Boston Minuteman Campground info needed

[tlhdoc]

Does anyone know anything about Boston Minuteman campground in MA?

[AustinBoston]

You know, this is sad, but I lived less than 50 miles from there for the first 43 years of my life, and I never heard of Boston Minuteman Campground until this moment.  I suspect part of the reason is that New Hampshire is not too much farther north, and up until 4 years ago (and maybe still) they had no sales tax in New Hampshire.

http://www.minutemancampground.com/

What are you planning on seeing in the area?

Austin

[tlhdoc]

What are you planning on seeing in the area?

I have never been in the area.  What would you recommend?  What are the must sees?

[AustinBoston]

I have never been in the area.  What would you recommend?  What are the must sees?

It depends on how far you are willing to drive, and what kinds of things you are interested in.

There are a handful of places you could get on a whale watch, well worth the price.

There is a National Historic Park in Lowell, which chronicles the development of typical old northeastern mill towns in the U.S. (12-15 miles).  It was OK when PJay and I visited about 20 years ago, but it was just getting started then.  My understanding is it's 5-10 times that today.  Expect to see refurbished mill buildings with working mill equipment, museums, interactive exhibits, gift shops, and the worst drivers in the U.S.  "Those tha fail in Boston move to Lowell."

Salem was the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay colony, and today is a typical New England coastal community, with one exception.  In 1692, while the governor was away, things got a bit out of hand in Salem........Note: A few otherwise legitimate museums dedicated to the Salem Witch Trials include seance-like or satanic worship-like activity that some may find offensive.  Those museums that stick to the historic aspects are generally OK.  It's been 20 years since I've been there, so I can't tell you which.

Saugus Iron Works NHS is an on-site recreation of a very early American heavy industry.  Ancestors of mine invested heavily in similar iron works in what is now Taunton, Mass. in the late 1600's.  About 30 miles.

You can find almost anything in Boston, from history to culture to nature to science to food...about 25 miles.  Expect to pay as much or more to park as you do for the attraction.  Here's a tip - in Boston, park once and either walk or use public transit.  Driving in Boston, even with a GPS, really requires an understanding of the secret driving rules and secret routes.  Do not expect cars to stop for pedestrians.  

IMHO, "must-sees" in Boston include:

• The Boston National Historic Park, which includes the Freedom Trail (2.5 miles that will take you all day, if you finish at all).  Many of the things listed below in Boston are on the Freedom Trail.
  
• The Black Heritage Trail, which connects to the Freedom Trail at the current Massachusetts State House.  Part of it follows Joy Street, named for a 17th century ancestor of mine.
  
• The Old State House (built about 1713 to replace a building built by one of my ancestors in 1656 that burned in 1711),
  
• The USS Constitution (a.k.a. Old Ironsides - technically in Cambridge, not Boston), the oldest wooden warship still floating and still an active US Naval vessel.
  
• The Bunker Hill Monument, site of one of the first and fiercest battles of the Revolution (several of my ancestors fought there, including at least one who died there).  The battle was a British victory, but if we lost every single battle the way we lost that one (about half the British troops were casualties), we would still have won the war;
  
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace (near the Old State House), where you will find, among many other things, numerous places to eat (I would recommend Durgin Park, famous for, um, brisk waitresses - and good seafood, but the Union Oyster House is excellent as well)
• The New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science are each worth spending an entire day at.  If you go to the MOS, do not miss a show at the Mugar Omni Theater.  I am not exaggerating when I say it puts IMAX to shame.  Get in line early, and try to get a seat near the very center of the theater.  But if you have a fear of heights, choose your film carefully, because you are so totally immersed visually that you will be convinced that you are on, or even going over, the edge.
  
• The Children's Museum would be a stop for smaller children and is the best I've ever seen.
  

I could go on and on about Boston...there's the Art Museum, the whole Theater District, the Common, the Public Gardens (including the Swan Boats - nice to look at, but not worth the price IMHO), Castle Island and Fort Independence, the Harbor Islands (not worth the effort to see unless there is a special event like a Civil War reenactment), and more.

The New Bedford Whaling NHP includes a museum dedicated to the early 19th century whaling industry.  Then, as now, oil ran the world, but back then it was whale oil.  New Bedford, at the time, was one of the wealthiest cities in the world.  That ended when the tiny Confederate Navy caught up with the New Bedford Whaling fleet in the sea of Okhotsk near the end of the Civil War.  New Bedofrd never recovered, and the whaling industry spread to many other New England towns.   About 85 miles.

If you are into living history museums (similar to Colonial Williamsburg, except that those in New England are all recreations, not originals), I would point you to three:

• Plimoth Plantation is the standard by which all others should be measured.  It is an attempt to recreate the colony at Plymouth as it was in 1627.  The interpreters are very strictly in character - you may find Gov. William Bradford, John Alden, or Capt. John Smith (all ancestors of mine).  They are so deeply "in character" that you could almost swear they were actually living there.  About 60 miles.
  
• Old Sturbridge Village is an early 19th century farming community with a couple mills, farms, shops, a church, village green, etc.  Some of the buildings are recreations, others were moved to the site.  About 55-60 miles.
  
• Olde Mystic Seaport (which is in Mystic, Connecticut) recreates a fishing/whaling village in the 19th and early 20th century, and aslo has a large number of boats and nautical displays in museum buildings.  Includes the Charles W. Morgan, the only surviving wooden whaling ship in the world.  At about 100 miles, it is a stretch.  But of all the things I miss most about New England, not having access to Olde Mystic Seaport is one of the first, if not the first, on the list.  You can't see it all in one day.
  

These three villages cover nearly every aspect of New England life from 1620 to 1900 except the Witch Trials and the Revolution.

I am sure someone who lives in the Northwest suburbs of Boston could give you much better information than I about things closer to the campground.

Austin

[dee106]

so when does the tour begin? Boston and the surrounding area is a great place to explore, and this is coming from a NY'er I enjoy going there, I always find new things to do there, and I don't get bored. I have family up there, and we have a great time, going around, the north and south side of Boston, can't wait to June to find something new to do.

might check out those villages you speak of

[GeneF]

Try HayMarket Square Market.  Lots of good veggies cheap and a lot of fun.  

Heads up, you don't get to pick out your own veggies and fruit.  It is take what is given or leave it.  Late in the day is great for bargains.

Like a whole box of strawberries for a buck.

You have to hit Mike's Pastry in the North End for some great canolies.

Boston does offer a lot to do and see.  Following the Freedom Trail is very interesting.

[tlhdoc]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  More is always welcome.

[homecrew]

Hi Tracy,
 
Long time no see.
 
We stayed here a couple of years ago on our way to Maine and thought it was very nice. The only problem we had were the little black flies/nats. So you may want to ask about the best time to miss those little buggers.
 
We took the train out of South Acton into Boston. There were closer stations but this one had the more frequent runs. We did as Gene suggested and did the Freedom Trail AND stopped at Mike's. LOL
 
Another wonderful diversion that is fairly close to Minuteman is Kimball Farm (kimballfarm.com). Wonderful ice cream. We stopped there twice. :-()
Mark

[AZsix]

I have never been in the area.  What would you recommend?  What are the must sees?

For the kids there is Canopy Lake Park in Salem NH. Lots of rides for kids of all ages. The roller coaster is pretty good though not real big. They have a water park there too as well if you go on a hot day.

I would recommend a trip to Plymouth Plantation. Along with the plantation you can get some good seafood in town.
 
A trip to Newport RI would be worth the drive. You can tour the mansions there and the Astor mansion fun as you don't tour it but you are a "guest" at a turn of the century party and are shown around as house guests. The more you interact with the staff the more fun it is for everyone. There are a lot of gift shops in town as well as some good restaurants.

You can't go wrong by goin into Boston with all the history that is there. Don't expect to see it all in one day though. As far as the swan boats go, my kids got a kick out of going on them.

It's a great place to visit. Enjoy!

[Fleetwoody]

Boston Minuteman is a nice little CG, with lots of shade, and very nice facilities. It's pretty full most weekends, so reserve early.

Here are a few other things do do nearby:

Minuteman National Historical Park and the Old North Bridge:
http://www.nps.gov/mima/

Fruitlands Museum:
http://www.fruitlands.org/overview.php

Concord Museum:
http://www.concordmuseum.org/

National Heritage Museum:
http://www.monh.org/

Mass Audubon Society/ Drumlin Farm:
http://www.massaudubon.org/index.php

Orchard House (Home of the Alcotts):
http://www.louisamayalcott.org/

Canobie Lake Park:
http://www.canobie.com/

With the exception of Canobie Lake, these are all within about 20 miles of Littleton, and as everyone said, you can find all sorts of things to do in Boston.
If you want more info, send me a PM.

Chris