I highly recommend taking the Charlie (the local rail system) FWIW, if you're talking to a local looking while for directions and call the local rail in town "the Charlie" the local is going to look at you funny. It's "the T" to locals. As a transplant, something else that might be useful for someone... If you ask for driving directions, if someone tells you to "take the Pike," they're referring to I-90. If they tell you to "take 128," they're referring to I-95, it's the same road close to Boston. Hope this is of some use to someone!

1st Commandment: Any person who says "I pahked my cah at the yahd" and isn't a Southie gets shot in the dick. 2nd Commandment: Any person who says they're from New York, Connecticut, or Montreal gets shot in the dick. 3rd Commandment: Any person who wants to go to the "Cheers bar" gets shot in the dick 4th Commandment: What is it, your period? You also will get shot in the dick. Enjoy your time in Boston. I lived in Boston for a year and it was great...but a lot of people there are called Mass-holes for a reason.

A few more tips for taking the T: When you get to Boston you have a few options as far as buying passes goes. If you think you will use the T often I would recommend for most PAX goers to get the 7-day link pass. It's $15. Compare that to the one day link pass at $9 and you can see that if you're going to be using it more than one day the 7-day is the better deal (http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/subway/). Also before you come you might want to sit down and look at how much you'll actually be using the T. If you think you won't use it often at all buying a stored value card with only like 5 or 10 dollars could even do the trick. Taking the T from the Airport I imagine this will be useful to more than a few people. The T doesn't have a direct stop at the airport (unless you count the silver line but I'll skip over that), instead you have to take a shuttle to the stop. Once you collect your baggage from claim go outside and stand near the the marked bus areas (there will usually be signs on the pillars or something like that). Look for a shuttle that has either "All Stops" or that has "MBTA Airport Stop" on it. It will take you to the blue line "Airport" stop. From there you want to take the train in the Bowdoin station direction (inbound I believe). For most paxer's you'll get off at government center and transfer to the green line up to Hynes Convention Center (or Prudential if you're on the E line is close too). Here's some links that can explain it better than I can Airport Shuttle Info http://www.massport.com/logan/getti_typeo_logans.html Getting to (or from) Logan site http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/logan/ Hope that helps at least somewhat.

I'm pretty interested in a PAX East Bible. This is my first gaming convention and my first time to Boston. I'm going to be in a couple days before PAX and will be looking for things to do with others.

As a local, one thing that comes to mind when people state that they are driving is the cost of parking, which is pretty insane downtown. Even if you are staying at a hotel and using their parking facilities, you can usually expect to play anywhere between $15 and $30 per day to park. Of course, this varies by location and time of day, but be sure to factor this into your budgeting if you will have a car with you. If possible I would recommend not driving to Boston. I do it all the time, but unless you're from here the rules of the road and the bizarre logic behind the roadways is just going to confuse you even before you think about parking costs (even as a native, its more difficult at times than London, LA or NYC). Additionally, there's zero reason to have a car with you unless you have a physical problem that makes walking very difficult or you're going out of the city. You can easily walk everywhere and if you're going across town the subway is easy. PAX will be very much in a walking district and even though it will likely be cold, you should be able to get whatever you need between the Convention Center and two skybridge connected malls (The Shops at Prudential Center and Copley Place) including a church, restaurants and two hotels. Additionally these buildings have a number of connections to the Subway and Copley Place even has a connection to the Back Bay train station which includes Amtrak/Acela service. In theory, you could get on a train as far south as Virginia, stay in the complex, and return without having to go outside at all. The neighborhood the convention will be held in, however, goes from the nice-but-a-bit-trendy/college (something like 20% of the city's population are students, education, medicine, tech, government and research are the biggest employers) to extremely nice with awesome architecture. On one side you've got Trinity Church Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Next to the Boston Public Library Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler and Old South Church Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler On the other end you have the First Church of Christ Scientist Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler I highly recommend taking the Charlie (the local rail system) FWIW, if you're talking to a local looking while for directions and call the local rail in town "the Charlie" the local is going to look at you funny. It's "the T" to locals. As a transplant, something else that might be useful for someone... If you ask for driving directions, if someone tells you to "take the Pike," they're referring to I-90. If they tell you to "take 128," they're referring to I-95, it's the same road close to Boston. Hope this is of some use to someone! Definitely a good point about the T, only the fair is called the Charlie Ticket. From Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Charlie on the MTA The T is located by looking for this sign Also, 128 is not always I-95. The roads needed to be reclassified for federal funding but you'll still see old Route 128 signs some places and its universally understood. Route 128 circles the city as you'll see with many major cities. However, it is alternately I-93 or I-95 depending on what stretch and on my commute home every day I am simultaneously on I-95 North and I-93 South. Its often easier to look at the cities listed on various splits to figure out if you're going clockwise or counterclockwise. If you are inside Route 128, especially to the South and West of the city proper you are essentially in Boston - its largely urban, you can get there on the T, etc. Outside 128 is still fairly densely population but is undeniably more suburban in character and those coming to PAX probably won't bother going outside of 128 unless they want to see the Cape, Plymouth or Salem etc. I'll stop there before I talk about my city more but I'll try to answer any more specific questions. I've only been to a few conventions (the only big one was Comic Con this year) so I might not know what veterans need/want to know

Some of this info is going to need to be split into a Boston Area Map and Info thread eventually.

This is kind of a supply list question so I'll ask here. East coasters may get a kick out of it.. So from what I was able to find the average temp in march is 40° and whether or not its sunny or rainy is random. Down here in SoCal 40° is like lower than the average temp you will encounter on the ski slopes. What kind of clothing am I going to really need out there ?

This is kind of a supply list question so I'll ask here. East coasters may get a kick out of it.. So from what I was able to find the average temp in march is 40° and whether or not its sunny or rainy is random. Down here in SoCal 40° is like lower than the average temp you will encounter on the ski slopes. What kind of clothing am I going to really need out there ? March comes in like a Lion out like a Lamb. End of March weather can go either way, all depends on the year. My birthday is at the end of March and I remember as a kid sometimes having outside birthdays, other years snow and inside birthdays. Def will want jeans and a sweathsirt. If you plan to walk around Boston probably a warm jacket, with a hood or hat.

If you want to walk around MIT, go to Central Square not Kendall/MIT stop. You'll have to walk a bit if you get off at either stop, but at least at Central it's harder to get lost. Bring a map. Actually Kendall is easier. Central square is like a mile walk just to get to campus where as the Kendall stop is 10 meters from campus. Though it does depend on whether you want to take a guided tour or just wander around. But I'm still pretty sure it's a shorter walk to Lobby 7 (where tours start) from Kendall than Central. And there have yet to be problems with cosplay at AB and the city of Boston. Walking through an airport with wires sticking out of your shirt would be a stupid idea. Just don't be stupid and you'll be fine. It was a bread board with LED's on it, something that wouldn't even garner second looks on campus >__< Not that I'm defending her, she's a great girl and a good friend but a bit clueless about the real world like most MIT students Also for people interested in touring MIT, there are student guided tours leaving from Lobby 7 every hour/couple of hours. We'll be on our spring break though so it won't be as interesting as most of you are probably hoping. Even grad students attempt to runaway during Spring Break. The MIT Museum is awesome and will be open, so stop by and see that. it's a couple blocks off campus down Mass Ave.

Another Bostonian here. Well, Cambridgian, but right across the river in Kendall Square, so I figure I'm close enough. There's some great info in this thread!! One thing I would add is that Boston is a very accessible and highly walkable city. There's gorgeous architecture everywhere, and really, what better way to experience any city than by wandering the streets? Take the T only if you're tired and want to get off your feet for awhile. Also, if you take the T, I guarentee that at some point, you will stare at your train options and say, "How the fuck should I know if I'm going inbound or outbound when it clearly follows nothing rational??" It follows that in a town whose roads were laid by cow tracks that the inbound and outbound directions are similarly obscure. There are 3 (4? Does State count?) transfer points on the T: Park Street, Downtown Crossing, Governmentt Center, and State (sure; why not), and if you are heading toward one of these stations, you are going Inbound. If you are heading away from these stations, you are going Outbound. I spent 4 years here for college not knowing this and only learned it a few months ago when I moved back, so I am happy to get to pass the secret along! Do I recall seeing a question about American etiquette, tipping in particular, for first-time visitors? I think I do. I used to live abroad and remember going to get my hair cut when I first moved back to the States for college and scuttling out without giving a tip because there's no tippig in Japan and I had no clue what an accetable amount would be. Now I know that I should have done 15% or so, and that it's proper to tip 15% at restaurants, or 20% if you've just moved up from NYC. I'd say 10% is fine for taxis, a few bucks(?) for porters... Anythig else that I'm missing?

I hear Mooninite cosplay is big in Boston.

(4? Does State count?) Screw State! haha but seriously Yoshi gives a spot on description of how to tell if it's inbound or outbound. If you've taken subways before Boston's definitely isn't that hard to figure out but could definitely be frustrating to someone new to the whole subway thing. Another thing that I feel we should describe: The Green Line: Where is this letter taking me? Check out this map http://www.lcs.mgh.harvard.edu/images/map-mbta.gif The only "hard" part I would say about the T system (at least at first) is the outbound green line. If you'll notice on the map, as you move outbound the green line gets all snakey. So here are some good rules of thumb. If you are headed outbound the B, C, and D lines (identified by the signs on the trains) all go to Kenmore before splitting off (for PAX persons this means they all go to Hynes). The E line on the other hand splits off at Copley which means that for the average PAX-goer you will not want to use the E line (if you decide you want to go to the MFA then that's another story entirely). After Kenmore B, C and D all go in different directions so when you check a map to find your destination you should see which line it is on and be able to board a train accordingly.

I agree with Pants about not driving in Boston if you can avoid it. The T may be a bit maddening sometimes, but it will get you everywhere you will need to go (eventually). It has taken me four years of living around and working in Boston to understand the rotary system alone, and I am still somewhat convinced that the rules of said rotaries are subject to the whims of the drivers therein. I will be in the area of the Hynes later this week and will take some photos of the surrounding area, specifically eating establishments so people can start to get a feel for what their options are.

I agree with Pants about not driving in Boston if you can avoid it. The T may be a bit maddening sometimes, but it will get you everywhere you will need to go (eventually). It has taken me four years of living around and working in Boston to understand the rotary system alone, and I am still somewhat convinced that the rules of said rotaries are subject to the whims of the drivers therein. I will be in the area of the Hynes later this week and will take some photos of the surrounding area, specifically eating establishments so people can start to get a feel for what their options are. The key to rotaries: Yell "Yield Motherfucker!" when you've already in the rotary and don't hit anyone when you're merging into the rotary. It won't actually help but you'll feel better. Also don't recommend any of the places I plan on eating dinner during PAX. /selfish

Driving in Boston is incredibly simple, especially in the Back Bay where the Hynes is since that area is on a grid system and partially alphabetized. Also between 93, 95, 90, 1, 3, and 9 it's really easy to get to Boston. On weekends there are lots of cheap places to park like South Station and 1 Intl. Place (cheap like $5 cheap). The commuter rail blows a big one and never runs on time so I wouldn't count on that for anything. For the more adventurous the Fung Wah is quick, cheap and dirty. The North End is vastly overrated so be careful with where you eat be careful where you go because most are just tourist traps, oh, and Regina sucks. If you want to pay way too much for a crappy slice form a dirty pizza joint because it's "Bostonian" you can but now you've been warned. The T is completely safe unless you do something stupid like get off in Mattapan at 1 am. In which case you asked for it.

Vision I have to disagree about the North End. I definitely wouldn't recommend going there just to get a cheap eat or anything like that but if you want some great Italian food then there are some great restaurants to be found, though they are usually pretty pricey. I haven't been too many places there, someone else might have better recommendations, but Cantina Italiana is really good.

Considering the North End is now equal parts Italian, Brazilian and drunk college kids it's mostly now gone the way of NY's Little Italy. If you want to go there don't go somewhere without a good recommendation or you'll be paying for some doctored up Ragu. Personally, I prefer Erbaluce and Sorellina and don't feel like being in the North End is a prereq for good Italian in Boston.

I've lived in Cambridge/Boston for a few months now, there's good advice in this thread. I think I can add some stuff though. The T is a pretty good system for the most part. I know lots of people hate it, but it's better than where I came from (Cleveland) where there's no subway. As for other advice, I saw somebody recommend a weekly T pass. I'd definitely agree, it's a much better deal than a daily pass. You can buy one at any subway station, it's pretty easy. If you're only going to be using the T a little bit, then check to see if Charlie Cards are still free. I'm not sure if they are, or if you have to pay now, but they're much better than the Charlie Ticket (that's what they call it, it's pretty dumb). It's cheaper, reusable, and you can just tap your wallet to the receptor, since it's RFID. On the topic of food that's going around. Honestly, if you can't find good food in Boston, you're having some serious problems. North End is usually towards the expensive side, but I'm sure there you could find recommendations or just look on Yelp. Cambridge has Davis Square and Porter Square, which are packed with delicious fooderies. I actually haven't been to Central Square yet, but I assume it's similar. Try not to go to a chain restaurant, Boston's actually done quite well at keeping local businesses alive. I don't know if it will stay that way forever, but there's lots of great non-chain food throughout the Greater Boston area. Also, ice cream. New England consumes some giant percentage of the world's ice cream. There's so much great stuff in the Boston area, and no crappy Dairy Queen or Baskin Robbin's in sight. Popular spots are Toscanini's near MIT, JP Licks throughout Boston, and Lizzie's in Harvard Square. I was about to recommend Herrell's in Harvard as well, but apparently that location is closing. I believe there is at least one other in the Boston area though. And if you're driving, I wish you luck. It gets pretty decent once you get used to it, but you won't get used to it in 3 days. I'd recommend a GPS, but mine has been simply wrong on more than one occasion (said to go left where it wasn't allowed, stuff like that). The streets are, as somebody else said, plowed cow paths. Sometimes the matter is made worse by traffic signals that make no sense and so on. There's also lots of one-way roads and rotaries/roundabouts. But on the bright side, if you can find your way to Massachusetts Avenue, you can probably find wherever you need to go. There's lots to do, but you'll probably be busy with PAX. But there's tons of touristy things to do and less touristy things to do. If you have a problem or get lost, you can usually ask somebody. I find Bostonians tend to be quite nice until they get into a car. Then there's issues, but hopefully you won't have to worry about that. And at least you won't be here during baseball season. Getting on a Green Line train when there's a Sox game usually involves being packed in like sardines.

I've lived in Cambridge/Boston for a few months now, there's good advice in this thread. I think I can add some stuff though. The T is a pretty good system for the most part. I know lots of people hate it, but it's better than where I came from (Cleveland) where there's no subway. The RTA is crap that thinks it's great. It's even worse now that they cut some of the busses and reduced how often they run.

The only reason I ever used the RTA was going from one end to Tower City for baseball games when the Indians were any good. So it's been awhile.

Basic things that you should be aware of that are different between the US and other countries (particularly Australia, from a selfish point of view!). How does tipping work? That is actually a VERY good question for any international traveller to ask. The answer (forgive me if it's been provided already) is: in the United States, some form of gratuity is expected for almost all direct, personal service - especially in restaurants and bars / pubs / etc, but you should also expect to offer a tip to taxicab drivers, bellhops, or other people who give you direct, personal service. For a meal, the "going rate" is generally between 15% and 20% of your total bill. I know that may seem like a lot, but the way salaries work here in the U.S., your waiter or waitress relies on those tips to make ends meet; serves in restaurants and bars can be paid as little as $1 or $2 an hour for their base salary. If they don't get tipped, not only do they not get paid ... in some establishments, they'll actually LOSE money (because they are expected to tip the kitchen staff and/or busboy, in turn). And if you expect to eat somewhere more than once, you do NOT want a reputation as someone who doesn't leave a tip. Many establishments will add a mandatory tip for large parties - generally, the line is at 5 or 6 people. This is because, statistically, it's the large groups that're most likely to omit a gratuity (even among we natives). For example, in Disney World ... any dinner party of 6 or more, automatically has an 18% gratuity added to their bill. As a general rule when travelling ... If you're not sure whether or not to tip? Do so; you'll ofend fewer people, and even make a few EXTRA people happy. On the other hand, if the service is truly BAD ... do not hesitate to speak to a manager (especially for large parties). Politely explain why you do not wish to offer a gratuity; most restaurant managers will be very understanding, if your complaints are reasonable and presented calmly.

Thanks for that, _Pax_. I'll try and keep it in mind. It should definitely go into whatever compiled guide we end up having.

Thanks for that, _Pax_. I'll try and keep it in mind. It should definitely go into whatever compiled guide we end up having. My pleasure, and here's what I was about to edit in, nwo that I've read the rest of the thread. Hopefully it's not TOO disjointed, but I'm a bit short on sleep right now ... On the topic of food that's going around. Also there're places like Faneuil Hall, that have a good, wide selection of food types within and in the surrounding area. Plus, shopping, especially if you feel an urge to go tourist-trap-souvenir-hunting. For non-locals? No, I can't tell you the right pronunciation of "Faneuil". None of us locals can even agree on which one is "right"! But if you pronounce it "Fannel" - somewhat like "flannel" - most folks will know where you mean. You can get to Faneuil Hall via the Green Line (subway), getting off at Government Center; it's a short walk from there (maybe ... 150 yards / meters?) There're some other sights in the immediate area, too - the Holocaust Memorial (a perennial stop for me and my lady-love), the New England Aquarium, several historic sites tied to the American Revolution, and so on. ... For those willing to try driving around for food (and equipped, I sincerely hope, with GPS navigation), and struck by 3am hunger ... any "IHOP" (International House of Pancakes) or "Denny's" should be open pretty much 24/7. You may have to drive a bit to find one, though. And if you're driving, I wish you luck. For semi-locals - those close enough to commute to/from Boston each day - I strongly recommend driving in only far enough to get onto the T. From the north and west, Alewife Station, the REd Line terminus, offers free day-long parking in a multilevel garage, and once you're in the T system, it's just a matter of knowing what stop you want on what line, and figuring out where to change from one to the next. Speaking of which ... the website for the MBTA offers some good, comprehensive maps. You can view them HERE. The Hynes Convention Center is on the D branch of the Green Line ... the stop is, conveniently, Hynes Convention Center (just "Hynes" on the MBTA maps, sometimes). And at least you won't be here during baseball season. Getting on a Green Line train when there's a Sox game usually involves being packed in like sardines. ... no, it means being packed in so bad, you ENVY sardines. ... And there have yet to be problems with cosplay at AB and the city of Boston. Walking through an airport with wires sticking out of your shirt would be a stupid idea. Just don't be stupid and you'll be fine. One caveat to this: if your costume includes obvious weaponry, there are some pertinent laws you may want to not run afoul of, even walking down a public street FAR from the airport. If a fake gun looks like it might NOT be fake - that is to say, it's not OBVIOUSLY a toy or nonfunctional firearm - you will attract polie attention, and they may just take it away from you. So ... put it in a bag, and tape the bag securely shut. Bladed weapons over a certain very short length, which are sharpened on both sides/edges? Extremely verboten. If your toy/prop has an actual edge, or even just LOOKS like it does? Put it in a bag, and tape the bag securely shut. Better safe, than sorry. ... NON-PAX SIGHTS TO SEE: I highly recommend the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for any art-geek types. If you arrive ahead of the convention's start, in fact ... Wednesday Evenings tend to be free, after ~4pm or 5pm local time, for General Admission. (Well, "donation optional" if you can afford it). They have some great exhibits, and often something or other on special exhibit (which would still cost extra). They're accessible via the T, too. The aforementioned Faneuil Hall is also a good place to stop by, if you want to pick up some Boston-specific souvenirs. The New England Aquarium offers whale watches during the right season, but I'm not sure how soon that opens up. Might be worth looking into ... Taking the T from the Airport I imagine this will be useful to more than a few people. The T doesn't have a direct stop at the airport (unless you count the silver line but I'll skip over that), instead you have to take a shuttle to the stop. Once you collect your baggage from claim go outside and stand near the the marked bus areas (there will usually be signs on the pillars or something like that). Look for a shuttle that has either "All Stops" or that has "MBTA Airport Stop" on it. It will take you to the blue line "Airport" stop. From there you want to take the train in the Bowdoin station direction (inbound I believe). For most paxer's you'll get off at government center and transfer to the green line up to Hynes Convention Center (or Prudential if you're on the E line is close too). Here's some links that can explain it better than I can Yes. Shuttle from Logan to the Blue Line, at the "Airport" stop. INBOUND train four stops to Government Center. Change to the GREEN line. And may god have mercy upon your soul for having to figure out Government Center ... ask directions, trust me, you'll save yourself a lot of grief. Gov't Center is the worst, most confusing stop in the whole system. You will be looking for a train that is marked (D) RIVERSIDE. The Hynes Convention Center is located at, conveniently enough, teh Hynes Convention Center stop. Fifth stop out of Gov't Center.

Taking the T from the Airport I imagine this will be useful to more than a few people. The T doesn't have a direct stop at the airport (unless you count the silver line but I'll skip over that), instead you have to take a shuttle to the stop. Once you collect your baggage from claim go outside and stand near the the marked bus areas (there will usually be signs on the pillars or something like that). Look for a shuttle that has either "All Stops" or that has "MBTA Airport Stop" on it. It will take you to the blue line "Airport" stop. From there you want to take the train in the Bowdoin station direction (inbound I believe). For most paxer's you'll get off at government center and transfer to the green line up to Hynes Convention Center (or Prudential if you're on the E line is close too). Here's some links that can explain it better than I can Yes. Shuttle from Logan to the Blue Line, at the "Airport" stop. INBOUND train four stops to Government Center. Change to the GREEN line. And may god have mercy upon your soul for having to figure out Government Center ... ask directions, trust me, you'll save yourself a lot of grief. Gov't Center is the worst, most confusing stop in the whole system. You will be looking for a train that is marked (D) RIVERSIDE. The Hynes Convention Center is located at, conveniently enough, teh Hynes Convention Center stop. Fifth stop out of Gov't Center. Can't stress the ask directions bit more than enough. My first time stepping out of Logan Airport I got so lost (usually I drive to Boston). If anything, the airport personnel/shuttle drivers are really friendly. Let me know exactly where I needed to go, even told me when it was my stop to get off. The T wasn't a problem as I'm used to subway systems, and once again, people are usually willing to point you in the right direction. There are always less than friendly people no matter where you go. If you are really hesitant/shy, look for someone that looks like a student ;) Shouldn't be hard, you are in the vicinity of MIT, Harvard, BU, BC, etc. after all.

Yes. Shuttle from Logan to the Blue Line, at the "Airport" stop. INBOUND train four stops to Government Center. Change to the GREEN line. And may god have mercy upon your soul for having to figure out Government Center ... ask directions, trust me, you'll save yourself a lot of grief. Gov't Center is the worst, most confusing stop in the whole system. You will be looking for a train that is marked (D) RIVERSIDE. The Hynes Convention Center is located at, conveniently enough, teh Hynes Convention Center stop. Fifth stop out of Gov't Center. You go upstairs, stand by the sign that says BCDE and where they go and get on any outbound green line train because they (BCD) go to Hynes (which is actually isn't in the Con Center, you have to hang a left when you get out of the station bc you'll be on the Mass Ave bridge and take a left down Boylston St) or the Pru on E (which is in the same building as the Con Center, you get off and head up the escalators and take the first right across from the bookstore and follow that curve to the Hynes entrance). Govt center is pretty easy, one floor blue one floor green. Also, every T garage charges for parking. The MBTA website will tell you how much, but most are cash only. And the closest Denny's is over 20 miles out of the city and not all of our IHOPs are 24/7 so call ahead or check hours.