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Boston At a Glance
Best Time to Go
The best time to hit boss-town is during the spring. September and October are
also great months. Like much of the Northeast, the summers are hot and humid in
Boston and the winters are terribly cold and not conducive to sightseeing.
University life is big here and it's nice to visit when students are in full
swing. However, if you want a little peace and quiet, head to Boston during the
summer when school is out.
Average Weather
Summer is hot, humid and muggy. Winter is extremely cold - sometimes with
temperatures well below zero. During spring (March-May), temperatures average
between 47 and 67 degrees. This is a nice time to visit. Throughout July and
August, temperatures hover around 80 degrees.
Transportation
In Boston, use your feet. It's meant for walking. As small in size as it is
large in history, Boston can be thoroughly explored by foot. Keep in mind that
an umbrella is needed. The weather is pretty unpredictable.
Boston is not the easiest city to drive in. Parking is expensive and
challenging. Some neighborhoods have residents-only rules, with just a handful
of two-hour visitor's spaces; others have meters (25¢ for 15 minutes, one- or
two-hours maximum). If you insist on driving, look for public parking lots at
Quincy Market and the Government Center. You'll find other lots beneath Post
Office Square, at the Prudential Center, at Copley Place, and off Clarendon
Street near the John Hancock Tower. Remember that parking doesn't come cheap.
Most are at least $10 per day, but some bargains can be had at certain garages.
Boston does have decent public transportation. It doesn't have the subway
system of New York, but the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates
buses, subways, trolleys, and water shuttles. The public transportation in
Boston doesn't always get you everywhere you need to go though. Cabs aren't easy
to come by. Don't try standing on the corner waiting for a cab when it's 20
below zero outside. You might want to call ahead.
In-Season Costs
Boston is pretty consistent in cost. It's expensive year-round.
Day Trips
Visit the Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II in Plymouth, south of Boston. Or,
if the weather is good, spend the day swimming and sunning at nearby Walden Pond
in Concord. In the fall, do some leaf-peeping at Walden Pond, and stop off in
Lexington on the way back.
- Take a bus to Newport, Rhode Island to check out the infamous mansions.
The bus ride is a little over an hour long and costs $15 one way. You can
also stop in Providence along the way.
- Blue Hills Ski Area is located just 15 minutes from Boston in Milton,
Mass. With eight trails, Blue Hills has four lifts, including a double
chairlift, a J-bar and two pony lifts.
- Another great place for skiing, particularly for beginners, is Nashoba
Valley. With 17 trails and 100 percent snowmaking coverage, Nashoba is just
a short ride from Boston.
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