May be some Boston locals or experienced Marathon runners can help me.
Accomodations for the Boston Marathon are expensive. How hard is it to get around? Do the hotels provide shuttles? Does the Marriott Long Wharf provide transportation to the start?
I'd apprecaite any ideas or comments - about anything that might be helpful.
We're so confused and not sure what to do really.
Bill
"Some are the strong, silent type. You can't put your finger on exactly what it is they bring to the table until you run without them and then you realize that their steadiness fills a hole that leaks energy in their absence." - Kristin Armstrong
I think Holly and Erika got a great deal and they should chime in.
I am close enough in Western, MA that I don't stay in Boston. I'll come in on my running club's bus on Monday morning. Some locals should chime in. When henrun and Marj are back from Spain they will have lots to add as well. Deez4boys can help too.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Boston
The "T" is open in time to get to the buses in the morning. We had no problem with that last year.
We've rented a small apartment on Beacon St this year. It's expensive, but so are the close-in hotels and we won't have to eat out every meal.
www.bnbboston.com may still have some availability.
This is sooo exciting, Byll!
aka Mrs. WillRunForBeer, MD, USA Marathoning, the triumph of desire over reason
Live like you are dying not like you are afraid to die.
Drunken Irish Soda Bread and Irish Brown Bread this way --> http://allrecipes.com/cook/4379041/
As for transportation, don't get a car! The T is very good and timely (except on race day...) and gets you pretty much anywhere you want to be. I would never try to drive in Boston.
DH and I stayed at the Holiday Inn Brookline the last couple of years, but this year the rate seems to have really jumped. But the advantage is it's on the marathon route, about mile 24 I think, and right at a T stop, literally (get off the train, cross the road and go in the door).
Really looking forward to finally meeting up with you
Lou, (aka Mr. predawnrunner), MD, USA | Lou's Brews | lking@pobox.com
i'm lovin' it... MM#1949
Boston Billy...
Many of us have used Diane Golden's package deal... ok the bus to Hopkinton got us to a mile from teh start and we had to walk it in, but the rest of the experience was pretty good. Ribs used them before and recommended it to us.
http://www.goldenadventures.com/upcoming_bostonmarathon2010.php
Perch's Profile "I don't know if running adds years to your life, but it definitely adds life to your years." - Jim Fixx "The secret is to make in your mind possible what was not possible before. The secret is to make easy what was difficult, instead to make difficult what really is easy." - Coach Renato Canova
Marathon Iowa 2014
Westin Waterfront $230 1.9 miles
Hilton Financial $249 1.3 miles
Boston Harbor Htl(king bed only) $249 1.4 miles
Royal Sonesta $242 2.0 miles
Hyatt Cambridge $239 1.7 miles free buffet brkfast
Holiday Inn Express Braintree $159 11.5 miles free brkfast
The Boston hotels require a minimum two night stay (I recommend the Sunday night/Monday night stay).
As others have said, using the T system is easy. On Boston marathon weekend, most everyone taking the T is a runner/supporter. Believe it or not, most people are friendly/helpful with directions.
As far as things to do - the PBJ family enjoys the "trough dinner" the night before the race (it's included with your race entry fee), The expo is one of the best expos anywhere. The freedom trail is a nice piece of history (but it's a lot of walking, so be careful when you do it). The Boston Museum of Science is excellent. Lots of good restaurants in Boston (especially if you like seafood and/or Italian.)
Book your travel/hotel as soon as you can, and that will help determine the rest of your schedule. Enjoy!
Hiya! Where are you staying? I like to stay in Brookline because I used to live there, so we're about a mile from the finish, on a side street just off Beacon (we run down Beacon). Sometimes I hesitate to give advice, in that what if someone actually takes it and ends up unhappy? Let me know if I can be of any help in making your first Boston wonderful. (I lived in and around there for decades and have run the last 6 Bostons) We'd love to meet you and Mrs. B--we'll be in on Friday and going home Tuesday, so not much overlap, but usually there's some sort of RA meet up Sunday.
grins,
A