Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston
P. 184
182 SUR VIV AL GUIDE
Getting Around Boston There are five lines: the Red Line
runs from south of the city to
Public transportation in Boston and Cambridge is very Cambridge, and the Green Line
good. In fact, it is considerably easier to get around by public from the Museum of Science
transportation than by driving, with the added benefit of not westward into the suburbs.
having to find a parking space. All major attractions in the city The Blue Line begins near
Government Center and goes to
are accessible on the subway, by bus, or by taxi. The central Logan Air port and on to Revere,
sections of the city are also extremely easy to navigate on foot. while the Orange Line links the
northern suburbs to southwest
Boston. The Silver Line, a sur face
bus, runs from Rox bury to Logan
Airport via South Station. Maps
of the system are available at
the Down town Crossing
M.B.T.A. station.
Admission to subway stations is
M.B.T.A. commuter bus, with distinctive yellow paintwork via turnstiles into which you insert
a paper Charlie ticket or touch
Green Travel websites for Boston Magazine your plastic CharlieCard on the
Boston’s moniker of “America’s and The Boston Globe (see p158). reader. Day or week LinkPasses
Walking City” hints at how Most of Boston is laid out for unlimited travel can be
easy it is to tour the city in this “organically” rather than in the purchased at stations and Airport
environmentally friendly way. sort of strict grid found in many “T” stops, and can be loaded on
Those needing to cover some American cities. When trying to to Charlie tickets or CharlieCards.
serious ground can lean on orient yourself, it helps to think
one of the U.S.’s oldest public of Boston as enclaves of neigh
transportation systems. The borhoods around a few central M.B.T.A. Buses
M.B.T.A. has worked with the squares. In general, uphill from The bus system complements
Environmental Protection Boston Common is Beacon Hill, the subway system and in effect
Agency on projects like loco downhill is Downtown. Back Bay enlarges the entire transit
motive engine pollutioncontrol begins west of Arlington Street. network to cover more than
devices, while replacing its The North End sticks out from the 1,000 miles (1,600 km). However,
dieselpowered bus fleet with north side of Boston, while the buses are often crowded. The
natural gaspowered buses. Waterfront is literally that, where Your Bus M.B.T.A. app shows real
Visitors can reach almost any Boston meets the sea. time schedules linked to location.
where in the metro area – from Two useful routes for sightseeing
the historic towns of Lexington M.B.T.A. Subway and are Charlestown–Haymarket,
and Concord to the Boston (from Haymarket, near Quincy
Harbor Islands – using public Trolley Cars Market, to Bunker Hill) and
trans portation. The Boston “T”’s Boston’s subway system is the Harvard–Dudley (from Harvard
own website offers public transit oldest in North America, but it Square via Massachusetts
and walking has been vastly Avenue, through Back Bay and
direc tions to just expanded and the South End, to Dudley Square
about any where modernized in Roxbury). Cash, a Charlie
in the city. The since the first ticket, or a plastic CharlieCard
17mile (27km) cars rolled is required for the fare.
Esp lanade trail between Park
along the Street and
Charles River Boylston Street Walking in Boston
(where you can Charlie Card, valid on Boston’s in 1897. The Boston is considered North
rent canoes and public transit network street trolley America’s premier walking
kayaks) and the system began city – partly because it is so
Minuteman Bikeway (see p164) in 1846 with trol leys drawn compact, and partly because
offer ample oppor tunities for along tracks by horses. In 1889, virtually all streets are flanked
bikers, joggers, and walkers. the system was electrified. by sidewalks. It is nonetheless
Combined, the subway and essential to wear comfortable
trolley lines are known as the walking shoes with adequate
Finding Your Way “T.” The “T” operates 5–12:45am cushioning and good support.
The Greater Boston Conven tion Monday through Satur day, Because Boston is princ ip ally
and Visitors Bureau (see p175) and 6–12:45am Sunday. Week a city of neighborhoods, it is
provides a helpful contact point. day service is officially every often simplest to use public
To find out about any upcoming 3–15 minutes; on week ends transportation to get to a
cultural events, check the it is less frequent. particular neighborhood,
182-183_EW_Boston.indd 182 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
