The MBTA is actually 3 types of transportation - bus (no one can figure them out unless you ride a certain route regularly), commmuter train (from suburbs, great during rush hour, not much at other times) and subway/trolley. (Actually, there are also commuter boats, so I guess that makes 4 types). <BR><BR> It is the last that people usually refer to as MBTA. Lines are color-coded, Blue, Orange, Red, Green. Each line intersects with one or more other lines at several places along the route. If you get a map of system (or print at MBTA.com), it is actually fairly easy to find your way around if you know which stop to get off at - and hotel can tell you that.<BR><BR>System is very old, but generally safe, especially in downtown area. It shuts down in early AM hours until about 5 AM - so there are not as many people sleeping on trains and in stations all night as in cities with 24 hour service. Usual trash, newspapers in stations, and some smell, but not so gross as to prevent use.<BR><BR>I have followed your several posts over the months - have a good trip. If you are hauling a lot of costumes and the weather is bad, consider a cab - your distances are not all that great and so fare should be reasonable.<BR><BR>PS - it has been raining in Boston for about a month

Now, gail, no need to exaggerate -- we actually had two hours of subshine yesterday!

Sorry, Freudian/watery typo -- should read "suNshine."

Pattycakey:<BR><BR>The T is extremely safe, fine, convenient and cheap ($1 for subway, under $1 for bus routes, but you probably won't use the bus). The worst thing is that it can be confusing to someone who isn't used to it. Pay attention to the signs and don't be afraid to ask for directions. People will be glad to help.<BR><BR>We visited SF last year and debated renting a car. We expected we'd be able to rely on the BART for our inner-city travel. Not so, said our friends who lived there; BART is more designed to get people into the city from the 'burbs (is MUNI the bus system? don't know since we followed our friends' advice and rented a car).<BR><BR>Although it reaches out to the inner suburbs, Boston's subway is very much a city system and in the main tourist spots you are probably never more than a few minutes' walk to a station.<BR><BR>Enjoy your visit!

Thanks, everyone has been most helpful. I am looking forward to meeting the "friendly" people of Boston (and I am not beyond asking for directions). We were up in Toronto last year for the Ntl. Irish Dancing competition and they had a very good public transportation system.<BR>Do you imagine we will run into rain during first week of July? I was expecting hot, humid weather. Our weather out in SF has been crazy. Two days of heat, two days of overcast and cold.<BR>Another question, since we will have teenagers (two girls), any good restaurants in the downtown (we will be going between Doubletree and Westin) that they would enjoy-casual faire, reasonable? I am passing all this information I am getting on the Fodors board to the other California dance families travelling out for the competition....everyone here is excited about going to Boston. If you see little girls with spiky curlers, you know the Irish dance community has invaded Boston! Stop by the Westin during July 4-7 to see some of the best dancing in USA, Canada, Ireland, England, Australia.

Patty Cake - when taking the T watch out for the Inbound v. Outbound trains. You have to get on the right side of the platform to go in the direction you want. Inbound is toward downtown Boston, Outbound is away from downtown. I've been riding the T since I was born and still have to think twice if I'm at a stop I haven't been to very often.<BR><BR>Now I have a question for you - can the public go to the Step Dancing Nationals? or are the tickets sold out? My 6 year has just started her lessons this year and I thought she might like to see what the "big kids" do. Plus her teacher is going to be competing.<BR><BR>Could you point me to a website that might have info. Thanks

Patty, you should be prepared for ANY type of weather here in early July. Normally, it would be in the 80s during the day and not particularly humid, but this year we have been having COLD and humid weather, so be prepared for that. Normally at this time of year we'd be having daily highs in the mid-70s, but the 5-day forecast is calling for none above 60 -- yikes! (But my new lawn is loving this!) <BR><BR>Here's a weather link you can check before you pack, but really you shold be prepared for anything.<BR><BR>http://www.boston.com/weather/

Patty, there are plenty of restaurants in the areas you will be in. You have to realize that Boston is a much smaller city than SF and were it not for your costumes, etc. you could probably walk from the Doubletree to the Westin. My daughter loves the Marche in the Prudential (it's attached to Copley Place by bridges) as it has all sorts of foods and you walk around and choose what you want. People will also reccomend Fire and Ice where you select your ingredients and they then cook them for you on a huge grill. There's one in Back Bay, though I can't remember where. Your hotel is right next to Chinatown where there are some fine dim sum places, though being from SF you may not consider this a special treat. There are also many restaurants in the theater district you may enjoy (also in the neighborhood you'll be staying in). We especially enjoy Jacob Wirth's, a very old (second oldest in Boston) German restaurant. I'm sure finding great places to eat will not be a problem at all. As for transportation, I'd seriously consider a taxi, as the distance to the Westin is really short and you'll have 4 people (that's $4 right there for the T) and a taxi can't be much more than that. I can't imagine the T ride would be much more than one or two stops. I hope you enjoy Boston and do well at the competition.

Patty,<BR>What days, times is the Irish Dancing competition. Is it at the Westin? I LOVE irish dancing, and would be totally psyched to see some of it. Do you know if its possible to buy tickets.

Oh, I am so pleased that you are all interested in the dance competition. It is great. San Francisco hosted it a few years ago so it was in our backyard. The competition runs from July 4-7 at the Westin, Copely square. I will post the Irish dancing website where the schedule is (when I get home from work). It is open to the public. Usually an "All Day" affair. Expect many, many people. Admission is usually around $5.00. There are always vendors selling Irish wares, dance costumes, music and the like. There will be solo dance competitions (boys and girls), celli (team) dancing, dance dramas, dance correography (on the same order of Riverdance), etc. It is lots of fun.<BR>Thanks for all your good info. Can't wait for the trip!!! See you there!

Sorry for the delay of the website for the North American Irish dance championships held at the Westin, Copely Square. It is: www.irishdancechampionships.com. <BR>Enjoy!