Bachelorette Party

My best friend is getting married, and wants a bachelorette weekend on the Cape. Does anyone know of a good hotel that we could stay at ( about 20 girls-5 rooms)? We want something decent and clean, but that we can also have some fun at the bars nearby. Of course, in the spirit of things I expect it will be a rowdy, late night; which needs to be taken into consideration for the accomodation choice.

Bachelorette Party

For Bachelorette parties, Newport, RI would be a better choice. WALKING distance to more bars and restaurants, as well as more choices, plus the beach nearby. The Cape has become much more of a family destination over the years....i.e. cookouts, beaching, casual dinners....not as much of a party scene as it used to be for 20 - 30 somethings...something to consider.

Bachelorette Party

Well Hyannis and Provincetown both might be good choices for a fun time. Unfortunately, I can%26#39;t give any first hand recommendations for your lodging in Hyannis. In Provincetown, perhaps you might consider the Brass Key which has an excellent reputation and is close to things happening in town. Also, the Fairbanks Inn might be a possibility. Have a great time!

What about Seacoast in Hyannis? Also walking distance to a lot of attractions , restaurants and bars on Main St. yet right near the harbor and beach. They are highly rated on tripadvisors and moderate in price. Check it out.

If you expect a rowdy late night, Hyannis or Provincetown would be the best choices. One word of caution, over the past few years the Hyannis police have been cracking down on late night misbehavior. I haven%26#39;t seen anything in the paper lately, but I recall several articles from last summer about problems with the after-hours bar crowd.

You%26#39;d have a really good time in this Pub for SURE. You could leave the cars in their parking lot and forget about them for a few days. This place is called the Cape Cod Irish Village in West Yarmouth on Rte 28. One thing about it that you%26#39;ll really like is that they have breakfast and dinner packages and their food is really good, you pick what you want right off the menu too. The rooms are nothing to write home about, trust me they%26#39;re just your basic motel rooms, but you%26#39;re hardly ever there any way. The pub is the draw here and that%26#39;s where you%26#39;ll want to be at night with your type of a group any way. I think you guys would have a really good time here. If it%26#39;s rainy when you%26#39;re here during the day? Head to Hyannis, it%26#39;s right up the road, tons of shopping along this road and all that. There%26#39;s even a Christmas Tree Shop right across the road. Be careful crossing this road, it gets busy in the summer months, just use their cross walk. Their outdoor pool here is fun, most of the time with groups that stay there like yours. It%26#39;s a place that people go to all year round too which shows you how much fun it is. It%26#39;s all ages too, your age group is starting to find out about this wonderfully convenient little place these days. They own the motel beside them called the Mayflower as well as the Cape Traveler. I%26#39;ve stayed at the Cape Traveler and there%26#39;s a walking path to get right to the Pub %26amp; main complex right out back, how convenient is that AND their pool here has a cabana where your group could hang out, so remember that:

www.capecod-irishvillage.com

Have a wonderful time!

Defintiely do Provincetown!! The accomodations might be a little priceir, but so worth it. Plus you will never need cabs- so factor that money into the hotels. Right along Commercial Street, you have bars, clubs, shopping, restaurants....and not to mention the most entertaining crowds around!! Staying in PTown you also have some of the most beautiful beaches surrounding you to hit up during the day.

Hyannis has grown overly crowded in the summer time - especially nights on Main Street. You%26#39;ll find yourself waitng online to get into a bar that isn%26#39;t worth it. From beach to the bars...cabs are needed and Hyannis beaches arent even all that great.

Also - in PTown...you%26#39;re rowdyness will blend right in!!

Hi guys! Some friends and I are also trying to plan a bachelorette and we%26#39;re deciding between Provincetown and Portland, ME. Any thoughts?! We think P-town would be something she would never forget but Portland is apparently so nice, too. Does anyone know anything about the Surfside Hotel %26amp; Suites in P-town?

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl - June 5-7

The Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl all you can eat ice cream party may be as popular as the Boston Tea Party. Now held at City Hall Plaza, look for it each June as an unofficial beginning of summer.

The event serves up ice cream from 10 of the nation’s leading ice cream companies while raising money for the Jimmy Fund, which supports cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The Scooper Bowl has grown into the world’s biggest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival - with 30,000-plus annual attendees, live music, and volunteers from the industry’s largest companies on hand at Boston’s City Hall Plaza to serve up ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet over three days each June.

Tuesday, June 5th - 11:30am-6:00pm

Wednesday, June 6th – 11:30am-8:00pm

Thursday, June 7th – 11:30am-6:00pm

AlanM

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl - June 5-7

Alan,

Thanks for the heads-up. I will be stopping by on my commute home from work. Kudos to you for bringing the Jimmy Fund to the the main stage at TA. It%26#39;s a cause that none of us should overlook.

trolley tour

What is the difference between the beantown trolley tour and the old town trolley? Are they 2 different companies? Which one is better?

trolley tour

Hi Kayjenks,

Yes, they%26#39;re two different companies. They%26#39;re both really great! It%26#39;s just that the Beantown Trolley Tour is part of the following deal and it%26#39;s highly recommended by alot of the travelers and experts on this particular site and others in Boston really like it alot, if you go to this:

www.GoBostonCard.com

you%26#39;ll read all the great deals included when you get this card, it%26#39;s really wonderful. Beantown Trolley is affiliated with Brush Hill Tours and Gray Line which are highly reputable at giving great tours. They give excellent tours of the City.

Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston are the orange and green trolleys you%26#39;ll see around the City; they can be reached at 1 800 868-7482.

It%26#39;s your call, take your pick!

Have fun!

trolley tour

I had the Go Boston Card and took the Bean Town Trolley tour. We took it on 2 different days with 2 differetn drivers and had bad experience with both. Waiting times for the trolley was long and we saw the Old town trolley pass by twice... should have gone with that one. The drivers had mild road rage, but I still could hear them say stuff that I find unprofessional and I ont want to hear it. One seemed like he was yelling at us the whole time and was not funny. The other read stuttered and repeated stuff over because he was reading the information WHILE driving! He also kept answering his cell phone, and his trolley wasnt in the best shape as well, as the breaks were squeaky very loudly that we had to change trolleys in the middle. He also skipped some stops announcements and yelled at the people in the back ti quiet down and claimed he has ADD.

I%26#39;ve heard good things about Old Town Trolley.....

There%26#39;s also the Duck Tours which are great if you%26#39;ve got kids...

While in Boston last November, we went on an Old Town Trolley tour and it was great! The drivers were great and we didn%26#39;t have to wait long to reboard at any stop. It was a good way to get your bearings in the city and visit some of the historical spots. I would highly recommend it!

I took a look at the online map for the OLD TOWN trolley and it gets pretty fuzzy when you zoom in on it. Do they give you a map that you can clearly see the stops on?

If you have the Go Card, Beantown is the choice.

If you are buying a ticket, Old Town is probably the best bet. Every company has good and not-so good drivers. Old Town is the most professional organization. The big difference in the tour itself is frequency. Old Town picks up much more often.. Believe they also go to Fenway.

sanskrit name

July fourth sugestions

Hi all

We are going to be in Boston on the fourth,My wife and two kids 12,14 would like to see the fireworks with the boston pops, any sugestions on best way to see them as far as location and timming? We plan to be in a hotel in downtown anduse th T as much as possible. Thanks

David

July fourth sugestions

The most obvious answer is to get a blanket and pack some food and go sit on the Esplanade. To get a good spot, get there by 3pm. Some people get there early in the morning, but I think that%26#39;s excessive. We%26#39;ve never had any trouble getting there later, but you really don%26#39;t want to be showing up at 5pm or later expecting to get a decent spot.

July fourth sugestions

Hi,

First, you should be aware that you really can%26#39;t see the concert and the fireworks at the same time. By that, I mean that the seats on the Esplanade which afford a great view of the concert, are very poor for watching the fireworks.

Usually, there are a couple of JumboTron TV screens set up for people to watch the concert outside of the Esplanade, in areas where the Fireworks-watching is much better.

For best viewing of the Fireworks, you want to either be in the Cambridge side of the river, along Memorial Drive, or, my personal favorite spot is on the middle of the Longfellow bridge, on the Boston-bound side. You are looking straight at the fireworks barge, with nothing to obstruct the view. Also, you get beautiful reflections off of the John Hancock tower as well.

Check out this website, for more information:

http://www.july4th.org

What time does the firework display usually start ?

Taken from the July 4th site to answer peoples question regarding the Fireworks Show, it starts at 10:30 PM.

The event for 2007 will again be held on the Esplanade in Boston, along the Charles River, which includes the Hatch Shell and Oval.

July 3rd Concert

4:00 pm – Oval Opens

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm – Concert

July 4th Concert %26amp; Fireworks

9:00 am – Oval Opens

8:30 pm - 10:30 pm – Concert

10:30 pm – Fireworks Show

July 4th Broadcast Information

8:00 pm – Local broadcast on WBZ-TV

10:00 pm – National broadcast on CBS Network

Go to the concert on July 3 and then go to the Charles River on July 4 to see the Fireworks

The concert is the same each night except for the Fireworks on July 4

Less Crowds on the grass to enjoy on July 3

I%26#39;ve watched from a few different spots, the Cambridge side of the river has more room, so you can find spots later, but for some silly reason they don%26#39;t turn off the bright traffic lights along Memorial Drive, which runs along the river, so that can kind of kill the feel of nighttime, and trees also obstruct a good deal in the two spots I%26#39;ve been there- 1 near Mass. Ave Bridge and another down near Longfellow.

Take a look at the map on the official website when they have it up closer to the event, it shows where the fireworks barge is, and that will give you an idea of what direction you%26#39;ll be looking and you can keep an eye out for trees and such in your line-of-sight.

The best spot I%26#39;ve had for viewing the fireworks was actually the alley behind Beacon Street, right at the fence next to Storrow Drive at Exeter Street. We went out 15 minutes before the fireworks start. Once the esplanade fills up, people start hanging out on the pedestrian bridges that go over Storrow Drive to the Esplanade and then the bridges fill and then people hang out in the alley! We had a very clear view of the fireworks- this is not to say it%26#39;s the spot to hang out and have a picnic ahead of time, but it%26#39;s a great view- and you%26#39;re the first ones out to head for the T.

The major bridges over the river are similar- they have a good view, but they are also not the nicest spot to spend hours-- sitting on cement instead of grass, and people are constantly filtering through.

The fireworks display itself is somewhat unimpressive to me. I grew up in small town with an awesome fireworks display tho, so I%26#39;m kinda spoiled. But I think what makes Boston special is the atmosphere and the concert- so I%26#39;d choose getting a enjoyable spot to spend the afternoon/evening and picnic over having the best view of the fireworks.

Also, there is a rehearsal concert on the 3rd at the Hatch Shell and that doesn%26#39;t require getting there nearly as early to get a spot, so you might want to consider that too, especially if it%26#39;s very hot or rainy.

And if you%26#39;re not busy guarding your spot at the Hatch Shell, you can check out the various other 4th of July events including the USS Constitution turn-around, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the old State House.

Have a great trip!

burts bees

Bagels in Boston

Any ideas for bagel shops? We are staying at the Intercontinental hotel.

Bagels in Boston

Lots of options nearby in the Financial District, including chains like Bruegger%26#39;s and Finagle%26#39;s, and AuBonPain, as well as locally-owned delis. (Bruegger%26#39;s are my favorite)

Bagels in Boston

And on the other side of the Greenway (Atlantic Avenue) near Rwes Wharf , Panera bread also sells bagels. And, they%26#39;re open Sunday mornings!

If you%26#39;re willing to travel, come to Brookline and go to Kupel%26#39;s...

You would take the Green Line, C branch, get off at Coolidge Corner. When you exit, walk north on Harvard (to the right) a few blocks...

National Seashore Beaches/Parking

Spending week here in late July. Staying in Eastham - not within walking distance of beaches. We are fairly mobile ';seniors'; and interested in spending time on beaches and wondering about recommendations.

Have read in Frommer%26#39;s that you can purchase week long parking pass for $40 to park at National Seashore beaches. Likely in the 11ish to 3ish time range weather permitting. Like the sound of oceanside rather than bay beaches and realize colder. Appreciate any thoughts on this.

National Seashore Beaches/Parking

I hadn%26#39;t heard of that National Seashore beach pass until just now - and after looking into it I%26#39;m not sure it%26#39;s such a great deal. The six beaches that you%26#39;re granted entry to just aren%26#39;t my favorite beaches. I much prefer the town beaches and when I look at all the beaches an Eastham Town pass will get you into it looks like the better deal as you%26#39;ve got all sorts of bay beaches, ocean beaches and ponds (my favorite for a swim) to choose from as the mood strikes you - and all of them are close by.

eastham-ma.gov/Public_Documents/…directions

As far as that time of day being good or not - it%26#39;s hard to say. It often happens, in busy months like July, that a parking lot is full and a quick change of plan is in order.

National Seashore Beaches/Parking

If you plan to go to the ocean beaches in Eastham then the $40 pass is a great idea. It will also get you into Marconi beach in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow beach in Truro and Herring Cove in Provincetown. Eastham does not have any town beaches on the ocean because they gave them all to the Feds when the park was created in the late 1950%26#39;s. If you only want to go to the beach after about 5:30 in the evening, then you will not need a pass for federal beaches.

You will find that the easiest access is Eastham%26#39;s Coast Guard Beach which has a ramp for handicap accessibility. All of the other ocean beaches have many, many steps...not a big problem if you don%26#39;t mind stairs but a bit difficult if you do. You can purchase your pass at the Visitor%26#39;s Center just before you get to the parking which is at Little Creek Staging Area. Once you park take the electric shuttle (they run continually from about 9 a.m-6p.m.) between the beach and the lot. The shuttle is very convenient and only take a few minutes. If you go a bit further up the coast you will see Nauset Light Beach which has just received a new set of stairs (the former set was washed away in the last big storm). Here you have steep stairs with high dunes to the west of the beach. Whichever beach you choose....go early or take the chance that you will not get in. We have never been denied parking entirely but sometimes we have to drive to Truro to Head of the Meadow beach because the Eastham beaches are so popular.

Bring sun screen, and a good book. It%26#39;s heaven!

Are parking charges year round for beaches, or are they seasonal ?

parking charges are seasonal generaly Memoral day to labor day, with some weekend in the shoulder season.

Thanks yellowbird. Think Coast Guard Beach sounds like right speed (mainly for sitting and taking in view and not primarily swimming as can see it might not be best for that) and research shows many parking fees for different beaches including city ones so will likely go pass route for week. May aim for 10 to get into parking lot near there.

The government parks site for National Seashore including various fees is http://www.nps.gov/caco/ What I am a little confused about is whether there is an additional fee to access beaches or will the parking pass provide access for 2 adults? Also wondering if passes of some kind required just to drive and visit towns between Eastham and Provincetown?

First trip to Cape Cod and since only have heard good things about beauty really looking forward to it.

Once you park your car there are no fees to enter the beach. You just park, get on the shuttle and it brings you to the beach. If you want to avoid the fee you can park free at the Salt Pond Visitors Center and then walk the bike trail to get in or bike in. It is about a 2 mile walk so if you have beach gear that won%26#39;t work for you. I think the Park Service may charge a small fee for bikers and walk-ins....or least they say they do. We have walked in many times and not been charged so I%26#39;m not sure what the walk-in policy is. I do know that they do not allow cars to drop off passengers and then leave as it tends to overload the beach. I guess that%26#39;s a good thing since the main thing about the National Seashore beaches that distinguishes them from most town beaches is the uncrowded sandy beach. Of course if you are denied access because it has reached capacity you might not appreciate it!

The Cape Cod National Seashore is unique in that it was created after development occurred. So, there is no scenic ';loop road'; like in Acadia, where the Park service charges a fee. But you do have individual towns that charge for parking at town beaches and Provincetown charges for parking in-town. Other than that, the towns on the outer cape are free.

Very helpful info, yellowbird. Thank you.

Chez Sven B&B, Wellfleet

I%26#39;ve just booked the Chez Sven for the last two nights of a trip we%26#39;re taking in August (down the coast of Maine, to Boston and then to the Cape). The only room they had left was the studio cottage. Has anyone else stayed here?

I%26#39;m having second thoughts, as I understand that bathroom is shared with the innkeepers and in the main cottage...any feedback is appreciated.

Chez Sven B%26amp;B, Wellfleet

Any feedback that you get is not going to change the fact that you will be sharing the bathroom with strangers. That might not bother you OR you may enjoy your vacation more if you have at least the same standard of accommodation that you have at home.

Chez Sven B%26amp;B, Wellfleet

I have not stayed there but have frequented several other small B+Bs in Wellfleet and Eastham. If you are unsure of the amount of private space you will have, you need to be direct and ask the inn keepers for more information. If you want a private bath (and we certainly always do!) then first ask them about the situation in the room you reserved and if it is a shared bath look around at other outer cape B+B%26#39;s for one that offers private baths. Of course you will have to pay more for privacy and luxury any place you stay on the outer cape but there are several nice B+Bs that offer private baths, privacy and luxury. We prefer the Fort HIll Bed and Breakfast in Eastham which also offers direct access to the Fort HIll Area and a fabulous full breakfast in addition to ocean views. If you are looking for a ';green'; accommodation, you might consider it. I am not sure what their minimum stay policy is but it%26#39;s worth a look. www.forthillbedandbreakfast.com

If they are not in your price range go to the local town chamber sites and search there: www.easthamchamber.com and www.wellfleetchamber.com should get you started.