shopping & sightseeing in boston

[craftymarie]

hi, we will be in Boston for 4 days prior to our cruise on oct 20th 2013. we are trying to figure out how to schedule in shopping while not missing out on sightseeing as most attractions seem to close at 5pm. we also want to visit salem so that's a day gone. I guess my question is... are shops/malls open later in the evenings than 5 pm?:) we will be in Boston from wed to sun morning. any advice ideas etc will be much appreciated. cant wait to make the most of our time there.

tia. Marie

[1025cruise]

First, have you booked a hotel for your stay? That weekend is Head of the Charles. If you haven't booked a hotel yet, do that right now. Expect that it will be costly.

 

With regards to shopping, what type of shopping are you looking for? Quincy Marketplace will be open in the evening.

[138east]

Yes - the malls are open later than 5 pm.

 

Where are you staying in town? Check out Copley Place and Prudential Shops- both are indoor urban malls across the street from one another in Back Bay. There is also the Galleria on the east side of Cambridge near the Lechmere T stop plus all of Harvard Square. Macy's and the Eddie Bauer outlet are at Downtown Crossing plus there's all the shops at Quincy Market. Are you looking for anything in particular?

[craftymarie]

sorry should have said, we are staying in the boston park plaza hotel, hopefully this is fairly central and accessible, it was recommended by our t/a. as regards shopping will be looking for reasonably priced clothes and craft/paper craft stores ie Michaels, Joannes,

any recommendations appreciated. we will not be hiring a car so will be taking public transport or walking. will consider taxi if there is a great mall somewhere. we want to save the day time for sightseeing unless we find ourselves near a craft shop. lol.

what is best way to get from airport to hotel

and from hotel to cruise terminal

thanks Marie

[1025cruise]

Forget the crafts stores. To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any in Boston.

 

The Park Plaza is right by Boston Common. It's "down the street" from the Prudential/Copley Place malls.

 

How do you plan to get to Salem? If you aren't getting a car, you will have to take the commuter rail. Take the green line from Arlington (near your hotel) to North Station, then take the commuter rail to Salem. Just make sure you have the schedules. The commuter rail doesn't run as frequently, especially on weekends.

[138east]

Don't be so fast to say forget the crafts stores. Craftymary - take a look at this link and let us know if anything catches your interest http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=michaels+craft+store&find_loc=Boston%2C+MA

 

Numbers 1-7 on this list are going to be the easiest to access via public transit from Boston. However, these places are less likely to have extended hours so you should go there first thing in the morning and sightsee all afternoon. Numbers 1 and 4 are within walking distance of your hotel.

[craftymarie]

thanks so much 138east for that list. I could only find a couple of stores when I searched. unfortunately I would really like to go to Michaels stores. as there are no large craft stores in Ireland and I want to experience the variety. have you any idea which is the best/ easiest to get to? are any of these stores at malls or in retail parks or are they isolated?

thanks Marie

[138east]

How exciting for you! There's a Michaels at 37 White St Cambridge, which is at the Porter Square Shopping Center which is at the Porter Square T stop on the Red Line and it's open until 9 pm. Mon- Sat. That means that you could do a Harvard Square excursion and either walk or take the T one stop to Porter, shop at Michaels, and take your stuff back to the hotel.

[Nitemare]

Michaels in Somerville is on the Red Line, not hard to get to on rapid transit and a very short walk at the store end of the subway line.

 

Unless you have a specific reason to go to Salem, I'd recommend against it. I mean, if you're really into the witch stuff and Nathanial Hawthorne, go for it, but there's so much else to do closer to the city.

[138east]

Just so we don't confuse the OP, we are both talking about the same store. I don't know exactly how the property lines run, but the Porter Square Shopping Center seems to be in both Cambridge and Somerville. My son lives on Elm St behind the shopping center and he is in Somerville, but I think the T station side is in Cambridge. Anyway, who cares. There's a Michaels there for craftymarie and that's all that matters.

[craftymarie]

thank you both for the info. cant wait to see all the goodies

in Michaels:D.

as regards Salem, this is somewhere I have wanted to visit since childhood. so I need to get it out of my system lol. I know the reviews are not great but oh well I know i'd regret it if I didn't go.. we are hoping to take the ferry early in am and stay til after lunch then back to boston maybe do some shopping on this day. would either thur 17th oct or sat 19th be the quietest in salem. I know its near Halloween so will be busy anyway. I want to keep two days together to do hoho as its free on 2nd consecutive day.

thanks Marie

[138east]

My guess is that Salem will be a zoo on Saturday. However, there may be more events going on. You aren't driving, which is a big source of the problem due to narrow streets and limited parking. Going first thing in the morning is also good. I'd look at the ferry schedule and the weather at the time to see what would work better. You want a nice day for Salem. You can ride the hoho in the rain.

 

I really enjoyed the House of the Seven Gables. Just selective about what choose to pay entrance fees for.

[craftymarie]

thank you again. was excited at the thought of seeing 2 Michaels stores. but I am so delighted that I can get to one will do late night some evening. so I guess I will wait til I get to boston and can check weather before I plan my salem day. do you know of any cheap and cheerful restaurants near the boston park plaza. we really dislike "posh" ones.

we will do the freedom trail and the hoho. hubby wants to see the constitution ship. are there any must sees and anywhere we should avoid. not interested in aquarium.

thanks. asking all these questions is making me

want to go tomorrow :Dnot oct:(

[Twickenham]

thank you again. was excited at the thought of seeing 2 Michaels stores. but I am so delighted that I can get to one will do late night some evening. so I guess I will wait til I get to boston and can check weather before I plan my salem day. do you know of any cheap and cheerful restaurants near the boston park plaza. we really dislike "posh" ones.

we will do the freedom trail and the hoho. hubby wants to see the constitution ship. are there any must sees and anywhere we should avoid. not interested in aquarium.

thanks. asking all these questions is making me

want to go tomorrow :Dnot oct:(

 

Just got back from Boston yesterday. I'm fortunate in that it's a car trip for me, so I can shop to my heart's content and just toss the bags into the back of the car :D. Generally you can count on stores being open until 9 pm, with some open as late at 10 or 11. Check the websites for opening times of individual stores - the info is sometimes a bit hard to find, but it's usually there somewhere.

Looking at your hotel's location on Google maps there looks to be quite a few restaurants in the general vicinity. I've actually been to the P.F. Chang's down the street, very nice chinese food, and there's also a Legal Seafood nearby as well. One thing I will say about the US is that they are specialists in casual dining, and often even the more expensive venues will have a more relaxed feel than what you generally find in Europe.

I recommend you bring a folding bag that you can use for all the stuff you will buy at Michael's...;)

[1025cruise]

I'm in the vicinity of the Park Plaza regularly for business.

What's your definition of "posh"? Down the street from the Park Plaza you will find a Maggiano's Little Italy, a Legal Seafood, a McCormick and Schmicks, and a Smith and Wollensky steakhouse (that will be expensive, good, but expensive). A little further will get you to the state transportation building. The first level is all retail. You will find the PF Changs, an italian place called Vapiano, an Indian place, a Rock Bottom Brewery, plus a food court with normal food court options. On the farthest corner, there is a Panera (good for a quick breakfast).

[Got2Cruise]

If you are able to sign up to be on Michael's mailing list do it now. Then you can print out coupons and bring them with you. For example, today I received a 40% off one non-sale item coupon.

[craftymarie]

If you are able to sign up to be on Michael's mailing list do it now. Then you can print out coupons and bring them with you. For example, today I received a 40% off one non-sale item coupon.

 

wow that's some saving. I tried to sign up but as we don't have zip codes in Ireland its coming up invalid:(.

 

thank you all for your replies any and all info welcome. I will keep checking:) as i am addicted to cc

[mkschles]

There is a Michaels south of Boston a block from the Bainbridge stop on the redline as well. I used to go to that one when I lived in Brookline. As for food, you're going to be in a city with wonderful food. If you're adventurous, skip the chains and hit some local places. You'll be near the best Italian restaurant in Boston called Giacomos on Columbus Street. Make a reservation and note that everything is cash! You'll love Boston. It is a neat city.

[mkschles]

Also - there is a great yarn and fabric store called Windsor Button near Boston Common and a nice fabric store in Chinatown called Winmill.

[craftymarie]

Also - there is a great yarn and fabric store called Windsor Button near Boston Common and a nice fabric store in Chinatown called Winmill.

 

brilliant I also want to get a selection of ribbons and buttons.

I make handmade cards so am looking for loads of embellishments, spellbinders, punches and all that kind of stuff:D

[Got2Cruise]

Put in the zip code of your hotel.

[craftymarie]

Put in the zip code of your hotel.

 

nope not working. looking for a valid postcode!

we are staying in the boston park plaza hotel

[Arusha]

Also - there is a great yarn and fabric store called Windsor Button near Boston Common and a nice fabric store in Chinatown called Winmill.

 

*** Windsor Button went out of business in April.***

 

http://www.windsorbutton.com/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/02/14/marking-end-era-windsor-button-goes-out-business-after-years-downtown/FJJg49dE83YP3EmKU0612I/story.html

[mkschles]

What??? Tragic!!

[Nitemare]

nope not working. looking for a valid postcode!

we are staying in the boston park plaza hotel

 

 

This is an address near me:

 

17 Carter St

Waltham, MA 02453 ‎

 

should work for your needs.