Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SENIOR TRAVEL
Mention that you're a senior citizen when
you make your travel reservations. Boston-
area businesses offer many discounts to
seniors with identification (a driver's
license, passport, or other document that
shows your date of birth). The cut-off age
is usually 65, sometimes 62. Restaurants,
museums, and movie theaters may offer
special deals. Restaurants and theaters usu-
ally offer discounts only at off-peak times,
but museums and other attractions offer
reduced rates—usually the equivalent of
the student price—at all times.
With a special photo ID card, seniors
can ride the
MBTA
subways, local and
express buses, commuter rail, and Inner
Harbor ferries for at least half off the regu-
lar fare. The Senior Pass is available in
person only from 8:30am to 5pm week-
days at the Downtown Crossing station
and at the Office for Transportation
Access, Back Bay Station, 145 Dart-
mouth St., Boston, MA 02116 (
&
617/
222-5976
or TTY 617/222-5854; www.
mbta.com; under “Riding the T,” click
“Accessible Services”).
The Interagency Pass Program, created
by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhance-
ment Act of 2004, offers an America the
Beautiful—National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass—Senior Pass
which gives seniors 62 years or older life-
time entrance to all properties adminis-
tered by federal agencies including
national parks, national monuments, his-
toric sites, recreation areas, the national
forests and national wildlife refuges, for a
one-time processing fee of $10. The pass
must be purchased in person at any fed-
eral recreational facility that charges an
entrance fee. Besides free entry, the Ameri-
can the Beautiful Senior Pass offers a
50% discount on some federal-use fees
charged for such facilities as camping,
swimming, parking, boat launching, and
tours. The United States Geological Sur-
vey (
&
usgs.gov/pass/general.html) offers more
information about the interagency pass
program. Frommers' website (www.
frommers.com) offers more information
and resources on travel for seniors.
FAMILY TRAVEL
Boston is a top-notch family destination,
with tons of activities that appeal to chil-
dren and relatively few that don't. All hotels
and most restaurants in the area have
extensive experience meeting kids' needs.
The
Greater Boston Convention &
Visitors Bureau
(
&
888/SEE-BOSTON;
www.bostonusa.com) sells a
Kids Love
Boston
guide ($5) filled with travel infor-
mation for families.
Throughout this topic, the “Kids” icon
flags destinations that are especially wel-
coming and interesting to youngsters.
Also consult the boxes on “Family-
Friendly Hotels” (p. 87) and “Family-
Friendly Restaurants” (p. 124), and the
section “Especially for Kids” (p. 171).
To locate particularly kid-friendly
accommodations, restaurants, and attrac-
tions, refer to the “Kids” icon throughout
this guide and to
Frommer's 500 Places
to Take Your Kids Before They Grow
Up
(Wiley, 2006). For a list of more fam-
ily-friendly travel resources, turn to the
experts at www.frommers.com.
STUDENT TRAVEL
Students don't actually rule Boston—it
just feels that way sometimes. Many
museums, theaters, concert halls, and
other establishments offer discounts for
college and high school students with
valid identification. Some restaurants near
college campuses offer student discounts
or other deals. Visiting students can check
campus bulletin boards for information
about events and activities, many of which
are open to them. The weekly
Boston
Phoenix
also lists activities for students.
Check out the
International Student
Travel Confederation
(
ISTC;
www.istc.
org) website for comprehensive travel
888/275-8747;
http://store.
