<p>While you certainly don’t need to drive to see the Boston sights, now that the Big Dig is done and maps work, it really isn’t hard for the most part. (We did end up at Logan Airport last visit when trying to get to the ICA because exit 25 (according to Google Maps) wasn’t numbered in real life - it just said “Downtown Boston”.</p>
<p>You can’t visit the Fogg, it’s closed until 2013, though highlights of the collection are next door at the Sakler. Second suggestions for the Gardener - such a lovely setting. Museum of Fine Arts has a solid collection. If you like modern the ICA is a small collection in a spectacular building with great views of the Harbor. </p>
<p>My kids always loved going to the Science Museum.</p>
<p>Swan Boats don’t run in the winter, but you can imagine them and the ducklings (with the statue!) at the Boston Public Garden.</p>
<p>A relatively short walk from the competition is the Doubletree, if you want a suites hotel. </p>
<p>Truth is you can stay anywhere and be fine because Boston isn’t that big. Say you stay in Harvard Square, you can always take a cab if you don’t feel like riding inbound to Park and then out to Back Bay and return. Heck, you can take the bus up Mass Ave. </p>
<p>Bring boots! February is the heart of winter here and is unpredictable, sometimes wet and sometimes arctic.</p>
<p>^Yes, be prepared! Have VERY warm clothes. I visited Boston with my mom, sister, and our two infants one year in early January. Oh, my gosh, it was cold, even in the malls. And I live in Maine, so I’m used to cold. It’s just different in Boston, where you tend to be outside so much. I know my sister-in-law loves living there, but it would drive me bonkers.</p>
<p>I would also not recommend driving - especially considering that Harvard is right on the red line. My parents tried it once when they were visiting and they had such a bad time of it they don’t even consider it any more. I don’t know how bad the driving itself is but finding parking is just terrible.</p>
<p>Things that are fun in Boston: MFA, Fanueil Hall, Newbury Street/Back Bay, North End (if you get a chance cannolis at Mike’s or Modern’s are delicious!), the Boston Commons (skating on Frog Pond should be open in February), the Esplanade, BSO, Finale in Harvard Square has delicious desert and J.P. Licks (also at Harvard) is known for their ice cream</p>
<p>Depends on what you want to do in Boston. If you’re only going to visit Harvard or Harvard/MIT, you don’t want a car. If you also want to see other Boston-area schools, e.g., Tufts, Wellesley, Brandeis, Boston College, then you absolutely want a car.</p>
<p>Boston is, in my experience, probably the most challenging place in America to drive, but it’s a piece of cake compared to, say, Rome. The public transportation system is good, but a bit straightjacketing in what it will let you see.</p>
<p>Take the T (mass transit). If you plan on using it more than few times per day, get an all day pass on the Charlie Card (?$11.00 per day for unlimited on and off). In Feb, you don’t want to get snowed in or plowed in…</p>
<p>A weekly pass is not that much more than a daily pass for the T (might be $20? I haven’t gotten one since the fares went up in July but it used to be $15) so if you are going to be around for a few days, it might be worth it.</p>
<p>OP again. The purpose of the trip was to see DS compete in the Ivy League fencing championships. He’s a senior and we hadn’t been to league championships yet, so we booked the trip. We followed the general advice given here; we didn’t rent a car and we booked a hotel adjacent to a T stop.</p>
<p>Before boarding our flight Thursday morning we confirmed the tournament hadn’t been cancelled, but we knew we were taking a chance.</p>
<p>Now we’re in Boston and the city is at a standstill. Public transit is shut down and of course the tournament has been cancelled. We’re holed up in a nice hotel and have decided to try to look at this as a romantic retreat.</p>
<p>sherpa,
So sorry this happened. As the mother of a recently graduated college athlete I can empathize with how you were looking forward to it. Hope the trip isn’t a total loss.</p>
<p>If you’re from a warm part of the country, then 30 inches of snow probably seems pretty amazing! Matter of fact, it’s pretty amazing no matter where you’re from. Too bad about the tournament, but take advantage of this gorgeous winter day in New England. Here in NYC we had around 10 inches and even though it’s already getting kind of dirty, it’s still magical!</p>
<p>Sherpa- I just called an old favorite from my college days in the late 70’s and they are open. They used to be very reasonable and very Harvard Square-ish in a good way. Here is this link: [Welcome</a> to Grendel’s Den & Restaurant](<a href=“http://www.grendelsden.com%5DWelcome”>http://www.grendelsden.com). They are right in the Square!</p>
<p>Crema is an excellent bakery/coffee shop right in Harvard Square and they’re saying they’ll be open tomorrow.</p>
<p>I also love Henrietta’s Table. Be advised that Sunday brunch is a very pricey luxurious buffet. Breakfast any other day is delicious and much lower-priced.</p>
<p>This is all so strange. The snow seems so insignificant to us because we’re accustomed to a lot more where we live. </p>
<p>We’ve been in touch with other stranded parents, but were all scattered in different hotels.</p>
<p>This is our first time in Boston other than one very brief visit. I’m impressed. It’s such a youthful, vibrant place.</p>
<p>We have a great view of MIT across the river from our 25th floor room. We ventured out today to the river and then walked across the bridge to Cambridge. It was beautiful with all the snow and no cars. Everywhere we went we saw nothing but smiles.</p>
<p>We were joking that for less than the cost of this trip we could be on a cruise, but that we think that this is somehow more enjoyable than a cruise would be.</p>
Love Boston!</p>