When to Visit - Arts and Events

Boston hosts a vast array of festivals and fairs throughout the year. The Marshfield Annual Fair is one of the largest and longest agricultural fairs of the summer, whilst the Clam Chowder Festival and the Boston Marathon are both events worth experiencing. On the music front, Harborlights is the venue for a wide variety of musical concerts from jazz to Motown.

Boston Dining

Boston's status as one of the highest ranking cultural and business centres of the USA is reflected in every aspect of its character, and dining is no exception. Here, the visitor is offered a kaleidoscope of colourful and exciting restaurants, from the chic to the casual. Seafood is fresh, interesting and abundant, with many restaurants specialising in fish. European cuisine, particulary French and Italian, is said to be as good here as it is anywhere; whilst American home-style, traditional cooking has permeated many international recipes, giving them a distinct American twist. Diners can choose their location from sea-level restaurants on the harbour to the dizzy heights of sky-scraping dining rooms.

Boston Tipping Advice

Throughout America, tipping is more or less compulsory. In restaurants, waiters expect around 10% to 20%, as do taxi drivers and hairdressers, while porters and bellboys anticipate around USD 1.00 or USD 2.00 per piece of luggage. You are not expected to tip in fast-food restaurants or cinemas.