Sorry you don't like apps, but I promise you spothero has the best info. Anything real posted here is available on spothero and you can reserve ahead of time and then you don't have to worry about it. I live just outside boston city limits, I use the app any time I need to park downtown and don't want to try and get lucky with a meter spot on the street.

Edit: I see others going with the train option, that is probably best tbh