Walking, Boston

Jaywalking is rampant in Boston. I've never heard of anyone receiving a ticket. People generally walk at a brisk pace and have little patience to wait for the usually brief walk signal. Waiting at a light while other cross is an excellent way to be noticed as a tourist.

This is not to say you can cross whenever you like. Follow the locals - they know when it's safe to cross. If they wait at an intersection, they mean it! Even if you have the walk signal, spare a moment to make sure no one is running through the yellow at the last minute (an "orange" light).

Most of all, use your common sense! Look both ways!

At around 5:00pm, most offices in central Boston discharge their workers and an onslaught begins upon the city's ancient and beleaguered sidewalks which does not cease for at least the following hour. It is rush hour, and particularly in the Financial District around South Station, attempting to walk in a direction opposite that of the masses set upon rapidly reaching the station is a nearly impossible goal. For the skilled Boston pedestrian, the flood gates of secretaries and file slaves being opened upon Boston's streets may be seen as a welcome challenge, but for the ambling, camera-toting tourist, it is a disconcerting experience. In any case, it is rare anyone visits the exclusively business precincts of Boston, though I highly recommend it, as it contains architectural delights lacked in Wall Street or other North American financial quarters.

... and look up at the same time! The streets are busy with trucks & cars and the sidewalks with pedestrians! But the architecture is fascinating isn't it? Or is that just because I come from the country?

Throughout Boston you will find some uneven or broken pavement. Just be careful when walking especially at night; you don't want a fall.

Careful not to step in any horse poop!!!

It's pretty common to see the equestrian police because the traffic downtown is to busy for the cars.