re: The Definitive Boston Thread

Long time lurker here that just recently stumbled on these Boston threads. It’s been a treat to read all the recommendations and advice about different areas. I was wondering if you may be able to give me some tips for an upcoming trip up there. My wife and I are flying in on Thursday 12-27 and heading back Wednesday the 2nd of January. We have a few plans but are winging it on a good chunk of our stay. We are staying at the Westin Copley. We’re also going to the Pats/Jets game on the 30th. Using the Boston Common coach for transportation thanks to advice from some folks on a Patriots fan forum that I’ve been a member of for years and some people on a TripAdvisor forum. Have loose plans do do First Night stuff for New Years Eve. Also the Freedom Trail. Other than that we are still up in the air on the rest of our time there. Interested in hearing anybody’s recommendations for restaurants, cool bars, must see/do things. Thanks so much in advance!

Going to Boston in May. Land on a Saturday afternoon (2:30). Will be there until Tuesday morning. Don't plan on renting a car until Tuesday, when we drive north. No specific plans yet but eyeing either the Red Sox game Saturday night or Sunday during at noon. Also want to stop at Trillium, just to buy cans, don't care to drink at the tap room if its busy. Lastly, through your recommendation we will likely download the app and walk around the Freedom Trail stuff.

So a couple questions...

I need help figuring out a place to stay. Everything looks to be expensive AF. I figure as long as we are near a T stop, we shouldn't have a problem getting to any of those things? AirBnB or hotel, no preference. Any recommendations are appreciated. Just don't want to pay $400/night if I can avoid it.

Also, any preference on the Sox game Saturday night vs Sunday at noon? Saturday night seems like it would be fun, and would give us the other 2 days to pretty much do whatever we want. Tickets are about the same price. Mainly worried I wouldn't have time to land at the airport, check in to wherever I am staying, then get to Fenway in time.