Lonely Planet Boston

Hands down, the Lonely Planet guides win marks for layout and style. These are compact, information-packed guides which can be tucked in any pocket or bag as an on-the-go reference. Most other guide books are great arm chair references but completely impractical for traveling on the road. The Lonely Planet Boston does not disappoint. It is glossy, full-color, packed with maps, and has a small footprint. It follows the tried-and-true Lonely Planet format: Facts for the Visitor, followed by Getting There and Getting Around practical information, followed by the sights, places to stay, places to eat, entertainment, and excursions out of the city proper. A mind-boggling amount of information is packed into this guide. The guide opens with the obligatory History section, which is read only by delayed travelers desperate for reading material. The true gems of Boston history and cultural experience are spread throughout the book, as light green sidebars on topics such as The Big Dig, The Emerald Necklace of gardens, facts about the Boston Public Library, and profiles of influential citizens such as Mary Baker Eddy. Activities and sights are organized by neighborhood, which makes planning things to accomplish in a day a bit easier. One great chapter labels Boston "America's Walking City" and lists dozens of walking routes through the region. One can take public transportation between different areas and then embark on several-hour-long walking tours. The Lonely Planet Boston has a full index and fourteen crystal-clear, full-colored maps in the back. The maps alone are a reason to buy this book and stick it in your pack while you travel. Overall, this book is well worth the price, and if you only buy one book about Boston, it should be this one.

Ideal for people who wish to travel to Boston or people who live in Boston but want to pretend they are a tourist to impress a lady or deceive an enemy.

As are almost all lonely planet books, this is a great, GREAT book for covering the metro Boston area. I recommend it as THE book to use, especially if traveling to Boston. It goes into depth on all aspects of Boston culture, down to climate, money scams, and gay and lesbian tourists. Although the book doesn't explain every site on the walking tours, it does give an overall, helpful picture of the tours in general. It also tells about the hot clubs and places to go, with regular updates and good descriptions. However, if you're looking for excursions outsiode of Boston, or are, like me, a new resident of Boston, you may not want to get this book, becauise it focuses on the Boston area. In that case, get Lonely Planet:New England, or a new resident's book. And for a shorter, cheaper version of this book, get Lonely Planet Boston:Condensed. Hope it helps.

This is a great place to start if you don't know anything about Boston. It gives lots of interesting places and attractions to visit. Even thought most of the places mentioned by LP is concise and accurate, be warned that some of the "attractions" mentioned are over rated.