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Visiting Boston

You may be familiar with the Boston attractions, but there are a few things you should know about the city before you plan your trip.

Accommodations

Boston is full of luxury, chain, and boutique hotels. No matter what your price range you are sure to find comfortable accommodations when visiting. Liberty offers contemporary and luxurious sleeping quarters with the best of amenities right downtown. The Intercontinental provides a 4-diamond AAA experience overlooking the Boston waterfront. For the ultimate extravagance, the legendary Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Boston offers five-star accommodation overlooking the Boston Public Garden.

If you are interested in a more personalized experience, Boston is peppered with quaint little bed-and-breakfasts that give an opportunity to experience some of the quirky old architecture and eccentric artifacts within the décor. The Charles Street Inn puts you right in the heart of the Beacon Hill neighborhood, while the Encore is located in the South End area.

Weather

The city of Boston follows the rest of the northeast in weather. Spring is mild, with chilly nights and warm, sunny days. Summers are comfortably warm. Autumn in New England is known around the world for its stunning color display. If you are arriving in Boston between December and April, be sure you are completely prepared for snow, ice, and bitter cold temperatures. Insulated coats, boots, and gloves are appropriate.

Neighborhoods

Boston is officially subdivided into 21 different neighborhoods, some of which may be of more interest to visit than others.

Newbury Street in the Back Bay neighborhood is particularly interesting due to loads of eccentric shopping boutiques and designer retail outlets lined up inside old city brownstone townhouses. The brick sidewalks of the American-ancient Beacon Hill neighborhood wander through narrow streets lined with old, Federal homes, which give a glimpse of some of that New England “old money” that people are always talking about. Boston’s South End is filled with city homes built during the city’s expansion in the 1800s.

Sports

Boston is home to several beloved sports teams. There are the title-winning Boston Celtics, the Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins, and the World-Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox. The Superbowl-winning New England Patriots play in Foxborough, Massachusetts, just a few miles south of Boston.

Boston sports are also famous for being part of some of the most famous sports rivalries. The Red Sox rivalry against New York Yankees is one of the fiercest in the country. If you are a Yankees fan, it may be within your best interest to leave your baseball cap at home and to avoid the topic of baseball altogether.

The college action in the Boston region is also huge, with teams representing Boston in several conferences from Boston University, Boston College, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.

Parking

The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) may lead to Boston, but it’s not advisable to drive into the city without prior planning for parking. Check with your hotel about parking availability and cost.

The best way to see Boston’s attractions is via the city’s comprehensive public transportation network. Between the buses and subway system, there’s no need to drive into the city. There’s also a comprehensive commuter train network that connects with the greater metropolitan area. The major historic downtown attractions have a walking tour known as the Freedom Trail.

Another reason to avoid driving in and around the city is the amount of aggressive driving. Unless you live within, or commute around a major metropolitan area, you likely won’t feel comfortable trying to find your way around the city of Boston or its suburbs.

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Visiting Boston