Visiting various parts of the cape, want suggestions

Planning a trip memorial day weekend to the cape. Plans call for a night in Falmouth, a day trip to Martha%26#39;s vineyard, a day and night in provincetown and a daydriving from provincetown to Providence New Hampshire.

I would appreciate suggestions about the following for each location: Locations to eat that have good foot (any type), places for photography purposes (lighthouses, nature) and of course local establishments to visit.

Been reading this forum for little while now and rarely see anyone post about restaraunts and scenic locations for photography purposes.

Visiting various parts of the cape, want suggestions

That%26#39;s because there are so many places that it is really better to just bring your camera and a few extra memory cards! Also, you will find many places to eat...all within a very short distance. If you have something specific you hope to see or eat let us know and we can make a recommendation. Your trip does sound a bit hectic. You might enjoy it more just going to MV and exploring the Falmouth- Sandwich upper-cape area and leaving the outer cape, Eastham to Provincetown, for an other trip. Or just go to the outer cape and stay there for a couple of nights. Did you mean Providence Rhode Island? Never heard of Providence New Hampshire but perhaps some one else can help you out there.

Visiting various parts of the cape, want suggestions

In agreement with Yellowbird about the wealth of dining options I guess we have to ask you to provide a little more info about what would make you happy.

For example, I could suggest dinner at two terrific spots in Hyannis. One is, I think, the most fun waterfront dining and that%26#39;s at Baxter%26#39;s on the harbor. There%26#39;s two different styles to it. One is sort of picnic style and the other side is a bit more upscale. Folks arrive in cars and in their boats too. Then there%26#39;s a different type of wonderful restaurant on the other end of the budget range with gourmet offerings for a sophisticated dining experience and that is The Naked Oyster. Instead of beer or soda to accompany your meal you%26#39;ll enjoy perfect wine pairings and/or martinis.

There are artists and photographers all over the Cape trying to capture the natural beauty. You won%26#39;t have trouble finding subjects.

If you stick with the suggestion to stay in the Upper Cape area though I suggest that you go into Sandwich and head for Town Neck beach (take 6A to Town Neck Rd.) Then walk from the beach on the boardwalk over the marsh looking east for a beautiful view. If you are in Sandwich and you are hungry between 11AM and 4PM I recommend having your lunch at Dunbar%26#39;s Tea Room where you can get something light or something hearty, always delicious and, of course wonderful, fresh baked desserts. It is right across the street from the Shawme Duck Pond and the Grist Mill on Water St. in town.

More info on Sandwich: www.capecodcanalchamber.com and you can find a good walking guide map at most shops.

If you want places to photograph, keep Provincetown on your itinerary. The town itself is very picturesque and is full of interesting characters. Wander around the the side streets and walk out on Macmillan Wharf for great views back at the town and also the fishing boats at the end of the wharf. The National Seashore has great nature photo opportunities and there are a number of parking lots that you can stop at and walk on trails from. The Cape is the only place on the East Coast mainland where you can see a sunset over the ocean. For this, go to Herring Cove beach at dusk. Just before you get to Ptown, there is Cape Cod Light in North Truro. The way to the lighthouse is clearly marked from rte. 6. If you do night photography, you should find the downtown Ptown street scene interesting. Do you mean you are going to Providence RI next? If so, the trip from Ptown to Providence would be about 3 hours.

I did mean Rhode Island. I was reading about NH at the time.

I am going to keep P-Town on the schedule. Would appreciate reading some more about the Vineyard as I don%26#39;t know much about Martha%26#39;s vineyard either.

As far as food goes, we just like to enjoy those unique places that every town has where the food is good and locals abound. We live by the ';when in Rome, do as the Romans do'; type theory when it comes to food.

I need to learn more through this forum about driving from the Martha%26#39;s Vineyard to P-Town and interesting places to stop along the way so I would appreciate any further thoughts. We enjoy nature%26#39;s beauty but things that are less touristy.

Can%26#39;t help you with Martha%26#39;s Vineyard since I am planning my 2nd visit this June(was there as a kid the summer they filmed jaws). But, I have gotten some great pics of still life on the Cape.

Besides the shots of the beaches through the grasses and lighthouses, I have captured many angles of churches..love the ones in Chatham. All the 100 plus year old gravestones in many towns are another fav. The weathered buildings in Wellfleet are always picture perfect as are any old rowboats/oars dotting the ponds (everywhere). Just have your camera ready to shoot wherever you go!

I think for what you have in mind and for the amount of time you have to spend that you would be happier just staying on the outer cape and skipping MV. The National Seashore has the type of natural beauty you are looking for and is less ';touristy';. I will assume that you have not made lodging reservations yet...do you know that it might not be possible to find a string of one-night reservations Memorial Day weekend? Also, talk to your inn keeper to find the best local resaurants and scenic locations once yu have decided where to stay.

myspace pictures

Boston area colleges

Spending a couple days visiting colleges. The plan is to see Clark on Monday, Boston U. %26amp; Boston College on Tuesday, and Tufts on Wednesday. Flying out Wednesday afternoon. Wondering if it%26#39;s possible to achieve without car rental but using public trans. instead?

Transportation from Boston to Clark U.: is it possible to leave on train(?) in a.m., visit the college, and return to Boston in the evening?

Also, budget-minded hotel recommendations, best areas to look for one based on above info.?

Thanks for any assistance.

Boston area colleges

Hi,

Let me suggest two hotels. Both are in Brookline which is perfectly located in between BU and BC, and they both sit on the Green Line subway line.

The Holiday Inn Boston/Brookline. Right on Beacon Street, across from the subway.

Courtyard By Marriott Boston/Coolidge Corner. Located a short walk to the subway.

Both hotels have received mixed reviews on TA (they%26#39;re listed under ';Brookline';).

I would suggest renting a car to get out to Clark. It%26#39;s about a 45-50 minute drive down the Pike with no traffic.

Boston area colleges

You can take the Commuter Rail to Worcester. Check under mbta.com Commuter Rail for the Framingham-Worcester Line. The train leaves from South Station and makes a stop in Back Bay Station, so you would have to take the subway there first from Brookline. Also, you really can%26#39;t conveniently get to Tufts on public transportation from Brookline. You%26#39;d have to come in all the way in town as well.

As an alternative, you could stay in a hotel like The Omni Parker House, a very centrally located historic hotel right on the Freedom Trail in Downtown. It is only a block from Park Street Station, so you could just hop on the Green Line for BU and BC or the Red Line for Tufts. It%26#39;s also within walking distance of South Station, so you could hop down there for the Commuter Rail to Worcester. That would be my recommendation.

If you use public transportation to go to Worcester you will need to take a bus once you arrive to get to Clark. Check out this site: www.therta.com which has maps of Worcester%26#39;s bus system. Personally, I think this would be a long day. (A lot of waiting around for buses and trains.) You would be better off to rent a car that day.

You might also consider staying in Medford where Tufts is. Do a search for AmeriSuites on this site - they have a shuttle to local places in the area, including the T station so that you could go to BC and BU. It would be cheaper than staying at the downtown hotels. They may even provide transportation to the airport.

Hopefully you haven%26#39;t already traveled- if so, notes for future college visit-ers:

Keep in mind these logistics when deciding which college to choose - I went to BU so I%26#39;d be IN the city instead of waiting for/sitting on trains going TO the city :)

BU and BC are right off the subway on the B Branch of the Green Line. BU is about 15/20 minutes from city center, BC is about 20-30 minutes from there- it%26#39;s not very far but the train stops A LOT.

--Side note BU: When I was there BU had a program where you could accompany a student to class. If you can work this in (which you may be able to in your half-day by doing an 8/8:30am class or later afternoon class), I%26#39;d recommend it. I volunteered for it and they didn%26#39;t give us any talking points at all, we were just told to be friendly and helpful, so you%26#39;ll get honest, albeit subjective, answers to your questions from a current student. Sign up in advance with admissions.--

Tufts is not too hard to reach on public transit. Take the T to Davis Square (about 30 minutes from city center)- nice area with food and bars, the main hangout area for Tufts students. Then you can take a Tufts shuttle bus (check with admissions or web on running time %26amp; make sure it%26#39;s not spring break), or there are also public buses that run there, or it%26#39;s about a 20 minute walk.

Probably can just get a cab from the commuter rail in Worcester to get to Clark- but I%26#39;d run that by the admissions folks and make sure you have directions and address where you are going and the phone number for a cab. If Clark is a serious candidate you%26#39;ll want to give yourself a little time to see the area as well- I%26#39;d leave time to visit downtown and get lunch or dinner there before heading back, but certainly no need to stay overnight. Renting a car for a day is a drag, and you won%26#39;t need it for the rest of your stay.

If you don%26#39;t have much luggage you could go straight from the airport to Worcester or vice versa because in addition to the regular subway stop at the airport there is also a express-ish bus, called the Silver Line, that departs from the airport terminal curbside. It takes about 15-20 minutes to arrive at the last stop-South Station, which is where you catch the commuter rail to Worcester (or the red line).

You can also catch the same commuter rail line at Back Bay station (on the orange line or a 2 block walk from the Copley stop on the Green Line) which is 4 blocks or so from the many hotels in the Copley/ Hynes Convention Center area.

As for where to stay, since you%26#39;re on the Green Line one day for BU/BC, and the red line for Tufts, and commuter rail for Clark and going to/from the airport, I%26#39;d say a central location in Boston is probably your best bet - all the subway lines converge in the center, and that way you%26#39;ll see the city as well (unless you%26#39;ve already visited plenty, in which case just go cheap).

My family has found good rates in the past at :

Park Plaza Hotel

old-school, lot of chandeliers, wants to be grand but a little old, several restaurants nearby

T: 1 block if that from Arlington T stop on Green Line, 2 stops from Red Line

Marriott Cambridge on Main Street and the Courtyard around the corner

Legal Seafood 1 block away, hit or miss on demand, sometimes $110, sometimes $350.

T: Literally right out front is Kendall/MIT Red Line Stop, 2 stops from Green Line

Colonnade

Across from Prudentially Center, near Copley Mall, lots of chain dining options and a few unique.

T:1-2 blocks from the Prudential Stop on the E Branch of the Green Line, 4 blocks from Copley on main Green Line

Good luck.

Still finalizing plans...

We will be staying at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel, 26 North Street. Hope to visit 5 schools in three days.

Arrive at 9ish A.M. on a Monday and thinking your suggestion of heading straight to Clark would be a good one. Advice on public trans. from airport to Clark?

In the next two days would like to visit 2 schools per day. Our list includes: Tufts, Northeastern, Boston C, and Boston U. Is this feasible? If so, which 2 pairs work best together with public trans. for A.M./P.M. visits?

Also, not to make things completely crazy, might like to walk around Harvard campus one evening just because we%26#39;re there. Would that work best to cover after Clark? Trans. from Clark to Cambridge?

Just tell me if I %26#39;m way off base with this schedule!

Thanks much.

Boston College and Boston University are on the same Green Line Branch (B), so I guess that it makes some sense to do both of those in the same day. You can get on the Green Line at Haymarket, which is just a short walk from your hotel.

Northeastern is on the Green Line E Branch. Tufts is the opposite direction, on the Red Line at the Davis Square Station. You can take the Green Line to Park Street and then transfer to the Red Line towards Alewife. By the way, that%26#39;s also the way to get to Harvard Square.

Not sure if there%26#39;s a bus to Worcester from the Airport, but you could ask Clark. Otherwise, you can take the Silver Line from the Terminal to South Station, then take the Commuter Rail to Worcester.

All the ';T'; information, including both the subways and the commuter rail, is available at mbta.com.

Your plan is doable, but you won%26#39;t have much time to sightsee in Boston. Can you add aday to get some enjoyment in??

Fenway Logistics

we will be driving from Southern Maine to Fenway. Is there an easy place to park North of city and take the trian or T in. We are very familar with city and surrounding areas. Thanks

Fenway Logistics

Will you be coming down Rte 95?

You could pick up commuter rail in Reading to North Station then green line to Kenmore Square.

You could go to Wellington Circle (Rte 16, not far from 99 and 93) and take the orange line in, and switch to the green.

I%26#39;d recommend you check out the MBTA website. They have maps and schedules and you should be able to find one easy for you to reach. Check out %26#39;subway%26#39; and %26#39;commuter rail%26#39;.

Fenway Logistics

The Sullivan Square stop on the orange line is right off I93 and only charges $3.50 for parking.

shopping on Newbury??

Hi we are staying right by Harvard ..so I will wander around there.. I am on my own though for a full day so thought I would do Newbury? Although just came back from Montreal and went to THE shopping street.. only to find its the same stores as we have here.. Gap .. Zara etc.. Is Newbury different? looking for smaller quaint,interesting clothes and ..%26#39;stuff%26#39;.. anywhere else?...and if on that street a restaurant for lunch?? by myself... so busy preferred..or sit at the bar..

shopping on Newbury??

Decent website to get you started...

http://www.newbury-st.com/

shopping on Newbury??

Newbury Street is a mix. Yes, there, are the chain stores, but there are also many local places still. Yes, we all lament the ';chaining'; of Harvard Square. It%26#39;s a shame.

For lunch options near Newbury Street, go one street over to Boylston. The Parish Cafe is fantastic, it has outdoor seating, and indoor bar seating.

If you%26#39;re not having any luck with finding the ';smaller, quaint, interesting'; stores on Newbury Street you could always try Davis Square in Somerville. From Harvard Square hop on the Red Line headed towards Alewife, and Davis is two stops away. It still has some cool, privately-owned shops. Go to mbta.com for all subway info.

Newbury St. is definitely worth checking out. Not only is it quintessinal Boston, with the brownstones and the sidewalk cafes and all, but there is also still a wide variety of unique shopping opportunities on the street.

While there are outposts of big American chains like Nike and such, there are also small boutiques, and outposts of European stores, many of which are the only US locations.

Another good shopping street is Charles St. Take the Red Line from Harvard, get off at Charles/MGH, and you are at the beginning of Charles St. Walk down the street, it%26#39;s lined with boutiques, antique shops and lots of interesting cafes. It%26#39;s pretty much a chain-free experience there, as there aren%26#39;t any spaces large enough for a chain to be interested.

Bose factory store - Wrentham Village

We were going to purchase some Bose noise cancelling headphones (comfort 3) in the UK.

However we have noticed that there is a Bose factory store at Wrentham, does anyone know if they sell them there and if so approx cost. We are sure they would be cheaper then in the UK (£275). Can anyone advise please, also how far Wrentham village from Boston is?

Thanks for any help.

Bose factory store - Wrentham Village

Wrentham is about an hour southwest of the city. They have a special bus that goes there. If I remember correctly, it was like $18 each or $36 total. So if there are two of you, you%26#39;d need to save $70 something to make it worthwhile. While you probably will save that much on an expensive item, you need to question yourself if it%26#39;s worth missing a day of vacation.

Bose factory store - Wrentham Village

The cost should have read $18 each WAY. Here%26#39;s the website, by the way:

www.brushhilltours.com/tours/wrentham.html

Hi,

The Bose website lists the headphones for $349, which at current exchange rates works out to around £175, so that%26#39;s a significant savings right there. I don%26#39;t know if you have to add duty on to that also. You can call the Wrentham store and see if they are in stock once you arrive, and if the price differential is worth the trip down.

Wrentham Village is a great place to go shopping for lots of things. The big question is whether it%26#39;s worth the day or the money to get there but if you like outlet shopping, there are good stores there...

Hi,

Well if you’re trying to save some money (and who isn’t) a few suggestions….

1) The bus at $36 round trip x 2 people will be $72. You could rent a small car for 24hrs for less.

2) I don’t believe you will have to pay duties (especially if you use them here) but there will be a 5% sales tax in Massachusetts.

3) If you cruise up to New Hampshire (40-50 min from Boston) you can save the 5% sales tax. I think there is a Bose Store in Salem or Nashua N.H.

Supermarkets in Burlington

I will be an overseas visitor staying in Burlington on Old Concord Street. Can anyone tell me the closest supermarket to here?

What are the major supermarkets called in Mass and Vermont?

The places where normal people do their normal grocery shopping? Not your local corner 7/11 shops etc.

Thanks

Supermarkets in Burlington

Shaws, Stop and Shop, Roche Brothers, Market Basket.

Not sure which is closest to your location, but my favorite is Roche Brothers.

Supermarkets in Burlington

There%26#39;s lots of shopping in the Burlington area, which is in a suburban area north of Boston. This includes Super Markets. However, you do need a car to get around there.

Thanks for the supermarket names. Yes we will have a car, so that won%26#39;t be an issue.

The closet supermarket to Old Concord St. Burlington, MA. is the DeMoulas MarketBasket. (maybe even walking distance from some addresses on Old Concord St). DeMoulas (IMO) has the best prices, great variety, large store.

Roche Brothers, over on Cambridge St/ Rt3a, is also a very large store, great variety. I would say the prices are overall higher than DeMoulas%26#39;. (I do like the pre-cooked meals at Roche Bros but they are exxpensive!)

Bos 5... are there still DeMoulas out there? I thought they all switched over to the Market Basket name? I worked at the one in Wilmington forever and a day ago. They do have good prices.

QldAussie... I%26#39;m not sure if it is common where you are from, but many of the supermarkets have cards (I call them inconvenience cards), where you sign up for free, get a store card and then have the cashier scan it before the order is checked out. Many of the sale prices advertised on the shelves require the card in order to get the sale price! I know Stop and Shop requires them. I don%26#39;t think Market Basket does. Maybe some other locals could add to that.

I can%26#39;t recall as I type this. if someone also mentioned Hannaford%26#39;s Supermarkets also.

Westernmass

eye brush

five media

Shoreway Acres

I just booked a room at the SHoreway Acres for 3 nights in July. After reading the reviews I am getting scared! Last year we stayed at the Admiralty Inn and we weren%26#39;t happy. The year before we stayed at the Holiday Inn and weren%26#39;t happy. Any suggestions? I am travelling with my 8 year old son and we will be working at a craft fair during the days.

Shoreway Acres

If you can tell me more specifically what you didnt like at the Admiralty and at Holiday Inn, I can probably help you decide if Shoreway is going to work out for you or not. Right away one thing that you would have in your favor at shoreway is that you can walk to the craft fair if it is the one on Main St. Is it? Beach Breeze Inn is very near Shoreway and is a litte more upscale if that was one of your concerns with the other properties. I%26#39;ll stop trying to guess your needs and wait to see what you have to say.

Shoreway Acres

I wouldn%26#39;t worry about staying at Shoreway Acres. It%26#39;s a nice place. Certainly much better than the Admiralty or the Holiday Inn. Very nice location.

Dear Kahala Breezes,

I didn%26#39;t like the Holiday Inn because it was off the beaten track. There was an indoor pool but no hot tub (I have severe arthritis and need the hot tub for medical reasons). Our room was very far away from the pool and main hotel. There was no room service and the ';restaurant '; was always empty. I didn%26#39;t want to chance eating there. Additionally, $13 was mysteriously charged to my credit card after I checked out. Never could figure out what that was for! We didn%26#39;t smoke, steal towels or eat at the hotel. I am also a Gold Prioirty Club member and didn%26#39;t receive any amenities. There were no movies or video games available for in room entertainment. I wans%26#39;t so upset as to make a big deal about my unhappiness but we won%26#39;t be staying here again.

The Admiralty Inn was almost as disappointing. Our first room was very far way from the main hotel and the pool. At bedtime, the deadbolt on the door didn%26#39;t work! We changed rooms the next day. The indoor pool was dismal and the hot tub wasn%26#39;t really a hot tub, more of an extension of the indoor pool with seats. Also, the Inn did not have a restaurant.

Thank you for your offer to help. Yes, I do prefer high end. My son and I work our hearts out for 2 days at the craft fair and want to stay in a nice place. The show that we participate in is the one at Marina Park, not the one on Main St.

Thanks again!

Hi Ankle,

Sorry I was AWOL! Too much traveling. This is very informative. You may actually not like Shoreway because it is laid out among several buidings. I might be too much walking after working so hard for 2 days with arthritis. I%26#39;m on the same page as you pretty much, disabled with chronic upper back pain. Plus, my mother in law blew her knees out y%26#39;ears ago and we are close, so I know how her arthritis is. Shoreways building with the indoor pool is off to one side of the property. There%26#39;s also an outdoor pool in season, but since you%26#39;re working, frolicking isn%26#39;t what we%26#39;re after. Plus, I%26#39;m almost positive there is no hot tub.

The overarching problem with Falmouth is that there ARE no high end hotels. Period. The closest is the Sea Crest Resort. But it is really very average. The rooms are in need of reno. They do a lot of conferences and weddings, because they are the only facility with the meeting/function rooms and hotel rooms to accommodate them in the area. Their saving grace is their location on beautiful (though intensely crowded) Old Silver Beach.

That%26#39;s just background, not help. You need to look to the smaller properties to find what you want. You were already leaning in that direction by trying Shoreway. As an aside, I once stayed at the Mariner Motel. It was a well located, reasonably priced, older property. Verrrry basic, though. And no hot tub. My favorite part was being able to park directly outside my room. Less steps, less pain.

A beautiful B%26amp;amp;B is The Palmer House Inn. The location is good and charming to boot. There are several rooms that have whirlpools in them, but getting two separate beds may be a trick. I personally feel a king size bed is a large enough to share with a family member or close friend. Especially a little guy like you%26#39;re traveling with. Unless someone is a wild sleeper, you don%26#39;t usually run into each other in the night. You might also try contacting them about that situation. They are some of the most helpful and acccommodating innkeeers I know of.

The Captain Tom Lawrence House has rooms with second beds in them, but I am almost certain there are no hot tubs to be had.

Inn on the Sound is very lovely. The ocean views are stunning. However, again we have no hot tubs. I know of a family that booked the whole inn last summer for their wedding guests and they were treated royally. They had first come on a ';tour of inspection'; before selecting the inn for the event. Very demanding customers, those. And they were happy. The parking area is loose rocks, though, so if you aren%26#39;t very surefooted that might be a problem.

I%26#39;m sure I don%26#39;t need to remind you that July is high season. Top dollar, I%26#39;m afraid. There are also a couple of possibilities in West Falmouth, but I don%26#39;t know how close to the marina you want to be. West Falmouth is only 15 minutes away unless there is a traffic problem.

Let me know what you think about the ideas above. We can further hone our selections til we get the right place for you - you do deserve it when on a working trip, or any other for that matter.

You can also ask me about specific other properties you might be considering and I%26#39;ll be happy to tell you all I know.

Good Luck!

I am also looking for a place to stay in North Falmouth. Going to the Popponesset Inn for a wedding in sept. I was looking for a place close by a little nicer than your average hotel/motels. Any suggestions?

Since you won%26#39;t have to fight traffic in Sept. wouldn%26#39;t you want to select a spot with ocean views? Would you consider a B%26amp;B in Falmouth Heights? If so see my post today to Jenskar ';Looking for a small special...'; for some websites.

North Falmouth itself has very few places to stay. The Yellowbird B%26amp;B is the only one I know of. I%26#39;ve never seen the property, but have met the innkeeper. She seemed very nice.

Some would argue that the Seacrest Resort is in North Falmouth and I would have to concede to them. It really is. But it is so close to West Falmouth, that I think of it as being there. See my earlier post about the Seacrest before running out to book anything there.

West Falmouth as a true treasure in The Inn at West Falmouth (see my earlier post this evening about that). Also in W Falmouth is The Chapoquoit Inn. I haven%26#39;t been inside, but the innkeepers are constantly working to maintain the property in great condtion. It is down the hill from The Inn at West Falmouth.

You should also consider Falmouth proper, the village of Falmouth that is. The Palmer House Inn is great, so is The Beach Breeze Inn. People rave about both of them.

The Poponessett is a great place for a wedding, you%26#39;re going to love it! If you decide not to take the other poster%26#39;s suggestion of oceanfront accommodations, your choices in the immediate vicinity are slim. Marstons Mills is about as close to Poponesett as North Falmouth. There are some B%26amp;Bs there, but I%26#39;m not famiiar enough with them to comment.

Above all, good luck room hunting and have loads of fun when you get there!

Hi brokenankle- Shoreway Acres is a charming unpretentious inn made up of stately captains homes, beautiful grounds and run by a wonderful family. They have an indoor and outdoor pool, I believe a whirlpool and sauna. A huge step up from the Admiralty and far more charming and personal than the Holiday Inn. A bit dated in their decor the place is spotless and the staff is caring and accomodating. As far as location- you can walk to the beach and to downtown and when going to the craft fair on the Harbor-you won%26#39;t even have to drive on rt28. My friends and family always stay there when they come to visit...my mother is very hard to please and she loves it. I wouldn%26#39;t worry to much about negative reviews--people are much more likely to complain that to pay a compliment. Two thumbs up for Shoreway Acres. ( Your son will love being able to walk to Main Street for ice cream or to visit the breand new Village Science Playground that they just spent $100,000 building.) Have fun! The Beach Breeze is lovely--but your 8 year old would be happier at Shoreway!