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Where to stay in Massachusetts

post #1 of 5
11/10/09 at 3:25pm
Thread Starter 
I am going to Lowell, MA in late May for an event and plan on turning the trip into a mini vacation. Since it's a small state several other cities are within easy driving distance and I plan on spending 1 night in/near Lowell and then moving on.

A few questions:

1) Is seeing Boston and Cape Cod over say a 4 day period really feasible? Should I just choose 1 of the 2?

2) The inn/hotel research I've done for Cape Cod is disappointing. Seems like a ton of lower end>average options, with the few nicer places going for a ludicrous amount. Would it be a bad idea to stay in Nantucket/MV from a convenience perspective?

3) I'd appreciate any must sees from the SF point of view (museums, shopping, dining)

Thanks...
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post #2 of 5
11/10/09 at 3:36pm
Go to boston and skip the cape. You're going to have to drive an hour and a half further south of boston if you want to go there and i'm not really sure exactly what you're looking for there now that the weather is turning cooler. Boston has a good variety of museums, dining, shopping and little areas to visit (north end/little italy, walk the freedom trail, see the historical downtown monuments with one of those fake colonial soldier guides, duck tour, go to the harvard square area and walk around, etc...) For sf members you can go to Gary Drinkwater's in Cambridge as well. It's like 3 minutes by car 15-20 walking from harvard square i believe. Can give more information after work depending on what you're looking to do but 4 days is enough time. There is some nice expensive fine dining stuff but also some solid hidden local gems as well for good eating (not foie gras and caviar but good local food that's slightly off the radar)
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post #3 of 5
11/10/09 at 4:45pm
The only good things to come out of Lowell were Jack Kerouac and Moxie. I would focus most of my time on Boston. Depending on your budget you could go high class (Copley plaza, Taj, Lenox House) or mid range with the Sheraton and Marriot. IF you have any questions or need any tips shoot me a pm.

Honet to God, a good way to see the sites of the city is to go on a duck tour.

I would stay away from the Cape this time of year. It is really depressing and you are basically spending your time with meth addicts down there. Good time to hit the cape up would be from end of April through Sept.

If you are going to be in Lowell you have Vermont and NH pretty close if you want to check out the foliage, it's a good date with the lady.
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post #4 of 5
11/10/09 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going next May...
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post #5 of 5
11/12/09 at 3:58pm
If you are really set on trying to see the cape, you need to step it up and go to one of the nicer places. If it is pre- memorial day, you will still get spring rates which will be better. Forget about Nantucket and MV - too expensive, too isolated an the season doesnt kick until Memorial Day, so you will be with locals only at that time. The Chatham Bars Inn http://www.chathambarsinn.com/ is an incredibly nice resort and the weather will be quite nice in May. Same with the Wequassett Inn - http://www.wequassett.com/ beautiful place. From Lowell, it would be more natural to go to New Hampshire or Maine even, instead of the Cape.....but that is totally up to you. Portland Maine is great....you could do Boston - take the Downeaster train up to Portland and spend a night or two up there. Either way, you will have fun....May in New England is really nice.
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