Things to Do During a Cruise Stopover in Boston

[StarTrkGeek]

Our cruise ship will be stopping in Boston on a Sunday in early May. Several Cruise Critic folks (on our roll call) are talking about taking a hop-on, hop-off Trolley that stops near the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. I'm concerned with 2,500 people exiting the ship that the trolleys will be overwhelmed, and there will be a long wait before we can board a trolley. Has anyone had experience using a trolley that stopped near the Cruise Terminal?

 

If this is a bad option, do any Boston residents have a better suggestion (we are NOT history buffs)? We cannot do many stairs (does the subway have stairs only or an elevator?).

 

Thanks for your help.

Alan

[Nitemare]

Our cruise ship will be stopping in Boston on a Sunday in early May. Several Cruise Critic folks (on our roll call) are talking about taking a hop-on, hop-off Trolley that stops near the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. I'm concerned with 2,500 people exiting the ship that the trolleys will be overwhelmed, and there will be a long wait before we can board a trolley. Has anyone had experience using a trolley that stopped near the Cruise Terminal?

 

If this is a bad option, do any Boston residents have a better suggestion (we are NOT history buffs)? We cannot do many stairs (does the subway have stairs only or an elevator?).

 

Thanks for your help.

Alan

 

The Silver Line of the MBTA is nearby (check MBTA.com for maps) and takes you to South Station, where elevators/escalators bring you to ground level where you can explore, or take you to the Red Line where you can continue on your subway journey. Most stations have elevators or escalators, and they work most of the time.

 

Cruiseships stop here all the time, so the trolley companies know how many trolleys to have on hand for your ship, so don't worry about that.

[JJS329]

For just one day in Boston, do Fanuiel Hall and Boston Common

[VidaNaPraia]

HOHO alternatives: Even if you are not history buffs, some of the architecture on the Freedom Trail might appeal to you. You can certainly enjoy strolling through Boston in the spring weather we are SO looking forward to. There are lots of shops and food selections in bustling Quincy Market, and the North End (Italian neighborhood with coffee shops and restaurants) is nearby. The Swan Boats in the Public Garden will have opened for rides. Are you museum buffs? If so, consider the unique Gardner Museum.

[Tony O]

DW and took a taxi up to Bunker Hill and walked the Freedom Trail stop for lunch along the way and finished up near Faneuil Hall.

They have a website for the Freedom Trail and best of all it's free

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Got2Cruise]

Are you sports fans? Go to Fenway Park.

[StarTrkGeek]

Thanks everyone for your input. Has anyone actually tried the trolley? I have seen lots of negative reviews on Trip Advisor.

Alan

[Nitemare]

Thanks everyone for your input. Has anyone actually tried the trolley? I have seen lots of negative reviews on Trip Advisor.

Alan

 

Thousands of people take it every day.

[138east]

It would help if you could focus your particular interests. You mentioned a difficulty with lots of stairs. Do you have mobility issues that would limit the amount of walking you can do? Boston is a small city and one way to see a particular section is by walking.

 

The subway has a lot of accessible stations with elevators and escalators, but you have to have a plan if you want to avoid stairs.

 

Did you mention the exact date and day of the week you would be doing this?

 

If you are concerned about the number of folks trying to get on the trolley near Black Falcon Terminal, you could take a cab to Faneuil Hall and get on the trolley at Stop 1 instead of trying to get on the trolley at Black Falcon. The trolley which picks up at Black Falcon takes everyone to Faneuil Hall where they transfer to the main trolley line, so if you disembark early you may be able to bypass the crowds.

[StarTrkGeek]

It would help if you could focus your particular interests. You mentioned a difficulty with lots of stairs. Do you have mobility issues that would limit the amount of walking you can do? Boston is a small city and one way to see a particular section is by walking.

 

The subway has a lot of accessible stations with elevators and escalators, but you have to have a plan if you want to avoid stairs.

 

Did you mention the exact date and day of the week you would be doing this?

 

If you are concerned about the number of folks trying to get on the trolley near Black Falcon Terminal, you could take a cab to Faneuil Hall and get on the trolley at Stop 1 instead of trying to get on the trolley at Black Falcon. The trolley which picks up at Black Falcon takes everyone to Faneuil Hall where they transfer to the main trolley line, so if you disembark early you may be able to bypass the crowds.

We can walk up to half a mile without sitting down for a rest. We definitely want to go to the Market at Faneuil Hall. We also wanted to get a lobster roll at James Hook and Company.

 

We will be there on Sunday, May 4.

 

I'm not sure about the trolley. There are several different companies, but they all seem to be expensive for what you get.

 

Alan

[138east]

Sunday is tricky. James hook is open 10-3. Faneuil Hall opens at noon. So it would be possible to go to an early lunch at James Hook via cab and then walk the few blocks up to Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall and take a cab back to the ship.

 

James Hook is a bit far to walk to from Black Falcon, but you should be able to walk from JH along the waterfront to the Aquarium end of Faneuil Hall.

[Nitemare]

Actually in May, FH opens at 11AM on Sundays

[chengkp75]

We can walk up to half a mile without sitting down for a rest. We definitely want to go to the Market at Faneuil Hall. We also wanted to get a lobster roll at James Hook and Company.

 

We will be there on Sunday, May 4.

 

I'm not sure about the trolley. There are several different companies, but they all seem to be expensive for what you get.

 

Alan

 

Much better lobster roll at Yankee Lobster on Northern Ave. About 8/10ths of a mile walk from Black Falcon, or Silver Line bus.