City Guide - NEW ENGLAND
EXPERIENCE WICKED AWESOME
Iconic sports franchises - check. Historical venues - check. Incredible seafood - check. Welcoming, friendly people - weeelll, depends if you’re going to wear a Red Sox jersey, but they’re part of the experience! Boston is one of the great cities in the U.S. and a place where they cherish their sports teams. Sure, they’re a little spoiled at this point and it seems as though Tom Brady will be with us forever, but you’re not going to have more fun than a Super Sports Weekend in Title Town (ugh).
Teams and venues in play
NFL - New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
NBA - Boston Celtics, TD Garden, Boston, MA
MLB - Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, Boston, MA
NHL - Boston Bruins, TD Garden, Boston, MA
MLS - New England Revolution, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
NCAA FB - Boston College Eagles, Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
NCAA MBB – Boston College Eagles, Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, MA | Connecticut Huskies, Gampel Pavillion, Storrs, CT | UMass Minutemen, Mullins Memorial Center, Amherst, MA | Providence Friars, Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI | Rhode Island Rams, Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
What’s possible
The strongest play here is going to be around the iconic franchises (Red Sox, Celtics and begrudgingly, the Patriots). The early fall lineup of Sox, Pats and maybe a BC college football game is enticing. In the winter you’re thinking Celtics, Bruins and college basketball with UConn about two hours away and BC offering the opportunity to see some top flight ACC programs in action. Spring is delectable - Sox, Celtics and Bruins could be in play.
Unexpected Gems
There’s a lot of great sports in the New England area that don’t fall into our target sports. So if you want to sneak in a UConn Lady Huskies basketball game or some Boston University college hockey, you’re not going to hear any complaining from us.
Other attractions
When you get back home your family is going to ask you how the trip was and you’re going to want to have some things you saw that you can talk about openly and with enthusiasm. So hit the Freedom Trail where in just a couple of hours you can see Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house and grab some canoli at Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry. With the historical sites out of the way, it’s time to party.
If you live in a landlocked state this is your chance to hit the local seafood options hard. Do it right and hit either Row 34 or Island Creek Gill.
You can get incredible beer just about anywhere in Boston these days. Trillium brewery produces magical, juicy IPAs that if you’re lucky you can find on tap around town (don’t go to the brewery in Fort Point, it’s just a place to buy bombers, unless you have a car with you and want to load up, then definitely go there). If you want to pay tribute to the original, visit the Sam Adams brewery in Jamaica Plain just outside of Boston. Tours run most days.
You’re by the water so use your imagination. Whale watching, booze cruise, sailing - all of these are in play. Also in play - sitting some place with an ocean view and having a beer - also acceptable.
Disreputable locals will speak of something called the “Three Foxes” which was a game in Foxborough, gambling at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, and entertainment at the Foxy Lady, of which I am not familiar. Good news though, a casino is opening in Everett (just outside of Boston) in June of 2019 so you won’t have to drive all the way to Connecticut to lose money gambling - you can do it right in Boston.
Massachusetts also now features legalized recreational marijuana. As we say with all of the legal weed states, do with this information what you will but if it’s something you’re into the state has put together a helpful website to help educate visitors on what’s cool and what’s not.
Getting there and getting around
This Super Sports City is super accessible. Fly in or pop up on the train. If you’re focused on Boston only you would think you wouldn’t need a car but you probably will. Foxborough is a ride away from Boston. If you’re trying to make it a true New England weekend and hitting Storrs or Providence you’ll definitely be hitting the road.
Hotels/Accommodations
A base in Boston is preferable. Stay in Fenway or the Back Bay to have easy access to the stadiums, transportation and nightlife. As always if you’re traveling to one of the college towns it’s probably best to stay there to take advantage of the atmosphere and all are a ways from Boston so you won’t want to be driving back and forth.
Your Ideas
Have your own thoughts on how to Super Sports Weekend in Boston and New England? Email me.