Boston Getaway and Hotel Guide

Visiting Boston is like taking a walk through history. Successfully blending old and new architecture, Boston offers visitors a wealth of vacation opportunities.

Before you travel to Boston try to decide what type of trip you want to have and plan accordingly. If you want to have the "city" experience, you'll need to approach planning your trip differently than if you want a more relaxed "country" experience. With Boston's wonderful transit system, moving from the city to the country and vice versa is easy. Naturally the high concentration of colleges and universities in the area tends to attract a lot of young people, which lends a special vitality to the city. Yet it is hardly a city that caters only to the young.

If you want to experience all the bells and whistles of the city itself, stay in a major hotel in the heart of Boston. This is also probably best for the business traveler, too, because it will be easy to get around. Of course, there are so many wonderful hotels in the area. One of the oldest and most popular hotels is the Omni Parker House. It is, however, expensive and probably not the best bet for large families on a budget. Business people tend to love the Omni. For a family of five, there are plenty of less expensive alternatives. Many of the hotel chains offer family rates so ask your travel agent for help and shop around for bargains.

The largest selection of hotel choices is in Back Bay/Copley Square, in the heart of Boston's downtown. They include the Marriott Copley Place, the Hilton Boston Back Bay, the Westin Copley Place, the Sheraton, the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, the Fairmont Copley Plaza, the Lenox and the Colonnade. All are deluxe accommodations to varying degrees.

If you are visiting the city with your family, you'll probably want to spend a lot of time touring the sites along what's known as the Freedom Trail. Most people walk along the trail, which is over two miles long, by following the red line that leads to each point of interest. And of course, you have to visit Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the one everyone talks about when they visit Boston. Dating back to 1742, Faneuil Hall is where numerous protests against British rule took place. Because it is known as "the cradle of liberty," it is a good place to take your children and teach them about freedom and our political history.

If you are a solo traveler and want to take in some of the history during the day and enjoy the nightlife at night, stay in the heart of Boston. You'll be able to choose from ultra fancy hotels or moderately priced hotels -- the options are endless. Just remember that Boston is a "college" city, so if you want to increase your chances of meeting young people, travel while school is in session.

Most business people prefer to stay just a few miles outside of downtown Boston, which splits the distance between the city itself and the airport. If you are worried about hotel quality, you might want to try the Susse Chalet Boston Hotel, which caters to the needs of business people. The hotel has Internet workstations and a free shuttle that will take you to all your business appointments.

Renting a car in the city isn't always the best way to go, if you don't have the patience regarding city parking. Besides, you really don't need a car. Public transportation isn't a problem all. You can take the subway, a cab, a bus, or a train. Besides, there is so much to do in Boston, between the art museums, theaters, historical sites, restaurants, and shopping centers, that you are bound to be within walking distance of something that will interest you.

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