Page 176 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

174  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

More than most American cities, Boston is international travelers, making it very easy
built to human scale. With the main parts to feel at home here and comfortable
of the city all within a relatively small area, ex ploring. So long as visitors take a few
Boston is ideal for the visitor, with walking sensible precaut ions, they should enjoy a
not only possible, but often preferable, trouble-free stay. Boston’s visitor information
despite an efficient transit system. Boston centers help people get the most from their
is also one of the safest major cities in the stay, and the city also deals better than most
U.S., and one of the most welcoming to with the needs of children and the disabled.

Visas and Passports Tourist Information and except groceries and clothing
Citizens of the U.K., most western Opening Hours items priced under $175. State
European countries, Australia, Visitor information desks at the sales tax is 6.25 per cent, and
New Zealand, Japan, Canada, airport can provide guides and hotel tax in the Boston metrop-
Mexico, and Caribbean nations maps and answer questions. The olitan area is 14.45 per cent.
(except Cuba) need a valid, Greater Boston Conven tion Tipping is expected for
machine-readable passport and and Visitors Bureau offers a most services: in restaurants
must register (and pay a small comprehensive online guide tip 15–20 per cent of the bill,
charge) before traveling with for lodging, with links to make and give $1 per bag to
the Electronic System for Travel reservations. Major hotels also porters and $2 to valet parking
Authorization (ESTA) at esta.cbp. have helpful guest service desks. attendants. Bartenders
dhs.gov. The ESTA auth orization All of these places also hold a expect $1–2 per drink.
is for a max imum stay of 90 days range of discount tickets for many
in the U.S. and remains valid for of Boston’s major museums and Alcohol and Smoking
two years. Foreign visitors should attrac tions, nightlife spots,
check with their American theaters, and restaurants. The legal minimum age for
consulate for details about Opening hours vary greatly, drinking alcohol in Boston is
passport and visa procedures. so check in advance. In general, 21; most young people will
Citizens of all other countries most shops and attractions are be required to show photo
need a valid pass port and a open 10am–6pm daily, with identification (I.D.) as proof
tour ist visa, which can be reduced hours on Sundays. of age in order to get into bars
obtain ed from a U.S. consulate Many shops stay open later on and to purchase alcohol. It is
or embassy. Thursdays, while key attractions, illegal to drink in public spaces,
like the Museum of Fine Arts and penalties for driving under
(see p106–7), offer extended the influence of alcohol are
Travel Safety
hours one night a week. severe. The legal age for
Visitors can get up-to-date travel buying cigarettes is 21, and
safety information from the Tax and Tipping I.D. may also be required. It is
Foreign and Commonwealth illegal to smoke in public
Office in the U.K., the State In Boston and the surround ing buildings and in all bars and
Department in the U.S. and area, taxes will be added to restaurants (see p139).
the Department of Foreign hotel and restaurant charges
Affairs and Trade in Australia. and most retail purchases,
Travelers with
Special Needs
Massachusetts and U.S. law
mandate accessibility for
persons with handicaps, but
wheelchair accessibility is
sometimes limited in Boston’s
historic buildings. Most hotels
and restaurants, however,
are wheelchair accessible.
VSA (Very Special Arts)
Massachusetts provides useful
information on disabled-
accessible entertainment.
For other information, contact
the Society for Accessible
Visitor Information Center on Boston Common Travel and Hospitality.
Exterior view of the busy South Station complex in Boston

174-175_EW_Boston.indd 174 09/01/17 12:15 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm