Boston hotel/neighborhood recommendations

Best area to stay in if Fenway is your focus is Brookline. The T (metro) runs right down Beacon Street to Kenmore (closest stop to Fenway). But if you're in the Coolidge Corner / Longwood area its great to walk to Fenway via the Emerald Necklace (walking trail in a park along the Fens, the watery area that Fenway is named for).

Our hotel in that area is the Longwood Inn.

If you're taking the T to the game, make sure you put ROUND TRIP fare on your Charlie card - the BPD/transit police run a tight ship after a game, you really can't purchase a fare card at that point (at least not at the Fenway stop_), you need the $$ on the card in advance. They also run extra cars in the train itself. Not sure if you're wearing a jersey (presumably Mariners), but as long as you're not obnoxious, you'll be fine. Take a tour of Fenway if you can as well, as a physical building, it's AWESOME.

The Fenway stop is also pretty close to the park, and it's outdoors, so not as claustrophobic as Kenmore after a game.

They close off Jersey Street during the game, so you can hang out there if you want to. If the Sox aren't in it by the time you're there, it's likely the park won't be as packed; but if they're in the hunt, even the WC, all the games in Sept will be well attended. And Sox fans know baseball; if you're an actual baseball fan, you'll get into some good conversations with the ppl around you (my husband is a Mets fan (i'm a Sox fan) and he always has a good time talking baseball to everyone while at Fenway).

Get a Fenway dog; and the Ice cream is HOOD, which is THE BEST.

Make sure you do the Freedom trail, walk through the Old North End; if you like ships, the USS Cassin Young and the USS Constitution; you can also see the remants of the Charlestown Navy Yard (and their super long buildings) over there.

Boston's a great time btw, they do love tourists!

Recommend the Boston Common, particularly the west end with the swan boats. Also recommend the New England Aquarium. It has a room from which you can survey the harbor.

I stayed at the Hotel Commonwealth the last time I was in Boston. It is located in the Back Bay area of Boston, and we got a great deal on Priceline. Just around the corner from Fenway, there were plenty of good restaurants nearby. We had our own vehicle, but I do remember there being a bus stop just in front of the hotel.

Thank you so much to every for your recommendations! I’m so impressed!

We stayed at Embassy Suites because there’s a shuttle to and from the air port. Also just a walk through the park to get to the metro. I recommend buying the “City “ pass ahead , a good deal through Costco . This includes the aquarium, whale watching, several sites on the Freedom trail along with a trolley. Try to eat lobster rolls and clam chowder often. Additionally we thoroughly enjoyed the Kennedy library, also on the metro line.

The Elliott hotel is fabulous and near Fenway. Our family stayed here for my daughter's college graduation. Not a chain. Old fashioned charm . However, we are not big on Sushi and Japanese and the restaurant serves this type of food. The Museum of Fine Art (MFA) is always spectacular and there are some great lunch choices there. Newbury Street is always a fun window shop stroll. Trident Independent Bookstore is on Newbury Street and has a cafe that has great breakfasts. Consider getting a tour of the Capital Building which I believe is free. The tours may have changed with Covid. Also the old Boston Library is a gem. The top floor has visiting exhibits and I remember there were antique marionette puppets on display and a book from a famous writer (I forget) that was bound in human skin. Renting bikes and biking over the Charles River along the Esplanade is a nice way to get exercise and get over to Harvard. One of the hotels has a rooftop garden with benches and games. If you do rent bikes please make sure you have a solid metal U-lock as chain bike locks are snapped and bikes are stolen regularly. If you stay at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel they offer guests free bikes to rent and free kayaks to row on the Charles, ( IHG hotel group has since purchased the Kimpton hotels so these freebies may have changed). Regarding Fenway park, you can get a pre-game tour and learn some awesome history. North End is the Italian section and Mike's Pastries has the BEST cannoli. and gelato, Boston is also known for the Music Colleges and Conservatories so as such there is an Opera/Theater venue that has well-known performers. Beacon Hill is a very wealthy section and has cobblestone streets, antique galleries, upscale specialty shops, and a very delectable chocolate shop, Beacon HIll Chocolates. Well, I could go on forever. Have fun!