidden gems we should do?

Thank you!!!!
 

missy

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Hi there Lauren! I hope you have a terrific visit in the USA. I have no recommendations re Boston (despite the fact my dh did his undergrad work in Boston) since it has been a number of years since we have been there but tell me what you are interested in doing in NYC and perhaps I can share some recommendations.

I don't know if you enjoy touristy things but my dh and I love the NYC bus tours that do downtown, midtown and uptown and the Brooklyn tour too. Fun. And it is nice to take a cruise around the NYC harbor but again these are touristy things and I am not sure you and your dh are into that. My dh and I used to do that every couple of years during the summer because it was a lot of fun for us but it is not for everyone.

NYC has great pizza if you like pizza and there are lots of places to enjoy some.
http://www.newyork.com/articles/restaurants/the-10-best-pizzas-in-new-york-city-33597/


Here's a list that just came out and I think you might find some activities of interest on this list.

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/101-things-to-do-in-new-york?cid=eml~US_NYC~NL~1400948758~~CTA~


I will add we have some awesome museums. Natural history museum, Brooklyn museum, the Met and Guggenheim among my favorites but so many good ones you cannot go wrong.
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/art/top-art-museums-in-nyc

And off the beaten path the quirkiest museums if that might interest you.
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/art/new-yorks-quirkiest-museums



OK feel free to ask specific questions or guide us a bit more as to your tastes so we can help. Again I hope you both have an amazing time here and in Boston!
 

PintoBean

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Missy's given you a great list! Museums are great because if it gets too hot, pop in one to cool down. If it rains, who cares! :dance:
 

boerumbiddy

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You can't come to New York without going to the top of some Really Tall Building. I suggest you skip the Freedom Tower, Empire State, etc., and make a reservation at Bar SixtyFive, to take in the same view as the Top of the Rock for the price of a very good $20 cocktail. It used to be part of the fabled Rainbow Room complex. 212-632-5000.
The list of quirky museums is great, except that the Micro Museum, in my neighborhood, is now closed. The Louis Armstrong House is a bit of a trek, but the Merchant's House Museum is close to midtown and will give you an authentic idea of Manhattan's past. If you can see it the same day as the Tenement House Museum, you will really understand Upstairs/Downstairs.
 

LLJsmom

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Do the duck tour in Boston. Lots of fun, super easy, and a great way to get a feel for the city.
 

soxfan

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LLJsmom|1468688809|4056099 said:
Do the duck tour in Boston. Lots of fun, super easy, and a great way to get a feel for the city.

+1 and do dinner in the North End or Union Oyster House on Union Street near Faneuil Hall....
 

LLJsmom

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NYC restaurant recommendations:

Otto Pizzeria: Not trendy anymore so easy to get reservations. Pizza, pasta joint, super casual, relatively low priced. One of Mario Battali's early restaurants. Consistent. Went there 18 years ago, 7-8 years ago, 1 month ago. Same tasty food. Don't miss the buccatini alla gricia.

The Little Owl: Easy and casual, but very small restaurant and must make reservations, accepted up to one month in advance. In Greenwich Village. I don't do fine dining much anymore, but want super good food in a casual setting. This was it for us. We love bold flavors, so if your palate tends toward milder flavors, not for you. Seldom do I go to a restaurant where I am as impressed with the main course as I am with the appetizers.

http://www.thelittleowlnyc.com/
 

ihy138

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Agreed on the duck tour of Boston!

Definitely check out the North End. Great Italian eats, including the famous Mike's Pastry. I love Giacomo's restaurant for Italian (they have two locations, both are teeny but one of them does reservations if memory serves!). http://www.yelp.com/biz/giacomos-ristorante-boston

A lot of history in the North End. You may find some interesting walking tours here.

If you are into art, the MFA is lovely. http://www.mfa.org/ So is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home

Hope you have a great time in my favorite city!

PS Most of my other advice is from my time in undergrad there. I can't imagine you'd be interested in the best frat houses and bars to frequent, but I'm your girl if you are! :lol:
 

missy

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I am going to ditto the duck tour recommendation in Boston. We did that last trip to Boston in 2006 and it was so much fun. In fact when we visit there again I am putting it on our list. I don't think we have a duck tour in NYC anymore but we used to though and we did it here I think in 05 and it was a blast. I wonder why we don't have it here anymore. Anyway just wanted to chime in with another vote for the Duck tour in Boston!
 

laurenk

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Nov 12, 2011
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Thank you thank you thank you so much for all your efforts in suggesting places to see/go/do!!!

Definitely interested in touristy things and also love the idea of history and doing things off the beaten track. I will scour all the links and recommendations tonight!!!

We have 4 nights in NYC!

Also - do people dress up to go to Broadway?

Are there any particularly dangerous places or areas to avoid?

So excited! Will book some restaurants in advance also!!!! Actually I just realized next Wednesday we'll be there!!!
 
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