Need Help Navigating Boston? Let an Insider Guide You

When traveling to – or sometimes living in – a city, it's always fascinating to do a bit of research. That way, you can get a fuller, richer experience of the environs. If you learn about the history of a place, you can better enjoy its present and its presence. That knowledge is even more valuable when gleaned from a local, someone who has been on the ground and can share the stuff learned from a life lived there.

Such is the case with The Best of Boston: An Insider's Guide to Beantown. This gem of a guide covers everything you need to know for the time you spend there. After offering up an overview of Boston, it gets into the nitty gritty of what to do, where to eat, and all that jazz.

The “Entertain on a Budget” helps you navigate one of the world's 100 most expensive cities without breaking your bank. As it dives into the world of free admission, suggested activities include the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA), Faneuil Hall, the SoWa Open Market, Newbury Street, and more.

The guide's next stop – “Boston's Best Hotels.” This handy section breaks down accommodations into three categories: luxury, mid-range, and budget. There's something for everyone in Boston, from the Lenox to the Chandler Inn!

Now that you have a place to stay and things on your to-do list, you're probably getting hungry. That's where the “Boston Cuisine” and “Boston's Best Restaurants” sections come in. As the guide says, “Boston is known for its seafood, baked beans, bulkie rolls, pastries and hot roast beef sandwiches. If you visit the city, you can't go home without trying at least one of these menu items.” These two sections can assist you in that endeavor.

If you like to combine your eats with your activities, click over to “Feasts and Festivals.” From the North End Italian Feasts to the Phantom Gourmet Hot Dog Safari in East Boston, Beantown surely has something to satisfy your cravings.

Of course, no mention of Boston would be complete without hitting on sports. Luckily enough, there's a whole “Boston Sports” section to help us out. With the Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, and Patriots in town, sports lovers should easily be able to catch a pro game while in town. Baseball fans, in particular, will want to hit Fenway Park, the country's oldest active MLB park.

As might be expected, bars and clubs are the focus of “Boston Nightlife.” Whether it's a sports bar, a hipster lounge, a gay bar, or a dance club you're after, Boston has a selection to choose from. Even if it's cheap draft beer that tickles your fancy, Boston has you covered with Mary Ann's, Roggies, and The Tap.

Lest you think the city is all about fun, “Boston Education” sets the record straight. Boasting more than 100 colleges and universities, the greater Boston area continues its long legacy as a leader in education. Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Tufts, and others are some of the top in the nation.

Last, but not least, the “Local Community and Arts” section of the guide highlights some of the lesser-known organizations and activities in town. Check some of the listings out to get a real “locals-only” view of Boston.

No matter how you slice it, Boston is a great city. Study up, get there, and enjoy!