A mini-vacation wrapped in a work trip wrapped in...not bacon.

October 8, 2009 4:29 PM

What is there to do in Boston and/or Billerica, MA on a short work trip? How should I travel between the two?

I'll be flying into Logan Airport the night of Monday, October 19, staying in and attending a meeting in Billerica during the day on Tuesday, and flying out again early on Wednesday morning. I'll have a rental car.

What things should I look into doing on Monday and Tuesday nights? I'm not a good parallel parker, but want to go from the airport to something interesting on Monday. Any parking tips would be appreciated. Also, should I drive or take public transportation to Boston from Billerica on Tuesday night...or is there anything of interest in Billerica I can do without venturing into the city?

I'm interested in things that are fairly Boston-specific (I've never been and know little about it) and are easy for a mid-20s female to do after work hours without too much awkwardness. Art, music, (pescetarian-friendly) food....

posted by hellogoodbye to Travel & Transportation around Boston, MA (8 answers total)

Best answer: The drive from Billerica to Boston at night, depending on the hour, shouldn't be too bad. You'll take Route 3 out of Billerica to Route 95/128, and then to 93 South, which is against traffic for the evening, and not too bad.

For Boston, if you park in a garage around Haymarket, you can wander around there and then head into the North End for some great Italian food. Have a cannoli at Mike's Pastries. Take a walk by the Boston Garden (home of the Bruins and the Celtics), and see Government Center, etc.

Billerica itself is kind of a quiet suburban community. Lowell is the closest small city, but most of the attractions I know there (like the Textile History Museum) don't have night hours, and Merrimack Repertory Theatre is dark on Tuesdays. The Merrimack River is close by, which would be a nice walk, but it's not the most exciting thing in the world for a short trip to the state.

If you wanted to drive in the Boston area and do something very Mass-ish, go near the airport to Revere Beach and have some fried clams at Kelly's Roast Beef.
posted by xingcat at 4:43 PM on October 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I feel reasonably confident that there is nothing of very great interest in Billerica, so if you're coming in, I'd suggest parking at the Alewife T stop and taking the Red Line in. I'm a bit biased on the subject, but you might consider a visit to Harvard Square. Veggie Planet/Club Passim might very well satisfy both your restaurant and music objectives.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:58 PM on October 8, 2009

Have a cannoli at Mike's Pastries.

Or Modern Pastry. Both shops inspire fervent devotion, so you can't go wrong with either even though Mike's is better.

I think xingcat's suggestion of coming into Boston and eating in the North End is right on. You could then walk along the Freedom Trail for a bit and see some of the historic sites (from the outside, alas, if it's nighttime, but still worth seeing) and then come back via Faneuil Hall, which is the tourist hub.

Another possibility, if you have a car handy, is a trip to Salem. The "Witch City" is in its peak tourism month, and it's quite a scene.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:05 PM on October 8, 2009

If you like food, I cannot recommend Oleana in Cambridge more highly. Absolutely stunning in all facets.
posted by The Michael The at 5:08 PM on October 8, 2009

I grew up in Billerica. Its only regional claim to fame is the strip-joint Mac's Two, which I imagine wouldn't fit your idea of a good time. There is nothing else of note, especially at night. I recommend spending as little time there as possible.

As one of the above posters indicated, the drive from Billerica to Boston isn't bad during the evening. If parking in the city freaks you out, you can drive to Alewife Station, park, and take the Red Line into the city. Another alternative is to hop on the Commuter Rail located in North Billerica, which will take you directly to North Station (underneath the new Boston Garden).

As far as Boston goes, there's a fabulous restaurant named Grasshopper in Allston, (directions from North Station) that I make a point of visiting whenever I'm home (I can't recommend their dish called the No-Name enough). Another fun eatery is Fire + Ice in Harvard Square.

All the touristy type things listed above (Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall) are all fun and will give you a nice peak at the city, if only at night.
posted by camneely at 6:58 PM on October 8, 2009

Definitely wander around the Freedom trail and the North End. Along as the weather isn't bad you should see lots of people. If you enjoy architecture at all, city hall is an oft used canonical representation of Brutalistism. And definitely have a cannoli.
posted by mmascolino at 8:34 AM on October 9, 2009

I went to Boston for the first time this past Tuesday on a day trip. Most of the tourist attractions, museums, and many of the destinations along the Freedom Trail close at 5 or 6pm (most were 5, I found and Quincy Market was open until 8 the other night.). While I think it would be valuable to see them even at night, it might not be as fulfilling to only see them at night. But if you're there, go for it. There will be people out. Walk across the Charlestown Bridge if you can. Lovely view.

I loved the North End, so would totally recommend it. Really lovely little streets, small neighborhoody feel, and smells of food wafting out that smelled amazing. I actually got off the Freedom Trail and just wandered around the neighborhood for a while.
posted by cmgonzalez at 9:16 AM on October 9, 2009

Response by poster: Now I have my co-worker with me, as well as a tour guide for tomorrow night. But my co-worker and I both loved Hanover St. and Mike's pastries. I'm hoping to get to Harvard Square tomorrow too. Thanks for the suggestions!
posted by hellogoodbye at 7:19 PM on October 19, 2009