Hostelworld Guide for BostonSteeped in history and small enough to explore in a day, Boston is one of America's most charming cities.This is the city that spawned America's first public park, its first public college and its first subway system.

Funnily enough, it is America's oldest city too. But it's not all history. Socialising and sports are allpastimes of Bostonians, as is relaxing - one of Boston's finest attributes is its easy pace of life.

In this Guide...

Useful InformationAfter Dark

Places to EatTop Attractions

Budget TipsWhere to Shop

The Essentials Climate

Getting There

By plane: The majority of airlines flying to Bostonland in Logan International Airport.

It is connected to the city centre via the 'T' (Boston'ssubway). The journey takes approximately 15minutes and costs $2.

By train: If you travel to Boston via train you willarrive in either North Station, Back Bay Station orSouth Station.

By bus: Boston's main bus station is beside SouthStation.

Getting Around

On foot: Boston is easily explored on foot and isone of America's more compact cities.

Many of its main tourist attractions are withinwalking distance of each other.

By T (subway): Known locally as the 'T', Boston'sunderground network consists of 5 colour-codedlines, is efficient and is extremely easy to use.There are a number of stations dotted around thecity centre.

By bus: Buses cover all areas of the city that the Tdoesn't, but chances are you won't use the bus asoften as the subway.

Boston factsName: Boston is also known as 'Beantown'.

Location: The city is located in Massachusetts,a state in New England on the east coast of theUnited States.

Population: Around 600,000 people call Bostonhome.

Area: Boston covers an approximate area of232 square kilometres.

Founded: One of the oldest cities in the US,Boston was first settled in 1630 and officiallybecame a city in 1822.

A wise man once said of Boston 'if you don't like theweather around here, wait a minute'. He wasn'twrong as it can rain one day and snow the next. Butin general, winters in Boston are very cold and itsees snow regularly in the colder months. The cityalso enjoys hot (if humid) summers. Like so manycities, spring and fall/autumn are the most pleasanttimes to visit.

Good to know...Language: EnglishCurrency: American Dollar (USD)Electricity: 110 Volts AC/50 Hz, 2-pin plugArea Code: +1 (USA) 617 (Boston)Emergency Codes: Ambulance/Fire/Police 911Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (GMT - 5)Central Post Office: 25 Dorchester AvenueMain Tourist Office: 2 Copley Place, Suite 105

Consulates / Embassies

UK: +1 617 245 4500Canada: +1 617 262 3760Australia: +1 202 797 3000*South Africa: +1 202 232 4400*Ireland: +1 617 267 9330Germany: +1 617 369 4900Spain: +1 617 536 2506Italy: +1 617 542 0483New Zealand: +1 202 328 4800*France: +1 617 832 4400

*Embassy in Washington

Hostelworld Guide for Boston www.hostelworld.com

Cheap Eats After Dark

The Paramount, 44 Charles Street, Beacon HillThis Beacon Hill favourite has all the traits of aneighbourhood hangout but is just minutes from thecity centre. I ts lunch menu is perfect for thebudget-conscious traveller with sandwiches atparticularly affordable prices. It's also famous for itsludicrously tasty breakfasts. Open Mon-Sat7am-10pm (11pm Fri & Sat), Sun 8am-10pm.

Boloco, 71 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge Everyafternoon a stream of students from HarvardUniversity flow into this Cambridge burrito place,keeping the smile on the proprietor 's face apermanent one. Create your own wrap from avariety of fillings or choose one of the ready-madeones. These filling burritos are a good option forlunch on the run. Open daily from 10am-11pm.

Ernesto's Pizza, 69 Salem St, North End Somesay the pizza in Ernesto's is the best in North End.Others say the pizza in Ernesto's is the best inBoston. Either way, if you're looking for good pizzayou can do worse than slices from this pizza joint.It's quite small, but the pizza is superb. OpenSun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm.

How do you like your nuts?

Roasted nut stands, various locations For atrue Bostonian experience get a portion ofroasted almonds/cashew/peanuts from one ofthe stands dishing them out around WashingtonStreet. To locate one just let your nostrils do thenavigating. Portions cost approx $3.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace Comprising of QuincyM a r k e t , N o r t h M a r k e t , S o u t h M a r k e t a n dMarketplace Center, the Faneuil Hall Marketplaceoffers Boston's best selection of places to eat. Ifyou're on a budget stick to the Quincy Market foodcourt where $10's worth of food will have youunfastening that top but ton. Open Mon-Sat10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm.

Bukowski's Tavern, 50 Dalton Street, Back BaySomething of a Boston institution, Bukowski'sTavern epitomises the phrase 'drinking hole'. Aneclectic mix of Bostonians fill this small bar on anightly basis. They come here to sample one of the99 types of beer on offer and to steer clear of someof the s te reo typ ica l l y I r i sh bars pepperedthroughout the city. Open daily from 12 noon-2am.

Cheers, 84 Beacon St, Beacon Hill Yes, that'Cheers'. Inspiration for one of the best-lovedsitcoms to ever come out of America, don't expectto see Sammy pulling beers behind the counterwhen you descend the stairs and go inside. Thisbar isn't anything like what you saw on TV, but it'sworth having a beer here if only for novelty reasons.Open daily from 11am-1am.

Gay / Lesbian BostonEven though Boston is one of the smallest ofthe 'big cities' on the east coast of America, itstill has an extremely active gay community.Fritz (26 Chandler Street) has been describedas 'Boston's gay Cheers' thanks to its relaxedatmosphere. Buzz (67 Stuart Street) is theplace to be on Saturday nights whileCosmopolitan (33 Batterymarch Street) is oneof the popular lesbian clubs on the scene.

Lucky's Lounge, 355 Congress Street, SouthBoston Live music Fridays and Sinatra Sundaysare just a couple of the great theme nights to beenjoyed here at Lucky's. With entertainment aplentyand a funky 50s lounge vibe, it's no wonder that thisis such a popular spot. Lots of different cocktails areoffered here. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2am, Sat6pm-2am, Sun 10am-2am.

Grafton Street, 1274 Mass Ave, Cambridge ThisCambr idge water ing ho le isn ' t your typ ica lIrish-flavoured bar thanks to its trendy dcor, but it'sstill a firm favourite with Harvard students thanks toits top quality nosh and good beer. People-watchingis a favourite pastime here thanks to its largewindows which face Harvard Square. Open dailyfrom 11am-1am.

Lizard Lounge, 1667 Mass Ave, CambridgeHosting bands from around the US, this intimateclub close to Harvard Square is where to go for livemusic. Open nightly from 7.30pm-1am.

Remember it is standard practice to tip bartendersevery time you are served.

Don't Miss Mark Your Calendar

Freedom Trail / Black Heritage Trail Spanning4.8km and 2.5km respectively, these walking toursare not to be missed. The former brings you past 16of Boston's most significant landmarks like the OldCity Hall while the latter explores the history ofBoston's 19th century African American community.

The best view in Boston

Skywalk Observatory, Prudential Center, 800Boylston Street, Back Bay For panoramicviews of Boston, the Skywalk Observatory isunrivalled. Admission includes an audio guidewhich takes you through every part of the city.Unlike so many audio tours, these are highlyengaging. Open daily from 10am-8pm (winter)/10pm (summer); admission $12 (adult), $10(student).

Boston Duck Tours, 3 Copley Place, Suite 310Funny, informative, and incorporating trips throughthe city centre and along the Charles River, theBoston Duck Tours are one of the best ways to seethis historic city. Witty guides keep you entertainedfor the duration of the tour and if you're lucky, youmight even get to drive a duck! Tours depart dailyevery 30/60 minutes from 9am-last hour beforesunset; tickets $31 (adult) /$27 (student).

Fenway Park, Lansdowne Street, KenmoreSquare Home to some of the most dramatic eventsever to take place in Boston, Fenway Park is wherethe infamous Red Sox call home. Many Bostonianswould call it the home of baseball since it is theoldest active ballpark. Whether it's for a tour or agame, pencil it into your itinerary. Season runs fromApril-October; tickets cost $20-$95; tours $12.

JFK Library and Museum, Columbia Point,South Boston This museum documents the life ofJFK from his birth up to his untimely assassinationin Dallas in 1963. Open daily from 9am-5pm;admission $12.

January/February - Boston Wine Festival Thislong-running festival is held in the Boston HarbourHotel. It includes numerous wine-related eventsincluding wine tastings and plenty more.

March - St Patrick's Day Parade Since Boston isAmerica's most Irish city, it comes as no surprisethat its St Patrick's Day celebrations are huge. Theparade to mark the event boasts outlandish floatsand attracts over 600,000 people to the city

Apri l - Patriot 's Day Celebrations Bostonremembers the start of the revolut ion with acombination of parades and re-enactments. AsBoston is so connected to the revolution, expectmassive celebrations.

April - Boston Marathon This 26-mile race is theo ldes t mara thon in the wor ld . I t beg ins inHopkington outside Boston and ends near the JohnHancock Tower in Copley Square.

June - Festival of Bands Boston's finest windinstrument bands entertain thousands on the firstSaturday of every June at the city's Faneuil Hall.

June - Dragon Boat Festival Boat races are thefocal point of this event which is held on the CharlesRiver, although musical and dance performancesare staged also.

June to September - Free Friday Flicks EveryFriday during Boston's summer, classic films arescreened for free at the Hatch Memorial Shell.

June/July - Boston Harborfest This seven-dayFourth of July celebration, which attracts 2 millionpeople annual ly, is one of Boston's biggestfestivals.

July - Independence Day Commemorating thesigning of the Declaration of Independence, thebanks of the Charles River, and in particular at theHatch Memorial Shell, are where to be for Boston's4th of July celebrations.

October - Head of the Charles Regatta Held onthe last weekend of every October, this is thelargest two-day regatta in the world and attractsover 300,000 spectators annually.

December - First Night Boston's unique NewYear's Eve celebrations begin with street parades inthe afternoon before climaxing with the obligatoryfireworks display that night.

Hostelworld Guide for Boston www.hostelworld.com

Neighbourhood Watch Retail Therapy

Beacon Hill With its quaint cafs, glowing lanternsand cobblestone sidewalks, Beacon Hill is one ofBoston's most charming neighbourhoods. Datingback to the 19th century, it is just minutes fromDowntown Boston yet manages to maintain avillage-like atmosphere. Its main thoroughfare isCharles Street but if you have the time, delvedeeper into this district.

Gridlocked

Back Bay Designed using a strict grid layout(similar to that of Manhattan in New York) byarchitect Arthur Gilman, Back Bay is home toBoston's more affluent natives. Also just astone's throw from the city centre, its two bestknown areas are around plush Newbury St withits designer shops and the vicinity aroundtree-lined Commonwealth Avenue, perfect foran afternoon stroll.

North End Considered to be Boston 's f i rs tneighbourhood, North End is the city's very ownLittle Italy. Famed (unsurprisingly) for its top qualityrestaurants, there is a lot more to see in thisMedi terranean melt ing pot . Here you' l l f indnumerous churches along with Paul Revere'shouse.

Kenmore Square Best known as the home of theBoston Red Sox who delight thousands of adoringfans in Fenway Park, Kenmore Square is alsofamously affiliated with nightlife. If you wish to paintthe town red look no further than Lansdowne Street.

South Boston Affectionately known as 'Southie',South Boston is the home of Boston's reputableIrish community. It might be best-known for the Irishpubs that line East and West Broadway but there'smore to it than that. It has great views of Boston'sharbour and is also the gateway to Marine Park. Itwas featured heavily in the Oscar-nominated 'GoodWill Hunting'.

Washington Street/Winter Street These twostreets which interconnect at Downtown Crossing Tstation are Boston's flagship shopping streets.Pedestrianised, they are lined with clothes stores,shoe stores, music stores and more. It is alsowhere you wi l l locate ' the wor ld 's favour i tedepartment store', Macy's.

Harvard Square Whether it's Harvard kitsch, skateclothes, jigsaw puzzles, speciality foods or cameraaccessories, you'll have no problem finding itaround Harvard Square. It's just five stops north ofDowntown Crossing on the Red Line. If nothing inthe stores inspires you to dig into your pockets, youmay feel brave enough to challenge the square'schess masters who wait for opposition.

Fabulous daaahling!

Newbury Street On par with New York's FifthAvenue and LA's Rodeo Drive, Newbury Streetis Boston's best-known shopping street.Designer boutiques adorn each side of thisstreet where the city's more affluent people goto stock up their wardrobes. If you're not in theposition to fill your backpack with such goods, itis one of the most beautiful streets in the cityand is worth the visit regardless.

Filene's Basement / DSW If you've returned fromNewbury Street feeling a little deflated, and you'readamant on purchasing something for yourself, visiteither of these discount stores within a stone'sthrow of each other on Washington Street. Theformer specialises in discounted clothes while thelatter stands for Discount Shoe Warehouse which,you will agree, speaks for itself.

Copley Place, 100 Huntington Ave In a nationsynonymous with shopping malls, it's no surprisethat Boston has many. This one in the Back Baydistrict has lots to offers people intent on doingdamage to their flexible friend.

Budget Tips A Day in Boston...

Visit Boston's free museums If you're down andout in Boston you can always take advantage ofsome of its free museums. These include the USSConstitution Museum dedicated to the celebratedship and the Massachusetts State House whereyou can walk onto the chamber floors.

Go to the Boston Harbor Islands State Park Theferry from Downtown Boston to Boston Harbor'sislands may cost $14, but entrance to the islandsthemselves is free. Make your way out and you cantraipse the trails of Bumpkin Island, stroll along thepier on Peddocks Island, or walk through the woodson Lovells Island. Ferries operate between May andOctober.

Embark on free guided walks You can saveyourself a few dollars by embarking on free guidedwalks of the Freedom Trail and the Black HeritageTrail. National Park Service Rangers offer free toursof both walks so make sure to take advantage ofthem. For more information on where and whentours depart, check out www.nps.gov.

Explore Harvard Make sure to visit HarvardUniversity, America's most famous college. Locatedin the Cambridge district north of the Charles River,you can easily imagine what it would be like tostudy there as you walk around the beautifully keptgrounds.

A walk in the park

Relax in Boston Common/Public GardenSituated side by side in downtown Boston,Boston Common and Public Garden are two ofAmerica's most beautiful parks. They are theperfect place to while away an afternoon,watching the world go by along with theextremely tame squirrels. Established in 1634,Boston Common is Boston's oldest public parkwhile the Public Garden dates back to the 19thcentury.

Start the day at the beginning of Boston's famed'Freedom Trail'. The 3-mile walk passes by some ofBoston 's , and Amer ica 's , most h is tor ica l lysignificant landmarks.

Upon returning to the city centre, chill out in BostonCommon, Boston's oldest public park. Check outthe Public Garden also which is right beside it.

Take a stroll up Charles Street in Beacon Hill andgrab your lunch in 'The Paramount'. This is a localfavourite and does exceedingly good sandwiches.

After lunch take a stroll down busy Boylston Streetunti l you get to the Prudential Tower. Enjoybreathtaking views from its observation deck.

Boston's two busiest streets are Washington Streetand Winter Street. Window shop or treat yourself tosomething before getting the T from DowntownCrossing to Harvard.

North of Boston's Char les River is HarvardUniversity, the most famous university in America.Wander its grounds (below) and imagine whatstudying here would be like.

There are loads of nice eateries around HarvardSquare. Grafton Street, one of Boston's Irish bars,does great food. Follow it up with a pint!

Return to Boston city centre and check out some ofits bars. You could do worse than 'Bukowski'sTavern' in Back Bay.

End the day off on Lansdowne Street, Boston'smost vibrant street. Lined with bars, you'll find someof the city's best clubs are here too.

Hostelworld Guide for Boston www.hostelworld.com

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