Tripping on Independence Day
June 24, 2010 11:56 PM Subscribe
Is it worth spending an extra fortnight in Boston - just to see the Independence Day celebrations? And what is there to do in New England/the East coast that doesn't cost a fortune? Longcat question inside.
Hi MeFites, I am planning to head to Boston and various parts of New England sometime in July on my graduation trip. I have friends returning to universities for the Fall term in late July/early August, so my departure date's more or less fixed since I would like to catch them (it's been years!).
Here's the dilemma I'm in - to be there for the Independence Day weekend, I'll have to fly next Wednesday and spend a night (!!!) at JFK. That's the cheapest option - to fly to JFK and then bus to Boston. Last minute in any case, particularly unappealing since it's been difficult to find hostel vacancies or a couch to crash, so I see myself actually whiling away 10 hours in the airport before I finally get on the bus to Boston.
Otherwise, I will leave near the end of the first week of July, and I'll be able to catch a flight that arrives in the morning. My significant other is currently working at MIT, so the best time to arrive would be Thursday or Friday night, and I'll be able to do that.
So - is Independence Day worth it? Fireworks and all sound romantic and Independence Day is always a capital e Event, but past questions indicate that it's going to be crowded, and going by the weather this week, probably really warm. (It's warmer where I am now, though!)
Also, what does the hive mind think are great things to do on the East coast? If I end up choosing the former, that's 35 days to spend - and less per day to spend, too. I've spent quite a while in New York City and have seen the falls from Toronto. I've not yet seen Chicago, Washington D.C., or anything besides Boston and NYC, though. I've been advised to see Martha's Vineyard and "other preppy things", but really am not sure how that would work out.
Other general advice and suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated!
Hi MeFites, I am planning to head to Boston and various parts of New England sometime in July on my graduation trip. I have friends returning to universities for the Fall term in late July/early August, so my departure date's more or less fixed since I would like to catch them (it's been years!).
Here's the dilemma I'm in - to be there for the Independence Day weekend, I'll have to fly next Wednesday and spend a night (!!!) at JFK. That's the cheapest option - to fly to JFK and then bus to Boston. Last minute in any case, particularly unappealing since it's been difficult to find hostel vacancies or a couch to crash, so I see myself actually whiling away 10 hours in the airport before I finally get on the bus to Boston.
Otherwise, I will leave near the end of the first week of July, and I'll be able to catch a flight that arrives in the morning. My significant other is currently working at MIT, so the best time to arrive would be Thursday or Friday night, and I'll be able to do that.
So - is Independence Day worth it? Fireworks and all sound romantic and Independence Day is always a capital e Event, but past questions indicate that it's going to be crowded, and going by the weather this week, probably really warm. (It's warmer where I am now, though!)
Also, what does the hive mind think are great things to do on the East coast? If I end up choosing the former, that's 35 days to spend - and less per day to spend, too. I've spent quite a while in New York City and have seen the falls from Toronto. I've not yet seen Chicago, Washington D.C., or anything besides Boston and NYC, though. I've been advised to see Martha's Vineyard and "other preppy things", but really am not sure how that would work out.
Other general advice and suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated!
Best answer: I wouldn't stay an extra two weeks in Boston just for the chance to see the fireworks. But I can't see how traveling to Chicago, D.C., etc. would be any cheaper than staying in place and exploring a bit. So if you're headed to Boston anyway, the cheapest thing might be to bus/train/commuter rail/ferry it around to various parts of New England. See what there is to see in Boston, then check out the Harbor Islands, go to Provincetown by ferry for a day, take the train to Portland VT, drive the Mohawk Trail out to Northampton. The Vineyard and Nantucket are nice in their own way but seeing one is probably enough. If it were me and I could swing a car rental, I'd be more likely to try to see Acadia National Park than MV/Nantucket. For instance, take the train to Portland, spend the day and stay overnight, then rent a car from there for a 3 hour drive to Acadia.
If you do stay in Boston just for the 4th, then it's worth your while to try to get a good vantage point. No point in sticking around and then being squoze in some crowd downtown where you're uncomfortable and without a good view. Ideally you line up a beach shade, beach chair, massively stocked cooler, sunscreen, bug spray, and a riveting book or friends with frisbee, and get a spot on the Esplanade early in the day. Then you hang back to enjoy the music and works.
posted by cocoagirl at 3:12 AM on June 25, 2010
If you do stay in Boston just for the 4th, then it's worth your while to try to get a good vantage point. No point in sticking around and then being squoze in some crowd downtown where you're uncomfortable and without a good view. Ideally you line up a beach shade, beach chair, massively stocked cooler, sunscreen, bug spray, and a riveting book or friends with frisbee, and get a spot on the Esplanade early in the day. Then you hang back to enjoy the music and works.
posted by cocoagirl at 3:12 AM on June 25, 2010
Best answer: re Bus to Boston from Port Authority Bus Terminal. There are no busses between 3:30 am and 7:00 am so you'll want to make sure you can make it into town before 3:30 if you decide not to spend the night at JFK.
If it were me, I'd take the later flight. There's always another occasion for fireworks.
re: the rest of your stay, take the train (or Bolt Bus which is cheaper) to DC for a few days. It will be hellishly hot but the Smithsonian is many museums and all free, including the zoo. Take a tour of the White House, visit all the monuments, etc.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 4:23 AM on June 25, 2010
If it were me, I'd take the later flight. There's always another occasion for fireworks.
re: the rest of your stay, take the train (or Bolt Bus which is cheaper) to DC for a few days. It will be hellishly hot but the Smithsonian is many museums and all free, including the zoo. Take a tour of the White House, visit all the monuments, etc.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 4:23 AM on June 25, 2010
Best answer: When cocoagirl says early in the day on the Esplanade, she really means early in the morning. Like 4/5am if you want to be anywhere near where the Pops are playing. It is worth doing once. I don't think I would ever do it again.
For things to do:
posted by chiefthe at 4:53 AM on June 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
For things to do:
- No one here has mentioned Providence, RI---it is a hour Commuter Rail ride from Boston and has the RISD Museum, Brown Campus and Waterfire to mention a few items.
- If your SO is at MIT, you can see about getting a ride to the White Mountains for hiking, etc with the folks in the MIT Outing Club
- Check out The Boston Phoenix for free shows and lectures, poetry readings, etc. Providence also has a version
posted by chiefthe at 4:53 AM on June 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Also, if your SO is at MIT, some of the best vantage point to watch the fireworks are on their roofs. When I worked at the Tech we had some amazing parties up on rooftops and didn't have to be near the 250,000+ visitors on the Esplanade. Can't really see the Pops, though.
Have her ask around.
As far as staying here for extra days just to see the fireworks, I'd bear in mind that it can get ridiculously hot and oppressive in the summer, and jauntily walking about seeing the sights can become nightmarish. The fireworks ain't that great.
posted by dzaz at 5:14 AM on June 25, 2010
Have her ask around.
As far as staying here for extra days just to see the fireworks, I'd bear in mind that it can get ridiculously hot and oppressive in the summer, and jauntily walking about seeing the sights can become nightmarish. The fireworks ain't that great.
posted by dzaz at 5:14 AM on June 25, 2010
Best answer: I don't think the fireworks, et al. in Boston are particularly amazing for the 4th, but I only lived there one summer. I also don't think it's worth an extra fortnight.
posted by FlamingBore at 5:32 AM on June 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by FlamingBore at 5:32 AM on June 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I don't think it's worth an extra two weeks just to be in Boston. But I do think the nearby East Coast destinations are very worthwhile, if you just want a good travel experience.
There's a bus from the Boston bus terminal next to South Station that will take you directly to the ferry for Martha's Vineyard for $27 each way. The ferry ticket can be bundled in for another $6, which is $1.50 off the usual fare. I love the Vineyard and you can MeMail me for suggestions if you decide to go. One point - this is super high busy season for the islands. Best bet is to get off the boat and immediately leave the harbor towns, which are rife with tourists and expensive stuff, and get by bike or shuttle bus and out to the gorgeous beaches and quieter up-island locations as quickly as possible.
Block Island, RI, is another possibility.
posted by Miko at 6:35 AM on June 25, 2010
There's a bus from the Boston bus terminal next to South Station that will take you directly to the ferry for Martha's Vineyard for $27 each way. The ferry ticket can be bundled in for another $6, which is $1.50 off the usual fare. I love the Vineyard and you can MeMail me for suggestions if you decide to go. One point - this is super high busy season for the islands. Best bet is to get off the boat and immediately leave the harbor towns, which are rife with tourists and expensive stuff, and get by bike or shuttle bus and out to the gorgeous beaches and quieter up-island locations as quickly as possible.
Block Island, RI, is another possibility.
posted by Miko at 6:35 AM on June 25, 2010
Best answer: The fireworks/celebrations in Boston are pretty good, but they are INSANELY crowded. Chiefthe is not joking with the 4/5 am line there. If you'd rather walk around during the day, MIT roofs or the salt and pepper bridge (the one with the train tracks) is another good spot to see the fireworks from.
I'm biased because it's where I'm from, but I think Maine is a wonderful place to visit if you want some typical New Englandy things. Go to Portland, walk around the Old Port, go to Fort Williams or Two Lights beach.
posted by hungrybruno at 6:43 AM on June 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm biased because it's where I'm from, but I think Maine is a wonderful place to visit if you want some typical New Englandy things. Go to Portland, walk around the Old Port, go to Fort Williams or Two Lights beach.
posted by hungrybruno at 6:43 AM on June 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Independence Day Fireworks: The Boston Pop Orch. usually plays, and the finale is a Big Deal. I've never been, as I am not a fan of huge crowds. I wouldn't go through that much hassle for it, though I do love fireworks. Beantown meetups are usually fun.
posted by theora55 at 6:52 AM on June 25, 2010
posted by theora55 at 6:52 AM on June 25, 2010
Best answer: I don't have much to say about Boston, but if you have the time, you could drive/bus up to Montreal (~6 hrs from Boston). There's plenty to do in Montreal, and you could take in some Vermont Green Mountain scenery on your way.
posted by Premeditated Symmetry Breaking at 7:10 AM on June 25, 2010
posted by Premeditated Symmetry Breaking at 7:10 AM on June 25, 2010
Best answer: The fireworks are about the best you'll find anywhere in the country & with the Boston Pops backing it up it's a hell of a show. But like everybody says, it's insanely crowded; you'd have to really really love fireworks to stick around two weeks just to see it.
posted by scalefree at 8:41 AM on June 25, 2010
posted by scalefree at 8:41 AM on June 25, 2010
Response by poster: @ Premeditated Symmetry Breaking
I used to live in Montreal, and saw Obama elected as President while I was there. Love Montreal, but I like Cambridge more! But I didn't specify that, I should've.
@ Everyone
Thanks for all your advice and suggestions! They're great, and I feel glad that I chose the earlier flight now.
posted by selvaria at 3:46 AM on June 26, 2010
I used to live in Montreal, and saw Obama elected as President while I was there. Love Montreal, but I like Cambridge more! But I didn't specify that, I should've.
@ Everyone
Thanks for all your advice and suggestions! They're great, and I feel glad that I chose the earlier flight now.
posted by selvaria at 3:46 AM on June 26, 2010
One last one: if your SO is at MIT, you can always contact the student clubs for suggestions on where to go for specific activities: http://web.mit.edu/asa/resources/group-list.html
Also, can recommend the Quaker meeting in Cambridge - great meeting, great people, interesting view http://www.fmcquaker.org/
And dont forget to get a hot chocolate at Burdicks on Brattle: www.burdickchocolate.com
posted by zia at 11:53 AM on June 30, 2010
Also, can recommend the Quaker meeting in Cambridge - great meeting, great people, interesting view http://www.fmcquaker.org/
And dont forget to get a hot chocolate at Burdicks on Brattle: www.burdickchocolate.com
posted by zia at 11:53 AM on June 30, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
1. Buses going between NYC and Boston all the time. No reason to wait 10 hours in JFK; just go straight to Boston
- If you choose to stay in NY; look into YWCA/YMCA for hostel lodging
- Also, there are some overnight lodging where bathroom is the hall and its very nice... mefimail me if interested and I'll try to find it for you
2. Things to do in/around Boston:
- Walk through boston common; newbury street; and charles street
- Walk through beacon hill
- Visit Jamaica plain
- Walk from MIT to Harvard; nice coffee shops, etc.
- Drive to Cape Ann
3. Things to do in New England:
- Go to Cape Cod (take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown), then go to Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket (the cheap slow ferry to both is not too bad)
- Go up to Maine, (rent a car) and drive from town to town; usually can find a cheap B& B
- Go to White Mountains (rent a car again)
- Go to Vermont
posted by zia at 12:06 AM on June 25, 2010