Boston, Massachusetts, is inundated with visitors every year and for good reason: It's partly a walkable historic park (especially the Freedom Trail) and partly a modern waterfront metropolis (the "Hub of New England") with no lack of things to do once darkness descends. Fenway Park—one of the nation's most hallowed baseball stadiums—is often a destination in itself.
Although the city has never stopped reaching for the future and now welcomes leading-edge financial services and high-tech companies, it has lovingly preserved the treasures of its past. Boston cherishes its patriotic connections with the Boston Tea Party and Bunker Hill. It is a living symbol of the melting pot early residents fought to create, including lively ethnic neighborhoods, sophisticated centers of academia and sedate sanctuaries of old wealth. Each seems a world unto itself, yet each is an integral part of Boston's urban identity.
Even with so much to do and so many doing it, the city is a relatively easy place to visit. Boston's attractions and historical sites are laid out in simple-to-follow walking tours, and its subway system efficiently whisks passengers around the city. (You won't need a car, which is good: Driving in Boston is hair-raising, even for locals.) The most difficult part of your visit may be opening your credit-card bill after you get home: Boston can be expensive, but you'll find a lot to enjoy for each dollar spent.
Location
Cruise ships dock at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in South Boston, which is about 2 mi/3.5 km south of downtown. The terminal has several berths, and there's a covered parking garage across from it in the Marine Industrial Park. Expect to pay about US$18 a day to park. (Reservations not required.) The terminal is two blocks from the nearest Silver Line bus station (Marine Industrial Park), slightly more than 1 mi/1.6 km from the nearest subway station (South Station), and 3 mi/5 km from Logan International Airport.
Surrounding the terminal is a decidedly unattractive commercial and industrial area, and an up-and-coming area with housing, museums and restaurants being built. However, the area adjacent to the terminal is still somewhat deserted and poorly lit at night. We recommend taking a taxi downtown even during the day, or hop aboard the downtown shuttle, operated by Beantown Trolley, departing every 15 minutes. April-August US$8 one way, US$12 round trip; September-October US$10 one-way, US$15 round trip. The shuttle makes stops at the Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, Copley Place and Newbury Street. Phone toll-free 800-343-1328.
If you do decide to hoof it, however, it's a fairly easy two blocks to the Silver Line stop at Marine Industrial Park or an easy—if uninspiring—trek to the South Station subway, where you can board the Red Line T. Along the way, stop off at the World Trade Center complex and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner that probably was caught just hours beforehand.
Some cruise ships also dock at Fan Pier at sumptuous Rowes Wharf, which also houses five outstanding hotels and several elegant shops and restaurants.
Kiosks with tourist brochures are set up in the cruise terminal, along with other amenities such as phones and concessions. The best sources of local information are at the Visitors Information Booth across from the Old State House at 15 State St., or the Freedom Trail Information Booth at the Park Street T stop off of Boylston Street. At the booth you also can purchase a Boston CityPass if you plan to do extensive sightseeing. Open daily 9 am-5 pm. Phone 617-242-5642.
Shore Excursions
Because Boston is a point of embarkation for some cruise-ship passengers, most cruise lines offer a limited number of shore excursions. Keep in mind that many of Boston's best sights have been incorporated into walking tours that you can do on your own. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive trolley tours available that can save you some walking and also provide information on the sights.
If you decide a fully guided tour is more to your liking, you may want to opt for one of the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least expensive way to see the city, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Shore excursions—and their prices—vary from cruise line to cruise line.
Some typical ship-sponsored excursions are a trip to the John F. Kennedy Library and the home of John Adams, a walking tour of the Freedom Trail, a visit to Fenway Park and the Red Sox Hall of Fame, a Back Bay architectural tour, Harvard Yard tours or a tour of Boston's most famous landmarks. Check with your ship's shore-excursion staff or your travel agent for more information.
