Planning Your Trip to Boston - Boston 2009 - page 23

Poetry 101 (Degrees)
In Boston, you can check the weather forecast by looking up at the short col-
umn of lights on top of the old John Hancock building in the Back Bay. (The
new Hancock building is the 60-story glass tower next door.) It has its own
poem: Steady blue, clear view; flashing blue, clouds due; steady red, rain
ahead; flashing red, snow instead. During the summer, flashing red means that
the Red Sox game is canceled.

Fun Fact

Families pour into the area in July and
August, creating long lines at many
attractions. Summer isn't the most expen-
sive time to visit, though: Foliage season,
from mid-September to early November,
when many leaf-peepers stay in the
Boston area or pass through on the way
to other New England destinations, is a
huge draw. December is less busy but still
a convention time—look out for week-
end bargains.
The “slow” season is January through
March, when many hotels offer great
deals, especially on weekends. However,
this is when unpredictable weather
plagues the Northeast (often affecting
travel schedules) and when some subur-
ban attractions close for the winter.
WEATHER
You've probably heard the saying about
New England weather: “If you don't like
it, wait 10 minutes.” Variations from day
to day (if not minute to minute) can be
enormous. You can roast in March and
freeze in June, shiver in July and sweat in
November. Dressing in layers is always a
good idea.
Spring and fall are the best bets for
moderate temperatures, but spring (also
known as mud season) is brief. It doesn't
usually settle in until early May, and snow
sometimes falls in April. Summers are
hot, especially in July and August, and
can be uncomfortably humid. Fall is
when you're most likely to catch a com-
fortable run of dry, sunny days and cool
nights. Winters are cold and usually

snowy—bring a warm coat and sturdy
boots.

BOSTON CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors
Bureau ( & 888/SEE-BOSTON or 617/536-
4100; www.bostonusa.com) operates a regu-
larly updated hot line that describes ongoing
and upcoming events. The Mayor's Office of
Arts, Tourism & Special Events ( & 617/635-
3911; www.cityofboston.gov/arts) can provide
information about specific happenings. If you're
planning at the last minute, the arts sections of
the daily Boston Globe and Boston Herald are
always packed with ideas.
For an exhaustive list of events beyond those
listed here, check http://events.frommers.
com , where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-
minute roster of what's happening in cities all
over the world.
January
Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday
Celebration, various locations. Events
include musical tributes, gospel con-
certs, museum displays and programs,
readings, speeches, and panel discus-
sions. Check special listings in the
Globe for specifics. Third Monday in
January.
Boston Wine Festival, Boston Harbor
Hotel and other locations. Tastings,
classes, lectures, receptions, and
meals provide a lively liquid
diversion throughout winter. Look for
20th-anniversary events in 2009.
Call the festival reservation line
( & 888/660-WINE or 617/330-9355;