The visitor info booth on Park St., at the entrance to Boston Common, offers free info and maps. Also visit the National Historical Park Visitor Center,15 State St., for free guides and guided tours.

Free Things to See & Do

Museum of Fine Arts  
Free Weds 4-9:45pm. Japanese Gardens behind museum free admission everyday (closed winters) (465 Huntington Ave)

Freedom Trail   
Boston’s most famous self-guided walking tour stretches 2.5-miles/4-km, starts at 15 State Street opposite the Old State House

Institute of Contemporary Art  
Free Thurs 5-9pm (955 Boylston Street)

Irish Heritage Trail  
3 hour self-guided walking tour. Starts at Rose Kennedy Garden along the waterfront (free maps at Boston Commons visitor booth)

USS Constitution Tours  
Free guided tours from the US Navy of the oldest US warship, from 1797 (1 Constitution Road, Charlestown Naval Yard)

Must See & Do

Minuteman Tours  
Trolleys and boats cover more than 100 points of interest in both Boston and Cambridge. (617) 269-3626

Boston by Foot  
Guided 90-minute walking tours of Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the North End and the Freedom Trail. Costs $12+. (617) 367-2345

Whale Watching Cruise  
3 or 5 hr tours guarantee a whale sighting or you get a free future cruise. (617) 227-4321

New England Aquarium  
One of the best in the US, it houses over 2,000 aquatic creatures including sea lions, sharks, sea turtles and penguins. Open daily. Tickets are $19.95. Atlantic Ave., Faneuil Hall Market. (617) 973-5206

Boston Common   
48-acres of public park located in the center of Boston. Established in 1632, it contains monuments, statues and memorials.

Fenway Park  
Home of baseball’s Boston Red Sox. $8 tours. Great place to see a game but be careful here at night.  (617) 236-6666

Harvard Square
Freedom Trail
Quincy Market

Money Saving Tips

College ‘hoods  
For cheap party places including Boston University, Boston College, MIT and Harvard

Bostix  
Half price, day of show theater tickets with locations in Copley Sq and Faneuil Hall

Neighborhoods

The North End (authentic Italian, Hanover St)
Boston Common (contains 48-acres of public park located in the center of Boston)
Back Bay offers many restaurants and pubs
Cambridge
Wander around Harvard, the nation’s first university, and Harvard Square

Shopping Areas

Newbury/Boylston Street (Back Bay)
Filene’s Basement (Downtown Crossing)
Faneuil Hall Market place
Harvard Square

City Escapes

Cambridge  
A 10-minute Red line ride from Boston. Wander around Harvard, the nation’s first university, and Harvard Square. Check out the street performers or relax in the area’s fantastic bookstores and coffee shops.

Salem  
20 miles northeast of Boston via the Rockport/Ipswich commuter train. The town is famous for the witch trials of 1692, with several historic museums and reenactments of the era. The Salem info center is at 2 New Liberty St. (978) 740-1650

Plymouth  
This is where the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock aboard the Mayflower back in the 1600’s. Only 1 hour from Boston. Can whale watch here.

Newport, Rhode Island  
One of America’s oldest cities

Cape Cod  
Because of its great beaches and affordable lifestyle, this fishing/tourist town is a budget traveler’s dream.

Martha’s Vineyard/ Nantucket  
Huge tourist spots. Wildlife sanctuaries, reservations and parks make these islands a great place to rediscover nature, bike, swim or kayak.

Nightlife

Pick up the free weekly Boston Phoenix for listings of bars, clubs, events. Available at corner newspaper boxes. Head to the college areas for cheap party places including Boston University, Boston College, MIT and Harvard among others.

The Bull & Finch Pub  
Inspiration for the television hit “Cheers.” But don’t let the exterior fool you – the inside looks completely different. 84 Beacon St.

Mr. & Mrs. Bartley’s Burger Cottage  
A funky college hangout in Harvard Square. Great burgers and fries. 1246 Massachusetts Ave.