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Boston's Best Guide To A Long Weekend

Taking in a long weekend in Boston means there is a bit more time to enjoy an attraction, a meal, a hotel or just the scenery. Sure, most of what there is to do in Boston can be done in a day, but sometimes, that day turns into a rush. When it is time for a mini-vacation, it is the perfect time to enjoy the city in a new way. Enjoy a perk that typically would get overlooked or peek in the nooks and crannies of a brimming attraction.

Where to Stay 

Hotel Exterior
Photo Credit: DoubleTree Club by Hilton Hotel Boston Bayside

DoubleTree Club By Hilton Boston Bayside
240 Mt. Vernon St.
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 822-3600
www.doubletree3.hilton.com/doubletree-club-by-hilton-hotel-boston-bayside

Located outside of downtown but close to the JFK Library and the Boston Harborwalk, the Doubletree Bayside is a great hub for enjoying Boston. For the best view, ask for a room near the back, which will offer a look at the harbor. While this hotel is not upscale, it has fantastic amenities and comfort for the price. Guests may not get spa treatments, but a delicious, warm cookie upon arrival will start a long weekend off the right way. Room service and a small cafe in the hotel make it easy to eat in or grab a bite while heading out the door.

Related: Boston's Best Hotels With Spas

liberty hotel
Photo Credit: Liberty Hotel

The Liberty Hotel
215 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 224-4000
www.libertyhotel.com

Bigger budget long weekends call for a bigger budget hotel and few are better than The Liberty. This hotel is structured on the bones of the Charles Street Jail. With five bars and restaurants on the premises alone, it is possible to spend a luxurious and memorable three days in Boston without ever leaving this hotel. It also has an array of packages for enjoying the city that range from bike tours to shopping sprees. One of them even includes an "intimacy kit" for an extra romantic stay.

What to See
mfa
(Photo Credit: Museum of Fine Arts)

Museum Of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-9300
www.mfa.org

Sure, the Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most popular attractions in Boston, but it is impossible to appreciate all the museum has to offer in one hurried day. While staying in the city, it is easier to stay at the museum longer and see the more than 450,000 art pieces showing at the museum. Guests can take tours, participate in art activities, view student thesis projects and more depending on the time of year. Spend a leisurely day or two at the museum and find out what is hiding.

Web-Photos_small5-copy
Photo Credit: Fenway Victory Gardens

Fenway Victory Gardens
Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02215
(857) 244-0262
www.fenwayvictorygardens.com

During World War II, there was a strong imperative to contribute to the war effort. For some, that meant joining the military. For others, it meant starting what was known as a Victory Garden intended to keep food costs down and war contributions up. The Fens in Boston has the oldest Victory Gardens still in existence and these more than 7 acres are still doing their job of feeding the community. Visitors will now see a lot more flowers than were there in the beginning, but that only adds to pleasure of strolling these gardens on a weekend afternoon.

Where to Eat 

2
Photo credit: Mr. Bartley's

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage
1246 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 354-6559
www.mrbartley.com

Like KKatie's Burger Bar to the south of Boston, Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage is serving up variations on the typical American burger. The menu is home to such burger titles as "The Tom Brady," "The People's Republic of Cambridge" and "The Obamacare." There is no question that this place has a sense of humor about politics, sports and pop culture, but it is serious when it comes to what is put on the table. For those who want to steer clear of beef on a bun, this restaurant also has dinners like roast stuffed turkey and an array of salads.

Related: Boston's Best Waterfront Restaurants For 2014

Where to Shop

photo 1-795337
Photo credit: The Closet Inc.

The Closet
175 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-1919
blog.closetboston.com

The Closet is an amazing place to get hold of such coveted items as designer bags and shoes at consignment prices. Expect to find high-end modern and vintage clothing for both men and women in a huge variety of styles. Apart from all of the amazing possibilities this store's inventory affords shoppers, there is also its ideal location on Newbury St. This area is a boutique and consignment shopper's dream.

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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