Boston for grownups. BostonZest is your guide for enjoying a full-flavored life in an unbeatable city. We'll show you that there is life in Boston beyond the "club kids" and students.
Whether you live in Boston, plan to visit Boston, or you are moving to Boston; we'll help you locate great food, fun events, and reliable resources.
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston and the MBTA schedules for Memorial Day – Monday, May 30, 2016.
We publish these reminders before a holiday to give our readers a nudge to finalize their holiday plans. This is the first big weekend of the summer. Get going on some fun plans! And, plan your shopping for adult beverages because this is one of those Blue Law holidays!
Will you stay in the city or enjoy a holiday weekend at a great beach house like these on the harbor in Provincetown? Or will you put the boat in the water and get out on your favorite bay?
Restaurants, bars: Open
Convenience stores: Open
Supermarkets: Open
Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Plan ahead if you need wine, beer, or spirits for your holiday event.
City, Town, State, and Federal offices and facilities are closed:This includes Schools, Libraries and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergencyservices are available.
Financial Services:As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the U.S. closed. Some international markets are open.
Boston Parking:You don't have to feed the meters on Monday. Other parking rules apply. Street Sweeping:The city site says: "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 311 for exact details."
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Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. Perfect for small city homes. We had many years of use from an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 model. It was amazing at keeping things chilled. We not only used it for picnics but also grabbed it to go grocery shopping.
Boston Trash Collection
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to thecity site and look up your specific addressin order to get information.
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Now's the time to plan where you'll park for Marathon weekend, so your car doesn't end up on a flatbed! And, be warned, the city does tow every car left in the way of the racers. When you move your car, think ahead.
If you normally park on the streets along the route of the weekend races, you may want to begin looking for spaces off the route. If you can do without your car for a few days, consider stashing it in a safe spot before everyone else has the same idea. And, remember, the bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue eliminated more than 70 spaces, so finding on-street parking will be more difficult than ever.
Here's a Google map that locates public parking facilities using the Boston Marathon Finish Line as the central point.
And, if you'll need your car on Monday, you should make sure it's on the side of the Marathon route where you can reach it and get to your planned destination.
Saturday, April 16, 2016 - The B.A.A. 5K, Invitational Mile, and Relay Challenge
Again, this year, there are weekend races prior to Monday's marathon.
Thousands of runners are expected to compete in the 5K (3.1 mile) race two days prior to the 120th Boston Marathon. The 5K race is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. by the Boston Common and cover a route through parts of the Back Bay ending back at the Common. Here's a link to the B.A.A. 5K course map.
Plus, there are the Invitational Mile races that will also be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 (10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) For details, including streets impacted by this event, go to B.A.A. Invitational Mile.
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Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Patriots' Day, and the MBTA schedules for - Monday, April 18, 2016. Plus, tips and information on getting around Boston, parking, marathon issues, trash pickup, and other aspects of this day in the city.
We will update this post as more of the 2016 information become available. Follow us on Twitter where we'll announce updates.
Until official information is published by the city and state, here are links to their pages from 2015.
Patriot Samuel Adams statue was moved to Dock Square in the 1920s. Photo by Leslie Jones courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
Patriots' Day is a Massachusetts State Holiday Only.
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."
You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. Many more streets than in the past 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 certain it is not in a tow-away zone for the event. Here's how you can sign up for parking alerts and tow alerts.
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Marathon Weekend 2016
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to thecity site and look up your specific addressin order to get information.
MBTA Marathon Monday Schedule:
You can see full details on their events page through April 18th, 2016. If you would like to see a copy after that day, we have made a pdf of the information: Download MBTA Patriots' Day
Tips:
Buy your fares in advance with a Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket to avoid waiting in line on Monday.
The MBTA advises, "For the safety of our customers, Copley Station will be closed for the entire day on April 18, 2016."
Due to crowds, they don't allow bikes "on any MBTA vehicles on Patriots' Day."
Check T-Alerts for the most up-to-date service information.
Marathon Monday 2016 MBTA Quick Look ...
Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver Line service will run a "regular weekday schedule." (See the MBTA page for special service notes on the Silver and Green Lines.)
The Red, Orange, Blue, and Green line will have, "... rush-hour levels of service before and after the race."
Commuter Rail trains "... will operate a "regular weekday schedule."
"Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a weekday schedule ..."
"Some bus routes will be detoured due to the Marathon and other Patriots' Day race events. The approximate time for most street closures is 8:00 a.m. through 6:30 p.m." (See the MBTA page for special service notes.)
Commuter Boats "... will operate a regular weekday schedule."
"THE RIDE will operate a regular weekday schedule."
"Customers should note that all MBTA parking garages will be pay-on-entry and cash-only on Patriots' Day, April 18, in order to ensure all customers exit in a timely manner. Due to heavy parking demand, some MBTA parking garages and lots may fill more quickly than normal. Customers planning to park in an MBTA garage or lot should plan accordingly."
Details: Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino Photo:Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
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What tips would you give a visitor to Boston on MBTA subway (and bus) etiquette? Over on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum, there is a small but dedicated group of locals who help visitors plan their time in the city. They recently took up that question. Here's a link to that conversation.
People who don't move into the train and backpacks and the annoyance they can be to other passengers began the topic. It was noted that some transit systems ask that backpacks be placed on the floor. Penny often wears a backpack that she will either take off or hold in front of her on the T. The only time we leave them on is if we have a seat and the backpack will only make us uncomfortable.
Adam Gaffin over on Universal Hub has been educating readers and collecting long lists of comments on this topic for years. Here's one survey on backpacks he did in 2007. The comments on this post range from stroller issues to people who cannot reach the high straps and need a lower place to hold.
Other topics touched upon by the Trip Advisors were:
Leaving litter behind
Keeping right on the escalators
Waiting until people get off before you try to get on a train or bus
Keeping music and conversations to yourself
Offering a seat to others when appropriate
Pole hogs or as we call them, "Pole dancers" were one of the topics Penny added to the Trip Advisor conversation. The photo above by Mark Kent was taken in New York where the public transit system is, at least, trying to teach etiquette.
She also offered a tip to those who fear that if they move into a crowded train they may not be able to get off at their stop. She wrote, "Remember the name of the stop before yours and use that as your positioning stop. I do this all the time in rush hour. If I plan to get off a packed train at Hynes, I'll move into the train and move to a spot near a door at Copley. This way you flow with the crowd getting off at Copley and have a good choice of positions, sometimes even a seat by the door, when you reach your stop."
If you follow Universal Hub or are active on Boston social media, you may know the term manspreading. This is another issue that the NYC system has addressed with the poster above. Even the New York Times did a report and video on the topic.
The little puppet in the New York Times video had the best advice when he said, "If I'm lucky enough to get a seat on a subway, I employ a simple rule. I'm one person, I take one seat. I keep my legs in one seat. I keep my bag in one seat. I keep my arms in one seat."
Here's an additional video with all Johnny T's Subway tips. Perhaps Bostonians can learn something from a little guy from New York.
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Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedule changes, plus information on Boston trash pick-up and parking information for February 15, 2016.
We publish these resource pages early to assist you in planning your holidays. We'll keep updates coming as new information is published. Follow us on Twitter to learn about updates.
Restaurants, bars: Open
Convenience stores: Open Supermarkets: Open
Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Liquor stores: Open if the owners choose
City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.
Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both banks and the stock markets in the United States closed. Some international markets are open. In recent years, we've noticed some banks keep some branches open at unexpected times so check with your own bank.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
Boston Trash and Recycling:
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to thecity site and look up your specific addressin order to get information.
MBTA Schedule for Presidents' Day, February 15, 2016
All products featured on BostonZest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
At one of the first crime watch meetings I attended after moving to Boston, a community policing officer told us that some thieves would break you car window to get a single quarter visible in the cup holder.
After a recent rash of broken car windows on our block, a detail police officer, who happened to be on the scene and spoke to the car owners, told me that the only thing stolen from those cars was change. I've been thinking about that ever since.
As I walked by a pile of broken glass later that week, I took a few photos with the thought of submitting one as a cover shot for the Back Bay Sun.
That cover ran this Tuesday with the headline, "Broken Windows." My caption reads, "Shattered auto safety glass is a common sight on the sidewalks of the Back Bay. Last year, more than 700 cases of “larceny from a motor vehicle” were reported in Police District D4. Officials urge drivers not to leave any property in view inside a car including change, clothing, electronics, and bags."
We All Pay
While it seems that the car owners just lost change, they also had their planned day rearranged, followed by the hassle of scheduling window replacement. Everyone who pays auto insurance chipped in to pay for that glass repair. The homeowners where the car was parked had to clean up the mess. Finally, those who walked by were reminded of the crime which can have an impact on a person's sense of security.
This led me to research the crime stats to see if this is really as common as it seems to be when you walk around the streets of Boston. Along the way, I found information on the Boston Police Department's "Don't be a Victim!" campaign that is underway in some neighborhoods with high "Larceny from Motor Vehicle" reports.
Here's a link to the 2015 crime statistics so you can check the neighborhoods where you park.
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The BostonZest team are walkers. We don't own a car. We use mass transit, if we must, but most of the time we get where we need to be as pedestrians. Naturally, we really notice the failures to ensure pedestrian safety on the part of our city and state authorities. We try to be advocates for pedestrians and now we have a few tips for you on how you can join us.
Report Transportation Dangers
The City of Boston has set up a mapping system where you can report safety issues in the transportation system. We have already used this to mark intersections where traffic gridlocks, where walk lights don't last long enough, and where walk lights are missing.
You can also consult this map to find places where you might want to exercise a bit more caution as you travel. (You might also take a look at this map that shows where accidents have already been reported by police.) Both are part of the city's Vision Zero program.
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Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino Artwork: courtesy of the City of Boston and WalkBoston
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