The bustling but compact city of Boston plays host to millions of business travelers each year. Business travelers from the Midwest or smaller cities elsewhere in the country should take heed that driving in Boston isn’t for the faint of heart. Most business travelers, unless familiar with the city or staying at the edge of the farthest suburbs, will be better off without driving during their stay here. Fortunately, the city is considered one of the country’s most walkable cities. Additionally, the area’s public transit services the airport, convention centers and exhibit halls throughout the city, and many of the city’s immediate suburbs.
Business travelers booking stays in Boston should focus on location when choosing a hotel. Hotels near the airport will work well for travelers flying out early in the morning, but doing business in the downtown Boston will likely be easier from a hotel closer to the city center. Hotels in downtown Boston generally cost more than those near the airport, but the convenience is worth it.
Hotels in the financial district will be within easy walking distance of the city’s primary financial institutions. Nearby, in the Back Bay area, you’ll find the hotels are more geared toward tourism than business, but hotels in this area have easy access to the Hynes Convention Center. East of the financial district in the Seaport District are several newer hotels as well as a new convention center.
If business in Boston is taking you to one of the local institutions of higher learning, you should be able to book accommodations directly adjacent to MIT or Harvard in Cambridge. Visitors staying in Cambridge can easily travel into downtown Boston on the T, the local subway network.
Business travelers that choose not to stay in a hotel near the airport will likely be able to use public transportation to get to their hotels. It is necessary to travel through the tunnel to get downtown from the airport, and those flying in late at night or leaving early may wish to spend one night in an airport hotel rather than face the hassles of limited transportation options.
Business travelers seeking a break from corporate life will find a walk through the city refreshing. Boston Public Garden, the setting for the Newbury Award winning children’s book Make Way for Ducklings, is located between the financial district and the touristy Back Bay. The green space offers an opportunity for tranquility, especially during warm months of the year. Cambridge also boasts several parks and green spaces perfect for getting away to clear your head before the next meeting or appointment. If you have a free evening during your time in Boston, consider visiting the Museum of Fine Arts or taking in a performance at the Boston Opera House.
