Boston for Dummies Book

	Introduction	1
	About This Book	1
	Conventions Used in This Book	2
	Foolish Assumptions	3
	How This Book Is Organized	3
	Icons Used in This Book	5
	Where to Go from Here	5
Part I	Getting Started	7
Chapter 1	Discovering the Best of Boston	9
	The Hub of the Solar System	9
	The Athens of America	10
	Full of Beans	10
	Posterity and Prosperity	10
	This Is a Hard-Hat Area	11
Chapter 2	Deciding When to Go	13
	The Secrets of the Seasons	13
	Weather Alert	15
	It's a Date: Boston's Calendar of Events	15
Chapter 3	Planning Your Budget	21
	Adding Up the Elements	21
	Keeping a Lid on Hidden Expenses	25
	Spending Money: Will That Be Paper or Plastic?	27
	Cutting Costs	29
Chapter 4	Planning Ahead for Special Travel Needs	31
	Traveling with the Brood: Advice for Families	31
	Making Age Work for You: Tips for Seniors	35
	Accessing Boston: Advice for Travelers with Disabilities	36
	Stepping Out: Resources for Gay and Lesbian Travelers	38
Part II	Ironing Out the Details	41
Chapter 5	Getting to Boston	43
	Finding a Good Travel Agent	43
	Buying an All-in-One Package	44
	Getting the Best Deals on Airfares	47
	Finding Other Ways to Reach Boston	50
Chapter 6	Deciding Where to Stay	53
	Choosing the Type of Hotel for You	53
	Finding the Perfect Location	55
	Choosing a Hotel That's Right on the Money	58
Chapter 7	Booking Your Room	61
	Uncovering the Truth about Rack Rates	61
	Getting the Best Rate for the Best Room	62
	Surfing the Web for Hotel Deals	63
	Arriving without a Reservation	64
Chapter 8	Boston's Best Hotels	65
	The Lowdown on Boston-Area Hotels	66
	Runner-Up Accommodations	79
Chapter 9	Taking Care of the Remaining Details	85
	Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance	85
	Staying Healthy When You Travel	86
	Detailing the Car Question	87
	Making Reservations and Getting Tickets Ahead of Time	90
	Packing It All In	91
Part III	Settling Into Boston	95
Chapter 10	Arriving and Getting Oriented	97
	Arriving in Boston	97
	Figuring Out the Neighborhoods	100
	Knowing Where to Get Information in Person	102
Chapter 11	Getting Around Boston	105
	Hitting the Bricks: Foot Traffic	105
	Hot T: Public Transit	106
	Cab Session: Taxis	110
	Engine Block: Driving in Boston	110
Chapter 12	Managing Your Money	113
	Where to Get Cash in Boston	113
	Knowing What to Do if Your Money Gets Stolen	114
	Taxing Matters	114
Part IV	Dining in Boston	115
Chapter 13	The Scoop on the Boston Dining Scene	117
	Finding Out What's Hot Now	117
	Locating Where the Locals Eat	118
	Tasting Boston's Ethnic Eats	118
	Dressing to Dine	118
	Trimming the Fat from Your Budget	119
	Tackling Tipping, Taxes, and Trimmings	120
	Making Reservations	121
	Lighting Up--or Not!	121
Chapter 14	Boston's Best Restaurants	123
	My Favorite Boston-Area Restaurants	124
	Index of Restaurants by Neighborhood	141
	Index of Restaurants by Cuisine	142
	Index of Restaurants by Price	142
Chapter 15	Snacks and Meals on the Go	145
	Picking the Picnic Option	145
	Bound for Chains	146
	Taking Tea Time	147
	Bao, Wow: Dim Sum	147
	Espresso Express	148
	I Scream, You Scream	148
Part V	Exploring Boston	151
Chapter 16	Boston's Top Sights	153
	The Top Attractions	154
	The Freedom Trail	164
	Index of Top Attractions by Neighborhood	173
	Index of Top Attractions by Type	174
Chapter 17	More Cool Things to See and Do	175
	Especially for Kids	175
	Especially for Teens	176
	Especially for Sports Fans	177
	Especially for Art Lovers	179
	Some Specialty Museums	180
	Architectural Highlights	181
	Historic Houses	182
	A Famous Park	183
	More Cambridge Destinations	184
	Whale Watching	185
Chapter 18	Seeing Boston by Guided Tour	187
	Walking Tours	188
	Trolley Tours	189
	Sightseeing Cruises	190
	Duck Tours	191
	Special-Interest Tours	191
Chapter 19	A Shop-'Til-You-Drop Guide to Boston	193
	The Shopping Scene	193
	The Biggest Name	196
	The Big Names	196
	Great Shopping Neighborhoods	197
	Index of Stores by Merchandise	204
Chapter 20	Five Great Boston Itineraries	207
	Boston in One Day	207
	Boston in Three Days	208
	Boston in Five Days	209
	Boston with Kids	210
	Boston for Art Lovers	211
	Some Tips for Organizing Your Time	212
Chapter 21	Exploring Beyond Boston: Four Great Day-Trips	213
	General Pointers	213
	Lexington and Concord	215
	Salem and Marblehead	222
	Gloucester and Rockport	229
	Plymouth	234
Part VI	Living It Up after the Sun Goes Down: Boston Nightlife	239
Chapter 22	Boston's Cultural Scene	241
	Planning Ahead	241
	The Spur-of-the-Moment Approach	242
	Saving Money on Tickets	242
	The Performing Arts	243
	The Theater Scene	250
	At the Movies	251
Chapter 23	Hitting the Clubs and Bars	253
	The Basics	253
	Making the Scene: Bars and Lounges	254
	Checking Out the Clubs	257
	Gay and Lesbian Clubs and Bars	260
Part VII	The Part of Tens	261
Chapter 24	The Top Ten Ways Not to Look Like a Tourist	263
	Always Dress in Layers	263
	Keep Moving	263
	Stay in Touch with the Freedom Trail	264
	Don't Exclaim, "That Must Be the Old North Church"	264
	Be in Your Party Clothes Early	264
	Bring Cab Fare	264
	Watch What You Say about Baseball	264
	Likewise, Chowder	265
	Pack the Right Shoes	265
	Save the "I Pahked My Cah" Jokes	265
Chapter 25	The Top Ten Free (or Almost Free) Activities	267
	Music Outdoors	267
	Music Indoors	267
	National Park Service Tours	268
	Movies	268
	Theater	268
	Museums	269
	People Watching	269
	Haymarket	269
	Street Fairs	269
	Hydrotherapy	270
Appendix	Quick Concierge	271
	Worksheets	279
	Index	293
	General Index	293
	Accommodations Index	308
	Restaurant Index	308