A few different questions :)

Hello! Thanks again for your responses to my airport taxi question earlier :). I have a few more questions here below.

1. I live in LA and definitely know to be careful when walking at night, however I wanted to know if there are any specific areas I should avoid at night (or even during the day). I%26#39;m traveling with my parents who are seniors so I need to be a little more aware. On this note, do you think it%26#39;s safe to walk from the North End all the way to our hotel (Omni Parker House) at night after dinner? Or better to take a taxi? I recall that the Big Dig goes thru there and I%26#39;m wondering if that poses some problems.

2. I%26#39;ve read many of the food posts but not all and was wondering where is the best place for chowder and a lobster roll :)

3. Can anyone recommed an apple farm in the Boston area. After 4 nites at the Omni we are staying in Burlington and renting a car for a few days to see the countryside.

Any responses to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

A few different questions :)

superez, if you%26#39;re with seniors, I would take a taxi from the North End back to your hotel. The walk is perfectly safe and there are always people about, but it%26#39;s a good 15 to 20 minute hike.

As for areas to avoid at night, they%26#39;re isolated and not really areas that you%26#39;re likely to stumble on accidently. The ones that come to mind are the Downtown Crossing and Chinatown areas, but even those are perfectly fine as long as you%26#39;re not wandering around alone very late at night and keep your wallets/purses secure. I%26#39;d also be careful wandering around Boston Common and the Public Garden at night, since there have been reports recently of open drug use and dealing. Both are great places to go, but you want to be there when there are other visitors around as well.

Boston is a safe city. Just be aware of your surroundings, as you would anywhere else, and you won%26#39;t have problems.

A few different questions :)

Like the previous poster stated, you%26#39;d have to be trying really hard to find yourself in the unsafe areas of the city.

You should have no problems walking between the North End and the Parker House, other than you might find it a long one after a big meal. It%26#39;s really only about a 15 - 20 min walk. The Big Dig is still in the finishing stages at the the northerly edge of the North End, but Hanover Street, the main drag, is reconnected to Faneuil Hall so walking over isn%26#39;t a problem. Hanover will bring you to Congress, where you can cross and walk through City Hall Plaza. Turn left at Tremont and you%26#39;re only a block from the Parker House.

As for the best place for chowder and a lobster roll - that%26#39;s a toss-up. The Barking Crab is a good spot, situated in the Fort Point Channel area between Summer and Congress Streets.

Jasper White%26#39;s Summer Shack is in the Back Bay and I am told they are good, if a little pricey. Don%26#39;t forget the food stalls at Quincy Market.

Most of the orchards are a bit out of Boston, past I-495. One that I visit every fall is Honey Pot Hill, on the Bolton/Sudbury Line. They have hayrides and a general store for fresh-baked goodies. Google them for directions.

I agree with the recommendation for Jasper White%26#39;s Summer Shack. However, we didn%26#39;t find it to be too pricey. They have great lobster rolls. Legal Seafood is another place that has a great lobster roll. As for clam chowder, my husband, who likes it, rates Legal Seafood%26#39;s high and he says that Jasper White%26#39;s compares favorably to Legal%26#39;s.

For great food, any of the Legal Seafoods will provide consistantly great food...there%26#39;s even one at the airport!

Another famous and reliable place is the Union Oyster House right next to the Fanueil Hall marketplace across from City Hall.

Jasper White%26#39;s also rates high on our list as well.

The areas to avoid in Boston are not anywhere near you; neither of the areas mentioned are problematic unless you are lurking around at 1 am and seeking drugs!

Thanks for all your replies everyone! So very helpful!!! I can%26#39;t wait to visit Boston. One month to go...

We are flying Northwest from LA so hope that strike or the pending bankruptcy doesn%26#39;t ruin any of our plans! BTW, anyone flying Northwest into Boston lately having any problems??

Hi,

The food stalls at Quincy Market do have great clam chowder and lobster rolls too. The Boston Chowder Co. Stall at Quincy Market has the best chowder. They serve it in cups, or in a bread bowl, and it%26#39;s thick, creamy and chunky, with the right amount of seafood taste.

I also like the Salty Dog at Quincy Market. They will have good chowder and lobster too.

For apple picking, my favorite place is in Bolton, MA. Right off of 495. It%26#39;s the Nashoba Valley Winery. Not only do they have a beautiful orchard in a great setting, but the wines are excellent and unusual also. They make high-end fruit wines. Get a bottle of the Apple Cranberry, the After Dinner Peach, and the Raspberry wine. Very tasty.

http://www.nashobawinery.com

We%26#39;ve been making yearly pick-your-own apple pilgrimages with our son since he was a toddler (he%26#39;s 14 now) and particularly like Dow Orchards in Harvard. It is right off Route 2 about 30 mi. west of Boston. We combine it with dinner at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, and thank our lucky stars that we live in this area.

There are several good public orchards in the Bolton/Stow/Harvard area. Several advertise along Route 2 and often in local papers.

I would avoid the UNION OYSTER HOUSE at all costs. Very inept service and unimaginitive food offerings.

I second the vote for Jasper Whites - consistent quality and inventive cuisine. Also does great with the traditional items, lobster rolls being one. And, you get what you pay for!!

Edno, sorry you don%26#39;t like Union Oyster...it is definitely not nouveau/fusion/ etc; they are consistent and traditional with an emphasis on fresh seafood...that%26#39;s the draw.

I have seen that the Union Oyster House has many detractors on this board. However, I have enjoyed all of my meals there, and I eat there on average once a month, since it%26#39;s near my office. It is a traditional New England seafood restaurant, with the baked stuffed schrod, ';lazy man%26#39;s'; lobster pie, and excellent clam chowder to prove it. In addition, it%26#39;s full of atmosphere as the oldest restaurant in the US.

On the other hand, I think that the Summer Shack is one of the most overpriced, overrated places in Boston. It%26#39;s surviving strictly on the snob appeal of Jasper White%26#39;s name.

It%26#39;s amazing how opinions can differ, isn%26#39;t it? :)