Every year, numerous holidays are celebrated in Boston.
Below are the main dates for these festivities:
This national holiday honours the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., a major figure in the African-American struggle for civil rights. In Boston, exhibitions, gospel concerts, and debates take place at the Museum of African-American History.
End of January, beginning of February : Chinese New Year (national)Chinese New Year is celebrated annually in Chinatown with a parade and fireworks.
The weekend before or after 17 March : Saint Patrick's Day Parade (local)Colourful floats line the parade route through South Boston, home to one of the largest Irish communities in the United States. Between 600,000 and a million people attend. Don't forget to wear something green!
Third Monday of April : Patriot's Day & the Boston Marathon (local)The Patriot's Day holiday in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin commemorates the first battle of the American Revolution with re-enactments and performances. It's also the day of the world's oldest marathon, which attracts more than 25,000 runners. The 42-kilometre route starts west of Boston in Hopkinton and finishes in front of the Boston Public Library.
4 July : Independence Day (national)Boston marks the anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence with outdoor performances, concerts, and firework displays.
31 October : Halloween (national)Halloween is very popular in Boston. From around 6:00 p.m. on, children and adults dress up and go trick or treating.
Fourth Thursday of November : Thanksgiving (national)During this national holiday, for many Americans the most important of the year, most Bostonians share a traditional meal with friends and family.
31 December : First Night Boston (local)On New Year's Eve, the streets of Boston host concerts, dance performances, and art displays. Street food is a big component, also.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | –6/21,2 | 3/37,4 | 90/3,5 | Not the best period to go |
February | –5/23 | 4/39,2 | 83/3,7 | Not the best period to go |
March | –1/30,2 | 7/44,6 | 96/3,8 | Not the best period to go |
April | 4/39,2 | 13/55,4 | 88/3,5 | Not the best period to go |
May | 10/50 | 20/68 | 78/3,1 | Not the best period to go |
June | 15/59 | 25/77 | 80/3,1 | Good period to go
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July | 18/64,4 | 28/82,4 | 83/3,3 | Good period to go
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August | 18/64,4 | 27/80,6 | 90/3,5 | Good period to go
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September | 14/57,2 | 23/73,4 | 80/3,1 | Good period to go
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October | 9/48,2 | 18/64,4 | 83/3,2 | Good period to go
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November | 3/37,4 | 10/50 | 90/3,5 | Not the best period to go |
December | –3/26,6 | 5/41 | 85/3,3 | Not the best period to go |
Logan International Airport is in East Boston, roughly five kilometres from the city centre.
Boston has a great subway, bus, and water taxi service, but it is also easy to get around on foot.
If your stay does not exceed three months, a French driving license with at least a year before expiration is enough to drive in Boston. If you don't have a valid license, you must pass the driving license of your state of residence. It is very difficult to park in the centre and the parking lots are expensive (about 40 USD for 24 hours). Use public transport. The city is easily covered on foot.
With nearly 170 lines, Boston and its surrounding areas are well served by buses, which run between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Schedules and length of service nevertheless vary. Bus info is available on the MBTA website (www.mbta.com). Bus stops are not clearly indicated, which can cause visitors' some difficulty.
A ticket costs $2.10. A CharlieCard (a rechargeable magnetic card that works throughout the MBTA network) only costs $1.60.
Day and week passes (12 and 19 USD) can be purchased at subway stations. Children under 11 travel free when accompanied by an adult.
The ‘T' is the oldest subway system in the United States. Its four lines (Red, Blue, Green, and Orange) service the city centre and all of Greater Boston, including Cambridge. Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (approximately).
Tickets and prices are the same as for buses.
Boston's water taxis provide rapid, efficient, and pleasurable transit service on the waterfront and to the airport. Several companies operate this service, including MBTA. A ticket costs around 10-12 USD.
Boston has seven authorized taxi companies. The meter rate is higher than in most major US cities. A short trip inside city limits costs between 10 and 20 USD if traffic is light.
Once you arrive in Boston, don't hesitate to get in touch with tourism professionals for information and help in organising your stay.
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors BureauThe currency used in the United States of America is the dollar ($).
INR 1 = USD 0.01
USD 1 = INR 100
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
Boston has an excellent medical infrastructure, but the cost of health care is high, as it in the rest of the United States. Buying insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is highly recommended. Consult your doctor before departure and bring enough prescription drugs to last your stay: foreign prescriptions will not be of any use in Boston.
VaccinationNo vaccination is required to enter the United States. However, a diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccination before departure is recommended.
AIR FRANCE VACCINATION CENTREFor more information, contact the Air France Vaccination Centre:
There are no particular food safety risks in Boston.
WaterBoston tap water is potable.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens or nationals of the following countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, whether for tourism or business: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom.
For further information, see the Visitor Visa page on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html
And what about tiping?
Tipping is customary in US restaurants, bars, and taxis. The usual amount is 15% of the total.