What should I know about Boston?

Parent Cafe
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<p>“I made up a map of local stores and attractions for the Harvard and MIT freshmen this year which may be helpful as you try to locate stores for apartment-furnishing.”</p>

<p>mollie: That is a great map. Thanx</p>

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<p>“epistrophy - I have to agree with you on the grid system. It is fabulous.”</p>

<p>The grid may be simple, but it has none of the personality of New England’s winding, interlocking streets that lead you to dead-ends and closed intersections. ;)</p>

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<p>Clothing is taxed at 5%, but only for the difference above $175. Yelp is a great source for restaurant reviews. A terrific site for indie movies in Boston is Antiplex and Tourfilter for the music scene.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.antiplex.org/[/url]”>http://www.antiplex.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>[tourfilter</a> | boston concerts, tickets, calendar of upcoming concerts](<a href=“http://www.tourfilter.com/boston/homepage]tourfilter”>http://www.tourfilter.com/boston/homepage)</p>

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<p>I agree. And besides, when you’re visiting someplace new, and there’s no particular place that you have to be by any particular time, and one thing is as new and unfamiliar as the next, can you ever truly be “lost”?</p>

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<p>As for getting lost, it’s useful to make a mental note of the tall buildings that are near your destination (the Hancock Tower in Copley Square, for example), because you can often spot those even when you have no idea where you are.</p>

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<p>Someone asked about the public transportation in Boston vs Chicago. The short answer is that it is MUCH better in Boston, but not quite as good (in the sense of coverage) as NYC.</p>

<p>Driving in Boston is like driving in Italy. It’s a sport. ;)</p>

<p>I love Boston/Cambridge. I’ve gotten all nostalgic reading this thread.</p>

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<p>Driving in Boston is very simple if you understand the only rule, which is if I am in front of you I have the right of way.</p>

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<p>That rule doesn’t apply if the vehicle behind you weighs 10 tons or more.</p>

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<p>The rule doesn’t apply if you’re merging on or off of any road.</p>

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<p>Yelp is the best place to go for restaurant reviews. </p>

<p>The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s architecture and d</p>

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<p>Is The No Name still operating on Fish Pier?</p>

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<p>The ONLY rule of Boston driving is this: I am the only person who matters. I will get to my destination as quickly as possible, the rest of you be darned. There are NO exceptions to this rule - not for 10 ton trucks, ambulances, pedestrians - none.</p>

<p>Bostonians are notorious for coming up highway entrance ramps and not even glancing in their side mirror to see who is already in the lane. You are supposed to see them, and adjust accordingly, because they won’t be adjusting for you!</p>

<p>Consider yourself warned. ;)</p>

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<p>Yes and Storrow Drive entrance ramps are the worst…you can’t see them and they can’t see you (not that it matters…no one is really paying attention to the other drivers…). We walked from Charles Street to Boston University one day along the Esplanade. I’m sure it was MUCH safer than driving and since we weren’t in a rush, it was prettier than taking the T. The walk along the Charles River is quite nice.</p>

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<p>Physics Mom, I love Legal Seafood! :(</p>

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<p>" Bostonians are notorious for coming up highway entrance ramps and not even glancing in their side mirror to see who is already in the lane. You are supposed to see them, and adjust accordingly, because they won’t be adjusting for you! "</p>

<p>Funny you should mention this because this is exactly how I was taught to drive on the highway…at least by relatives :)</p>

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<p>I like Legal too, though the quality of service the last couple of times I have been for lunch leaves a lot to be desired.</p>

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<p>I think that place by Fanuiel Hall is the Quincy Market.</p>

<p>Lots of places to eat at. Yummy steaming clam chowder, mouthwatering shrimp and lobster pies galore! I could be in Boston any time of the year.</p>

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<p>Quincy Market has many restaurants, most of which are chains. Also near Fanuiel Hall is Union Oyster House, which has been in operation since Paul Revere & friends hung out at its bar. Great atmosphere, great seafood.</p>

<p>Funny fact - across the street from Fanueil Hall is Boston City Hall. The local news reported last week that Boston City Hall was voted the ugliest building on the PLANET by readers of some travel magazine. I have to say, I agree! <a href=“http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/800px-Boston_City_Hall.JPG[/url]”>http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/800px-Boston_City_Hall.JPG&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Boston City Hall is the ugliest building on the planet. Not even Stalinist Europe could come up with something so hideous and imposing. (Lafalum’s picture doesn’t include the sides and back, which are just as ugly.)</p>

<p>No wonder the mayor wants to build a new City Hall on the waterfront.</p>

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<p>Consolation:
Yes No Name’s is still on Fish Pier. We tend to go there when we are in Boston and did so the last time we were there, moving our D into her apartment for grad school. Yum. It’s an institution.</p>