About Boston |
Massachussets State House |
Q. How big is Boston?
Boston covers a land area of approximately 49 square miles.
Q. How many people inhabit it?
There are just under 600,000 Bostonians.
Q. What is the language spoken?
People from Boston speak English. There accent is easily distinguishable from those in the rest of America.
Q. And the currency spent?
That would be the American Dollar.
back to top ^
| | |
Things to See |
Boston's Public Garden |
Q. What is Boston's number one attraction?
According to Boston Business Journal's 2005 Book of Lists, Faneuil Hall Marketplace was Boston's most popular attraction in 2003 in terms of number of visitors. Encorporating three markets, the best known being Quincy Market, there is always something going on here.
While that is Boston's number one attraction officially, just as well-known and popular is the Freedom Trail. Beginning in Boston Common, it is a 2.5 mile path that leads to 16 of America's most significant historical landmarks. Some of these include Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church and Faneuil Hall. No visit to Boston is complete without doing it.
Q. Are there any other attractions that shouldn't be missed?
Where do I start? If it's a clear day, you'll hardly find as nice a public park anywhere in the world as the aforementioned Boston Common, America's oldest public park. It's beside Boston's Public Garden which has a lagoon. Both parks boast breathtaking views of downtown Boston's skyline. For unforgettable views over the city go to 'Skywalk' at the Prudential Tower. If heights aren't your thing, but you're still adamant on seeing a large part of the city in a short space of time, get yourself on to a Boston Duck Tour (their ticket centre is also in the Prudential Tower). Their tours are light-hearted yet informative and definitely one of the best ways to see the city. They also go down the Charles River.
Across the Charles River is Cambridge, best known as the home of America's oldest university Harvard. A short trip from the city centre on Boston's efficient 'T' (subway), you can stroll through the grounds and effortlessly imagine what it would be like to be a student here. The area around Harvard is full of cool shops and cafés, making it one of the more pleasant places to spend an afternoon in the city. The Harvard Museum of Natural History is worth visiting also.
Q. On average, how much does it cost to get into Boston' top attractions?
Admission prices can vary quite a bit. Most museums have admission charges of between $5 and $8. Other attractions can be more expensive than that.
Q. Anything else I need to know?
Boston fames itself as 'America's Walking City'. It's nowhere near as big as many of America's other cities and is also quite flat making it perfect for walking around. Within five minutes stroll of the city's Public Garden you'll find yourself in the leafy districts of Back Bay and Beacon Hill, while five minutes from the south end of Boston Common you can get to Boston Harbor. Explore as much of the city on foot as you can.
back to top ^
| | |
Going Out |
Lansdowne Street |
Q. Is it expensive to go out in Boston?
Due to the number of students living in Boston, there are many 'student nights', most of which take place in Cambridge's bars, north of the river. South of the river in downtown Boston prices aren't as reasonable.
Q. Where are most of the bars and clubs found?
There are bars all over the city. Some parts of town where you'll find more establishments than others include around Fanueil Hall, Landsdowne Street (over by Fenway Park) and around Cambridge.
Q. Any particular bars / clubs worth singling out?
Boston is laced with Irish bars, most of which resemble each other. The Black Rose (160 State St.) near Faneuil Hall is one that prevails from the rest. They have live bands playing music on most nights. In Cambridge Grafton Street (1274 Mass Ave) and The Cellar (991 Mass Ave) are both popular. Along Lansdowne Street Avalon (15 Lansdowne St.) and Axis (13 Lansdowne St.) are two of Boston's most popular clubs.
Q. Is there anything to do that doesn't involve alcohol?
Quite a lot. Bostonians are sport fanatics so you can go to see the Boston Red Sox play baseba;; at Fenway Park (4 Yawkey Way; season April-September) or the Boston Celtics play basketball at the Fleet Center (150 Causeway St; season from October-April). If you're a film buff you can pick popcorn from your teeth at the cinema at Loews Boston Common (corner of Tremont and Avery Streets). There are also a handful of comedy clubs, the best known being Comedy Connection at Faneuil Hall.
back to top ^
| | |
Eating Out |
Quincy Market |
Q. Is it expensive to eat out in Boston?
As this is America we're talking about here, there are fast-food outlets on basically every corner so you can always refuel without breaking the bank. There are also many cafés and restaurants where you'll find something for under $10.
Q. Where is the best selection of restaurants in the city?
Charles Street in Beacon Hill has some great cafés perfect for breakfast or lunch and as you'd expect, Chinatown is where you'll find the best selection of Asian restaurants. It's also the best part of town to eat after dark with many restaurants remaining open until 2am. Probably Boston's best known place to feast is Quincy Market Colonnade, one of the most visited food halls in the world. Here you can treat your taste buds to New England specialities, seafood, pizza, falafels and more.
Q. Are international cuisines well-represented?
Yes. In Boston you can get anything from Asian to Mexican and everything in between.
Q. Anything else I need to know?
Bostonians are very fond of seafood and almost every restaurant will sell chowder. Don't leave without trying it at least once. Also, if you like pretzels or roasted chestnuts you're in for a treat - there are stands dishing them out all over the city.
back to top ^
| | |
Transport |
Boston's 'T' (subway) |
Q. How many different modes of public transport are there in Boston?
Three - subway (known as the 'T'), bus and taxi.
Q. Is there one ticket that covers all modes of transport?
You can buy 'visitor passes' which are valid on all subway lines, the Silver lines, local and Crosstown (CT) buses, and inner harbor ferries. It also allows travel within commuter rail zones 1A and 1B (about five miles from downtown Boston). A one-day pass costs $7.50 and a three day pass is $18. Otherwise a single journey on the 'T' is $1.25 and a single journey on the bus in the city centre costs 90¢.
Q. Will I need to use public transport at all?
Downtown Boston is easily covered on foot but if you're going to visit Harvard in Cambridge north of the Charles River you'll need to use the 'T'.
Book hostels in Boston | Book tours in Boston
back to top ^
| | |
|