Best parking lot
Gas-lit Charles Street, Back Bay, Chinatown, and the Theater District don't appear to have all that much in common on the surface - other than a notorious lack of visitor-friendly on-street parking. Fortunately, the Boston Common Garage is centrally located for all four neighborhoods and priced reasonably enough to let you sample antique shops, Newbury Street styles, dim sum, and an Abba musical all in one visit. Enter on Charles Street to park and enjoy evening rates as low as $10, with full-day charges of $23.

Those visiting Central Square will fare even better. Located at the corner of Pearl and Green Streets, the Green Street Parking Garage costs a measly $1 per hour, with a daily-maximum rate of $10 and an evening rate of $5. With the money, stress, and time conserved by this perennial lifesaver, it's even worth parking here and hoofing it to Harvard Square.

Boston Common Garage, Charles Street Extension, Boston; Green Street Parking Garage, Green Street, Cambridge.