Best Places To Watch The 2021 Boston Marathon

MASSACHUSETTS — Sick of being stuck inside for the last year and a half? Want to check out the historic 2021 Boston Marathon for yourself but aren't sure where to start? Look no further.

This guide will show you the best spots along the marathon to watch and cheer on the runners while giving you some tips and tricks on how to maneuver around the crowds.

After last year's race was canceled due to the coronavirus, this year's marathon will be the first time in 910 days the famous race will be run.

If you want to catch a good spot to post up along the track, the best advice is to get there as early as you possibly can.

There is a map of T stops along the Boston Marathon trail the MBTA released, and you can use it to find a T stop near your viewing spot below, and then use the MBTA trip planner to find out how to get there.

Here's a list of some of the best spots to watch the 2021 Boston Marathon.

Ashland

Hopkinton may be home to the starting line of the Boston Marathon, but Ashland is really where it all started.

Since Ashland has a commuter rail stop, the best idea to avoid traffic and road closures would be to take the commuter rail and walk a little bit.

Driving to the starting line or other spectator areas is not recommended. Parking restrictions along the route may be in place leading up to and on the day of the marathon.

You can park at an MBTA station and take the subway or Commuter Rail in. Daily parking rates are $2 – $15, and you can pay in cash, credit, or on your phone.

All of Union Street and Waverly Street in Ashland will be closed from 6:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Parts of Main Street in Ashland will also be closed from 6:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Parts of the Framingham/Worcester Line are less than a half-mile from the course, and the Green Line C Branch runs parallel to it.

The closest commuter rail stop in Ashland is off of the Framingham/Worcester Line and connects to West Union Street via Memorial Drive. Once on West Union Street, there will be gates blocking off the entrance to the street for runners, but walking might be accessible if you get there early enough to post up.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Ashland is from 8:50 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.

Brookline

Brookline is one of the more popular locations to stop and watch the race, as it is easily the most accessible location by train, aside from the finish line that is.

The first participants start rolling through town just before noon after turning the bend in Cleveland Circle for that last - thrilling - push to the Finish Line near Copley. From about noon until 3 p.m. Beacon Street is transformed into one giant cheering station.

If you plan to drive to Brookline, please consider that roads near the racecourse will begin to close around 8:30 a.m. Traffic will be heavy, and trains will be crowded so give ample time for travel.

The best way to get to Brookline from Boston is on the Green Line's B, C, or D line on the MBTA.

All of Beacon Street in Brookline will close at 8:30 a.m. and reopen at 6:30 p.m., leaving only three locations to cross to the other side. All three spots to cross Beacon Street will be marked and police will be there to help navigate a safe time to cross.

Police recommend not parking along Beacon Street from Sunday - Tuesday.

All of Union Street and Waverly Street in Ashland will be closed from 6:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Parts of Main Street in Ashland will also be closed from 6:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Brookline is from 10:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Framingham

The Boston Marathon runs through Framingham every year from miles 5 - 8, and more people start to gather in these areas.

Framingham is a good spot to spectate, as runners encounter the first significant upward slope - along a half-mile incline as they enter Framingham toward the end of the mile. This is where some runners will drop off, demonstrating a clearer lead.

Framingham is also a great place to watch the marathon because instead of taking the crowded T to watch the race downtown, fans can take the MBTA commuter rail out to the suburbs instead. Framingham is easily accessible via public transportation, which makes it a popular, but not as chaotic place to watch the race.

Since most roads will be closed, taking the Commuter rail to a viewing location along the route might not be a bad way to get an ideal viewing or cheering spot.

The 'Framingham' MBTA station is on the north side of the course (runner left) at about the 6.6-mile mark.

Parts of the Framingham/Worcester Line are less than a half-mile from the course, and the Green Line C Branch runs parallel to it.

The Framingham stop runs parallel to Waverly Street (Route 135) in Framingham, providing the easiest way to access the race.

The further away you walk from the commuter rail station though, the better the view you'll get.

All of West Union Street and Waverly Street in Framingham will be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Parts of Concord Street and Irving Street will also be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Framingham is from 9:05 a.m. -9:30 a.m.

Hopkinton

The start of the race. Unless you want to be swarmed by large groups of onlookers, I would suggest avoiding the starting line. Heading out maybe a mile or two should give a little bit of breathing room.

Though for those of you daring enough to attempt the starting line, hat's off to you.

Hopkinton Common will be mobbed, but further down Route 135 could also offer some interesting viewing and cheering spots if you get there early enough to find off-street parking.

The closest commuter rail stop to Hopkinton is actually in Ashland, so you might want to try for a viewing location closer to Ashland.

All of East Main Street, West Union Street, and Union Streets in Hopkinton will be closed from 7:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Hopkinton is from 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Natick

The fourth town along the Boston Marathon racecourse is Natick, and the location helps pack an important punch of energy to runners as they hit the 10-mile mark.

After the first significant upward slope in Framingham, runners start to drop off, creating a clearer lead for those at the front as they venture into Natick.

Stores and more stores line the route through Natick, and spectator spots can become a little busier.

If you plan to drive to Natick, please consider that roads near the racecourse will begin to close around 8:30 a.m. Traffic will be heavy, so give ample time for travel.

The 'West Natick' MBTA station is near the eight-mile mark, and the 'Natick' MBTA Station is at about the 10-mile mark.

Both stations are just steps from the north side (runner left) of the racecourse.

All of Central Street in Natick will be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Parts of Mill Street, Speen Street, Pond Street, Main Street (Route 27 intersection), Union Street, and Marion Street will also be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Natick is from 9:20 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.

Newton

If you thought about checking out the 'Scream Tunnel,' but changed your mind over the popularity, there are plenty of other options around Newton. Why not try the famous Heartbreak Hill?

Heartbreak Hill is one of the most famous and difficult features of the Boston Marathon route.

West Newton is an ideal area to spot your family since it is about 17 miles in, and there are plenty of spots nearby to grab lunch. Runners will turn onto Commonwealth Avenue at this point from Route 16, and it is right before Heartbreak Hill so runners will be looking for motivation and cheers.

The best way to get to Newton from Boston is on the Green Line's D Branch on the MBTA.

First, off of the Framingham/Worcester line, there's Auburndale Station, located a half-mile from the course.

Next is West Newton Station, also a half-mile from the race.

Then there's Newtonville Station, a full mile from the race, but closer to Heartbreak Hill.

If you'd rather take the Green Line, hop on a D Line train to Riverside, Woodland, or Newton Centre.

You can also take a B Line train to South Street, Boston College or Chestnut Hill.

There is no public transportation access to the course again until Mile 21.5, where the MBTA Green Line's 'B' line terminates at 'Boston College' on the north side of the course (runner left). A short walk to Mile 20.8 will bring spectators near the top of Heartbreak Hill. The 'B' line is a slow ride with many stops, so allow for ample travel time if coming from Boston.

All of Beacon Street in Newton will be closed from 7:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.Parts of Chestnut Street, Walnut Street, Centre Street, Hammond Pond Parkway, Hammond Street, and Chestnut Hill Ave will also be closed from 7:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Newton is from 10:15 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.

Wellesley

Wellesley is the halfway point for the marathon!

Wellesley College cancels classes for the day and students begin lining up soon after Mile 12 to create what they call the 'Scream Tunnel' - a wall of sound, unbroken for the duration of the race and amplified by loud music, colorful signs, high fives, hugs, and kisses to cheer on the runners as they race past.

The 'Scream Tunnel' started in front of the college in the 1970s, when women were finally able to run the race.

One could argue that Wellesley and its students are as much a feature of the race as 'Heartbreak Hill.'

There are three MBTA Stations in Wellesley near the north side (runner left) of the course.

'Wellesley Square' is at the 13.4-mile mark, 'Wellesley Hills' is at the 14.4-mile mark, and 'Wellesley Farms' is at the 15.5-mile mark.

Wellesley has three MBTA commuter rail stops, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and Wellesley Farms. All three stops along the Framingham/Worcester Line are less than a quarter-mile from the racecourse.

Wellesley Square Commuter Rail Station is located right off of Route 16, where the runners will be racing.

To get to the Scream Tunnel, you're going to want to get off the Wellesley Square Commuter Rail Stop and walk east towards the J.P. Licks, keep going until you've crossed by Wellesley College.

Wellesley Hills Commuter Rail Station is located at 341 Washington Street, also off of Route 16, but closer to Route 9.

Since there are so many MBTA stops in Wellesley, chances are that the areas surrounding them will be on the busier side, however, Downtown Wellesley is a bit more relaxed. There's yummy chia pudding at nearby Cocobeet or a nice salad at Cafe Mangal.

All of Central Street and Washington Street in Wellesley will be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.

Parts of Grove Street, Weston Road, Wellesley Avenue, Linden Street, Forest Street, Rice Street, Oakland Street, and Walnut Street will also be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Wellesley is from 9:40 a.m. - 10 a.m.

More on Patch:

• When Is The 2021 Boston Marathon
• What Is The Mask Policy For Boston Marathon 2021
• How To Watch The 2021 Boston Marathon

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