I grew up in New Bedford, MA (site of Whaling Museum in @liquidfeet’s post above) and have spent most of the subsequent 45 years living in/working in Boston, Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge. As others suggest, do not bother with a car for the weekend in Boston. Taxi, Uber, the “T”, watertaxi, walk!!! You will not be the only one in a down jacket. It can be blustery cold in November, but possibly brisk/nice. If down jacket isn’t waterproof, bring a raincoat to put over it. And hat and gloves! Like for skiing, there’s no bad weather…only bad clothes. The historic sidewalks are cobblestone or brick … no fancy shoes and no flip flops in November! Pick up your rental car as you are leaving town. Best option may be to go back out to airport for that as desks there are open 24/7.
Also, Walden Pond is not really on the way to Amesbury. And although there is historical significance, there not much to see or do other than a hike which prob isn’t that charming in Nov. Salem is more “on the way” and between House of Seven gables, witch “stuff” and Peabody Essex museum there’s lots to see and do in Salem, but you don’t really have very much time. Boston itself has history, culture, charm, great food options etc and the walkability is part of the charm, like European cities.
I endorse entirely
@RoseSki post (#11) above.
The Liberty is pricey, but a very central location, historic and fascinating. The older lobby and restaurant portion was a jail until about 1990. Drop in for a beer (Clink) or a meal (Scampo) even if you don’t stay there. My DH says he can’t quite enjoy himself there thinking of the once imprisoned but I don’t have the same affliction. They have a dog night and fashion model night in the lobby bar, or at least they did pre covid. There’s a Wyndham nearby, less expensive. I’d choose waterfront/Faneuil hall area, example Marriott Long Wharfwhere Biogen Covid outbreak was, over Seaport as a more central base for excursions. Airport water taxi goes to Marriott long wharf I think. Back Bay is a great location too with a range of prices, none cheap though.
Would be cheaper to stay further out in Quincy, somerville, E. Boston, Brookline, Medford, Needham, but then much less convenient for tourism.
Definitely do part or all of Freedom Trail and/or Harbor Walk, and go to North end for pastry/dining, and visit USS constitution. If duck boats are running that late in the season do that, highly recommended…educational and entertaining. If weather is poor then shift to the museums. I agree with Harvard Peabody (take the T -Red line, very easy), Gardner, and the museum of fine arts (Green Line).
There’s so much to do and see and types of restaurants I recommend you spend a bit of time w TripAdvisor or similar, to prioritize…and then use us as a sounding board!
You’ll have to come back to Boston for Whaling Museum in New Bedford, maybe combine that with a loop thru Newport RI, or out to Martha’s Vineyard!
