12 Things People From Boston Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners
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Juliet White
Author
If you live in or around Boston you will have houseguests. According to City-Data, Boston is one of the top ten attractions in the nation, so you can bet that your family and friends plan to visit at some point – probably all at once (and likely in the fall)!
Perhaps you have your out-of-towner spiel down by now but, if not, be a good host and share this article with your expected guests. That way, you avoid repeatedly answering the same questions and they arrive better prepared!
"What’s the weather like?" your prospective houseguest will ask about a week before their visit. Sure, you could reply with the day’s highs and lows, but that won’t have any bearing on what will happen a week – or even a day – later. It’s best to just pack plenty of layers of clothing.
You’ve already heard about our winters and our falls (long and stunning, respectively), but you might not know about spring. This elusive season lasts for about two weeks between not-quite-winter-but-blizzards-still-possible and summer. Come prepared for the worst and for the best.
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Well, it’s technically possible, but we’ll have to drop you off and come back a few hours later. Your odds of being the first human on Mars are about equal to your chances of finding legal parking for non-residents in these neighborhoods. Not to worry, you can get to the major tourist attractions via the T. If you really prefer above ground travel, you can try one of the many hop-on-hop-off trolleys.
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Parking often costs more than a tank of gas – at least downtown. If your host is driving you around, offer to chip in to cover parking.
Boston said goodbye to toll booths last year, but that doesn’t mean you can dodge the fee. Either you have an E-ZPass or you pay-by-plate. The latter means that you’ll be tracked down via your license plate and issued a bill for the toll. You’re not in any trouble for driving on a toll road without a transponder, but it does cost a bit more to pay-by-plate.
Two words: stilettos and cobblestones. While medical care here is excellent, you probably don’t want to test it out during a vacation. Those shoes may look lovely, but it's not worth a broken ankle.
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That said, 46.6% of Bostonians over the age of 25 have a Bachelor’s degree, while 20.6% of the same demographic have earned a postgraduate degree. So this stereotype has some basis in reality, but don't assume we're all doctorates.
Happy Hour became illegal in Massachusetts in December 1984, following the death of a 20-year-old woman in a drunk driving incident the year before. Safety is more important than cheap drinks.
It seems like there’s a plaque attached to every vertical surface in Boston. As a visitor, you’ll get overwhelmed fast if you try to absorb information about every notable building or place around you. Take it slowly and remember... you can always come back!
Need we say more? We live here for a reason... because it's wicked awesome!
What would you add to this list of tips for visitors and newcomers to Boston? Share your hints in the comments!
Looking for ways to entertain out-of-towners? Perhaps this list of 12 essential things everyone must do in Boston will provide inspiration.
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