Yeah, traffic sucks, as does getting lost.

Do you have Waze or Google Maps on your phone? I like Waze a little more, but Google Maps' pedestrian mode makes is great too.

Another thing I do... I actually use Google Maps on my computer and I click "street view" so that I can see what buildings look like in the area I am trying to visit.

I also saw my dad using a Google Maps feature where it lets you take a picture of where you are walking on the street, and then it uses artificial intelligence to figure out which street you're on and if you're looking the wrong way. Works quite well in Boston even with all those crazy buildings. It seems gimmicky, I know, but I was impressed by it.