A frequent question from guests when they’re reserving a room at our Cape Cod beach hotel is “How far is Cape Cod from Boston?” Not far!
With Boston just 90 miles from Ship’s Knees Inn, extending your trip by a couple of nights to enjoy Boston is a great idea, especially for international visitors or those who have traveled a great distance. You’re already so close, why not take in the history and culture of Boston before heading home?
If you have been considering adding Boston to your Cape Cod vacation, but are on the fence, perhaps this will help you make the final decision. Our son Curt is the general manager of two beautiful boutique hotels in Cambridge, and guests of Ship’s Knees Inn are offered a 25% discount on their stay at either of the properties, Hotel 1868 and the Porter Square Hotel.
If your time in Boston is limited, we would suggest focusing on the Freedom Trail for a day’s excursion. You will feel the history when touring the Old North Church, where Paul Revere famously lit “one if by land, two if by sea” lanterns in its steeple to alert troops on the method of arrival of British soldiers. (It was by sea.)
Speaking of Paul Revere, his 1680-built home is also on the Freedom Trail. Other highlights include: the Massachusetts Statehouse; Boston Common, the oldest public park in the country and home of “Embrace,” the sculpture dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife; King’s Chapel and its burying ground, the oldest in Boston; the Old State House, the oldest surviving public building in Boston; and the Old South Meeting Hall, where tax debates would eventually lead to the Boston Tea Party. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is also on the Freedom Trail, but it has become quite touristy. We say skip it and head to lunch.
Several Freedom Trail stops are in the North End, which is world renowned for its Italian restaurants. Carmelina’s Boston draws rave reviews online and from Boston Magazine, as does Giacomo’s, both of which serve lunch. A visit to the North End without getting Italian pastry would be sad, so by all means indulge. Is Mike’s Pastry worth the hype? Who knows? But it is absolutely iconic, and the cannoli and tiramisu are absolutely worth the calories.
Another fun option is utilizing the Boston Water Taxi Service. Twenty bucks buys a one-way trip across the harbor to one of many stops. The views of Boston alone are worth the price. We love popping over to the Seaport District and having a leisurely lunch at Row 34. Oysters on the half are a must! The Institute for Contemporary Art is less than a 10-minute walk, should you be so inclined.
For your return trip on the water taxi, consider a diversion to the Charlestown Navy Yard, where you can get up close and personal with the U.S.S. Constitution. Save yourself a few dollars sailing back to Boston by taking the MBTA Charlestown on your return. It docks at the centrally located Long Wharf, where you can grab a cab back to Cambridge to relax before dinner.
But wait! We have one more suggestion.
Should time and energy permit, cab it back to the Public Garden (the other half of Boston Common) and take a quick ride on one of the famous Swan Boats, which have been charming visitors and locals since 1877.
Once you’ve had a chance to relax back in your room, our son has several suggestions for nearby restaurants.
Right in Cambridge are Guilia, an Italian restaurant, and Gustavo Cuban Kitchen and Bar. Just across the Charles River in the Back Bay area of Boston, he suggests Krasi, a Greek restaurant that bills itself as “a deliciously defiant nod to tradition” and has a 4.7-star rating on Google. Also in that area are La Voile, a charming French bistro, and Select Oyster Bar, another iconic Boston eatery.
Have another day to spend in Boston? Lucky you!
As luck would have it, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are within walking distance of each other in the Fenway-Kenmore Neighborhood. Both are wonderful. The Gardner still bears the empty frames from the infamous 1990 heist where thieves made off with roughly $500 million worth of masterpieces.
Fenway Park
One last thing: If you do find yourself in the Fenway area, consider taking a tour of the ballpark. They are offered daily and provide a unique opportunity for seeing the beloved park. Well, it’s beloved if you’re Red Sox fan.
Go, Sox!