Boston Calling

October 22, 2007 7:57 AM

Help me map the college tour of Boston!

I am taking my high-school senior daughter to see Emerson, Boston University, and Northeastern at the end of this week, driving from NYC-- our only confirmed obligations are BU on Friday and Emerson on Saturday. We're open to adding schools to the list if time and logistics permit.

Can you help us navigate around the Big Dig, find an inexpensive place to stay to reach all the schools ...
All advice welcomed!

posted by thinkpiece to education (12 comments total)

World Series games 1 and 2 are at Fenway Park on Wednesday and Thursday. I wouldn't bother showing up before Friday morning.
All of those schools and the routes between them are pretty much unaffected by the Big Dig, so that's not a big worry.
Someone else may help you with the hotels.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:08 AM on October 22, 2007

There is a lot of construction going on at BU right now - nothing to do with the Big Dig, though. Just construction for the "Commonwealth Beautification Project," whatever that means!

The construction has eaten up a lot of street parking spots, though, so you may want to arrive early than you expect on Friday so you can find some parking. If you can't, though, you should be able to park at BU's Agannis Arena for $1/hour (which is what you would pay for the meters on the street anyway).

The Big Dig actually is kind of over, really, and shouldn't make too much of a difference in your travels. However, if the last time you were in Boston was 10 years ago, be prepared for the routes you used last time to be wildly different.

Boston College isn't too far from BU, if your daughter is interested in visiting. BU is on Commonwealth Ave and it's a straight shot west from BU to BC on Comm. Ave. Northeastern isn't too far away from BU or Emerson, either.

As for places to stay, I've heard from some recent visitors that they've had luck using Hotwire or Expedia or the like to get some great deals on hotels.
posted by sutel at 8:36 AM on October 22, 2007

All of those colleges are pretty walkable from downtown, so driving shouldn't be a huge issue if you can find a hotel in your price range. Priceline or Hotwire would be a good bet and making your own bid could save you a bit on a nice hotel downtown. Also, there is the Midtown Hotel on Huntington near Back Bay. Unfortunately, their "Special Rates & Packages" page comes up blank for me, but they claim to be an "affordable alternative." The Farrington Hotel, near BU, and their Acme Hotel also promise lower rates, as does the Charlesmark Hotel. Living here, I haven't tried these out myself....

Also, don't underestimate the Universities, themselves:
BU Visitor Center, or the city-wide BostonVisit

As for getting around, print off some neighborhood maps from Not For Tourists or buy the book--I can't recommend it enough.
posted by zachxman at 8:52 AM on October 22, 2007

if you are comfortable taking the T all of the schools you have listed are accessible from the green line.

bc is the last stop on b trains.
bu has multiple stops on the b train.
northeastern is the northeastern stop on the e train.
emerson is the boylston stop and can be reached using any of the green line trains.

the official mbta website has been updated recently and is now pretty useful.
posted by phil at 8:56 AM on October 22, 2007

Wow, it's late in the game to be looking for a hotel room. Boston books up very fast. The only things I see over at hotels.com under $250 a night are at the airport, fleet center, and outer suburbs. Perhaps try B&Bs or be ready to spend more. For $250-$300/night you'll get a much better location. (The Westin at Copley Place at $299 or Omni Parker downtown at $260 would be a good bets). I recommend anything along Comm Ave in Back Bay/South End, or anything in Brookline between BU and BC if you think there's a chance you would make it out there.

Don't rule out staying across the river in Cambridge. The Hyatt is an easy walk across the BU bridge. The Kendall and The Hotel Marlowe would also work out ok as they have easy access to the T (opt for the Marlowe over the Kendall as it's closer to the green line for your needs).
posted by cocoagirl at 9:21 AM on October 22, 2007

bu is not even remotely walkable from downtown... it is a good five or six miles out.
posted by phil at 9:38 AM on October 22, 2007

sorry my last comment should have read boston college not boston university.
posted by phil at 9:40 AM on October 22, 2007

Try the Seaport District - the Westin runs about 200/night. You get on the Silver Line at the convention center and you are downtown within 10 minutes.

You should visit Cambridge even if Harvard and MIT are not on the list - it's part and parcel of the Boston experience.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 9:42 AM on October 22, 2007

I second the green line comments; and cocoagirl speaks words of wisdom, consider Cambridge hotels too
posted by matteo at 9:59 AM on October 22, 2007

I'd definitely Priceline a room. I have friends who have done this (I live here) and gotten really good deals on hotels in Copley.
posted by jdl at 10:04 AM on October 22, 2007

ps. the Cambridge Hyatt is used as overflow housing for BU students, so if you stay there you may get a preview of life at BU.
posted by Gungho at 10:27 AM on October 22, 2007

Fantastic, taking the Cambridge option for hotel, great suggestions everyone.
posted by thinkpiece at 10:45 AM on October 22, 2007