Gay Boston in a Nutshell:

The capital of America's first state to legalize same-sex marriage, Boston has long been one of the most politically progressive and socially liberal cities in the country, as evidenced by its highly visible GLBT community. Famous for its many universities, rich history, and charmingly walkable neighborhoods that feel as old-world European as any in the United States, Boston is a compact but nevertheless world-class gay destination. A sterling performing arts scene, fantastic museums, and countless swank hotels, restaurants, gay bars, shops, and galleries round out the city's many attributes.

The Seasons:

Boston's popularity is year-round, although summer tends to draw the greatest numbers of tourists from afar (particularly Europe), and fall draws travelers within driving distance who come because the city is a good base for exploring the turning fall foliage in the surrounding region, and because city has a number of collegiate events at this time.

Average high-low temps are 36F/22F in Jan., 56F/40F in Apr., 82F/65F in July, and 62F/46F in Oct. Snow and sleet are common in winter, and humid and sultry days in summer, making fall and spring better times to visit. Precipitation averages 3 to 4 inches/mo. year-round.

The Location:

Compact and hilly Boston is in eastern Massachusetts, on Massachusetts Bay, at the confluence of I-93 and the eastern terminus of I-90. The very picturesque Charles River forms its northern boundary with the similarly liberal and collegiate city of Cambridge.

Driving Distances:

Driving distances to Boston from prominent places and points of interest are:

Burlington, VT: 215 miles (3.5 to 4 hours)
Cambridge: 5 miles (15 minutes)
Montreal: 320 miles (5 to 6 hours)
New York City: 215 miles (3.5 to 4 hours)
Northampton: 105 miles (1.5 hours)
Portland, ME: 110 miles (1.5 hours)
Providence, RI: 50 miles (1 hour)
Provincetown: 115 miles (2 to 3 hours)
Washington, DC: 440 miles (6.5 to 7.5 hours)
 

Flying to Boston:

One of the busiest airports in the country, Boston's Logan International is just a 10-minute drive or taxi ride east of downtown Boston and is served by most major domestic airlines as well as numerous international ones. It's cheap and fairly easy to reach the airport using MBTA bus and subway service; taxi fares to most downtown hotels run $20 to $25.

It can be significantly cheaper to fly into T.F. Green Airport, an hour south outside Providence; and Manchester Boston Regional Airport, an hour north in New Hampshire, which are both served by budget-oriented Southwest Airlines.

Taking a Train or Bus to Boston:

Boston is easily reached via Amtrak train service and Peter Pan Bus Lines service from such major East Coast cities as Providence, New Haven, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

Peter Pan is an affiliate of Greyhound, and fares are typically quite reasonable when compared with trains, planes, and even driving (if you factor in gas and possible rental-car charges). One-way tickets from NYC to Boston, for instance, are about $30, compared with $60-$110 on Amtrak (depending on whether you take the high-speed or regional service) and $60 by plane (based on 14-day advanced purchase).

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