5 hours to kill in Boston, what to do?

[t_car]

Cruising on the NCL Dawn this October. Will be arriving at Logan airport at 8:15am (we hope), and ship sails at 4pm. Figure we have some time to kill.

 

Anyone have any ideas of what's closeby and doable, and best way to get there.

 

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[chengkp75]

Cruising on the NCL Dawn this October. Will be arriving at Logan airport at 8:15am (we hope), and ship sails at 4pm. Figure we have some time to kill.

 

Anyone have any ideas of what's closeby and doable, and best way to get there.

 

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

The Silver line bus is free from Logan, and takes you to South Station. There is Package Express operated by Peter Pan bus line that will hold luggage for $5-6 per bag, IIRC. While the entire Freedom Trail might be tight in the time you have, you could start at Faneuil Hall, and do the Quincy Market, North End, and possibly Charlestown. You could do the Hop on Hop off bus, where you can get on and off the buses at any stop for one price, or take the T to Quincy Market and walk from there. Get back to South Station, collect your luggage, and the Silver Line will take you right to Black Falcon Terminal for a couple bucks. Personally, with a limited amount of time in Boston, the Quincy Market/North End packs the most in a limited area. One beauty of Boston is that nearly everything is in walking distance.

 

I'm a history fan, and the USS Constitution is not to be missed. The HoHo bus will get you there and back, and the tour is great.

 

Google the "Hop On Hop Off" tours in Boston, Boston "T" (subway, bus, train, and water taxi), Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, and North End, and you can research to find what fits your interests.

[138east]

That's really early. Your problem is your luggage, particularly your carryons.

 

You're arriving on a Friday morning. If the weather is good, I'd consider taking the free shuttle bus at Logan to the water taxi terminal to take the Rowes Wharf Water Taxi ($10/pp) across the harbor to Rowes Wharf where you can store your luggage for free. Call them to confirm that you can do that. Check everything you can with them so you are essentially hands free. Walk north along the harbor (google Boston Harborwalk) to the Long Wharf/ Aquarium area where you have the choice of continuing on into the North End (Paul Revere House and North Church) or going into the Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area. You can continue on walking the Freedom trail backwards to the Boston Common.

 

You MUST be at the cruise terminal no later than 2:30 pm to check in. No later than 1-1:30 I would be back at Rowes Wharf (via cab or walking) to pick up your luggage to go back to the terminal. The distance isn't that far and the traffic should be OK midday, but you don't want to cut it too close.

 

A cab from Logan to the pier would be about $25. I'm assuming you can drop off luggage early, but you might not want to send your carryons through the ship's luggage system and you might not want to carry them around all day. IMO leaving everything at Rowes Wharf is a better solution and a better place to start your Boston exploration.

[cougaraz]

With just a few hours, would highly recommend the USS CONSTITUTION and the Old North Church. Very few places in the US will let you get so close to so much history. The CONSTITUTION is the oldest warship in the Navy, still in active service and manned by active duty sailors. She is a national treasure. Depending on your fitness level, you might be able to walk a good portion of the Freedom Trail as well. The hop on hop off bus is great in Boston, but not sure you can extract enough value for your dollars in an hour.

[138east]

The Constitution is a great option, particularly first thing in the morning. It opens at 9 am and the first tour is 10 am. If you walk to Long Wharf, you can take the MBTA water taxi to Charlestown for $3/pp each way.

 

Do some Boston research to see what else appeals.

[t_car]

Thanks Folks,

 

You have give me some good ideas and things to research on.

Appreciate it very much.

 

Tony

[138east]

One more thought - you can buy a Rowes Wharf water taxi all day ticket for $25/pp which would allow you to ride the water taxi from Logan to Rowes Wharf and Rowes Wharf to Long Wharf and Black Falcon terminal and any other places along the waterfront you want to go.