The most convenient place to get advice and maps is the Visitor Information Center (Mon-Sat 8.30am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm; tel 617/536-4100 or 1-800/888-5515, ) above the Park Street subway stop on the Tremont Street side of Boston Common. There are also information kiosks in Quincy Market , the John Hancock Tower at Copley Square in Back Bay, and in the Prudential Center , also in the Back Bay. For advance information, the Boston By Phone service (tel 1-888/SEE-BOSTON) allows visitors anywhere in North America to connect directly with a wide range of hotels and services.

The city's main post office is at McCormack Station, Post Office Square (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; tel 617/720-4754; zip code 02109).