The Cheap Person's Guide to Touring Boston

How to budget and save money when visiting Boston's most popular attractions, restaurants and shops

The words "Boston" and cheap" might seem as compatible as a vegetarian dining at the Outback Steak House,  but there are myriad free and inexpensive things to do in the "Hub of the Universe."

The Go Boston Card is a terrific way to save money on more than 70 Boston area attractions, including the world-class New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, Plimoth Plantation, the Salem Witch Museum, the Fenway Park Tour and a truly great tour of Boston called the Boston Duck Tours. The card not only covers major Boston attractions, but also things to do in the historic Lexington-Concord, MA, area, Newport, RI, and Cape Cod and the Islands. As a lifelong New Englander, I like all the attractions on the Boston Go Card, but am partial to the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Fine Arts, given their amazing presentations where it would be easy to spend most of the day at just one of these attractions.  If you're a family, I would choose the Aquarium first, as the kids (and you) will love the IMAX 3D Theater (65 ft. high by 85 ft. wide) with bottom of the sea films and more; the 24-ft. deep ocean tank with 3,000 corals and sponges, and 52 large windows affording views of more than 650 animals; fresh water and tropical  galleries; and lovable African penguins and nothern fur seals. The Curious George Discovery Center is great for younger children with its hands-on presentations, toys and videos. That's just for starters, as there's so much more at the New England Aquarium!

The Boston Go Card is available for adults and children.  It is a credit card size card that tourists like you can use at participating attractions, restaurants or shops.

Personal favorite Boston Budget attractions (many separate from the Boston Go Card):

The Freedom Trail allows tourists to learn about America's Revolution by walking a 2.5 mile red brick walkway where historic meeting houses, museums, churches and other landmarks offer a colorful, scenic educational experience. Includes the Boston State House, Old Corner Book Store, Park St. Church, Old South Meeting House, site of the Boston Massacre,  the Paul Revere House and Faneuil Hall.  Best toured in the warmer weather!

The aforementioned Faneuil Hall, a historic network of over 100 shops and restaurants, is a wondeful place to walk around and take in the historic feeling of Boston.  There are many take-out restaurants and bakeries, including the delicious Boston Chowda (yes, they do have clam chowder), Steve's Greek Cuisine, Brown Derby Deli, Dale and Thomas Popcorn, the Boston Chipyard (the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had),  and the deservedly famous Pizzeria Regina (not the original which is in the North End, but still great). The festive Faneuil Hall is a wonderful place to eat outdoors, people watch, watch entertainment and browse the kiosk vendors (artists, hot dog stands, etc.).

The Boston area offers many more affordable dining options, including Santarpio's in East Boston (pizza), Doyle's in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, and Al Dente in the North End. There are still some affordable Boston lodging options, including the Best Western Terrace Inn in the Allston/Brighton Boston neighborhood, the Chandler Inn Hotel in the South End of Boston, and the Boston Days Inn on Soldiers Field Rd.

As long as you're not acrophobic, the view from the 52nd floor of the Prudential Building affords affordable sweeping, panoramic views of Boston and vicinity.  We love the view of the Charles River and Fenway Park (no, you really can't view a ball game from here).

The Fenway Park Tour (available through the Go Card) is just as enjoyable, for some, as the game itself. Colorful, Boston tour guides take you on a walk through the historic stadium, including the famed Green Monster.  Chock full of fun anecdotes and lots of laughs!

The scenic, pristine and free Arnold Arboretum with 265 acres and 15,000 trees, shrubs and vines is a nature lover's delight and a true oasis in this busy city.

Thank goodness we still have libraries for a free, educational experience! The Boston Public Library is the largest municipal library in the United States and will make your local town library look a toy version.

A Swan Boat Ride through the Boston Public Gardens area is a low-cost attraction great for families. The novelty of the plastic swans on the boat and a truly relaxing experience is a nice way to spend part of an afternoon.  Speaking of the Boston Public Gardens, the area is a virtual oasis with its fountains, flower beds and trees. It's beautiful and free to walk around. 

Castle Island in South Boston is free to visit and features water views, swimming, a network of walking trails for walking, hiking or jogging, biking, fishing, picnic opportunities and the great Sullivan's hamburger stand in the summer. 

Shopping seems to have become largely upscale in the Boston area, so if you're looking for bargain rate merchandise we recommend the famous Filene's Basement, temporarily located at 497 Boylston St. (the original Downtown Crossing location is undergoing renovations and should be open in the spring of 2009).  Filene's Basement, established in 1908, is famous for being the first discount clothing store. There are legenadary stories about customers fighting over clothing, given the amazing bargains (seems kind of silly, doesn't it?). For additional discount merchandise, we recommend seeking out Building 19 and the Ocean State Job Lot at various locations the Boston suburbs. These regional shops are certainly not pretty to look at, but there's no denying the incredible bargains.  

Other Boston Area Resources and Gift Ideas:

Hotel Reservations in New England 

For discount lodging availability in and around your New England vacation destination, select from the hotel lists below:

Connecticut Hotels

Maine Hotels

Massachusetts Hotels

New Hampshire Hotels

Rhode Island Hotels