My first time running Boston and my first time visiting as well. I was thinking of arriving Friday - is that enough time to get a first timer's look at the city or should I give myself an extra day? Through a rewards program I can get a room fairly reasonably near the World Trade Center, which I think is about a mile from expo/finish area. Would this be a good place to be? I really don't want to rent a car. Any help at all would be appreciated.

Thanks btb - very helpful. A subway stop is only a few blocks away.

Ask a Bostonian how to get to "the metro" and you'll just get a blank stare. The subway is known locally as the T, and with a weekly pass "Charlie" ticket is a real bargain at $15.00. You could easily hit that cost in a day if you are paying cash and coming and going from the system. $15.00 for 7 days Unlimited travel on Subway, Local Bus, Inner Harbor Ferry, and Commuter Rail Zone 1A. 7-Day Pass valid for 7 days from the date and time of purchase. (from http://mbta.com/fares_and_passes/passes/) And since you're prepaid, you won't have to suffer poor Charlie's fate. (original version by the Kingston Trio, note that the fare was ten cents and the transfer fee was five cents) Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charlie On a tragic and fateful day He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family Went to ride on the MTA Well did he ever return, no he never returned And his fate is still unlearned (what a pity) He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston He's the man who never returned Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square station And he changed for Jamaica Plain When he got there, the conductor told him "one more nickel" Charlie couldn't get off of that train. But did he ever return, no he never returned And his fate is still unlearned (poor old Charlie) He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston He's the man who never returned Now all night long Charlie rides through the station Crying "what will become of me?" "How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea?" "Or my cousin in Roxbury?" But did he ever return, no he never returned And his fate is still unlearned (shame and scandal) He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston He's the man who never returned Charlie's wife goes down to the Scollay Square station Every day at quarter past two And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich As the train comes rumblin' through.

My first time running Boston and my first time visiting as well. I was thinking of arriving Friday - is that enough time to get a first timer's look at the city or should I give myself an extra day? Through a rewards program I can get a room fairly reasonably near the World Trade Center, which I think is about a mile from expo/finish area. Would this be a good place to be? I really don't want to rent a car. Any help at all would be appreciated.

I'm arriving on Friday as well. I'll also be staying at The Seaport Hotel, which is across the street from WTC. If I remember correctly, there is a Silver Line T stop right at the Seaport. So, you should be able to get around easily.

Charlie card for a week is worth It. You don't need a car in Boston. Unfortunaley since I'm driving I still have to pay parking. I like extending the stay after the race so you don't have to kill yourself doing all the touristy stuff before the race. I'm staying from Saturday to Tuesday right now at the Boston harbor hotel. I'll just relax at the hotel and down by Quincy market before hand. I. Found walking around the city right after the race helps with recovery. Last year the weather was beautiful and the cherry blossoms were out in full in back bay.

I lucked out and got a pretty good deal on the place. A lot less than what it is going for now. My rate I have is cheaper than any other decent hotel I saw in downtown Boston. Its a little far from the finish, etc. etc. but I'll manage