Boston At A Glance

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Best Time to Go to Boston
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.

Boston: Average Weather/What to Pack
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.

Boston 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: Parking
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: Public Transportation
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.

Boston In-Season Costs
Boston is pretty consistent in cost. It's expensive year-round.

Boston 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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