Planning a trip to Boston

Money

Like other large American cities, Boston can be an expensive destination. At the high end, it's nearly as costly as New York. The area does offer numerous ways to offset the price of lodging. Some attractions offer free or discounted admission at certain times, and the performing arts provide options for every budget. Dining choices, from hole-in-the-wall noodle joints to acclaimed special-occasion restaurants, are equally diverse.

If you're visiting Boston from overseas, exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to your hotel before you leave home, or withdraw money upon arrival at an airport ATM. Throughout eastern Massachusetts, you'll have little or no trouble finding ATMs; they're everywhere, even in some subway stations.

Be sure you know your personal identification number (PIN) and your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. If you have a five- or six-digit PIN, ask your bank whether it will work; you may need to change it to a four-digit number. Also keep in mind that most banks impose a fee every time you use your card at a different bank's ATM, and the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee. At Massachusetts ATMs, a message should appear -- onscreen or on a sticker near the keypad -- specifying the amount of the charge.

Beware of hidden credit card fees while traveling. Check with your credit or debit card issuer to see what fees, if any, will be charged for overseas transactions. Recent reform legislation in the U.S., for example, has curbed some exploitative lending practices. But many banks have responded by increasing fees in other areas, including fees for customers who use credit and debit cards while out of the country -- even if those charges were made in U.S. dollars. Fees can amount to 3% or more of the purchase price. Check with your bank before departing to avoid any surprise charges on your statement.

Stores and restaurants that accept credit cards generally accept debit cards, and some stores and most U.S. post offices enable you to receive cash back on your debit card purchases as well. If you don't keep a large checking balance, be aware that most banks freeze a portion of your account when you initiate a purchase without a definite total, such as a car rental or tank of gas.

Credit cards and debit cards are more often used, but traveler's checks are widely accepted in the U.S. In tourist-friendly Boston, you won't have much trouble using traveler's checks at any business. International visitors should make sure that they're denominated in U.S. dollars; foreign-currency checks are often difficult to exchange.

Calendar of Events

January

Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration, various locations. Events include musical tributes, gospel concerts, museum displays and programs, readings, speeches, and panel discussions. Third Monday in January.

Chinese New Year, Chinatown. The dragon parade (which draws a big crowd no matter how cold it is), fireworks, and raucous festivals are part of the celebration. Special programs take place at the Children's Museum (tel. 617/426-8855; www.bostonkids.org). For more details, visit www.chinatownmainstreet.org. Depending on the Chinese lunar calendar, the holiday falls between January 21 and February 19.

Boston Wine Festival, Boston Harbor Hotel and other locations. Tastings, classes, lectures, receptions, and meals provide a lively liquid diversion throughout winter. Check ahead for details. January to early April.

February

African-American History Month, various locations. Programs include special museum exhibits, children's activities, concerts, films, lectures, discussions, readings, and tours of the Black Heritage Trail led by National Park Service rangers (tel. 617/742-5415; www.nps.gov/boaf). All month.

School Vacation Week, various locations. The slate of activities includes special exhibitions and programs, plays, concerts, and tours. Contact individual attractions for information on programs and extended hours. Third week of February.

March

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, various locations. Concerts, talks, special restaurant menus, and other offerings celebrate the heritage of one of the country's most Irish-American cities. March 17; parade is on the closest Sunday.

April

Red Sox Opening Day, Fenway Park. Even if your concierge is a magician, this is an extremely tough ticket to get at the last minute, so book well in advance. Early and mid-April.

Swan Boats Return to the Public Garden. Since their introduction in 1877, the Swan Boats (tel. 617/522-1966; www.swanboats.com) have been a symbol of Boston. Like real swans, they go away for the winter. Saturday before Patriots' Day.

Patriots' Day, North End, Lexington, and Concord. Festivities commemorate and reenact the events of April 18 and 19, 1775. Lanterns glow in the steeple of the Old North Church. Participants dressed as Paul Revere and William Dawes ride from the North End to Lexington and Concord to warn the minutemen that "the regulars are out" (not that "the British are coming"—most colonists considered themselves British). Musket fire rings out on the Battle Green in Lexington and then at the North Bridge in Concord. For information on reenactments and other events, check the websites of the Paul Revere House and the Battle Road Committee. For information about the riders' destinations, where the festivities traditionally include pancake breakfasts, contact the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center or the Concord Chamber of Commerce. Third Monday of April.

Boston Marathon, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to Boston. International stars and local amateurs join in the world's oldest and most famous marathon. Cheering fans are welcome until the last weekend warriors stagger across the Boylston Street finish line in the late afternoon. Third Monday of the month.

Independent Film Festival of Boston, various locations. Features, shorts, and documentaries by international filmmakers make up the schedule for this buzz-worthy event. Check ahead for the schedule. Late April to early May.

May

Lilac Sunday, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. The arboretum allows picnicking only once a year, on Lilac Sunday. Wander the grounds and enjoy the sensational spring flowers, including more than 400 varieties of lilacs in bloom. Mid-May.

June

Boston Pride Parade, South End to Government Center (tel. 617/262-9405; www.bostonpride.org). The largest gay pride march in New England is the highlight of a weeklong celebration of diversity. The parade, on the second weekend of the month, starts in the South End and ends at City Hall Plaza, where the Boston Pride Festival takes place. Early June.

Dragon Boat Festival, Charles River near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Teams of paddlers synchronized by a drummer propel boats with dragon heads and tails as they race 1,640 feet. The winners go to the national championships; the spectators go to a celebration of Chinese culture and food on the shore. Second or third Sunday of June.

Cambridge River Festival, Memorial Drive from John F. Kennedy Street to Western Avenue. A salute to the arts, the festival incorporates live music, dancing, children's activities, crafts and art exhibits, and international food on the banks of the Charles River. Mid-June.

July

Boston Harborfest, downtown, the waterfront, and the Harbor Islands. The city puts on its Sunday best for the Fourth of July, a gigantic weeklong celebration of Boston's maritime history. Events surrounding Boston Harborfest include concerts, children's activities, cruises, fireworks, the Boston Chowderfest, guided tours, talks, and USS Constitution's turnaround cruise. Beginning of the month.

Boston Pops Concert & Fireworks Display, Hatch Shell, on the Esplanade. Spectators start showing up at dawn (overnight camping is not permitted) to stake out a good spot on the lawn and spend all day waiting for the sky to get dark enough for fireworks. Others show up at the last minute -- the Cambridge side of the river, near Kendall Square, and the Longfellow Bridge are good spots to watch the spectacular aerial show. The program includes the 1812 Overture, with real cannon fire and church bells. For details, check the website (www.july4th.org). July 4.

Puerto Rican Festival & Parade, Franklin Park. Instituted in 1967, this event is part street fair, part cultural celebration, with plenty of live music and traditional food. The highlight of the final day is a lively parade. Late July.

August

Italian-American Feasts, North End. These weekend street fairs begin in July and end in late August with the two biggest: the Fisherman's Feast and the Feast of St. Anthony. The sublime (fresh seafood prepared while you wait, live music, dancing in the street) mingles with the ridiculous (carnival games, tacky T-shirts, fried-dough stands) to leave a lasting impression of fun and indigestion. Visit www.fishermansfeast.com or www.saintanthonysfeast.com for a preview. Weekends throughout August.

August Moon Festival, Chinatown. A celebration of the harvest and the coming of autumn, the festival includes dragon and lion dances during the parade through the crowded streets, and demonstrations of crafts and martial arts. It's also an excuse to stuff yourself with tasty mooncakes. Mid-August.

September

Boston Film Festival, various locations. Independent films continue on the festival circuit or make their premieres, sometimes following a lecture by an actor or filmmaker. Mid-September.

October

Salem Haunted Happenings, various locations. Parades, parties, fortune-telling, cruises, and tours lead up to a ceremony on Halloween. Check the website for specifics. All month.

Oktoberfest, Harvard Square, Cambridge. This immense street fair is a magnet for college students, families, street performers, musicians, and crafts vendors. Second Sunday of October.

Head of the Charles Regatta, Boston and Cambridge. High school, college, and postcollegiate rowing teams and individuals -- some 4,000 in all -- race in front of tens of thousands of fans along the banks of the Charles River and on the bridges spanning it. The Head of the Charles (tel. 617/868-6200; www.hocr.org) has an uncanny tendency to coincide with a crisp, picturesque weekend. Late October.

November

Thanksgiving Celebration, Plymouth. Plymouth observes the holiday with a "stroll through the ages," highlighting 17th- and 19th-century Thanksgiving preparations in historic homes. Menus at Plimoth Plantation, which re-creates the colony's first years, include a buffet and a Thanksgiving feast. Book in advance. Thanksgiving Day.

December

The Nutcracker, Opera House, Boston. Boston Ballet's annual holiday extravaganza is one of the country's biggest and best. This is the traditional way to expose young Bostonians (and visitors) to culture, and the spectacular sets make it practically painless. Buy tickets (tel. 617/695-6955; www.bostonballet.org) as soon as you plan your trip, ask whether your hotel offers a Nutcracker package, or cross your fingers and check when you arrive. Thanksgiving weekend through late December.

Boston Tea Party Reenactment, Old South Meeting House and Tea Party Ship and Museum, Congress Street Bridge. Chafing under British rule, American colonists rose up on December 16, 1773, to strike a blow where it would cause real pain -- in the pocketbook. A re-creation of the event is a lively all-ages affair. Mid-December.

Christmas Revels, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge. This multicultural celebration of the winter solstice features the holiday customs of a different culture each year. Themes have included American folk traditions, Victorian England, and the Romani people. Be ready to sing along. For information and tickets, contact the Revels. Last 2 weeks of the month.

First Night, Back Bay and the waterfront. This is the original arts-oriented, no-alcohol, citywide New Year's Eve celebration. It begins in the early afternoon and includes a parade, ice sculptures, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, and indoor and outdoor entertainment. Some attractions require tickets, but for most you just need a First Night button, available for less than $20 at visitor centers and stores around the city. Fireworks light up the sky above Boston Common just before 7pm and over Boston Harbor at midnight. For details, contact First Night (tel. 617/542-1399; www.firstnight.org) or check the newspapers when you arrive. December 31.

Tips for Student Travelers

Students don't actually rule Boston -- it just feels that way sometimes. Many museums, theaters, concert halls, and other establishments offer discounts for college and high school students with valid identification. Some restaurants near college campuses offer student discounts or other deals. Visiting students can check schools' and student groups' social media accounts and old-school campus bulletin boards for information about events and activities, many of which are open to them.

When to Go

Boston attracts throngs of visitors year-round. Between April and November, the city sees hardly any slow times. Make reservations as early as possible if you plan to visit during busy periods; at really popular times, all of eastern Massachusetts seems to book up.

The area is especially busy during college graduation season (May and early June) and major events. Spring and fall are popular times for conventions. Families pour into the area in July and August, creating long lines at many attractions. Summer isn't the most expensive time to visit, though: Foliage season, from mid-September to early November, when many leaf-peepers stay in the Boston area or pass through on the way to other New England destinations, is a huge draw. December is less busy but still a convention time -- look out for weekend bargains.

The "slow" season is January through March, when many hotels offer great deals, especially on weekends. However, this is when unpredictable weather plagues the Northeast, often affecting travel schedules, and when some suburban attractions close for the winter.

Weather

You've probably heard the saying about New England weather: "If you don't like it, wait 10 minutes." Variations from day to day or morning to afternoon (if not minute to minute) can be enormous. You can roast in March and freeze in June, shiver in July and sweat in November. Dressing in layers is always a good idea.

Spring and fall are the best bets for moderate temperatures, but spring (also known as mud season) is brief. It doesn't usually settle in until early May, and snow sometimes falls in April. Summers are hot, especially in July and August, and can be uncomfortably humid. Fall is when you're most likely to catch a comfortable run of dry, sunny days and cool nights. Winters are cold and usually snowy -- bring a warm coat and sturdy boots.

Poetry 101 (Degrees) -- Check the Boston weather forecast by looking up at the short column of lights on top of the old John Hancock building in the Back Bay. (The new Hancock building is the 60-story glass tower next door.) It has its own poem: Steady blue, clear view / flashing blue, clouds due / steady red, rain ahead / flashing red, snow instead. During the summer, flashing red means that the Red Sox game is canceled.

Holidays

Banks, government offices, post offices, schools, and many stores, restaurants, and museums close on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans' Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (every 4 years, and next in 2012).

In Massachusetts, state offices close for Patriots' Day on the third Monday in April, and Suffolk County offices (including Boston City Hall and the city's public libraries) close on March 17 for Evacuation Day.

Boston's Independence Day Parties

Even though the Declaration of Independence was actually signed in Philadelphia, Boston fervently embraces the July 4th holiday. Boston Harborfest (tel. 617/439-7700), is the city’s 6-day party leading up to the Fourth of July concert and fireworks. Events include historical reenactments, boat tours, harborside concerts, and a Chowderfest. July 4th ends with a beloved tradition, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. The orchestra plays a free concert at the Hatch Shell amphitheater on the Charles River Esplanade, and spectators (hundreds of thousands, by some counts) spread out along both banks of the river and on the Longfellow and Mass Ave. bridges. Fireworks are set off from river barges.

Revolutionary celebrations of another sort continue later in the month, as a popular Bastille Day Party hosted by the French Cultural Center (tel. 617/912-0400) takes over Marlborough Street in Back Bay for a nighttime celebration of Francophone cultures. The event sells out, so buy tickets in advance.

Celebrating Patriots Day, the Third Monday of April
Patriots Day is a Massachusetts-only holiday that commemorates the events of April 18 and 19, 1775, when the U.S. Revolutionary War began. Ceremonies take place in Boston’s North End at the Old North Church (tel. 617/523-6676) and the Paul Revere House (tel. 617/523-2338). Reenactments take place in suburban Lexington, where a faux skirmish breaks out on the field now known as the Battle Green, and in Concord, where simulated hostilities rage at the North Bridge. Consult the Battle Road Committee for information. Patriots Day is also “Marathon Monday,” the running of the Boston Marathon.

Getting Around

Health & Safety

Here's hoping you won't need to evaluate Boston's reputation for excellent medical care. The greatest threat to your health is the same as in most other North American cities: overexposure to the summer sun. Be sure to pack sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat, and don't forget to stay hydrated.

Insurance

Whether you choose to invest in travel insurance depends on numerous factors, including how far you're traveling, how much you're spending, how set your schedule is, and your physical condition. For domestic travelers, most reliable healthcare plans provide coverage if you get sick away from home. International travelers should note that unlike many other countries, the United States does not usually offer free or low-cost medical care to visitors (or citizens).

For information on traveler's insurance, trip cancelation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling, please visit www.frommers.com/planning.

Safety

Boston and Cambridge are generally safe, especially in the areas you're likely to visit. Nevertheless, you should take the same precautions you would in any other large North American city. Stash wallets and billfolds in your least accessible pocket, don't wave your expensive camera around in a dicey-looking neighborhood, and take off your headphones (or at least turn the volume way down) when you're wandering around alone. In general, trust your instincts -- a dark, deserted street is probably deserted for a reason.

As in any city, stay out of parks (including Boston Common, the Public Garden, the Esplanade, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Cambridge Common) at night unless you're in a crowd. Public transportation in the areas you're likely to visit is busy and safe, but service does not run all night, so plan accordingly.

Staying Connected

Mobile Phones

If you're traveling from overseas and haven't used your phone internationally before, call your provider before you leave home to determine whether your phone will work where you're going, whether you'll be able to send and receive text messages, and how much everything will cost.

Telephones

Some hotels include local calls in the room rate, but most impose astronomical surcharges on both local and long-distance calls.

To make calls within the United States and to Canada, dial 1 followed by the area code and the seven-digit number. For other international calls, dial 011 followed by the country code, city code, and the number you are calling. The country code for Australia is 61; for Ireland, 353; for New Zealand, 64; and for the U.K., 44. To place international calls to the United States, dial your country's international code plus the country code (1), the area code, and the local number.

For directory assistance ("information"), dial 411 for local and national numbers in the U.S. and Canada. For dedicated long-distance information, dial 1, the appropriate area code, and 555-1212.

Internet & Wi-Fi

Internet access is widely available in the Boston area, where a wireless connection can be easier to come by than a wired one, and Wi-Fi is often (but not always) free. Most hotels and many businesses offer Wi-Fi access. (Paradoxically, high-end hotels tend to charge guests a daily fee for access, while many cheaper lodgings include Wi-Fi in their room rates.) Many coffee shops and fast-food restaurants, some lines of the commuter rail, and numerous other businesses have free wireless access. A good way to find public Wi-Fi hotspots is by searching www.wififreespot.com.

Visitor Information

Escorted & Package Tours

Academic Trips

Enormous college town that it is, Boston abounds with educational opportunities. Road Scholar programs no longer specifically target seniors, which is good news for younger travelers who appreciate their educational focus. Offerings include tours that focus on history, culture, science, and more; they incorporate scheduled activities led by local experts and free time for you to explore on your own.

Adventure Trips

The Massachusetts Audubon Society, the largest conservation organization in New England, owns and operates wildlife sanctuaries across the state and offers programs that help people of all ages connect with nature. Classes, workshops, programs, and special events of all types, many designed specifically for children and families, take place throughout the year.

A good introduction to New England's diverse terrain is an excursion with the Appalachian Mountain Club. The recreation and conservation organization is perhaps best known for its indispensable trail guides and maps, but it coordinates volunteer-led activities that range from walking dogs on a beach to multiple-day backpacking tours. Though closely associated with New Hampshire's White Mountains, the AMC has chapters all over the Northeast and offers many activities in the Boston suburbs. 

Guided Tours

Countless companies offer escorted tours that stop in Boston, especially during foliage season, when 5- to 10-day tours of New England are wildly popular with travelers from around the world. Few spend more than 2 days in Boston, however, meaning that you'll be rushing around trying to cram maximum action into minimum time, or skipping sights and activities you were looking forward to. If you plan to focus exclusively on Boston, most escorted tours won't meet your needs, but if a quick stop is all you can manage, most major tour operators can accommodate you.

Options include Liberty Travel, Collette Vacations, Globus, Insight Vacations, Tauck, and Trafalgar Tours.

Gray Line's New England presence is Brush Hill Tours. Brush Hill operates Boston's Beantown Trolley and allows customers to build their own itineraries by choosing from a variety of half- and full-day escorted tours to destinations such as Plymouth, Salem, Cape Cod, and Newport, Rhode Island.

Volunteer & Working Trips

The Greater Boston chapter of Habitat for Humanity welcomes individual volunteers as well as groups to help construct and renovate affordable housing for low-income families. Be prepared and dress appropriately for hours of construction work, which can be strenuous.

The Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Appalachian Mountain Club rely heavily on volunteers. Most Mass Audubon activities are long-term commitments, but some are one-shot deals suitable for out-of-town visitors. AMC opportunities range from a day of trail clearing to leading a longer-term program.

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

In 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court became the first state supreme court in the U.S. to rule that same-sex couples have the legal right to marry. A year later, Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Boston Pride Week (tel. 617/262-9405) takes place at the beginning of June and includes a festival, a concert, block parties, and the largest gay-pride parade in New England. Festivities often continue throughout the month, and restaurants, bars, and other venues are likely to fly the rainbow flag during these weeks. Note: Additional Pride events are held in February (Black Pride), April (Latinx Pride), and May (Youth Pride).

The free weekly Bay Windows (tel. 617/266-6670) covers New England's LGBT community and features extensive entertainment listings. The alternative weekly Boston Phoenix publishes cultural and nightlife listings. A good online resource is Edge Boston.

An excellent guide to local gay- and lesbian-owned and -friendly businesses is the Pink Pages. The website of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau has an LGBT Traveler section; click "Visit Boston," then "Boston Insider." The state tourism department has a separate website, www.lgbtmassvacation.com, devoted to information about activities and attractions across Massachusetts. Other useful resources include the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Helpline (tel. 888/340-4528 or 617/267-9001) and the Peer Listening Line, for people 25 and under (tel. 800/399-7337 or 617/267-2535), both operated by Fenway Community Health; the Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (tel. 617/227-4313), which holds a general meeting every Wednesday at 8pm; and the Bisexual Resource Center (tel. 617/424-9595).

Tips for Families

Boston is a top-notch family destination, with tons of activities that appeal to children and relatively few that don't. All area hotels, restaurants, and attractions have extensive experience meeting kids' needs.

The city's official tourism site has helpful travel information for families. Boston Parents Paper lists activities and events.

Getting There

BY PLANE

Boston’s Logan International Airport is in East Boston, 3 miles (4.8km) from downtown and across the Boston harbor. Logan is served by all the major U.S. airlines and several international carriers as well. For information, including real-time flight arrivals and departures, go to www.massport.com/logan-airport. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport.

Between the Airport & City Center

Massachusetts Port Authority, or MassPort (tel. 800/235-6426), coordinates airport transportation. Public Service information booths are located near baggage claim on the first-floor arrivals level of every terminal.

There are two options for taking public transport from Logan into Boston. The Silver Line SL1 bus stops at each airport terminal and runs to downtown Boston’s South Station, which has connections to the Red Line subway and the commuter rail to the southern suburbs. The 20-minute ride is free and includes a transfer to the Red Line. The other public transport option is to take the free airport shuttle bus (either Route 22, 33, 55, or 66) to the stop “MBTA Blue Line” to pick up the subway on the Blue Line. The Blue Line runs daily from approximately 6am to 12:20am. Subway fare is $2.75 with a paper CharlieTicket from a vending machine. See this for details about the subway system and its fare collection system.

Taxis are available at each terminal. Between airport fees and the initial drop the starting price is about $10; the total fare to downtown runs $25 to $45. There are designated areas at Logan for pick up by Lyft and Uber drivers. Travelers using one of these “Transportation Network Companies” should look for the designated pickup areas on the lower level (Arrivals) and the sign “App Ride/TNC.” The fare will include a $3.25 airport fee.

The Logan Airport website lists private van services that pick up at the airport and serve local hotels. One-way prices start at $15 per person and can include extra fees.

Because Logan is located just across the Boston harbor from the city, travelers have the option of taking a ferry or water taxi from the airport to downtown. The Harbor Express ferry trip from Logan to Long Wharf on the downtown waterfront takes about 7 minutes and costs $18.50 one-way. The free no. 66 shuttle bus connects airport terminals to the Logan ferry dock. Boston Harbor Cruises Water Taxi (tel. 617/227-4320) and Rowes Wharf Water Transport (tel. 617/406-8584) also serve the airport, the downtown waterfront, and other points around the harbor, for a fare of $12 (kids ages 3–11 ride for just $2 on the Boston Harbor Cruises water taxi). Leaving the airport, ask the no. 66 shuttle-bus driver to radio ahead for water-taxi pickup.

BY TRAIN

Boston has three transportation centers. The biggest, South Station, at 700 Atlantic Ave., is a nexus of Amtrak trains, MBTA commuter trains, bus lines, and stops on the subway’s Red and Silver Lines. The two other centers are North Station, at 135 Causeway St. on the first floor of the TD Garden stadium, and Back Bay Station, at 145 Dartmouth St. Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL) has stops at all three stations, each of which is also an MBTA subway stop.

Boston’s commuter rail operates out of both South Station and North Station (located about a mile apart). South Station serves points south and west of Boston, including Plymouth, MA, and Providence, RI. North Station serves points north and west, including Concord, Ipswich, and Rockport. This rail network is run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or MBTA (tel. 800/392-6100 or tel. 617/222-3200), which also manages the subway system.

BY BUS

The South Station Bus Terminal is at 700 Atlantic Ave., adjoining the train station.

BY CAR

Three major highways converge in Boston. I-90, also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike or “Mass Pike,” is an east-west toll road. I-93/U.S. 1 goes north. I-93/Route 3, the Southeast Expressway, heads south and toward Cape Cod.

I-95 (Massachusetts Rte. 128) becomes a beltway that circles Boston about 11 miles from downtown, connecting the city to highways in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York to the south, and New Hampshire and Maine to the north.

Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

The Boston area is a hotbed of eco-awareness. True, it's not Europe, or even California, but residents and visitors have a smaller-than-usual carbon footprint almost by accident -- driving in the area is such a headache that ditching the car makes sense for both the environment and your sanity.

Before you leave home, visit the city's official tourism website to find information about eco-aware attractions along with lists of hotels and restaurants that are certified green or working toward that status.

The industry-leading Lenox Hotel was one of the first American hotels to offer a towel reuse program and boasts an impressive portfolio of initiatives and awards. The Lenox is part of the Saunders Hotel Group, which has demonstrated and encouraged green awareness in the hospitality business for decades. Virtually all of the chain lodgings in the area and their independent competitors are also on the bandwagon. The Colonnade Hotel Boston and the Seaport Hotel are particularly green.

The Chefs Collaborative is a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to "changing the sustainable food landscape"; you can locate member restaurants via the group's website. The Green Restaurant Association maintains a regularly updated list of members.

Huge proportions of Boston-area commuters get to work on foot or by public transit. Cambridge has been relatively hospitable to bicyclists for years, and Boston is catching up and even planning a bike-share program similar to the arrangements in such cities as Paris and Montreal (visit www.cityofboston.gov/bikes for information). Most subway stations and some bus stops have receptacles for recycling the newspaper after you finish reading it. Zipcar originated in Cambridge; your membership at home entitles you to use cars all over the Boston area, including locations at the end of most subway lines.

Awareness of the importance of recycling is nothing radical in New England, where one of the best-known sayings is "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." To take just one example, Massachusetts is among the national leaders in the campaign to reduce the use of disposable shopping bags. To learn more about statewide green initiatives, visit the Department of Environmental Protection's website. Learn more about Boston's environmental efforts at www.boston.gov/departments/environment.

Entry Requirements & Customs

Passports

Virtually every air traveler entering the U.S. is required to show a passport. More specific information for travelers from many English-speaking countries outside the U.S. can be found at these websites:

Australia: www.passports.gov.au

Canada: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html

Ireland: www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie/passports

New Zealand: www.passports.govt.nz/

United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office

Visas

The U.S. State Department has a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allowing citizens of many countries to enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. For a full list of countries in the VWP, consult the State Department's website. Even though a visa isn't necessary, visitors from VWP countries must register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a plane or a boat to the U.S. Travelers must pay a fee and complete an electronic application providing basic personal and travel eligibility information. 

Citizens of non-VWP countries must have (1) a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later than the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S.; and (2) a tourist visa.

For information about U.S. visas, go to travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html. 

Medical Requirements

Unless you're arriving from an area known to be suffering from an epidemic, inoculations or vaccinations are not required for entry into the United States.

Tips for Senior Travelers

Mention that you're a senior citizen when you make your travel reservations. Boston-area businesses offer many discounts to seniors with identification (a driver's license, passport, or other document that shows your date of birth). The cut-off age is usually 65. Restaurants, museums, and movie theaters may offer special deals. Restaurants and theaters usually offer discounts only at off-peak times, but museums and other attractions offer reduced rates -- usually the equivalent of the student price -- at all times.

With a special photo ID card, seniors can ride the MBTA subways, local and express buses, commuter rail, and Inner Harbor ferries at a discount. You must have a Senior CharlieCard. For more information, visit MBTA.com.

Fast Facts

Area Codes -- Boston proper, 617 and 857; immediate suburbs, 781 and 339; northern and western suburbs, 978 and 351; southern suburbs, 508 and 774.

Business Hours -- Offices are usually open weekdays from 9am to 5 or 6pm. Banks are open weekdays from 9am to 4pm or later and sometimes on Saturday morning; most offer 24-hour access to automated teller machines (ATMs). Stores typically open between 9 and 10am and close between 6 (neighborhood shops) and 9pm (mall and shopping center locations) from Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours for shops that have them are usually 11am or noon to 5 or 6pm. Some drugstores and grocery stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Doctors -- The front-desk staff at your hotel can often recommend a doctor, or you can use one of the referral services available through local hospitals. They include Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Drinking Laws -- The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21. Proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, particularly near college campuses (in the Boston area, that's everywhere), so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out. At sporting events, everyone buying alcohol must show ID. Liquor stores and some supermarkets and convenience stores sell alcohol Monday though Saturday during regular business hours; in communities where selling alcohol on Sunday is legal, sales begin at noon. Happy hours with discounted drinks are illegal, but discounted food is permitted. Most restaurants have full liquor licenses, but some serve only beer, wine, and cordials. Last call typically is 30 minutes before closing time (1am in bars, 2am in clubs).

Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the spot. Don't even think about driving while intoxicated.

Electricity -- Like Canada, the United States uses 110-120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring one with you.

Embassies & Consulates -- All embassies are in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. To find an embassy's contact info, visit www.embassy.org/embassies.

Emergencies -- Call 911 for fire, ambulance, or the police.

Hospitals -- The closest hospitals to downtown are Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., and Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St. At the Harvard Medical Area on the Boston-Brookline border are Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave.; Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St.; and Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave. In Cambridge are Mount Auburn Hospital, 330 Mount Auburn St., and Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St.

Nonemergency MinuteClinics deal with ear infections, strep throat, and such, but not with dire emergencies. At press time, the only one in the immediate Boston area is in the CVS at the Porter Square Shopping Center, 36 White St., off Mass. Ave., Cambridge (tel. 617/876-5519; www.cvs.com).

Newspapers & Magazines -- The city has two daily newspapers, the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. 

Other publications in town: DigBoston, which covers news, entertainment, and dining; and Improper Bostonian, packed with event and restaurant listings. Available on newsstands, Boston magazine is a lifestyle-oriented monthly with cultural and restaurant listings.

Smoking -- In a word, no. State law bans smoking in all workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and clubs, and the MBTA forbids smoking in subway stations. You can't smoke in hotels, either.

Time -- Boston is in the Eastern time zone. The continental United States encompasses four time zones: Eastern Time (ET), Central Time (CT), Mountain Time (MT), and Pacific Time (PT). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. At noon in Boston and New York (ET), it's 7am in Honolulu (HT), 9am in Los Angeles (PT), 10am in Denver (MT), 11am in Chicago (CT), 5pm in London (GMT), and 2am the next day in Sydney.

Daylight saving time (summer time) is in effect from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time.

Tipping -- Tips are a very important part of some workers' income, and gratuities are the standard way of showing appreciation for services provided. In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($5 or more if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $2 per day (more if you've left a big mess). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 or $2 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff and bartenders 15% to 20% of the check, tip checkroom attendants $1 or $2 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.

Tip cabdrivers 15% to 20% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($5 or more if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

Toilets -- You won't find public restrooms on the streets in most U.S. cities; seek them out in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in heavily visited areas, including Boston and Cambridge, may reserve their restrooms for patrons.

Neighborhoods in Brief

Much of Boston still reflects the city’s original 17th-century layout, a seemingly haphazard plan that can disorient even longtime residents. You’ll see alleys, one-way streets, streets that change names, and streets named after extinct geographical features. Major geographical points of reference include the waterfront, at the city’s east end; Boston Common and the adjoining Boston Public Gardens, which separate Beacon Hill from downtown; and the Charles River, which divides Boston from its neighboring town to the north, Cambridge. Storrow Drive runs along the Boston side of the Charles; Memorial Drive runs along the Cambridge side. A handful of bridges span the river, connecting the two cities.

The Waterfront - The area along Atlantic Avenue and Commercial Street, once filled with wharves and warehouses, now boasts luxury condos, tourist-friendly marinas, restaurants, and hotels. Here you’ll find the Rose Kennedy Greenway walking path, the New England Aquarium, and docks for harbor cruises and whale watches. Just a block inland from Long Wharf, Faneuil Hall Marketplace/Quincy Market is the city’s most popular attraction, a cluster of restored market buildings. A block west of Faneuil Hall, Government Center is a wide plaza surrounded by state and federal office towers, Boston City Hall, and a central T stop.

The North End - Adjacent to the northern end of the waterfront, this is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and an immigrant stronghold for much of its history. It’s still heavily Italian-American, with Italian spoken at many of its restaurants, caffès, and shops. Hanover Street and Salem Street are the main streets. Bars and restaurants cluster on and near Causeway Street in the North Station area, across from the TD Garden sports and performance stadium.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace & Financial District - This area of the city includes the waterfront and harbor, where some of the city’s most desirable properties are, and Downtown Crossing, just east of the Boston Common. It also extends north to the newly revitalizing West End, which includes North Station and the TD Garden, where the Boston Celtics basketball team and Boston Bruins hockey team both play.

Downtown Crossing - The Freedom Trail runs through this bustling shopping and business district a few blocks east of Boston Common. The central Downtown Crossing intersection is where Winter Street becomes Summer Street at Washington Street, the most “main” street downtown.

Seaport District - Across Fort Point Channel from downtown, this hot neighborhood is booming with new restaurants, bars, and hotels. The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center is here, along with the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Chinatown - Tucked between Downtown Crossing and the Seaport District is one of the largest Chinese communities in the country, abounding with Asian restaurants and other businesses. Its main street is Beach Street. At its western end, Boston’s Theater District extends about 2 blocks in each direction from the intersection of  Tremont and Stuart streets. What’s left of Boston’s red-light district is also here; be careful in this area at night.

Beacon Hill - Narrow, tree-lined streets and architectural showpieces make up this largely residential area near the State House and Boston Common. Charles Street is the neighborhood’s commercial street.

Back Bay - Created out of landfill in the mid–19th century, fashionable Back Bay extends from Arlington Street, near the Boston Public Garden, to the student-dominated sections near Massachusetts Avenue, or Mass Ave. Main streets include the retail meccas Boylston and Newbury streets and the largely residential Commonwealth Avenue, or Comm Ave, and Beacon Street. Unlike downtown, Back Bay is laid out in a grid; its cross streets go in alphabetical order.

South End - South of Back Bay, this landmark district, packed with Victorian row houses, has a large gay community and some of the city’s best restaurants. Main thoroughfares include Tremont and Washington streets and Harrison and Columbus avenues. Tucked within it is the SoWa Art + Design District (SoWa is short for “south of Washington street”), with art galleries, boutiques, and design showrooms. Note: The South End is not South Boston—”Southie” lies east of highway I-93, near the Seaport District.

Charlestown - Across Boston Harbor from the North End is one of the oldest areas of Boston. The Bunker Hill Monument is here, along with the celebrated tall ship the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”). To get here from the North End, follow North Washington Street.

Kenmore Square - A landmark white-and-red Citgo sign marks the intersection of Comm Ave, Beacon Street, and Brookline Avenue at Kenmore Square. Boston University students throng its shops, bars, restaurants, and clubs. Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, is 3 short blocks away.

The Fenway - South and west of Kenmore Square, The Fenway surrounds the parklands of the Back Bay Fens. Here you’ll find the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Symphony Hall, as well as several colleges and world-class medical facilities.

Cambridge - Across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its backbone, Mass Ave, runs from Boston across the Mass Ave Bridge river over the Charles River into Cambridge and beyond.

Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Boston, like all other U.S. cities, has taken the required steps to provide access for people with disabilities. Hotels must provide accessible rooms, and museums and street curbs have ramps for wheelchairs. Some smaller accommodations, including most B&Bs, have not been retrofitted. In older neighborhoods (notably Beacon Hill and the North End), you'll find many narrow streets, cobbled thoroughfares, and brick sidewalks that can make getting around difficult. In the construction areas that dot the entire metropolitan area, especially in downtown Boston, you may have to negotiate uneven road surfaces and pedestrian detours.

Most stations on the Red, Blue, and Orange subway lines are wheelchair accessible. The Green Line, which uses trolleys, is problematic; some stops have ramps, lifts, or both; construction is under way or in the works at others; and some are inaccessible. Contact the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (tel. 800/392-6100 or 617/222-3200; www.mbta.com) for details about the stations you need and possible work-arounds. For service updates on elevators, escalators, and lifts, call the toll-free number and press 6, call tel. 617/222-2828, or visit the "Rider Tools" area of the website. All MBTA buses have lifts or ramps. To learn more, contact the Office for Transportation Access, 10 Park Plaza, Room 5750, Boston, MA 02116 (tel. 800/533-6282 within MA or 617/222-5123; TTY 617/222-5415; www.mbta.com; under "Riding the T," click "Accessibility at the T").

One taxi company with wheelchair-accessible vehicles is Boston Cab; advance notice is recommended.

An excellent resource for out-of-towners with mobility issues is VSA Arts Massachusetts.