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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.

New Year’s Day (Jan 1); Martin Luther King Jr Day (3rd Mon in Jan); Presidents’ Day (3rd Mon in Feb); Evacuation Day (Mar 17); Patriots’ Day (3rd Mon in Apr); Memorial Day (Last Mon in May); Independence Day (July 4); Labor Day (1st Mon in Sep); Columbus Day (2nd Mon in Oct); Veterans’ Day (Nov 11); Thanksgiving (4th Thu in Nov); Christmas Day (Dec 25).