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Boston is a big city with big city prices. The Freedom Trail, however, is a tremendous bargain. Here are some strategies that can help – and even let you include a lobster!

Mikes Pastry Boston – Fantastic Cannoli!

Start is by visiting one of the two National Park Service Visitor Centers. The NPS personnel are enthusiastic and knowledgeable and are more than willing to help you plan your visit. What they provide is completely free (paid for by US taxpayers), although you may wish to make a small donation. Their tours are very well done, as good as or better than the fee-based tours. The new Visitor Center at the base of Faneuil Hall is a real showplace.

The National Park Service has produced a free app that can be downloaded to an Android or iPhone/iPad device. Click these links or search Google Play or  iTunes for “NPS Boston” to download the app. The app is very well done, however, it only covers “official” 16 Freedom Trail Stops – there is a lot more you will want to see. Use the NPS app in conjunction with the custom Google Map listed in my prior post for a complete guide to everything.

Most of The Freedom Trail Stops are free, with the exceptions of the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, and the Paul Revere House. If you would like to visit all three of those Stops, you can purchase a Freedom Trail Ticket at any of these Stops. It will save you a little more than 20% from individual adult tickets prices, and the tickets may be used over multiple days. You can purchase it online, but there is little advantage to purchasing before you arrive.

Another option for visitors is to purchase a bundled package from the Go Select website. The package permits entrance to the three admission-charging Stops as well as other Boston-area attractions – including a guided tour from TheFreedomTrail.org (a quality company), and/or visit other attractions including museums and a trolley or duck-boat tour. By bundling several attractions together, you can save +/- 20% over individual admissions.

The same company also offers a Go Boston Card. The Go Boston Card is a multiple day ticket to a wide variety of venues. The Cards are expensive, however, unless you want to see a number of the supported attractions

Dining in Boston can be expensive, but bargains are available. Wonderful lunch deals are frequently offered, including lobster, in the Blackstone Block area on the walk between Faneuil Hall (Stop 11) and the Paul Revere House in the North End (Stop 12). Several of the pubs mentioned in my Historic Restaurant post also have reasonably priced, good food in a colorful atmosphere.

There are many other good options in and around the North End. Several of my favorites include:

Galleria Umberto, for pizza-oriented lunch fare, is very popular with the locals. 289 Hanover Street (617) 227-5709. Here is the Yelp website as they do not have their own site.

La Summa, is one of the best for old world (not trendy) Italian. It is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. 30 Fleet St 617-523-9503. Check Restaurant.com for coupons.

Pizzeria Regina, Boston’s oldest pizzeria, and one of the oldest in the US, established in 1926. The chain started here – this one is much better than the branches. Be prepared to wait for dinner. 11 1/2 Thacher Street. 617-227-0765.

There are two well known and excellent Italian pastry shops on Hanover Street in the North End. On a nice day, you can always pick up a cannoli and wander over to the Paul Revere Mall to sit and enjoy it. The first, which is larger and has inside seating, is Mike’s Pastry at 300 Hanover Street. The second, equally good, is Modern Pastry at 257 Hanover Street. You can’t go wrong with either one.

Inside the Faneuil Hall Marketplace “Quincy Market Colonnade” there is a large food court. This is similar to what you will find in many shopping malls, but there are many Boston-area restaurants represented.

Public transportation is the best way to get around the city, and if your trip spans several days, a multi-day pass may be in order. Here is the MBTA fare schedule website. Children 11 and under are free, and junior-high and high school students are elibible for a 50% discount, but need ID and a special ticket that may not be available at all locations.

There is a fun and scenic Water Shuttle ride across the inner harbor between Long Wharf (by the Chart House restaurant and the Aquarium – near Faneuil Hall and the Old State House) and the Charlestown Navy Yard (near the USS Constitution). It is part of the MBTA system, and as of July 2012, the single ride fare is $3.00 for adults, with children free. It is the F4 route and it is practically an inner harbor tour on the cheap – a great trip on a nice day, and the kids will love it.

Definitely pick up a free CharlieCard. The CharlieCard is a reusable and re-loadable plastic ticket for use on the MBTA. You can get a CharlieCard at transit stations and many MBTA ticket counters. By showing the card, you receive discounts on attractions such as FreedomTrail.org tours, 2 for 1 admission at the Old State House, Boston Duck Tours (a fun way to spend an afternoon), restaurant discounts (including 10% off at the Warren Tavern in Charlestown), and more. To learn more, download the CharlieCard discount booklet.

The MassValuePass is free and offers a variety of discounts to venues in the Boston area. Some attractions may be of interest during your Freedom Trail visit.

There is a special Family-Friendly ValuePass from the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. This provides discounts to restaurants, transportation and a number of Freedom Trail related services. To download a PDF of their guide, click here.

CityPASS for Boston is similar to the Go Boston Card mentioned above, but as of now, it only offers entrance to five attractions (the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, Skywalk Observatory, the Museum of Fine Arts, and entrance to either the Harvard Museum of Natural History or Revolutionary Boston at the Old State House). If you plan to visit several of these, it may be worthwhile.

Hope these tips and tricks help. If you find other ideas, please email me and I’ll include them in an update.