Boston Information - TD Banknorth Garden Hotels

Boston Information

Location: Massachusetts (MA), northeast USA

Area: 48 square miles / 124 square kilometers

Population: 600,000 in the city, 3.2 million in the metropolitan area

Language: American English

Currency: US Dollar (USD)

Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (GMT - 5 hours) (daylight saving time is observed)

Telephone area code: 617 / 781 Country dialing code: +1

Electricity: 110 volts AC, 50 Hz - flat two-pin plugs or third round pin are used

Annual rainfall: 1054 mm (41.5 inches)

Elevation: 10 ft.

When to Visit

Weather in Boston is very changeable and never boring. The summers (June to August) are usually bright and sunny, with some humidity. The winters (November to February) can be quite wet, so at that time of year, be sure to carry an umbrella. One of the best times to visit is in the late spring and early fall (with spectacular autumnal colors throughout new England), when the temperature is warm but not too hot. Whatever the weather, there is always so much to see and enjoy in Boston.

National Public Holidays

1st January - New Year's Day

Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day

12th February - Lincoln's Birthday

Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday

Third Monday in April - Patriot's Day (Massachusetts)

Last Monday in May - Memorial Day

4th July - Independence Day

First Monday in September - Labor Day

Second Monday in October - Columbus Day

11th November - Veterans Day

4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving

25th December - Christmas Day

Getting Around Boston

Car / Car Rental
Driving in the city center of Boston is not easy as many streets are very narrow and were designed in the days before the invention of the automobile. If you are driving from Logan to downtown Boston, the most direct route is by way of the Sumner Tunnel, which has a small toll charge. As there are many one-way streets and roads with identical names, a map is essential.

A current driving challenge is the "Big Dig." This is a project that is submerging Boston's main highway, the Central Artery and covering it with attractive landscaping, new housing, and retail space. An even more attractive city will be the result.

Parking on the street is possible, but it is better to park in garages or specific parking lots, as you will be more likely to avoid tickets and accidents. Major public lots are located at Government Center and Quincy Market, beneath Boston Common (entrance on Charles Street), beneath Post Office Square, at the Prudential Center, at Copley Place, and off Clarendon Street near the John Hancock Tower. There are many smaller lots and garages are scattered throughout downtown, especially in the Theater District and off Atlantic Avenue in the North End.

MTBA
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority subway, or 'T' as it is affectionately called, is one of the best subways in America. It serves most areas of the city and Cambridge, with several lines even running to outlying suburbs. The different routes are identified by different colored lines - Green, Blue, Red and Orange lines

Bus
Buses cross the metropolitan area and travel farther into suburbs than subway and trolley lines.

Trolley
Trackless trolleys connect the terminal points of the subway lines to destinations in the suburbs, with some routes running through the city. They are powered electronically and departure times are less frequent than on the 'T'.

Train
Boston South and Boston Back Bay stations are connected to Providence, New Haven and New York City by Amtrak rail services.
Taxi and Shuttle
Taxis are plentiful and very convenient. They can be easily hailed on the street and are available around the clock.
Boat
A shuttle boat departs throughout the day from Rowe's Wharf to Logan Airport and also from Long Wharf to Hingham:a unique way to travel in and out of the city.

Cambridge
Across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge has many hidden facets that are awaiting exploration.. As a captivating, off-beat alternative to Boston, the "Squares" of Cambridge are charming neighborhoods with exciting dining options as well as unique shopping, theaters, museums, and historic sites.

Located between the academic powerhouses of Harvard and MIT, Central Square is the seat of City government and home to a rich variety of international restaurants and music clubs.

Harvard Square, located around the historic brick walls of the country's oldest university, is a mecca for dining, shopping, book shops, and entertainment.

Historically, Inman Square is a bustling shopping district and is home to a wide variety of unique restaurants offering cuisine of excellence and diversity.

Just a bridge away from Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood, Kendall Square is home to MIT and the heart of Massachusetts' booming high tech and biotechnology industries

In north Cambridge, Porter Square boasts the region's largest concentration of Japanese restaurants and shops, including a popular Japanese bookstore.