At night, much of Boston's central city is well-lit, populated and generally safe for walking. However, be aware of your surroundings and use common sense: Avoid deserted areas and don't wander around alone. The Boston Common, Public Garden and the walkways along the Charles River, all of which are so welcoming during the day, are best avoided after dark because of their occasional transients, although these areas are patrolled by police as well.
The once-seedy Combat Zone, squeezed between Downtown Crossing and Chinatown, once flourished with peep shows, strip clubs and adult bookstores but has lost most of its disreputable aspect in recent years in the wake of rampant urban renewal. Stay in busy areas of downtown, including the Theater District, which is lively at night.
Generally, the T subway system poses few dangers, and transit police are everywhere. All the same, you're better off waiting in the middle of the platform and choosing a car with other riders in it. At night, as you travel away from downtown and as the buses and trains empty out, be alert in the vehicles, the stations and on the streets aboveground. Diligence is especially advisable while riding on the Orange Line toward Roxbury Crossing and Dorchester.
Dos & Don'ts
Don't call it "Beantown." Most Bostonians resent the term.
Don't be confused by the unusual food-oriented words you may encounter. A frappe (rhymes with cap) is what the rest of the country calls a milk shake; a milk shake in Boston is milk, with flavoring, that's shaken. A quahog (CO-hog) is a large hard-shell clam (smaller versions are cherrystones and littlenecks). And coffee regular? That's coffee with cream and sugar. If you want your coffee black, say so. Any request for a soft drink or soda pop might get translated to tonic by Bostonians.
Don't underestimate how many people ("leaf-peepers") go to see the fall foliage throughout New England. If you're planning to take in the multicolored beauty of this annual extravaganza, do just that—plan. Lodgings and rental cars are in short supply at that time.
Do take time to stroll through at least one of Boston's green spaces. If you have a few hours to spare, the Arnold Arboretum in particular is worth the trip. For photogenic skyline views, cross one of the Charles River bridges to Cambridge, where you'll find walkways and bike lanes meandering beside Memorial Drive.
Do try a pint of Guinness at one of the many pubs in this most Irish of American cities (if you're a beer drinker, that is). The stout poured in Boston just might rival what you'd find in Ireland.
Don't be alarmed if the street you are walking or driving down changes names several times. This is a common occurrence in Boston—and a major motivation for taking public transportation rather than driving around town.
