Do I need a car to see Boston?
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No — and you actively shouldn't have one. Boston is the most walkable major city in the U.S., the T (MBTA subway) covers every tourist neighborhood, and parking downtown runs $40–60/day. Keep a car only if you're day-tripping to Salem, Cape Cod, or the Berkshires, and even then consider the Commuter Rail.
Is the Go City Boston or CityPASS worth buying?
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Only if you're visiting 4 or more paid attractions in your stay. Both cover Swan Boats, Old State House, USS Constitution Museum, and aquarium entry. If your itinerary is mostly free sights (Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, State House, bridges) plus one or two paid spots, buy individual tickets — the pass won't pay off.
How much should I tip in Boston?
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20% on pre-tax total at restaurants is the standard. 15% is the minimum for acceptable service; below 10% is reserved for genuinely bad service. $1–2 per drink at a bar. Hotel housekeeping: $3–5/night. Uber/Lyft: 15–20%. Check restaurant receipts — parties of 6+ usually have 18–20% auto-gratuity added.
When is the best time of year to visit Boston?
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Mid-May to mid-June, and mid-September to late October. April 2026 is also in the sweet spot — light crowds, 14–20°C, reasonable hotel prices. Avoid Boston Marathon week (mid-April) and college graduation weeks (mid-to-late May) for hotel prices. Winter is brutal but cheap; July–August is hot, humid, and peak tourist.
What's the cheapest way from Logan Airport to downtown?
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The MBTA Silver Line is free from every Logan terminal to South Station — it's a bus that uses bus-only lanes through the harbor tunnel. Slower than a taxi but $0. Alternative: Blue Line from Airport station is $2.40 with a free transfer to other lines. Uber/Lyft runs $15–25. The official metered taxi is $30–40.
Is Boston safe for tourists?
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Very. Violent crime in tourist zones is rare. The real risks are pickpocketing at Faneuil Hall and on crowded Green Line cars, the bracelet-push scam around the Common, and the occasional Logan Airport unofficial-taxi driver. Standard urban awareness is enough — front pockets, zipped bags, book transport in-app.
What should I skip in Boston?
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Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market food (overpriced, poor quality — walk 2 blocks into the North End). Hanover Street restaurants (tourist-priced — use side streets). Duck boat tours if you're short on time (expensive, slow). Harbor 'Zakim Bridge cruises' (walk to Paul Revere Park instead, free, better view).
Do I need to book Massachusetts State House tours in advance?
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Yes — call 617-727-3676 at least a week ahead. Tours are free but fill fast, especially Tuesday–Thursday mornings. They run weekdays 10 am–3:30 pm only, last 40 minutes, and are available in 8 languages on request. Walk-up tourists are often turned away.
Is the Institute of Contemporary Art really free on Thursdays?
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Yes — admission is free every Thursday 5–9 pm. Timed entry was abolished in February 2026 (older guides still mention it — ignore them). Go after 7:30 pm to dodge the 5 pm rush. Last Saturday of the month is also free for families with kids under 12, except in November.
Can you walk across the Zakim Bridge?
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No — it's car and bus only, with no pedestrian deck. Tourists often walk north expecting to cross and get stuck in TD Garden service roads. For the view, go to Paul Revere Park (Charlestown side) or North Point Park (Cambridge side) — both free, both better angles than being on the bridge itself. Walk the parallel Bill Russell Bridge instead.