Planning road trip from DC area to Boston

Hey there - surprised there haven't been any responses to this year, but hopefully I can help you out. I've made this trip more times than I can count and will be doing it again in 3 weeks. First things first it is a solid 8 hour drive from DC, and at times much longer with NJ traffic. If you don't have something to get home for heading back on Sunday might be a smart move to space the car time out. Driving wise I recommend that Tappan Zee bridge and the Merit Parkway (15) in CT.

Tree House is not far from the 84-90 split. Their website and the monthly thread will provide you with plenty of information on selection, procedures, parking, best times to go etc... Overall you will likely have a better selection on Friday. Cans are usually a short wait later in the day but you risk a limited selection.

Trillium has 2 locations. One is in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood the other is 30 minutes or so south of the city in Canton. Both have nearly identical and very extensive selections. Chances are the Fort Point spot will be better for you if you are staying in Boston. They open at noon on Saturday and would be a quick in and out assuming there isn't a big release. Row 34 next door is a great beer bar / seafood restaurant. Harpoon's beer hall is down the street too.

As for other options if you are looking for a good halfway stop I've enjoyed stopping at Peekskill Brewery for food and beers (offers small pours), or there are other breweries in the Hudson area. Had a great stop at Captain Lawrence once for some samples and picking up beer. On your way into Boston you could also stop at Jack's Abby's new location. It's not far off 90 / Rt. 9. Awesome large beer hall w/ wood fired pizzas and a ton of draft options. There is also Armsby Abby in Worcester if you want an awesome meal and a tap selection that always includes Hill Farmstead and other gems.

Sounds like you'll be staying in the Cambridge area and if it's only one night Lord Hobo and Cambridge Brewing Company will probably be plenty to occupy you beer wise. Either one would work for brunch Saturday too.

 

Yeah, I think you want to hit Treehouse on the way up rather than on the way down on a Saturday (when selection is minimal). If you are in a rush (which you may be depending on what time your show is) cans at open on Friday may be your only choice (and Treehouse opens at 5 on Friday).

If you decide to not hit Treehouse on the way up and hit them on Saturday, you will want to get there early to have a chance at much of a selection at all (and even then it will be tough). Trillium isn't an issue as they have lots of selection on both days at each location so whatever fits around what else you want to do.

 

If you're coming up to Boston for brewery fun, in addition to the Tree House advice you've already gotten, also go to Castle Island in Norwood (real close to Trillium's Canton brewery) and Night Shift in Everett (just north of the city, right off of 93). Coming back Saturday evening, you should stop in Worcester at Armsby Abbey - only place in MA to get Hill Farmstead on tap and fantastic food.

If you're up during the season, it's pretty cool to go down to the Charles near Beacon Hill and see the cherry blossoms. Also if it's your first trip to Boston, just follow the Freedom Trail a bit and see the cool historical stuff we have scattered about the city. It's a very walkable and bikeable area.

 

I'm sorry to pile on to the thread, but my questions are similar, so it seemed more efficient than starting a new one.

Except I really know next to nothing.

I'm from Western Canada and will be in Boston April 15-17 (flying out around 3 on the Sunday). We are primarily in town to see a couple ball games. We will be driving down from Montreal, spending one night in Waterbury - so hopefully I'll have checked off Hill Farmstead and Heady Topper from my list.

We're staying in Cambridge, a few minutes walk from Lechmere Station. What should I be doing when I'm in town?

From what I can tell, somewhat "local" options from my accommodations are Lord Hobo and Meadhall. Are those the right spots to target?

In Boston itself...I really have no idea. Both for beer and also just as a tourist. Neither my wife or I have ever been, and like I said, the impetus for the trip was baseball. We don't have much time, but I'd still certainly like to see some of the city. Recommendations for non-beer things to see?

And of course...if we are downtown Boston, or have time around Fenway, where should we stop in? I think we're mostly looking for pubs/restaurants. I probably will ahve maxed out what I can bring home earlier in the trip. But in general, I basically don't get any east coast stuff regularly at home, so I'm not even really sure what I should be looking for in terms of local favourites.

Thanks in advance!

 

For non-beer things, I have taken the "hop on/hop off" trolley tour ("Old Town Trolley Tours" I think) with out of towners and it was a good laid back time. You can either stay for a full round trip, or if you see anything interesting or just want to jump off at Boston Common and walk around you can do that and get back on the next trolley.

 

In Fenway your beer-bar choices are Lower Depths (cash only) and the Yard House (sort of corporate-y but long beer list). Citizen Public House also sometimes has a decent taplist. Check out the BBQ at Sweet Cheeks, or the fantastic food/ cocktails at Eastern Standard.
You can also hit the Publick House in Brookline, which is the wrong side of Fenway from where you are staying but is on the Green Line/ easy uber.

 

At least one morning you should go to get brunch at Eastern Standard in Kenmore - it's close to Fenway.

Meadhall is great. Lord Hobo is very good.

I'd say the aquarium is worth seeing, and the whale-watching cruises that leave from there are fantastic if it's in season (I'm not really sure if it is or not). I wouldn't suggest Faneuil Hall... it's mostly crappy touristy-trap souvenir shops. But the surrounding area is cool, and the North End is great to wander around. If you do, get a cannoli from Mike's.

You might enjoy going down to the Seaport District - Harpoon is there, and they have amazing pretzels in their bierhall made from the grains leftover after they brew. There's also a fantastic museum there, the Institute of Contemporary Art, which hangs over the ocean and has some cool stuff if you like modern art. Additionally the Legal Sea Foods flagship is there - if the weather is nice, there's not much more pleasant than sitting on their deck, watching the ocean, eating fresh oysters. It's also fairly close to Trillium's Fort Point brewery.

 

If you are in Cambridge then Cambridge Brewing Company is a must. They are one of the best breweries in the state. Lord Hobo will have a very good tap list and Meadhall is pretty good. Those 3 are all in Kendall Square. Harvard Square is a fun area in Cambridge. Some good restaurants like Russell House Tavern, Alden & Harlow.

If you are at all into cocktails check out The Hawthorne, Eastern Standard or Island Creek Oyster Bar(great seafood). They are all in the Hotel Commonwealth by Fenway Park and are amazing.

As for touristy stuff: I'd suggest walking through the Public Garden and Boston Common, follow the Freedom Trail for a bit to see Revolutionary War era sites, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are both top notch and near Fenway Park. The Boston Public Market has all sorts of New England made goods. Beer, maple syrup, lobster rolls, etc.

 

Thanks all, I really do appreciate the info! I'm guessing there will be differing opinions on Lord Hobo vs Meadhall if I only get to one of them?

 

Actually, I think most people would agree that Lord Hobo should come before Meadhall.

 

I used to think that. I disagree with that statement now. The pricing on Lord Hobo I have found to have gotten astronomical while Meadhall is only egregiously expensive.

CBC trumps them all anyway.