Boston 411
Since nearly everyone will be joining us from out of town, here's a Beantown crash course.
Weather
"If you don't like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes."
-Mark Twain
Mid-October is Boston's prime leaf season-- this is because of temperate, sunny days with rather cool nights. Average temperatures are crisp (65-75°F, 18-23°C) during daylight and cool (45-55°F, 7-12°C) after nightfall. It's been known to snow in October, albeit extremely rarely. A good sweater or wrap is strongly recommended.
Transportation
Driving in Boston is an experience we would wish on no one-- parking in Boston even less so. We highly encourage everyone to make use of Boston's MBTA system (the T), which encompasses rapid transit, bus lines, light rail and boat services. It is nearly 100% handicap-accessible and will get you anywhere you need to go in Boston and surrounding areas.
The easiest way to do this is, upon arrival at the airport, purchase a Charlie Ticket 7-day pass at one of the many T-pass vending machines. They cover all bus and subway provided by the T for the next 168 hours (7 days), and it only costs $15 (try running a car for a week on $15's worth of gas!).
The full system map is available here, and these are Boston's neighbors.
Did you know? The T was the first subway system in the US. The first stretch of track is now part of the Green line, and it still services Park Street, Arlington, and Boylston Stations.
Food & Drink
Just a few of our favorite dives and haunts for your leisurely perusing. We trust you to fend for yourselves if we can't feed you on any given night. But have heart! This stuff alone is worth the trip, guys, so we thank you from the depths of our souls that you're in it for us, too.
The Publick House - one of the best Belgian beer bars in the country, with food to match. No pitchers, no shots. Try the Waterzooi.
The Dogwood Cafe - Our neighborhood standby down in JP. A great pub, with great beer, and delicious food. Save room for their award-winning blueberry pie!
Shay's - one of our local favorites for straight up beer, nachos and conversation.
John Harvard's Brew House - as usual, great beer, and in this case, micro-brewed exclusively for the restaurant. Great burgers, salads and chili.
Elephant Walk - French/Cambodian cuisine of the highest caliber. Usually out of our price range, but we take advantage of the prix fixe as often as we can.
Sunset Grill and Tap - another place for great beer (notice a trend yet?) and great pub food. This place is all about variety, with, usually, 112 beers on tap, and in the vicinity of 400+ bottles (and as many 20-somethings on a busy night...)
Brown Sugar Cafe - one of the best places for Thai food either of us has ever tried, and Martin has been to Thailand, so he would know.
Boston Beer Works - as good a stand-by as you will ever find: excellent microbrewed beer, sweet potato fries and wicked good food.
Regina's Pizza - Worth going if you are visiting the North End Location, at 11 1/2 Thacher Street. If you make it (and wait in line, outside), it may just be the greatest pizza experience of your life. Always allow a good cash margin for food in the North End. I'm never full there.
Spike's Junkyard Hot Dogs - Best dogs in the city outside of Fenway, and both cheaper and much more heaping choices. Excellent root beer, too.
History & Character
Though the New England coast had many excellent natural ports (Essex, Plymouth, Providence, Salem), Boston was blessed by geography with the best of all. By the early 1700s it was well on its way to being what it remains today: New England's largest and most important city. It was the birthplace of Revolutionary activity, and a site for the American Revolution's battles and insurgences. Many of its historic buildings, institutions and landmarks still stand, like Old North Church (made famous for Paul Revere's lanterns), the Boston Latin School (the first public school in the USA) and the Boston Common.
Populated by the golden-hearted "Massholes," Boston is a city of grit, and we like it that way. Don't be timid taking that empty seat on the T, or you'll never get one. Never, ever, intimate that the Yankees are a superior team to the Sox. And don't try to pahk the cah in Hahvahd yahd-- there isn't any parking, anyway.
Boston at National Geographic Destinations
The Wicked Good Guide to Boston English
Boston Rock City
Boston is full of music, art, theater and character. If you see any of these publications on the street, pick one up (totally free): they will have the latest info on what's happening in Boston Rock City that week, as well as off-beat articles and interviews.
Leaf Peeping
Since you'll be in New England at the height of its seasonal beauty, we recommend staying a while before and after to peep at the leaves! There's plenty to drive, walk or bike and it's all vibrant and gorgeous, from the Freedom Trail to the interstates. Just holler and we'll happily come with!
Psst! Complementing the Freedom Trail, the Museum of Science has a green trail highlighting environmentally conscious buildings in downtown Boston.
