Boston, MA + Add a trip

great restaurant

go to get seafood at the " no name restaurant'

Travel by boat from the airport to downtown

When you arrive, take the free shuttle bus (#66) from outside any of the airport terminals to the dock. The bus takes 5 minutes, then you can take a water taxi across to the harbour and downtown. Return fares are around $17.

This is also a great way to kill time if you've got a long wait before your flight - a wonderful alternative to enduring hours waiting in the terminal buildings.

I took the shuttle bus to and from the dock, and got a 20 minute ride around the harbour and downtown area with a water taxi for $15 after checking in two hours early for my flight.

Riding Public Transit in Boston

Pick up a free "CharlieCard" stored-value card from an MBTA employee (easily found at the Airport subway station). You can use a credit card to add value to the card (without any extra fee) at ticket vending machines in the subway stations. Choose the option to enter an exact amount rather than selecting one of the default amounts, and add only what you plan to use. For example, a round trip on the T would be 2x$1.70 ($3.40). If you are traveling with someone, you can share the same card (just hand it back to them after you use it to open the gate.

This gives you the best deal, and makes it incredibly easy to ride the "T" and/or buses. It automatically handles transfers as well. Do plan ahead so your balance is zero after your last ride. See the link for the CharlieCard FAQ.

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who's posted tips! This is my first time to Boston, so any extra information I can get is GREAT!

Little Italy in the North End

Take some time and walk around the North End. It is now settled by italian immigrants and has a great selection of cafes and restaurants. Get away from the waterfront to get a better feel for the neighborhood. There is a feast and festival in honor of one of the Saints just about every weekend in July/August. It reminded me alot of Italy with the festival lights and narrow streets.

Taxi cabs in Boston are possibly the worst in the world

Don't ever get into a cab in Boston without having some idea of where your destination is. The majority of cab drivers in Boston are clueless and don't know where they are going so best print out a map or have an idea of where your hotel or destination is.

The Kendall Hotel

The Kendall Hotel is a boutique hotel in Cambridge near MIT and Harvard built out of an old firehouse. Nice restaurant in the lobby, fresh apples at the check in desk, and good size rooms with interesting decor.

Traveling on the T? Get a Charlie Card.

If you plan on traveling around the Boston area on the T, then get a re-useable plastic Charlie Card from a member of staff at most stations. Just ask for one. They're free and they're 15% to 50% cheaper to use than Charlie Tickets or cash.

If you're in a group, you can top just one card up and, the card is transferable, you can pass the card back across the barrier for your fellow travelers to use.

do your best to plan around the head of the charles

it can get expensive to stay there at this time of year, but it's beautiful and watching the biggest rowing regatta in the world is quite an experience

Bar for beer-lovers.

Bukowski Tavern. Then grab a lobster roll at the Summer Shack next door.

Stuff to do.

A very popular and cheap option for tourists during the nicer weather -- which gives you a full experience of the city is the Duck Tour (http://www.bostonducktours.com/). It's a land and sea operation with drivers who act like pirates, it's actually really fun! It's also super informative, so you get a really solid history and view of the city in a short period of time.

If you're an art junkie, nearby the MFA there is the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum (http://www.gardnermuseum.org/) which has a beautiful indoor garden.

Other major attractions have already been mentioned -- Quincy Market is a must see, during the warmer seasons there's typically people in period clothing giving tours, as the gravesite of Paul Revere is nearby. The Museum of Science and New England Aquarium are also solid alternatives for the days when it's too cold, or rainy to venture out.

Orchard Skateshop

Independent skater-owned shop on Mission Hill. Also hosts art events on a regular basis.

Take a camera and just walk around. I walked all over Boston. I went in by bus (There's a diner around the corner from the station. It's a marvelous greasy spoon and has the best breakfast. I don't remember the name, but I remember that it was around the corner from the bus station.) I kept a backpack and lots of water and a light sheet or blanket to sit on the grass at Boston Commons (or anywhere else). I shopped and walked and headed to the ChinaTown area and had lunch. Then I walked some more.

Quincy Market is definitely a must see. Check out the Museum & Aquarium that Rachel Mercer mentioned above.

Have a happy time!

Toro ( http://tinyurl.com/dj8rw3 ) in the South End area is a very good restaurant, Amazing food! their corn is a must have.

Good walks: The North End along the Freedom Trail; The Back Bay from Arlington down to Mass Ave. (take the Esplanade if you like water, take Marlborough St. if you like brownstones); All of Newbury St.; Washington St. from Downtown Crossing to Chinatown; All of Bay Village (take Charles St. at the Boston Common south past Stuart St. to Melrose St., take a right and go down).

Charles River: beautiful ot go for a run early in the morning Fenway Newbury street for nice shopping

If you like art, you shouldn't miss the MFA!

I walked the Freedom Trail and LOVED it ! :D

Pick up a free "CharlieCard" stored-value card from an MBTA employee (easily found at the Airport subway station). You can use a credit card to add value to the card (without any extra fee) at ticket vending machines in the subway stations. Choose the option to enter an exact amount rather than selecting one of the default amounts, and add only what you plan to use.

Choose the option to enter an exact amount rather than selecting one of the default amounts, and add only what you plan to use. For example, a round trip on the T would be 2x$1.70 ($3.40). If you are traveling with someone, you can share the same card (just hand it back to them after you use it to open the gate.

You can use a credit card to add value to the card (without any extra fee) at ticket vending machines in the subway stations. Choose the option to enter an exact amount rather than selecting one of the default amounts, and add only what you plan to use.

You can use a credit card to add value to the card (without any extra fee) at ticket vending machines in the subway stations. Choose the option to enter an exact amount rather than selecting one of the default amounts, and add only what you plan to use.

You can use a credit card to add value to the card (without any extra fee) at ticket vending machines in the subway stations. Choose the option to enter an exact amount rather than selecting one of the default amounts, and add only what you plan to use. For example, a round trip on the T would be 2x$1.70 ($3.40). If you are traveling with someone, you can share the same card (just hand it back to them after you use it to open the gate.

who?

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who's posted tips! This is my first time to Boston, so any extra information I can get is GREAT!

Total shit. Utter waste of time. I have never been so disapointed about a museum in my life. Maybe it is all fun for kids. Adults stay away.

The Kendall Hotel. There is nice restaurant in the lobby.

Great selection of shoes, graphic tees and the like. Store front design has to be seen.