Boston Custom House

[Worcesterdee]

We're due to stay at the Boston custom house next month. I notice that there is a Marriott hotel nearby at long wharf. Does anyone know whether it permitted to use the hotel facilities? in particular I was thinking of the indoor pool.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Its my recollection that at one time CH residents did have access but I think that stopped some time ago. We just walked over to the Long Wharf earlier today as its a very short walk away. It looks like a nice hotel.

We're at the Custom House now, if you had questions I could try to answer, although I'm not an owner.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

We're due to stay at the Boston custom house next month. I notice that there is a Marriott hotel nearby at long wharf. Does anyone know whether it permitted to use the hotel facilities? in particular I was thinking of the indoor pool.

No access to the pool at Marriott's Long Wharf, however you are allowed to use their restaurant facilities and charge them to your Custom House room.

I would highly recommend the Sunday morning buffet breakfast, or Sunday mid day brunch.

No need for a car in Boston ($38 per night at the Custom House) so do plan to use the excellent public subway transportation system.

Enjoy your visit!



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[Worcesterdee]

Many thanks for your replies. Is there any particular requests that I should make prior to arrival?

Really looking forward to visiting Boston. We've been to Washington, New York and Florida a couple of times but never been to Boston yet.

 

[MaryH]

Boston is a great city.

I agreed you don't need a car in Boston. If you want to do some traveling outside Boston, either do it after if you have time or just rent a car for 1 day. Rhode island is about 90 minutes away and cape code is possible for a short day trip too althought it would be a long day.

 

[Old Hickory]

double post...

 

[Old Hickory]

The MBTA subway system, the T, is great. Use it to visit Harvard, Fenway Park, Samuel Adams Brewery, John/Quincy Adams home, and to/from the airport. Get a multi-day pass for the T.

A guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail is encouraged and I think the duck tours are popular too. With your T multi-day pass you can take a water taxi from Long Warf over to Charlestown to see the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill monument.

Plan a day trip into Maine to see the Cape Neddick lighthouse then drive up to Kennebunkport for a lobster lunch. On the way back, spend a few hours in Postsmouth, NH. and see the Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, NH just outside Portsmouth.

The Concierge at the CH can hook you up with a rental car, Enterprise, who will deliver and pick-up at the CH.

 

[Shirtman]

Is there a grocery store near to pickup breakfast & lunch items?

Thanks

 

[Kenny and Brenda T]

I would try a whale watch. They leave from the Pier by the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel that has been mentioned earlier in this thread. I also agree, that a Duck Tour would be a fun way to see the city. If you want to get a real taste of Cape Cod, rent a car for the day, and take the two hour drive to the end of the Cape. Provincetown is a funky little city with lots of artists and great restaurants. My favorite is Bubbala's by the Bay. Drive through the Cape Cod National Seashore Park there with a stop at Race Point. It is a long drive both worth it if you don't mind driving two hours each way. Salem is also a good day trip to see the witch museum and stroll the waterfront area. Lexington and Concord is also a good day trip. A guided tour is worth it so you can hear the story of the beginning days of the country (oops, I see that you are from the UK) forget the Lexington and Concord trip.

 

[Worcesterdee]

Kenny thanks for the advice (even about Lexington). I would imagine that we'll probably just head to Bunker Hill though.

The Duck tours, Charlestown navy yard and the Boston massacre monument are some of the things that we had down to do. We have an 11 year old son with us who loves all things history.

Any recommendations about Resturants would be greatfully received.

Old Hickory, thanks for your comments The Sam Adams brewery is always a winner and the road trip to Maine too.

Thanks all

 

[Kenny and Brenda T]

Now that I know that you have a young son, I want to add to my list of must-do's the New England Aquarium. It is on the same pier that has the Whale Watch Boats and is a great aquarium. My 26 year old daughter just moved into a condo in the old Navy Yard last week. It has the old warship "Old Ironsides" that your son would love. As for restaurants, you are a short walk from the Italian neighborhood called the "North End". There are so many great restaurants, just ask the conciege. My favorite is called "R2's". It is close to the Paul Revere House, another good take for a history buff.

 

[Swice]

Mikey's Pastry

Must go to Mike's pastry. Walk from custom house and burn off the calories you eat. It is basically take out. No credit cards. Try ricotta pie!
A must do. When we were at Custom House we saw many people walking around downtown with the blue and white boxes. So glad we asked what the big deal was about. I am normally not a sweets person.

 

[MabelP]

Hi Worcesterdee!

I live on the South Coast of Massachusetts in the Summer. My library card allows me to get passes to attractions in Boston. Last Summer I went to the Acquarium for free. Just call your library and see if they check out Day Passes to different venues.

Also, when I stay at the Custom House, I leave my car in Quincy at the MTA Station. I believe I pay $ 8 for day parking and $9 overnight. Where you are coming from the West, I'm sure you'll find a station closer to the Turnpike.

Have fun!
Mabel

 

[EKniager]

If your son likes history take him to Fenway Park. The place opened a few days after the Titanic sunk in April of 1912. As the saying goes, Major League Baseball in Boston is not life or death, it is more important than that! :hysterical:

 

[MOXJO7282]

A few things from our trip.

The aquirium is small but enjoyable, we made it through in 1/12 hours. We also enjoyed the IMAX very much. This is about a 3 minute wak from the CH.

The Black Rose right across the street is excellent. CH guests get a 15% discount. We really enjoyed the buffalo chicken tenders, the calamari, the burgers, the wedge salad, the fried clam bellies, the fish and chips and the bangers and mash.

Funny true story. One night we ordered take out late. I ordered the bacon cheddar burger. When I got back to the room I realized on my burger was lettuce,tomatoe cheese and bacon, but they forgot the BURGER! We got a good laugh over that. When I went back they laughed about it to, chaulking it up to close to closing. They did buy me a cocktail while I waited for new one.

As for the Fenway tour, we just did that today and it was awesome. What a quaint little ball park. For $12 you get to walk into the visitors locker room, on top of the green monster, in the press box and throughout the stadium.

 

[MOXJO7282]

A note to add if you do the Fenway tour there is a great little burger joint called the Tasty Burger right around the corner from the stadium. Not sure if its a chain but it was packed at noon so we thought it must be good and it was excellent. Its a sloppy burger but very tasty for sure.

 

[Old Hickory]

Is there a grocery store near to pickup breakfast & lunch items?

Thanks

Yes, there is a Tedeschi Food Shop right outside the CH front door (next to the T entry/exit) that carried a lot of items for its size. We bought everything we needed, including fruit, for breakfast and lunch.

Do a google street view of 180 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts and you'll see it.

Boston is not that great for breakfast unless you are fine with Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks which are on every corner. Tho' we did find a great breakfast cafe in Beacon Hill called The Paramount.

 

[javabean]

Custom House

I suggest you ask for a room facing the river, high floor. The only complains I have ever seen here on TUG talked about how noisy the lower rooms near the bars and restaurants at street level could be. We were on about the 14th floor, facing the river. It was wonderful and remains one of our earliest and best MVCI memories. No washers and dryers in the rooms but no problem using the laundry on the upper floor where the clock and the recreation room is. Have a great time. Great MVCI, great city.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I suggest you ask for a room facing the river, high floor. The only complains I have ever seen here on TUG talked about how noisy the lower rooms near the bars and restaurants at street level could be. We were on about the 14th floor, facing the river. It was wonderful and remains one of our earliest and best MVCI memories. No washers and dryers in the rooms but no problem using the laundry on the upper floor where the clock and the recreation room is. Have a great time. Great MVCI, great city.

Are you talking about Boston Harbor (in front of the Aquarium) ?



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[MOXJO7282]

I have news for you you can hear the street noise even on the 16th floor. We have a great few of the harbor and the aquirium and as I'm writing we just heard sirens as if we were right outside.

 

[javabean]

Yes, I do mean Boston Harbor. Because it is in a more protected area I've always thought it was part of the Charles River.

 

[radmoo]

Now that I know that you have a young son, I want to add to my list of must-do's the New England Aquarium. It is on the same pier that has the Whale Watch Boats and is a great aquarium. My 26 year old daughter just moved into a condo in the old Navy Yard last week. It has the old warship "Old Ironsides" that your son would love. As for restaurants, you are a short walk from the Italian neighborhood called the "North End". There are so many great restaurants, just ask the conciege. My favorite is called "R2's". It is close to the Paul Revere House, another good take for a history buff.

It is actually Artu's!

 

[radmoo]

If you have time, I would strongly suggest visit to JFK library. It can be reached by public transit, Redline and then bus. Check w/concierge.

 

[dougp26364]

I have news for you you can hear the street noise even on the 16th floor. We have a great few of the harbor and the aquirium and as I'm writing we just heard sirens as if we were right outside.

Aren't the historic single pain non-inulated windows wonderful?

We'll be there in about 6 weeks, which conincides with the end of the NHL season (possibly the playoff's), the Celtics and the Red Sox all being active. A couple of years ago there was one guy who must have been a BIG fan of all Boston sports and a big fan of drinking beer until the Bars shut down. Every single night, after the bars closed, he'd be out in the street shouting at the top of his lungs "Here We Go (insert name of team playing that night) Here We Go!" I always knew when the bars closed for the night.

 

[wellsronald18]

As TimeTraveler said, you can actually head to the Marriott's restaurant and charge it to your Custom House room. There are plenty of activities Boston has to offer, save the pool for Florida! I highly suggest walking the Freedom Trail!