While Boylston Street doesn’t cut through the heart of downtown Boston, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself at least crossing it. Not only does it lead to Chinatown, Fenway Park, and Copley Square Park, but its portion in Back Back is lined with the brownstone Victorian homes many visitors go out of their way to admire. Light rail and subway stations are located along Boylston Street, making it a convenient place to visit no matter where you stay in Boston.
The Boston Marathon Survivor Memorial is located on Boylston Street, near the Exeter Street crossing.
Days before and during the Boston Marathon, both sides of Boylston Street may be closed to traffic or prohibit stopping or parking.
It’s a popular bike corridor, so be aware of cyclists if you’re driving or walking in the street.
To find the Boston Marathon Finish Line on Boylston Street, you must visit the Back Bay neighborhood. The Back Bay subway station is two blocks south, though the Copley tram stop and Boylston/Dartmouth bus stop are next to the line. If you’re walking, either head west from Boston Common on Boylston Street for four blocks or two blocks northeast of the Prudential Center via Ring Road.
The absolute best time to visit Boylston Street is to watch the finish of the annual Boston Marathon. However, this public street means you can visit throughout the year without such a large crowd. Weekends and evenings will see more visitors shopping or dining out than in the afternoons. Feel free to stroll the street on your way to Fenway Park or while exploring popular Newbury Street one block away.
Even if you’re not in town for the Boston Marathon, there’s no reason why you can’t still race around Boston. There are multiple running tours available throughout the city. Some guided, others self-guided, these tours pass by popular landmarks and neighborhoods. For instance, one 5k tour leads you through 16 historical sites on the Freedom Trail.
