Category: City Life

  • What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day – Monday April 15, 2013

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Patriots' Day, and the MBTA schedules for – Monday, April 15, 2013. Plus, tips and information on getting around Boston, parking, marathon issues, trash pickup, and other aspects of this day in the city.

    UPDATE: This is an old post. Here's a link for: What's Open in Boston on Patriots' Day – Monday, April 18, 2016 + Parking, Trash & MBTA Schedule Changes

     CHE_3259 - Version 22013-03-29-abigail-adams-boston-woemen's memorial-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Not all the patriots were men. Abigail Adams did her part in the American Revolution.

    Patriot's Day is a Massachusetts State Holiday Only.

    Open:
    Restaurants, Bars, Convenience Stores, Supermarkets, Retail Stores, Liquor Stores

    Financial Services: Banks may open if they wish. All markets are open. 

    Federal Offices and Facilities are open: This includes the Postal Service.

     

    Closed:
    Massachusetts City, Town, State Operations: This includes Schools, Libraries. Only emergency services are available. 

     

    Boston Parking

     

    One of the most common questions we get is about street sweeping on Patriots' Day. Here's the page from the city website with the answer. It says: 

     

    "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."

     

    Reminder that was issued last year via twitter:

    City of Boston via ‏@NotifyBoston says "STREET CLEANING: Overnight sweeping Sunday-Monday morning still in effect. NO MONDAY regular posted sweeping."

     

    You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. Many streets will be cleared of parked cars to accommodate the Boston Marathon and Patriots' Day activities.

     

    Be sure to check your car in the days leading up to the marathon to be sure it is not in a tow-away zone for the event. Here's how you can sign up for parking alerts and tow alerts.

     

    Parking and No-Tow alerts

     

    Here's our latest post with tips for local parking on this holiday–

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend (2013)



    Boston Trash Collection (Click here for what the city says)

    "Patriots Day- Monday April 15, 2013

    No Delay of trash or recycling collection in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End.

    Delay trash and recycling collection a day only if you live in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.
    *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

    MBTA information after the BostonZest Amazon Selection of the Day. 

     

    If this information helps you, reward us by beginning all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest. Here are the latest versions of the cameras we'll use to photograph the Boston Marathon plus our favorite camera bag. Click over to the video on the Tamrac Velocity series of camera bags, and you'll see why we love it.

         

    2013 MBTA Marathon Monday Schedule:

    You can see full details on their events page through April 15th. If you would like to see a copy after that day we have made a pdf of the information:  Download MBTA > Riding the T> Patriot's Day 4.15.2013.

     Tips:

    • Buy your fares in advance with a Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket to avoid waiting in line on Monday.  
    • "Copley Station will be CLOSED. The Berkley Street entrance/exit of Arlington Station will remain closed. The "B" section of Hynes Convention Center located on Boylston Street will be available for exit only."
    • Due to crowds, they don't allow bikes on the subway on Patriots' Day.

    Marathon Monday

    Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver Line service will run on "regular weekday schedule."

    Commuter rail trains will operate on their "regular weekday schedule."

    "Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule."

    Commuter Boats will operate on a "regular weekday schedule."

    "THE RIDE will operate on a modified weekday schedule."

    Bus routes that impact the marathon course will be rerouted at times.

    Complete details on all changes are here: Official MBTA Information for Marathon Monday 2013

    Update 04.12.13: from @mbtaGM 12:09pm – "#MBTA Patriots' Day Parking: On 4/15, MBTA garages will be pay-on-entry, cash-only. Pls plan for garages/lots to fill quickly due to demand."

    Official Boston Marathon information:

    www.bostonmarathon.org

     

    Related Posts:

     

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

     

    Routes for Visiting Runners 2013

     

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

     

    Views from Hereford Street 2009

    Do you have enough memory for all the photos you'll want to shoot of the spring blooms? Do you need a new camera for the season or as a gift? Begin your shopping by Click right here to check the prices at Amazon on great items like Sandisk memory cards .

    Details:
    Writer: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photo: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

  • What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day – Monday April 15, 2013

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Patriots' Day, and the MBTA schedules for – Monday, April 15, 2013. Plus, tips and information on getting around Boston, parking, marathon issues, trash pickup, and other aspects of this day in the city.

    UPDATE: This is an old post. Here's a link for: What's Open in Boston on Patriots' Day – Monday, April 18, 2016 + Parking, Trash & MBTA Schedule Changes

     CHE_3259 - Version 22013-03-29-abigail-adams-boston-woemen's memorial-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Not all the patriots were men. Abigail Adams did her part in the American Revolution.

    Patriot's Day is a Massachusetts State Holiday Only.

    Open:
    Restaurants, Bars, Convenience Stores, Supermarkets, Retail Stores, Liquor Stores

    Financial Services: Banks may open if they wish. All markets are open. 

    Federal Offices and Facilities are open: This includes the Postal Service.

     

    Closed:
    Massachusetts City, Town, State Operations: This includes Schools, Libraries. Only emergency services are available. 

     

    Boston Parking

     

    One of the most common questions we get is about street sweeping on Patriots' Day. Here's the page from the city website with the answer. It says: 

     

    "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."

     

    Reminder that was issued last year via twitter:

    City of Boston via ‏@NotifyBoston says "STREET CLEANING: Overnight sweeping Sunday-Monday morning still in effect. NO MONDAY regular posted sweeping."

     

    You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. Many streets will be cleared of parked cars to accommodate the Boston Marathon and Patriots' Day activities.

     

    Be sure to check your car in the days leading up to the marathon to be sure it is not in a tow-away zone for the event. Here's how you can sign up for parking alerts and tow alerts.

     

    Parking and No-Tow alerts

     

    Here's our latest post with tips for local parking on this holiday–

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend (2013)



    Boston Trash Collection (Click here for what the city says)

    "Patriots Day- Monday April 15, 2013

    No Delay of trash or recycling collection in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End.

    Delay trash and recycling collection a day only if you live in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.
    *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

    MBTA information after the BostonZest Amazon Selection of the Day. 

     

    If this information helps you, reward us by beginning all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest. Here are the latest versions of the cameras we'll use to photograph the Boston Marathon plus our favorite camera bag. Click over to the video on the Tamrac Velocity series of camera bags, and you'll see why we love it.

         

    2013 MBTA Marathon Monday Schedule:

    You can see full details on their events page through April 15th. If you would like to see a copy after that day we have made a pdf of the information:  Download MBTA > Riding the T> Patriot's Day 4.15.2013.

     Tips:

    • Buy your fares in advance with a Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket to avoid waiting in line on Monday.  
    • "Copley Station will be CLOSED. The Berkley Street entrance/exit of Arlington Station will remain closed. The "B" section of Hynes Convention Center located on Boylston Street will be available for exit only."
    • Due to crowds, they don't allow bikes on the subway on Patriots' Day.

    Marathon Monday

    Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver Line service will run on "regular weekday schedule."

    Commuter rail trains will operate on their "regular weekday schedule."

    "Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule."

    Commuter Boats will operate on a "regular weekday schedule."

    "THE RIDE will operate on a modified weekday schedule."

    Bus routes that impact the marathon course will be rerouted at times.

    Complete details on all changes are here: Official MBTA Information for Marathon Monday 2013

    Update 04.12.13: from @mbtaGM 12:09pm – "#MBTA Patriots' Day Parking: On 4/15, MBTA garages will be pay-on-entry, cash-only. Pls plan for garages/lots to fill quickly due to demand."

    Official Boston Marathon information:

    www.bostonmarathon.org

     

    Related Posts:

     

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

     

    Routes for Visiting Runners 2013

     

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

     

    Views from Hereford Street 2009

    Do you have enough memory for all the photos you'll want to shoot of the spring blooms? Do you need a new camera for the season or as a gift? Begin your shopping by Click right here to check the prices at Amazon on great items like Sandisk memory cards .

    Details:
    Writer: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photo: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

  • Get Out and About with Your Sunday Dog

    Slowly, we are beginning to run into members of our local dog community that we haven't seen since the cold temperatures set in last fall. People are planning longer walks with their dogs around town and looking to explore destinations outside of their neighborhoods with leash in hand. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401630685d461970d-800wi

    We recently caught up with the lovely Miss Friday who has starred in a couple of Sunday Dog posts. We introduced her to Poppy, and she was happy to give our little pup a nice play session.

    This is also the time of year that we always see a flurry of visitors to our post reviewing the book, Best Hikes with Dogs, Boston and Beyond. If you are a newer Sunday Dog fan who might want to take a hike with your own Sunday Dog, just click on that link to jump over to it.

    Other books on our dog book shelf that help us find places to go with Poppy are:

    The Dog Lover's Companion to New England

    The Dog Lover's Companion to Boston

    Dog-Friendly New England

    Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Petbook 

    The last is the most up-to-date. But, while some things have changed in the older guides, they still offer ideas that you can use to plan a daytrip or weekend if you're willing to confirm the information. Rules change and places go out of business within days of some publications, so we always check before going to a place that we are relying on as a destination. This might be the perfect reason to buy a used copy.

      

    And, there are companion books for hiking with your dog in other areas of the country. Click here to see if there is one for your next outdoor destination with your furry friend. Below are the direct links to Boston, New Hampshire, Vermont, and outside of New York City.

          

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino

    Photo: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

    (Bookcover courtesy of Mountaineers Books, all rights reserved)

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Get Out and About with Your Sunday Dog

    Slowly, we are beginning to run into members of our local dog community that we haven't seen since the cold temperatures set in last fall. People are planning longer walks with their dogs around town and looking to explore destinations outside of their neighborhoods with leash in hand. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401630685d461970d-800wi

    We recently caught up with the lovely Miss Friday who has starred in a couple of Sunday Dog posts. We introduced her to Poppy, and she was happy to give our little pup a nice play session.

    This is also the time of year that we always see a flurry of visitors to our post reviewing the book, Best Hikes with Dogs, Boston and Beyond. If you are a newer Sunday Dog fan who might want to take a hike with your own Sunday Dog, just click on that link to jump over to it.

    Other books on our dog book shelf that help us find places to go with Poppy are:

    The Dog Lover's Companion to New England

    The Dog Lover's Companion to Boston

    Dog-Friendly New England

    Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Petbook 

    The last is the most up-to-date. But, while some things have changed in the older guides, they still offer ideas that you can use to plan a daytrip or weekend if you're willing to confirm the information. Rules change and places go out of business within days of some publications, so we always check before going to a place that we are relying on as a destination. This might be the perfect reason to buy a used copy.

      

    And, there are companion books for hiking with your dog in other areas of the country. Click here to see if there is one for your next outdoor destination with your furry friend. Below are the direct links to Boston, New Hampshire, Vermont, and outside of New York City.

          

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino

    Photo: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

    (Bookcover courtesy of Mountaineers Books, all rights reserved)

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Get Out and About with Your Sunday Dog

    Slowly, we are beginning to run into members of our local dog community that we haven't seen since the cold temperatures set in last fall. People are planning longer walks with their dogs around town and looking to explore destinations outside of their neighborhoods with leash in hand. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401630685d461970d-800wi

    We recently caught up with the lovely Miss Friday who has starred in a couple of Sunday Dog posts. We introduced her to Poppy, and she was happy to give our little pup a nice play session.

    This is also the time of year that we always see a flurry of visitors to our post reviewing the book, Best Hikes with Dogs, Boston and Beyond. If you are a newer Sunday Dog fan who might want to take a hike with your own Sunday Dog, just click on that link to jump over to it.

    Other books on our dog book shelf that help us find places to go with Poppy are:

    The Dog Lover's Companion to New England

    The Dog Lover's Companion to Boston

    Dog-Friendly New England

    Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Petbook 

    The last is the most up-to-date. But, while some things have changed in the older guides, they still offer ideas that you can use to plan a daytrip or weekend if you're willing to confirm the information. Rules change and places go out of business within days of some publications, so we always check before going to a place that we are relying on as a destination. This might be the perfect reason to buy a used copy.

      

    And, there are companion books for hiking with your dog in other areas of the country. Click here to see if there is one for your next outdoor destination with your furry friend. Below are the direct links to Boston, New Hampshire, Vermont, and outside of New York City.

          

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino

    Photo: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

    (Bookcover courtesy of Mountaineers Books, all rights reserved)

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • The Ducks Don’t Understand the Lagoon Restoration!

    CHE_2898 - Version 22013-03-16-spring-boston-public-garden-lagoon-repairs-ducks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Two ducks follow the trail of water in the Public Garden Lagoon. They can't understand where their wet went or why their habitat is filled with orange fencing and heavy equipment. 

    Well, Ducks, according to the city:

    In the Public Garden, a five-year, multi-phase project is underway to stabilize the edge of the Lagoon. This year, restoration of approximately one-third of the structural border on the north side of the pond is scheduled to be completed by early April.

    DSC_2791 - Version 22013-03-22-ducks-lagoon-boston-public-garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Meanwhile, the ducks make do with what they can find.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or, do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • The Ducks Don’t Understand the Lagoon Restoration!

    CHE_2898 - Version 22013-03-16-spring-boston-public-garden-lagoon-repairs-ducks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Two ducks follow the trail of water in the Public Garden Lagoon. They can't understand where their wet went or why their habitat is filled with orange fencing and heavy equipment. 

    Well, Ducks, according to the city:

    In the Public Garden, a five-year, multi-phase project is underway to stabilize the edge of the Lagoon. This year, restoration of approximately one-third of the structural border on the north side of the pond is scheduled to be completed by early April.

    DSC_2791 - Version 22013-03-22-ducks-lagoon-boston-public-garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Meanwhile, the ducks make do with what they can find.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or, do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • The Ducks Don’t Understand the Lagoon Restoration!

    CHE_2898 - Version 22013-03-16-spring-boston-public-garden-lagoon-repairs-ducks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Two ducks follow the trail of water in the Public Garden Lagoon. They can't understand where their wet went or why their habitat is filled with orange fencing and heavy equipment. 

    Well, Ducks, according to the city:

    In the Public Garden, a five-year, multi-phase project is underway to stabilize the edge of the Lagoon. This year, restoration of approximately one-third of the structural border on the north side of the pond is scheduled to be completed by early April.

    DSC_2791 - Version 22013-03-22-ducks-lagoon-boston-public-garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Meanwhile, the ducks make do with what they can find.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or, do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2013 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Right onto Hereford Street – Less Than a Mile to Go!

    I remember my first Boston Marathon – as a spectator, I've yet to put in the training needed to actually compete. Penny and I booked a hotel room for the weekend and left the car parked. We took in the runners' expo, pasta supper, and other pre-race activities, then watched a spectacular Boylston Street finish.

    As an out-of-state runner staying near Faneuil Hall, I still wanted to get in a run or two, but wasn't sure where to head. 

    Now, as a Boston resident, I can recommend a couple of my favorite routes.

    Charles River Run

    If you're a visiting runner staying anywhere near the finish line, you can't beat a daytime run along the Charles River. It offers great views and a more open course without having to constantly cross roadways. This multi-use path is shared by bikes, blades, skate boards, dogs, and walkers. It can get congested as the day wears on, but who knows, you may find yourself sharing the trail with some famous, elite runners. It's easy to make any number of loops between the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river by using the many bridges along the way. 

    From Back Bay you can access the Charles River Esplanade from Massachusetts Avenue, Fairfield, Dartmouth, and Arlington Streets. If you head West from the Massachusetts Avenue ramp you can also use the parcourse workout station that's located just up-river. Click here for photos and details including a map to find it.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Morning Run Along the Esplanade

    Parks in the Heart of the City

    For a tree-lined route, try the Commonwealth Avenue Mall – not a shopping center, but a park that runs down the center of this residential street. At Commonwealth and Arlington you can enter the pristine Public Garden for a slower pace. Moving through the center of the Garden will lead you across Charles Street to the Boston Common.

    Inside tip: Local-isms

    Mass Ave = Massachusetts Avenue
    Comm Ave = Commonwealth Avenue
    And, it's Boston Common (singular) not Boston Commons

    Update 04.05.13: Bostinno just added a great post on this topic. How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2013

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Just Hangin on Hereford Street 

    Other Resources:
    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    Details:
    Writer: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

     Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

     

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2013 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Right onto Hereford Street – Less Than a Mile to Go!

    I remember my first Boston Marathon – as a spectator, I've yet to put in the training needed to actually compete. Penny and I booked a hotel room for the weekend and left the car parked. We took in the runners' expo, pasta supper, and other pre-race activities, then watched a spectacular Boylston Street finish.

    As an out-of-state runner staying near Faneuil Hall, I still wanted to get in a run or two, but wasn't sure where to head. 

    Now, as a Boston resident, I can recommend a couple of my favorite routes.

    Charles River Run

    If you're a visiting runner staying anywhere near the finish line, you can't beat a daytime run along the Charles River. It offers great views and a more open course without having to constantly cross roadways. This multi-use path is shared by bikes, blades, skate boards, dogs, and walkers. It can get congested as the day wears on, but who knows, you may find yourself sharing the trail with some famous, elite runners. It's easy to make any number of loops between the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river by using the many bridges along the way. 

    From Back Bay you can access the Charles River Esplanade from Massachusetts Avenue, Fairfield, Dartmouth, and Arlington Streets. If you head West from the Massachusetts Avenue ramp you can also use the parcourse workout station that's located just up-river. Click here for photos and details including a map to find it.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Morning Run Along the Esplanade

    Parks in the Heart of the City

    For a tree-lined route, try the Commonwealth Avenue Mall – not a shopping center, but a park that runs down the center of this residential street. At Commonwealth and Arlington you can enter the pristine Public Garden for a slower pace. Moving through the center of the Garden will lead you across Charles Street to the Boston Common.

    Inside tip: Local-isms

    Mass Ave = Massachusetts Avenue
    Comm Ave = Commonwealth Avenue
    And, it's Boston Common (singular) not Boston Commons

    Update 04.05.13: Bostinno just added a great post on this topic. How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2013

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Just Hangin on Hereford Street 

    Other Resources:
    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    Details:
    Writer: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

     Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.