Steeped in American history and home to many colleges and universities, Boston has a small town feel even though it's one of the biggest cities on the East Coast.
Sophisticated and cosmopolitan, a visible and energetic gay population calls Boston home. Visitors will find a good selection of places to stay and eat. The city's public transit system includes underground trolleys and railroads making it easy to explore the city even if you're car-less. Areas of note include the downtown historical district, the South End, which in recent years has become Boston's "gay" section; and Cambridge - across the Charles River and home to Harvard University.
For those interested in Colonial American history and Federalist architecture, Boston is a city not to be missed.
Culture
Boston’s culture is expressed through and distinguished by the Bostonian dialect of English, which includes many slang words and is famous for a liberal pronunciation of the “r” sound at the end of words, which usually sounds like “ah” instead (i.e. “car” becomes “cah,” “park” becomes “pahk”). These slang words can change from neighborhood to neighborhood, and suburb to suburb. The city’s culture was characterized for a long time by its Anglo-Saxon roots, but since waves of Irish immigrants found a home in Boston during the 19th and 20th centuries, Boston has been much more associated with Irish Catholic culture. South Boston, a working-class, Irish-dominant neighborhood, is a living spectacle of this tradition. The once Irish stronghold...as well as Polish and Lithuanian...is now as much a Yuppie village - owing its new if not always graciously accepted cosmopolitanism- to the facts of the beaches and sea, as well as the nearness to the downtown for easy commutes to daily business.
Within Boston’s broad culture there exist a number of sub-cultures, a credit to the city’s diversity. Boston’s neighborhoods are often ethnic or tied to a group of people or a way of life—South Boston is Irish Catholic and working class; Roxbury is highly Dominican and black; the North End still retains its Italian heritage; the South End is bohemian and gay. But other sub-cultures also represent the many interests in the Boston communities, such as sports, the arts and theater and the large student population.
Travel Information
By Air:
Logan International Airport (BOS) rates as the nation's 18th busiest and is but four miles from downtown. Numerous airlines use its 102 gates, spread across this airport of 2,400 acres. Dozens of restaurants, fast food counters, and shops pepper its halls, putting an emphasis on convenience and easy accessibility.
Ground transportation options abound starting with the wonderfully efficient Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train system. Locally known as "the T," it operates daily from 5:30a-12:30a, exiting the airport about every ten minutes. Fares start at USD1. For added convenience free Massport shuttles scoot passengers between the terminals and trains.
A fleet of taxis can be found outside every terminal. Depending on traffic rides to downtown last 15-20 minutes. Taxis charge a flat rate for all destinations exceeding a 12-mile downtown radius. Should you be traveling beyond 12 miles be sure to agree to an exact rate before entering the cab. The Boston Police Department posts a list of flat rates. If you opt to rent a car be advised that downtown is not conducive for driving, especially if unfamiliar with Boston's maze of narrow one-way streets. For a shuttle bus/van, call the reputed Back Bay Coach (+1 617 746 9909) which provides a shared van service to most downtown hotels.
Free bus service from the airport terminals to the Logan Boat Dock on the south side, makes the water shuttle service efficient and conveniently quick. Boats exit at regular intervals for a seven-minute ride to Rowes Wharf.
By Train:
South Station on Atlantic Avenue, Back Bay Station on Dartmouth Street, and North Station on Causeway Street make train travel into Boston extremely convenient. All three stations are linked to the MBTA subway allowing for easy downtown access. Amtrak is the chief carrier. The Acela Express links with Washington DC, the Lake Shore Limited with New York City, and the Downeaster with Portland Maine.
By Bus:
The main bus terminal is located on Atlantic Avenue, adjacent to the train station. Passengers can then access downtown via MBTA's Red Line subway. Greyhound Bonanza and Concord Trailways all service Boston.
By Car:
I-90, or as locals call it the "Mass Pike," a state-long toll road, funnels traffic in from all points west. I-93, downtown's main artery, runs north/south. I-93 north combines with US-1 making it the main thoroughfare for traffic approaching from Canada, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. I-93 south joins with Route 3, connecting Boston with Cape Cod.
Getting Around:
The MBTA's bus system services all of downtown and beyond. Most are wheelchair accessible. Family passes are available.
Boston's subway system the oldest in the nation, rates as the fastest way to scoot around. The color-coded lines are easy to decipher. The Red Line slices through downtown in a northwest/southeast direction servicing Harvard Square, MIT and South Station. The Green Line wanders in a west/east direction accessing the Boston Common, Copley Square and Fenway Park. The Blue Line juts in a northeast/southwest direction stopping at Logan Airport, Suffolk Downs and the New England Aquarium. And the Orange Line drifts in a north/south direction depositing passengers at such noted stops as North Station, the Fleet Center and Chinatown.
Taxis are readily accessible, yet expensive when compared with other forms of public transportation. Cab stands can be found at most major hotels and at busy visitor points such as Faneuil Hall, South Station and Harvard Square. Boston Cab (+1 617 536 5010) and Town Taxi (+1 617 536 5000) are two of Boston's bigger cab companies.
Another attractive ground transportation option is Zipcar, which operates in certain cities in Canada and the U.S. This new breed of rental car allows you to rent on an hourly basis rather than a daily basis. Be sure to register online before your trip. Zipcar (+1 866 404 7227/ http://www.zipcar.com)
The inner harbor ferries offer a refreshing alternative for city commuters. Long Wharf, Lovejoy Wharf (North Station), Rowes Wharf (Boston Harbor Hotel), Courthouse, and World Trade Center Boston.
Bicycling is not recommended for downtown Boston. There are no bike lanes and drivers tend to scoff at the idea of sharing the road. Cambridge, however, is very bike friendly.
Walking is Boston's best mode of travel. The downtown area is inordinately compact making it possible for one to walk from North Bay to Back Bay in less than half a day.
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