Boston

Cultural, diverse, distinctive, dynamic, exciting and, of course, historic. Known as America’s walking city, where everything is at your feet. This is Boston, where old-world charm meets contemporary style and sophistication. Where you can stroll along the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, and dance the night away at the city’s hottest clubs. Where you can browse among the fashionable boutiques of Newbury Street and linger at an Italian bistro in the North End. Where you can spend the day with the Boston Red Sox and an evening with the Boston Pops. Where you can immerse yourself in the academic world of Harvard and the out-of-this-world sights of Harvard Square. Where you’ll find outstanding venues for music, art, theatre and more. In Boston, you will discover that the history isn’t the only thing that is revolutionary.

Boston’s role in shaping American history is unique among all other cities. People are eager to see the places where the American Revolution was conceived and began. From Paul Revere’s House to the Boston Tea Party Ship to the Old North Church, history is on every corner. Boston’s premiere attraction, The Freedom Trail, is a walking tour through historic Boston, encompassing 16 of the most treasured sites in American history. The Freedom Trail is an actual red line painted on the side-walks and streets of Boston. The Freedom Trail is also an excellent way to tour the city as it winds through many of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods.

Known also as the "Athens of America," Boston’s renowned medical and educational institutions have helped to make it an international centre of learning and intellectual activity. Boston is also one of the nation’s top sports towns. When the Celtics, Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox play on home turf, the whole city buzzes with energy.

Boston is in close proximity to so much in New England. Cambridge is the spirited, slightly mischievous side of Boston, located just a bridge away on the other side of the Charles River. The birthplace of higher education in America, Harvard College was founded in 1636 and across town, Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT) is renowned as the epicentre of the cyberculture. Student-led campus tours are available at 11am and 3pm daily and both universities house renowned museum collections which are open to the public. The "Squares" of Cambridge are charming neighbourhoods rich in eclectic shopping, theatres, museums and historic sites. Cambridge also offers a tantalizing array of dining options.

The concierge at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel Boston will be delighted to provide you with maps, directions and information on visiting any sites and attractions in Boston and Cambridge. You can also collect tourist maps from the registration desk during the conference. Also, consult the Useful Links section for more information.
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Shopping

Natick Mall – (http://www.natickcollection.com)
Natick Mall, one of greater Boston's premier shopping centers, has the selection you crave, including Alpha Omega, Coldwater Creek, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn Kids, Hollister Co and Ecco! They're all here, but we're so much more than just the hottest stores! Our amenities, such as the PlaySpace and Kiddie Rides, offer your family a sensational atmosphere of shopping, relaxation and fun! Soon Natick Mall will embark on a major expansion to include Massachusetts' first-ever Nordstrom department store, Neiman Marcus, luxury boutiques, specialty stores, and 4 sit-down restaurants. In addition, 2 luxury condominium complexes will complement this development and position Natick Mall as New England's premier shopping and entertainment destination. Nationally recognized architects and interior designers will transform both the existing mall and the expansion into an elegant, lively destination to shop, live, dine and enjoy leisure time. Interior finishes will feature more natural light and shopper comforts.

Wrentham Village Premium Outlets – (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=10)
Discover the Boston area's only upscale outlet center, Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. With 170 stores, it is the largest collection of designer and name brand outlets in New England. This attractive outdoor village is filled with the world's finest brands at incredible everyday savings of 25% to 65%. Outlet stores include Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Coach, Banana Republic, Williams-Sonoma Outlet, Off 5th-Saks Fifth Avenue, Brooks Brothers, Timberland, Nike, Sony and many more. Daily Transportation available from Boston.

Entertainment

Once considered ultra-conservative and boring, Boston has become a world-class metropolis with endless ways to educate, enthrall, entice and, of course, entertain. Vibrant nightlife and a surge of innovative restaurants have added options to an existing stable of world-class museums and theaters, making Boston an entertainment magnet in New England.

Museums and galleries Boston has a magnificent selection of art complexes—large to small, American to Asian, local to national. Many museums offer specials and discounts for students. The enormous Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are the best-known and most popular. Kids love the Children's Museum, and everyone loves the Museum of Science with its theater and planetarium.

Newbury Street, South End and Brookline boast a diverse array of galleries, many of which showcase the region's up-and-coming artists.

Theater and music Boston has dozens of theaters, including outstanding regional theaters and venues for touring Broadway shows. The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, the American Repertory Theatre and the Charles Playhouse are among the better-known theaters.

There is also a lively and varied music scene, including the world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra which performs at Symphony Hall. The free performance by the Boston Pops on the Charles River Esplanade every Fourth of July is not to be missed. Both ensembles have summer performances at Tanglewood Music Center, a beautiful outdoor concert hall in the Berkshire mountains.

For mainstream music, check out the TD Banknorth Garden, the city's largest musical and sporting venue. The Paradise is another other venue for pop music concerts. Jazz clubs range from sleek hotel venues such as Scullers and the Regattabar, to lively, standing-room-only favorites like Wally's Cafe. Irish music is also very popular in Boston, with live Irish "seisiuns" occurring almost nightly at the Brendan Behan Pub, The Burren and the Grand Canal, to name a few.

Parks Rollerbladers and runners flock to the Charles River Esplanade. The Commonwealth Mall, which runs parallel to Newbury and Marlborough Streets, overflows with walkers, many accompanied by their dogs. One little-known oasis is the Back Bay Fens with its gorgeous rose and community gardens. The Arnold Arboretum is a 256-acre horticultural treasure.

In South Boston, on historic Castle Island, you can walk around old Fort Independence and watch planes take off from nearby Logan International Airport.

Sports Watch the Celtics play basketball and the Bruins play hockey

Dining & Bars

Old and new cuisines Seafood is a Boston favorite, as is the traditional Yankee boiled supper, but this ethnic melting pot has an eclectic selection of menus.

Drinking is the favorite pastime here. Bars and pubs fill to capacity during the week when the after-work crowd comes out. College students add to the scene in laid-back establishments that serve more draft beer than martinis. On almost every corner of urban Boston you can find a casual pub or a swanky, retro-style lounge or nightclub.

Waterfront Seafood rules the dining scene here, enticing visitors with clam chowder and lobster.

Faneuil Hall You can find Yankee suppers, Irish fare, seafood and pub grub in this historic downtown marketplace.

Beacon Hill This beautiful, old-fashioned neighborhood is known for its intimate and romantic places. Although there is often a wait for a table, the inviting cobblestone streets and gas-lit alleyways are perfect for a pre-dinner walk.

North End This famous neighborhood is home to historic landmarks and the best Italian food in Boston and perhaps in all of New England.

Chinatown With the highest concentration of late-night dining options in the city, Chinatown eateries are crowded well into the night.

Newbury Street Fusion restaurants and countless cafes line this busy Back Bay street

South End The South End with its quaint row houses and manicured buildings, has a variety of dining options to choose from. On a walk along Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street in this neighborhood, you will encounter restaurants offering modern French and American food, Ethiopian cuisine and down-home southern cooking.

Cambridge On the other side of the Charles River, Cambridge has many hidden jewels, many of which are priced out of the student budget range and offer a fine dining experience in this cosmopolitan little city.
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Getting there

By Air:

Logan International Airport ( BOS ) ( +1 617 428 2800 / http://www.massport.com/logan/ ) rates as the nation's 18th busiest and is but four miles from downtown. Numerous airlines use its 102 gates, spread across this airport of 2,400 acres. Dozens of restaurants, fast food counters, and shops pepper its halls, putting an emphasis on convenience and easy accessibility.

Ground transportation options abound starting with the wonderfully efficient Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train system. Locally known as "the T," it operates daily from 5:30a-12:30a, exiting the airport about every ten minutes. Fares start at USD1. For added convenience free Massport shuttles scoot passengers between the terminals and trains.

A fleet of taxis can be found outside every terminal. Depending on traffic rides to downtown last 15-20 minutes. Taxis charge a flat rate for all destinations exceeding a 12-mile downtown radius. Should you be traveling beyond 12 miles be sure to agree to an exact rate before entering the cab. The Boston Police Department posts a list of flat rates at http://www.massport.com/logan. If you opt to rent a car be advised that downtown is not conducive for driving, especially if unfamiliar with Boston's maze of narrow one-way streets. For a shuttle bus/van, call the reputed Back Bay Coach ( +1 617 746 9909 ) which provides a shared van service to most downtown hotels.

Free bus service from the airport terminals to the Logan Boat Dock on the south side, makes the water shuttle service efficient and conveniently quick. Boats exit at regular intervals for a seven-minute ride to Rowes Wharf.

By Train:

South Station on Atlantic Avenue, Back Bay Station on Dartmouth Street, and North Station on Causeway Street make train travel into Boston extremely convenient. All three stations are linked to the MBTA subway allowing for easy downtown access. Amtrak ( http://www.amtrak.com ) is the chief carrier. The Acela Express links with Washington DC, the Lake Shore Limited with New York City, and the Downeaster with Portland Maine.

By Bus:

The main bus terminal is located on Atlantic Avenue, adjacent to the train station. Passengers can then access downtown via MBTA's Red Line subway. Greyhound, Bonanza and Concord Trailways all service Boston.

By Car:

I-90, or as locals call it the "Mass Pike," a state-long toll road, funnels traffic in from all points west. I-93, downtown's main artery, runs north/south. I-93 north combines with US-1 making it the main thoroughfare for traffic approaching from Canada, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. I-93 south joins with Route 3, connecting Boston with Cape Cod.

Getting Around:

The MBTA's bus system services all of downtown and beyond. Most are wheelchair accessible. Family passes are available.

Boston's subway system, the oldest in the nation, rates as the fastest way to scoot around. The color-coded lines are easy to decipher. The Red Line slices through downtown in a northwest/southeast direction servicing Harvard Square, MIT and South Station. The Green Line wanders in a west/east direction accessing the Boston Common, Copley Square and Fenway Park. The Blue Line juts in a northeast/southwest direction stopping at Logan Airport, Suffolk Downs and the New England Aquarium. And the Orange Line drift

Sightseeing

As seen in history books Boston is not a city where you take a tour merely out of a sense of obligation. You may find yourself simply inspired to wander around this architectural theme park of cobblestone paths, antique brownstones and 18th century buildings. Explore quaint neighborhoods and discover quiet corners within the city. Tour by land or by water, and on buses, trolleys or foot. For excellent discounts and group passes, get a city pass. The Boston National Historic Park Visitor Center – is another great way to find out about the best tours in Boston. Make way for ducklings One tour lets you see Boston by both land and water: the popular Boston Duck Tours – An amphibious craft from World War II takes you on a 90-minute ride along the city's byways and waterways. You may have an opportunity to steer the craft on the Charles River and, yes, people really will quack back at you as you take the tour. Another of the city's famous tours is the self-guided walking path, the Freedom Trail. You can begin at Boston Common, meander through the historic North End and eventually end in Charlestown Navy Yard at the U.S.S. Constitution. Some of the worthwhile (and free ) sites along the way include The Bunker Hill Monument, Boston Common, King's Chapel Burying Ground, Granary Burying Ground and Copp's Hill Burial Ground –

If you would like a tour guide with real character, groups can sign up for the Freedom Trail Players, who will personally escort you around the 2.5-mile trail. You can also take a tour with Boston By Foot or, from the same company, Boston By Little Feet, a tour customized for children.

The Black Heritage Trail is another walking tour that passes 12 sites of significance to black history. Stops include the African Meeting House, which was the first church with black leadership in the United States, and houses that were part of the Underground Railroad system to shelter escaped slaves.

Have culinary experts with you? They may enjoy the North End Market Tour, which explores the markets and restaurants of the Italian neighborhood. To burn off some of that delicious food, try Boston Bike Tours.

Open-air trolleys are a pleasant touring alternative during inclement weather. Discover Boston Multilingual Trolley Tours and Old Town Trolley are two popular companies that take you along many Freedom Trail spots without the walking. Most trolley companies have pick-up spots at various hotels.

One if by land, two if by sea Touring by boat can be a relief from the humid weather that overtakes the city in July and August. A shuttle from the North End to the Charlestown Navy Yard is a great Freedom Trail shortcut at a cheap price. Boston

Harbor Cruises offers hour-long harbor tours from Long Wharf. The Charles Riverboat Company offers an hour-long tour from the Cambridgeside Galleria, down the Charles towards Harvard Square and back again. The company also offers private charters. For excursions that take you further from the city, AC Cruise Lines on Northern Avenue offers a two-hour trip to Gloucester. They also offer whale watching and moonlight cruises. Learn about some of the country's first European settlers at Plimouth Plantation, about an hour's drive south of Boston.

Useful links

Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau:
http://www.bostonusa.com/

Boston Tourist Information:
http://www.masspike.com/

Boston Airport:
BOS - Boston International Logan Airport
http://www.massport.com/logan/default.aspx

Public Transportation:
http://www.mbta.com/

Travel Guide & General Information:
http://www.bostonusa.com/plan/meetingplanners/pt/cityservicesinformation

Weather:
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/weather/index.html

Exchange rates:
http://www.x-rates.com/

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