Although Boston may not be widely considered as one of the country's most budget-friendly cities, if you know where to look - and where to stay - it can be.
A few fun, inexpensive things topping the vacation to-do list this spring include: •Touring the city on two wheels.
If you can't bring along your own bike, there are a few shops around town, like Urban Adventours, that offer bike tours and rentals for less than you might expect.
Just ask your Boston hotel's concierge for details on bike rentals in your area.
•Walk the Rose Fitzgerald Greenway.
United by a single path, this greenway connects four parks and provides a beautiful place to walk from the North End to the Wharf District, then from Dewey Square to Chinatown.
(To walk the entire length of the path, start your journey at either the North End or in Chinatown.
) •Irish Heritage Trail.
Although the Irish Heritage Trail isn't as widely known as The Freedom Trail, it's no less interesting.
This free, self-guided three-mile tour through Downtown Boston features 20 sites, including the Rose Kennedy Garden, the Boston Irish Famine Memorial, Fenway Park and the Kevin White Statue.
Best of all, you can pick up the trail just steps from many Boston hotels and T stops.
•Big Apple Circus.
From April 3 to May 16, you can catch the Big Apple Circus at City Hall Plaza.
This one-ring circus features Bello the clown (dubbed "America's Best Clown" by Time Magazine), plus juggling artist, Picaso Jr.
, the Aniskin Troupe acrobats and aerialist Regina Dobrovitskaya.
Tickets start at $20 each.
•The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.
Open every day, from sunrise to sunset, this is the oldest public arboretum in North America - and a must-see on any nature lover's list.
It features free guided and self-guided tours through the grounds, art shows, talks and more.
•USS Constitution.
Explore the world's oldest commissioned warship.
Nestled in Boston Harbor, "Old Ironsides" features a museum, exhibit hall and ship tours.
This attraction is free and open to the public throughout the year.
Ask your Boston hotel's concierge about its hours of operation, as they change seasonally.
Whether your passion is history, nature or exploring urban landscapes, Boston offers something for everyone.