AREA ATTRACTIONS

About Cambridge
Originally founded in 1630, Cambridge, Massachusetts is today home to some of the greatest and most prestigious academic institutions in the world. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University are the beating heart of this dynamic and multicultural town. Because of the large influx of international students and faculty that comes with these universities, Cambridge offers visitors a chance to experience any number of unique cultural, artistic and culinary delights! The perfect place to experience this unique combination of small-town charm and big city culture is in the famed Harvard Square. Home to over 100 restaurants and cafes, the world’s largest concentration of bookstores, and a multitude of bars, pubs, and jazz clubs

Time
Boston, Massachusetts is located in the EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) time zone. This means that it is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT –4).

Climate
The northeastern United States is a region famed for its beautiful autumns with crisp days and vibrant foliage. Visitors in October should expect pleasant temperatures, with daytime highs around 17C (62F) and cool nights getting down to about 8C (46F).

Money
All of the United States of America use the U.S. dollar. To change your currency into U.S. dollars, you can visit most major banks, several independent currency exchange bureaus, and major hotels. Logan International Airport also has currency exchange offices in its international arrival hall (with extended hours of operation to serve travelers). Typically, however, the best rates of exchange are available through major banks. An alternative to exchanging money is to use Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). They are located at most banks, shopping malls, and in many convenience stores and gas stations. Most are linked to international banking networks and are a convenient way to withdraw cash, as long as users are prepared to pay withdrawal fees.

Other options of payment include credit cards and traveler’s cheques. Credit cards are widely used in the USA at most hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. Traveler's Cheques are also widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and large stores. Most of these businesses will take traveler’s cheques, but it is usually better to cash them at a bank and then pay in cash (remember to take identification when changing a traveler’s cheque). The three traveler's cheques most widely recognized in the United States are Visa, American Express, and Thomas Cook/MasterCard, and they should be issued in American dollars

Language
English is the primary language across all of the United States of America. That being said, visitors to Cambridge will likely find a multitude of other languages throughout this diverse city.

Hours
Business and banking hours in Cambridge, Massachusetts are on par with the rest of the continental United States. This means that banks will likely be open from around 09:00 until 15:00 Monday through Friday, though different branches will likely have different hours. Most other business will be open, at the very least, from 09:00 until 17:00 Monday through Friday.

Shopping
Cambridge is home to many unique shopping delights. Harvard Square is the premier shopping location in town and offers a multitude of unique stores and local boutiques. A quick trip across the Charles River and into metropolitan Boston offers any amenity a dedicated shopper could look for. Newbury Street is a large 8 block long shopping destination that caters to upscale shoppers looking for exclusive designs. An equally interesting, though less expensive, market on the eastside of downtown Boston is the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. A favourite tourist destination, Faneuil Hall is filled with interesting street performers, unique local handicrafts, and a famously multicultural food court.

Taxes
The United States has no VAT (value added tax), but the following taxes apply in the state of Massachusetts:

-5 % sales tax applies to all items except non-restaurant food and clothing under $175.
-Hotel room charges are subject to a state tax of 8.45 %
-5 % state tax applies to restaurant and take-out meals.
-A $10 surcharge applies to vehicle rental contracts in Boston; a 5 % surcharge applies to Boston tours, cruises, and tourist venues.

Tipping
A 15-20% tip is standard for waiters, taxi drivers, bartenders, and hairdressers. Coat-check operators usually expect $1; bellhops and porters should get $1 per bag; hotel maids in upscale hotels should get about $2 per day of your stay. With large parties, gratuities may be included in the bill. Please note that tipping is to be at the patron’s discretion, and you should only leave as much as you feel comfortable.

Telephones
The telephone codes for Boston/Cambridge are 617/781. Private corporations run the U.S. telephone system. Rates, especially for long-distance service and operator-assisted calls, can vary widely, even on calls made from public phones. Local calls in the Boston area usually cost 35¢. Pay phones do not accept pennies, and few will take anything larger than a quarter. If you expect to make a lot of phone calls, prepaid calling cards are convenient and are available at visitor information centres and many stores.

Most hotels impose hefty surcharges on long-distance and local calls. It is better to use public pay phones, which are clearly marked in many private establishments (including hotel lobbies), in most public buildings, and on the street.

Safety
Keeping safe in Cambridge is simple. Just follow the same common sense rules that you would follow anywhere. Lock your car and keep your valuables within your sight and reach. Dialling 911 connects you to emergency assistance for police, fire and ambulance.

GETTING AROUND THE BOSTON AREA

As stated above, Cambridge is compact and easily walkable. For more extensive exploration, Boston and Cambridge boast an excellent public transportation system.

Bus
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or MBTA (tel. 800/392-6100 outside Mass. or 617/222-3200; www.mbta.com), is known as the T, and its logo is the letter T in a circle. It runs subways, trolleys, buses, and ferries in Boston and its many suburbs, as well as the commuter rail, which extends as far as Providence, Rhode Island. Late night buses operate on Friday and Saturday nights until 2:30 am on popular bus routes and on supplemental bus routes that parallel the subway lines.

Subway
Also run by MBTA, the subway and trolley are the most efficient way to get around Boston, after walking. The subways are colour-coded and are called the Red, Green, Blue, and Orange lines. (The commuter rail to the suburbs is purple on system maps and is sometimes called the Purple Line.) The local fare is $1.25 - you'll need a token - and can be as much as $2.50 for some surface-line extensions on the Green and Red lines. Transfers are free. Route and fare information and timetables are available through the website (www.mbta.com) and at centrally located stations. Service begins at approximately 5:15 am and ends around 12:30 am.

Taxi and Limousine
Several companies offer taxi and limousine services in the Boston area. You can hail a cab on the street, or check the local telephone directory for a list of taxi providers.

Cambridge Visitor’s Bureau
For more information please click on the following link to visit the official website of the Cambridge Visitor’s Bureau:
http://www.cambridge-usa.org/

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