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BOSTON'S FREEDOM TRAIL
The best way to see Boston is on foot, and the Freedom Trail is a good place to start. It begins at the Visitors Center on Boston Common and ends at the Charlestown Navy Yard, linking 16 significant national historic landmarks and many other sights of local interest. The red line on the map corresponds to the red brick line on the pavement along the 2.5 mile long route.
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THE "T" (MBTA, i.e. Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority)
The public transit system people love to hate. The T comprises four subway lines, electric trolleys, trolley buses, commuter rail service, local and suburban bus lines, harbor ferries and commuter boats. The basic subway fare is $1.70, but other fares may apply depending on distance traveled and mode of transportation used (see MBTA's web site). "Charlie Cards" can be purchased from vending machines at all subway and commuter rail stations and are good throughout the system.
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BOSTON BY CAR
Not a good idea unless you really have no other alternative or plan to spend time touring the surrounding area. Finding your way around can be challenging (even with GPS), Boston drivers are aggressive and parking is expensive. Parking regulations are tricky and are strictly enforced especially downtown and around tourist and shopping areas. Be sure to read the signs- ignoring them will cost you! Street meters run 25 cents for 15 minutes with a limit of 2 hours and parking garages can run up to $30.00 or more per day. The best garage bargain is the Boston Common Garage (under Boston Common), centrally located with special weekend rates of $11 per day.
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TOURING BOSTON
One of the best ways to get an overall impression of Boston in a limited time is by taking one or two of the many organized tour options available:
DUCK TOURS
These guided tours utilize amphibious vehicles and are a fun way to see Boston both by land and water.
The original Boston Duck Tours runs a fleet of 16 converted war surplus DUKW craft and 9 modified "Ducks", which take to the water on the Charles River. (web site: Boston Duck Tours)
Their more recent competetors, Super Duck Tours, employ enclosed amphibious "hydra-terra" tour buses and can navigate the waters of Boston's Inner Harbor. Adult fares run about $30.00 for each tour (web site: Super Duck Tours)
DOUBLE DECKER BUS TOURS
These tours put you above the crowds and give you a good view all around. Not to be confused with the old London double deckers that were briefly used here several years ago. (web site: Double Decker Tours)
TROLLEY TOURS
Several companies operate tour "trolleys", the best known of which are the orange and green "Old Town Trolleys". (web site: Old Town Trolleys). You can pick up the "trolley" right at the Gate 1 entrance to the Navy Yard.
BOSTON HARBOR CRUISES
A number of cruise options are available from short lunch hour cruises of the Inner Harbor to more extensive guided tours stopping at several of the harbor islands to dinner excursions, whale watching, tall ship rides and extended trips to Provincetown, Salem and Marblehead. Most popular are the harbor tours offered by Boston Harbor Cruises (web site: Boston Harbor Cruises) some of which allow visits to Boston Light and Fort Warren.
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Getting Around
