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Boston’s main tourist season is from May to October. The largest number of visitors come during the summer vacation, and in late September and early October when people flock to see the famous New England fall foliage. Hotel rooms are scarce during these periods. The second half of October offers a combination of good weather with lower accommodation rates.

From December to February daytime temperatures generally remain just above freezing and snow is possible. March to May is characterized by warm, sunny days alternating with showery ones. June to August is warm to hot with high humidity. September and October are mostly dry with crisp nights. November is cool and damp, with sporadic cold but sunny days. For detailed forecasts log on to www.thebostonchannel.com/weather

Canadian citizens need only show photo ID and proof of residence. Citizens of European Union countries (including the UK), Australia, New Zealand, and Japan need a valid passport and can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of other countries must have a passport and visa, which can be obtained from a US consulate or embassy – apply well before you travel. For the latest information check on-line: www.state.gov

MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are accepted almost universally, and ATMs (cash machines) are located throughout the city and at Logan airport (on the departures level). It’s always best to have a few dollars on arrival to pay for transportation into the city.

Insurance for medical and dental care is strongly recommended, as US medical fees are costly. It is also invaluable in case of an emergency. You may have to pay for services and be reimbursed later. It’s advisable to take out comprehensive insurance, which covers lost baggage, trip cancellation fees, etc.

A drivers license valid in your home country is also valid for driving in Boston and the surrounding states. Additional photo ID may be necessary to rent a vehicle.

The weather is unpredictable and can change quickly so dress in layers with a sweater or light jacket for cool summer evenings. Be sure to bring a folding umbrella, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes. Pack smart casual outfits for restaurants and evening entertainment.

US electricity is 110–120 volts, 60 cycles, and uses a polarized two-prong plug. Non-US appliances will need an adapter and a voltage converter available at airport shops and some department and electrical stores. Most laptops and travel appliances are dual voltage and many hotels have dedicated dual-voltage sockets for electric shavers.

Public transit, movie theaters, most major attractions, and some hotels offer discounted rates for people 65 and older. Most museums and attractions also offer discounted admission charges for students with relevant photo ID.

Logan International Airport lies on an island across the inner harbor 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of downtown. It’s served by almost all major North American airlines (except Southwest) and by most international airlines.

Taxis wait at all terminals but airport fees can make a downtown trip expensive ($15–$20). The cheapest way ($1.25) into town is on the MBTA subway (approx. 15 minutes). Free buses connect terminals to the subway. The most scenic approach is either City Water Taxi ($10) or the Water Shuttle ($10; runs approx every 30 minutes), which cross the harbor between Logan and Atlantic Avenue.

Some international charter flights and several domestic carriers use the less crowded Worcester Airport, Massachusetts, 49 miles (78.5 km) from Boston, and TF Green Airport, Rhode Island, 59 miles (94.5 km) from Boston. Bonanza Bus Lines provides a service to/from both airports and South Station.

$100 worth of gifts, 200 cigarettes or 50 (non-Cuban) cigars, and one liter of liquor may be brought into the US without paying duty. Meat, seeds, growing plants, and fresh fruit are not allowed.

Landing cards and customs declaration forms are usually distributed on the plane.

Amtrak trains arrive at South Station (Atlantic and Summer sts) via Back Bay station (145 Dartmouth St). There are frequent trains to New York via coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island and a “Downeaster” service to Portland, Maine.

Buses are the least expensive way to travel in the US. Greyhound and Peter Pan Trailways provide a nationwide service; Bonanza operates solely within New England. All carriers share the South Station Bus Terminal (700 Atlantic Av).

Cruise ships dock at Black Falcon Terminal, South Boston, which is a $10 taxi ride to Downtown. The bus service is infrequent (No. 6 from Marine Industrial Park).

Most major northeast highways converge on Boston, with I-95 (also known as Route 128) circumventing the city center. I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, comes in from the west. I-93 cuts through the city north to south as an underground expressway completed in 2004 – the commonly called “Big Dig.” Watch signs carefully for exits. The new purple-lit Zakim suspension bridge, connecting underground and surface highways, provides a dramatic northern gateway to Boston.

The MBTA subway and trolley system (known collectively as the “T”), gets you close to almost anywhere in the city. Most of the lines are underground in the city center, and go partially above ground in the suburbs. Fares are $1.25 almost everywhere.

The MBTA bus system enlarges the transit network to cover more than 1,000 miles (1,620 km). Buses run less frequently than the “T”. There are also nightowl buses running parallel to some subway routes from midnight to 2.30am ($1.50 per ride). Two useful bus routes are Charlestown to Haymarket (No. 93) and Harvard Square to Dudley Square via Massachusetts Avenue (No. 1). Make sure you have the exact change (90 cents) or a combo “T” pass when traveling by bus. Bus maps are available on the MBTA website or at the main office at Downtown Crossing.

Visitor’s Passports for unlimited travel on the MBTA system for one, three, or seven days ($7.50/$18/$35) can be purchased at Downtown Crossing and airport “T” station, or at Visitors’ Bureau information kiosks (see Information Kiosks).

City Water Taxi operates throughout Boston’s inner harbor. Boston Harbor Cruises offers a ferry service to Provincetown from Long Wharf. The Bay State Cruise Company connects the World Trade Center with Provincetown, and the inexpensive MBTA ferry links Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard (see Charlestown Navy Yard).

Unlike many American cities, Downtown Boston is compact and easy to negotiate on foot.

Boston has many dedicated bike paths including those along the Charles River and on some major streets. Note, cycling on highways is illegal and riding on sidewalks is discouraged and, in some places, illegal. Boston Bike Tours rents bikes on Boston Common (see Boston Common & Public Garden).

Use public transportation to reach neighborhood centers and explore on foot from there. If you’re going farther out get the Arrow Metro Street Atlas .

Taxis can be hailed on the street in the Downtown area or found at taxi stands throughout the city. Cambridge taxis can only collect in Cambridge, and Boston taxis in Boston (except at the airport). You can also call a taxi company to arrange a pick up. Rates are calculated by both mileage and time.

Visitors should familiarize themselves with basic US driving rules and signage. Information is available at most vehicle-rental agencies. “Rotary” traffic intersections (roundabouts) confuse even local drivers. In theory, vehicles on the rotary have right of way.

Several city tours depart from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common (see Information Kiosks), including Old Town Trolley Tours, which offers narrated sightseeing in old-fashioned trolley buses, as well as theme tours (beer, ghosts, chocolate, etc). These trolley tours permit re-boarding all day, making them easy transit to major sites.

Boston Harbor Cruises depart from Long Wharf and offer a variety of tours. “Boston by Sea” is a scripted dramatic history of the harbor aboard a cruise boat from Rowes Wharf, sponsored by the Boston History Collaborative. Tours of the Charles River depart from the Esplanade on traditional small cruise boats or by gondola.

Boston Duck Tours, especially popular with families (see Boston Duck Tours), use open-air amphibious vehicles that tour the streets and navigate the Charles River.

Enthusiastic volunteers share their love of the city on guided walks. Tour options include Heart of the Freedom Trail, Victorian Back Bay, South End, Beacon Hill, North End, and Boston Underground.

Boston National Historic Park rangers run daily tours of the Freedom Trail (see The Freedom Trail), Black Heritage Trail (see Beacon Hill), and Charlestown Navy Yard (see Charlestown Navy Yard). Rangers at Fairsted, Frederick Law Olmsted’s National Historic site, run tours of the home and offices as well as portions of the Emerald Necklace (see Boston Common & Public Garden).

Department of Conservation and Recreation rangers lead walking tours along the river and give occasional tours of the Charles River Locks and Dam (see Charles River Locks & Dam).

Pedestrian advocacy group WalkBoston sponsors tours and walking events.

The New England Aquarium operates whale watches with trained marine biologists. Ships carrying approximately 200–400 passengers make the 3.5–5 hour roundtrip to the Stellwagen Bank whale feeding grounds. Tours run from late May to October.

Tours through Chinatown and the North End focus on cuisine. Mein Dish tours Chinatown on weekends visiting food markets, a herbalist, and other shops and ending with a dim sum lunch. L’Arte Di Cucinare runs culinary tours of the North End (see Paul Revere House).

The Boston Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (BCVB) operates two information centers with multilingual counselors and free information. One is on the northeastern edge of Boston Common (see Boston Common & Public Garden), the other on the main floor of the Prudential Center. There’s also an information kiosk at Harvard Square.

For extensive information on Boston, including promotional rates at hotels and a detailed calendar of events, check the BCVB website (www.bostonusa.com). The Cambridge Office of Tourism maintains a smaller site (www.cambridge-usa.org). For foodies, Boston Chefs Collaborative site (www.bostonchefs.com) displays current menus of many Boston restaurants.

The Boston Globe ’s (www.boston.com/globe/calendar) calendar section is the leading source of information about upcoming events. Similar listings appear in the Boston Phoenix (www.bostonphoenix.com) , which focuses on the club and bar scene. Boston Citysearch (www.boston.citysearch.com) posts entertainment listings and restaurant reviews.

Boston’s competitive media market includes all the US network broadcasters: CBS (channel 4), ABC (channel 5), NBC (channel 7), Fox (channel 25), and UPN (channel 56). All five stations have strong local news and weather programs. New England Cable News provides non-stop regional news coverage. Channel 2 is a leading program producer for the national public broadcasting system (PBS). Radio station WBUR (90.9 FM) originates the humorous “Car Talk” which muses on life and love while dispensing auto repair advice. Other popular Boston stations include WFNX (101.7 FM) for rock music and WCRB (102.5 FM) for classical.

Most stores and attractions are open daily, although many museums close on Mondays. Banks close on weekends; post offices close on Sundays. Hours and days of opening may become abbreviated during winter periods – check with venues.

Plan to tip for most services: 15–20 per cent to waitstaff; $1 per bag for porters; $2 to valet parking attendants; 50 cents–$1 per drink to bartenders, and 10 per cent plus the change up to the next dollar for taxi drivers.

Smoking is prohibited in most public indoor spaces. Check for no-smoking signs before lighting up. Massachusetts has the highest tobacco prices in the US and requires photo ID proving age of 18 or older to purchase cigarettes.

You must be 21 or over to buy alcohol and the law requires bartenders or store clerks to check photo ID if in doubt.

While Boston-based consulates cannot intervene in legal matters with local authorities they can provide limited services and referrals for visiting nationals.

VSA Arts publishes Access Expressed! , a $5 guide to accessibility at arts venues, public buildings, and some hotels and restaurants. The basic database can also be searched online (www.accessexpressed.net). VSA Arts’ principal website (www.vsamass.org) lists a calendar of accessible arts events. The New England Index website (www.disabilityinfo.org) gives hundreds of sources of aid for the disabled.

All facilities built or renovated since 1987 are legally required to provide wheelchair accessible entrances and restrooms. Most attractions are wheelchair accessible. Anticipate problems in historic buildings and older B&Bs and restaurants by calling ahead.

The following venues offer listening aids for the hearing impaired. Wheelock Family Theatre and Huntington Theatre also offer performances signed in ASL (American sign language).

Guide dogs are permitted in all establishments. Most busy road intersections have audio signals to indicate safe crossing times. The Wheelock and the Huntington theaters offer audio descriptions of some performances. The New England Aquarium (see New England Aquarium), Museum of Science (see Museum of Science), and Museum of Fine Arts (see Museum of Fine Arts) have tactile displays for the visually impaired.

The following taxi companies will send wheelchair accessible vehicles on request.

Most buses, subways, commuter rail lines, and ferries are at least partially accessible for wheelchair users.

Visitors’ centers, museums, and galleries have public restrooms with disabled and baby-changing facilities. There are a few high-tech public toilet kiosks along parts of the Freedom Trail (see The Freedom Trail).

Some hotels permit children under a certain age to stay in their parents’ room for free, and some offer family rates. The concierges at most larger downtown hotels can arrange babysitting. Short-term babysitting can also be arranged through Parents-in-a-Pinch. For child-oriented services and entertainment, pick up a free copy of the Parents Paper at libraries and grocery stores.

US citizens in need of legal assistance should contact the Legal Advocacy & Resource Center of the Boston Bar Association; non-US citizens should telephone their consulate for legal assistance (check Blue Pages), or their embassy in Washington, D.C.

Most banks are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm or later, and on Saturdays from 9am to noon or 1pm. Banks close on Sundays and holidays.

Currency exchange is available at main branches of large banks, which are generally open weekdays from 9am to 5pm (passport required). Travelex has booths at Terminals B, C, and E at Logan Airport.

Dollar-denominated travelers’ checks issued by American Express or Thomas Cook are widely accepted; personal checks from foreign banks are not. American Express offices will cash checks for their cardholders.

ATMs (cash machines) are usually found near bank entrances. Widely accepted bank cards include Cirrus, Plus, NYCE, and VISA and MasterCard credit cards. Most ATMs levy a withdrawal fee for cards not affiliated to that bank. It’s often cheaper to withdraw money using a debit card.

American Express, VISA, MasterCard, Diner’s Club, and Discover are widely accepted. Credit cards are safer than carrying cash and may offer benefits such as insurance and favorable exchange rates. They are essential to reserve a hotel room or book a rental car.

Many hotels and B&Bs offer Internet access for guests with their own computers. Highspeed access usually requires an Ethernet or WiFi card, while dial-up connections require an RJ-11 connector. Free wireless networks can sometimes be found in the big-name coffee shops and bookstores.

Most accept coins as well as phone cards. Prepaid phone cards (available at gas stations, convenience stores, and newsstands) are the least expensive way to call long distance. Local calls cost 25 to 35 cents for three minutes from pay phones but are free from private land lines. Directory inquiries are free from public phones. Note, you always need to dial the 617 within Boston. Dial a 1 for other US codes. To dial abroad, key 011 followed by the country code and the city code (omitting any initial 0). If you want to hire a cell phone, try ACPR Cellular Phone Rental.

Most Boston-area post offices are open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday from 8am to noon. The main General Post Office is open noon to 7pm Sunday. Letters and parcels weighing less than 16 oz (512 g) can be put in any blue mailbox.

The US Postal Service Express Mail next-day delivery service starts at $13.65 for up to 8 oz (256 g); global 2–3 day delivery costs from $15.50. Next-day delivery is also available from Federal Express and United Parcel Service.

Keep camera bags, backpacks, and purses on your person. Before you leave home, make photocopies of important documents, including your passport and visa, and keep them with you, separate from the originals. Also make a note of your credit card numbers (and the phone number to call if they are stolen).

Cross at marked crosswalks, obeying the “walk” signal lights. Intersections without “walk” signals indicate when pedestrians should cross the road with a combined red-and-amber signal.

Muggings are rare in Boston. Avoid poorly lit and deserted areas, like Boston Common, at night, especially if alone. Know where you are going and walk purposefully. Study your map before leaving, rather than on the street. Keep only small amounts of cash in your pockets and if confronted by a mugger, give up your money promptly.

When checking in, learn the fire escape route from your room. Keep valuables in your hotel safe, otherwise hotels will not guarantee their security. Use the peephole or chain to confirm the identity of anyone who knocks at your door before letting them in.

For police, fire, or ambulance, dial 911. Stay on the line even if you are unable to speak so the emergency locator system can track you. Emergency calls are free.

The Boston area has both city-run (public) hospitals and private hospitals. Public facilities, listed in the phone book Blue Pages, can be overcrowded but are often less expensive. Private hospitals, listed in the Yellow Pages, rank among some of the world’s best and charge accordingly.

The Massachusetts Dental Society can offer referrals to private dentists for emergency work. Tufts Dental School also runs an emergency dental clinic in Chinatown.

Your medical insurer should cover all costs, but in order to avoid paying your medical bill and then have money reimbursed it is always best to contact your insurance company before seeking treatment. You will then be directed to a hospital that will deal directly with your insurer. If you need an ambulance, call 911. The Massachusetts General Hospital is centrally located for emergencies. For referrals, contact Massachusetts Medical Society.

Bring copies of prescriptions for medications you are taking. Pharmacies abound; ask your hotel for the nearest one.

Many Boston museums offer free admission at certain times. Harvard University art museums (see Harvard Art Museums) are free on Saturday morning. There is no charge at the Institute of Contemporary Art (see Institute of Contemporary Art) on Thursday from 5 to 9pm. Admission to the Museum of Fine Arts (see Museum of Fine Arts) is by donation on Wednesday after 4pm.

Hatch Shell (see Hatch Shell) stages concerts during the summer as well as several of the Boston Pops concerts during the week around July 4 (see Fourth of July). On Friday evenings, Hatch Shell shows big-screen family films. Check Boston Globe “Calendar” (see Events Listings) for specifics, as well as for details on concerts on City Hall Plaza and Copley Square. The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company performs on Boston Common during July and August.

College and university art galleries mount some of the city’s most provocative exhibitions with free admission.

BosTix kiosks sell half-price tickets to most non-commercial arts events and to some commercial productions from 11am on the day of performance. Purchases must be made in person and in cash.

Last-minute tickets for Boston Symphony Orchestra performances at the Symphony Hall (see Symphony Hall)on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons are 50– 85 percent of the usual cost. General admission to open rehearsals is also available at a reduced price.

Some of Boston’s largest theaters offer ticket bargains: seats in the last row of the balcony at the Huntington Theatre cost $12; and on Mondays at 10am, you “pay what you can” for the American Repertory Theatre’s upcoming Saturday matinee.

Boston’s music schools present ambitious performance seasons of students, faculty, and guest artists. Berklee Performance Center (see Berklee Performance Center) at the Berklee School of Music has more than 100 shows per year (shows by students and faculty cost less than $10), as does The New England Conservatory (see New England Conservatory, Jordan Hall), which holds free performances at Jordan Hall.

Cut transportation costs with a Visitor’s Passport allowing unlimited travel on subways and buses for one, three, or five days (see “T” Pass).

A City Pass ($34) gives access to the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Prudential Skywalk, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, and Harvard’s Natural History Museum. Valid for nine days, it’s available at Visitor Information Centers and saves 50% on admission charges.

Avoid any eating or drinking establishment that claims to have been around since colonial days. Also attractions that claim a close affiliation with TV series (such as Cheers! ) have usually lost their original charm.

A Visitor’s Passport (see “T” Pass) lets you bypass the “T” token window. Avoid traveling from 8 to 9:30am and 4 to 6:30pm to beat the crowds. The biggest bottlenecks for entrance into most performance venues are at the “will-call” window, where you pick up pre-booked tickets, and the box office.

To avoid going the wrong direction on the subway, remember that all trains headed toward Downtown Crossing, Park Street, or State “T” stations are “inbound.” All trains heading away are “outbound.” Platforms for outbound and inbound trains often have different entrances. Be especially careful on the green line, which branches into four separate lines. The red line also branches into two south of the city. Check the final destination of the train you want against the MBTA map. Signs on the front and side of the train always list its final destination.

You are likely to be towed if you park illegally in a tow zone, which will be signposted. In addition to towing fees, you’ll also pay a large fine before your car is released. You will also get a ticket for parking at an expired meter or in a resident-only zone. It’s impossible to escape payment. Rental companies will charge your credit card, and if it’s your own car, your home state will not renew your license or registration until you pay.

Many hotels greatly inflate the cost of calls. Some may charge as much as $2 for a local call or a toll-free call. Save money by purchasing a prepaid phone card and using the lobby pay phone. Hotel breakfasts, unless explicitly included in the room rate, are also often outrageously priced. Most cafés will fill you to overflowing for $5 – the price of toast at some hotels.

Boston has its share of pickpockets, who often work in pairs, with one creating a diversion while the other relieves you of your wallet. Be careful in crowds and when boarding or leaving buses and subway trains. Consider using a hidden travel wallet for the bulk of your funds.

Massachusetts law forbids anyone except a licensed ticket agent from selling tickets and only permits a reseller to add $2 over the face price. Scalpers nonetheless ply their trade openly outside sports venues and theaters.

Boston has a large population of homeless people, many of whom beg on the street. One way to help the homeless is by purchasing a copy of Spare Change , the weekly newspaper produced and edited by the homeless.

Traffic jams are at their worst from 8 to 10am, and 4 to 6pm on weekdays. Highway traffic around Boston is very heavy on Fridays from noon to 7pm and on Sundays from 4 to 8pm. There are always some delays along the harbor and river roads, and on streets around Beacon Hill and Boston Common.

Most stores open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Saturday (usually later on Thursday) and noon to 5 or 6pm on Sunday. Department stores often stay open a little later. Widely observed retail holidays are Christmas day, January 1, July 4, and Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November).

Five percent state sales tax is added to all purchases, except clothing and groceries. Clothing costing $175 or more, however, is subject to a 5 percent luxury tax.

Look for end-of-season savings on merchandise. Expect sales during the Christmas shopping season, but greater discounts in January.

Boston’s most traditional department stores, Macy’s and Filene’s (see Filene’s Basement), are located at Downtown Crossing. In Back Bay, Lord and Taylor is known for classic clothing, Saks Fifth Avenue for following fashion trends, and Neiman Marcus for luxury items.

Boston’s shopping malls are ideal for a rainy day. In Back Bay, a pedestrian walkway joins upscale Copley Place to the recently revitalized Prudential Center (see Prudential Center). Cambridgeside Galleria has many mid-priced shops.

Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, a mall with 170 shops carrying low-priced top name brands in clothing and housewares, is a 45-minute drive southwest from Boston. Daily bus service ($33) includes hotel pick-up.

For unusual gifts, and a taste of New England at home, James Hook & Co will airship live lobsters. For farmhouse cheeses, it’s worth visiting Formaggio’s Kitchen and South End Formaggio.

HMV and Tower Records have huge stocks at competitive prices. Try Skippy White’s for R&B and gospel; Orpheus for classical and jazz; and Franklin’s CD for Latin music. Harvard Square (see Harvard Square Bookstores) has one of the largest bookstore concentrations in the country but collectors of rare books head to Brattle Book Shop near Downtown Crossing.

Size conversions between US, UK, and European countries are complicated, and differ for men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. The website www.onlineconversion.com/clothing.htm will help.

Hotels and inns outside the city center charge the lowest prices. Those in central Boston close to principal tourist attractions, namely Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Downtown, and the Financial District, charge higher prices. The Boston CVB offers a hotel booking service through its website but does not have a booking service for walk-ins. Otherwise contact the Boston and New England Reservation service and Citywide Reservations.

Travelers accustomed to large motel rooms may be surprised by the small dimensions of some rooms in older Boston hotels. European-style twin-bedded rooms are uncommon; most have two double beds or one queen or king-size bed.

Significant savings on breakfasts, snacks, and light meals can be realized in “efficiency” (self catering) rooms or apartments. Booking agencies, such as the B&B Agency of Boston, can arrange efficiencies in convenient locations.

Restaurant bills incur 5 percent sales tax. Hotel tax in the Boston area is 12.45 percent. Room rates are usually quoted without tax.

Restaurants start serving breakfast as early as 5:30am and usually continue until 10am. Lunch is usually available from 11:30am to 2pm. Tea falls between 4 and 6pm. Some restaurants begin serving dinner around 5:30pm and few restaurants serve meals after 10pm. Many restaurants, especially in the South End, have weekend brunch from late morning into early afternoon.

Reservations are usually recommended. For Boston’s Top 10 Restaurants (see Restaurants), try to book two weeks ahead. Alternatively, call at dinner time to see if there are no-shows or cancellations. Some very popular restaurants do not accept reservations, assuming diners will simply stand and wait.

Be punctual for reservations. Many restaurants, both fancy and casual, now ban cellphones so it’s best to switch yours off when dining.

The best Boston chefs borrow liberally from cuisines all over the world, creating a complex style often called “New American”. This new cuisine employs local produce and is lighter than traditional American cooking. The strongest influence on Boston cooking is Mediterranean fare of France and Italy, with a growing interest in Spanish, Portuguese, and North African traditions. Most fine-dining restaurants offer at least one vegetarian main dish.

Most Boston restaurants serve vast portions. One portion will often suffice for two people, and sharing can be a good way to save money. It is also acceptable to ask for a “doggie bag” to take home any leftovers.