<p>also there is Plymouth ma , plymouth plantation, Mayflower.</p>
<p>Is there a particular reason you want to (or need to) stay in the city? Why not rent in one of the lovely coastal towns- eg, Marblehead, Newburyport, or near Plymouth? You can even do Gloucester and take a commuter rail in. Enjoy the ocean and just bite the bullet and drive in to the city when you want to be there? As long as you are not actually on the Cape or heading there, it’s not thaaat bad.</p>
<p>Second the idea of visiting Plimoth Plantation.
You need to look at tripadvisor.com.</p>
<p>Just remember that renting in those lovely towns on the coast will be a bit more pricey in the summer during peak tourist season!!</p>
<p>Our plans will probably include the common tourist sites
Freedom Trail
Faniual Hall
Art Museum</p>
<p>At some point we would like to make it onto the water for whale watching and or fishing</p>
<p>And trips outside of Boston to Salem, Glouster and Loudon, NH for the Nascar race</p>
<p>You could look along the commuter rail line and find a place in Plymouth, Newburyport, Rockport, etc. If you stayed in Plymouth you would also be close to the cape. The trains do not run as frequently on the commuter rail lines so you would have to plan but it is doable and being further away from the city you might be able to get something cheaper. </p>
<p>And just as an aside, last summer we rented a houseboat off craiglist in Philly. It was fun. We were right in the city within walking distance of all the historical stuff. Of course, there are no amenities like a pool or restaurant. You might be able to find something similar in Boston, stay there a few days then go down the cape for a few days or up to Maine.</p>
<p>Cyberrentals has some places to consider - here is one 1/3 mile from the Field’s Corner station of the red line (I believe this is in Dorchester, working class urban neighborhood, not an upscale area but close to Boston):</p>
<p>[Boston</a> near the ocean downtown vacation condo rental, CyberRentals property 275944](<a href=“Vrbo | Book your vacation rentals: beach houses, cabins, condos & more”>Vrbo | Book your vacation rentals: beach houses, cabins, condos & more)</p>
<p>Here’s a thought…why not stay in Boston for part of your week (at one of the hotels or whatever right IN the city) and then stay on the coast or near the coast for the second part of your trip. I would suggest staying IN Boston on the weekends and nearer to the coast on the weekdays (prices for weekends in the summer for places near or on the shore are pricey but you might be able to find a mid week rental/hotel for a better price). </p>
<p>That way, you would be staying closer to the things you want to see for each part of your trip.</p>
<p>There are short-term rentals in the South End–which would be close to the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, the MFA, and other in-town tourist destinations. Friend of mine always stayed in these apartments when visiting her son when he was in college in Boston. [CAJ</a> HOUSE | Furnished Apartments | Short Term Rentals](<a href=“http://www.cajhouse.com/]CAJ”>http://www.cajhouse.com/) The South End is a fun/trendy neighborhood with great shops/restaurants and quite close to everything. You can do a whale watching trip from the New England Aquarium–which isn’t that far from Quincy Market. Fishing is a different story. I guess I’d look for places in the area you decide to visit–your choices would be the North Shore/Glouchester or the Cape.</p>
<p>When people rave about a trip to Boston, they include what’s out of the city, as well- the quaint “Yankee Magazine” thing. They spend a day in Newport, RI or visit Gloucester , Salem or Plimoth Plantation or whale watch. (In contrast, you almost never hear of someone who spent a week in NYC and raved about the trip to Hoboken.) </p>
<p>I personally would not make Boston my homebase- unless there is some other purpose- eg, to eat gourmet or ethnic every night, to take some museum class, meet up with old friends, to go to the theater, multiple times, etc- ir if there is some other consideration.</p>
<p>I think Thumper’s sugestion to split your time is ideal- but depends on the budget. Really, go to tripadvisor.</p>
<p>Downtown Boston is expensive - you might get a place which would look like a good deal only to find out that parking costs $50/day. Is there a particular reason you need a whole house? Why not stay in a hotel and eat out? Since you are doing all these touristy activities, you will not have much time to spend inside your rental! We had a really great stay in Cambridge at one of the Marriott properties (courtesy of their $99/night plus free parking special). It was centarlly located to everything. We walked out of the door, sat on the grassy river bank and watched the 4th of July fireworks. There is also a Residence Inn that has good reviews. Tripadvisor is great!</p>
<p>I was also thinking about a time split. Parking for a rental car plus the cost of a rental car could be pretty steep in Boston (YMMV so I’m sure you’ll check out parking situation for your various options).</p>
<p>But an option that I personally would like is to be in Back Bay for the time you want to be doing Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and similar - no car cost, just take the T (MTA in my day :)), or walk. Then stay in Salem or Gloucester or wherever for the time you want to be on or near the water and in NH when you want to be on the race track.</p>
<p>You may want to check this link to vacation rentals by owner:</p>
<p>[Greater</a> Boston Massachusetts Vacation Rentals by Owner, Greater Boston Massachusetts VRBO, Vacation Home Rentals, Condo Rentals, FRBO Vacation Rentals, Greater Boston Massachusetts Travel Information](<a href=“http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/massachusetts/greater-boston]Greater”>http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/massachusetts/greater-boston)</p>
<p>There are many apartments, condos, and houses listed at a variety of price points. It may give you a good sense of what’s available in the greater Boston area.</p>
<p>It is a real pain to drive in Boston, and parking is costly. I like the idea of spending part of the week in Boston using public transportation, then moving outside the city.</p>
<p>Another option could be staying on the edge of the city and taking the T in each day (similar to what we have done in DC).</p>
<p>OP, since you mentioned Salem, Gloucester and Loudon, a good central location would be in Woburn. There are several hotel and restaurant chains on Mishawum Road at the intersection of routes 93 & 95/128. You would be in Loudon in little over an hour and Gloucester in under an hour. Salem is even closer to Woburn. Then ditch the car for a hotel in Boston. BTW, there is commuter rail station near the hotels. It doesnt run as frequently as the T, but it will get you to North Station.</p>
<p>I know a good hotel in Plymouth and there is fishing out of Captain Johns boats and whale watching. plus a ferry to provincetown or martha’s vineyard. Ther eis plenty of places to rent on Lake Winnepasaukee but they do fill up. I dont think thats far from Loudon but you would still have to drive.</p>
<p>I would not recommend staying at the property located in Fields Corner. First and foremost, Fields Corner can be a dangerous area if you do not know the city well. Secondly, it is out of the way of the tourist attractions with the exception of the JFK library, but even the JFK library is two stops on the red line and a shuttle bus.</p>
<p>We have a plan. Thank all of you for your help.</p>
<p>Good luck with the plan! Please post updates when the trip is over.</p>
<p>Nice MA state webiste with some deals you might be intersted in.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.massvacation.com/valuepass/greaterboston.php]MassValuePass[/url”>http://www.massvacation.com/valuepass/greaterboston.php]MassValuePass[/url</a>]</p>
<p>My husband is from Fields Corner, it has its good and bad points. Definitely not a typical tourist destination. Not unsafe but you would want to be careful and hold onto your bag walking around there, just like you would anywhere in the city. </p>
<p>I live in Braintree and will tell you that the Motel 6 right next to the T station is known for having many problems with drugs. The police are there every week. This Motel 6 is trying to turn itself around and I do see tourist walking to the T from it every day, but it is not someplace I would recommend to a friend or relative.</p>