Located in the crossroads of the Back Bay and the South End, this transportation hub offers trains, buses, and the orange line on the T. Public restroom: From the Dartmouth Street entrance, head past the A. Philip Randolph statue by the ticket windows.

If you’re in town to see more than just the runners for the Boston Marathon, consider downloading the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau’s “Family-Friendly ValuePass” available for free on their website. The pass offers discounts at restaurants, stores, museums and more.

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. Check out the website for information about the Boston Marathon®, the BAA Half Marathon, and the Running Club.
Founded in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is one of the oldest and most prestigious athletic clubs in the country. Their original clubhouse was the current site of the main branch of the Boston Public Library. Now located in 40 Trinity Place in the Back Bay, the BAA's largest annual event is the Boston Marathon. Along with the sponsorship of John Hancock Financial Services, the BAA continues to host not only the Boston Marathon, but a variety of road races, half marathons, 5k's, and even a running club year round. For more information, please visit: BAA website

Established in 1989, the Boston Living Center (BLC) is New England’s largest HIV/AIDS community and resource center providing daily, nutritious meals, education workshops, computer and employment training, art studio with classes, and holistic services to over two thousand members annually. By accessing the Center, members experience improved quality of life, increased sense of hope from supportive peers, and a strengthened ability to advocate for their challenging health care needs. Support this charity by applying to the BLC Boston Marathon Team. Funds raised by the Marathon will support research-based education workshops at the BLC, which are proven to increase immune functioning for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The palatial Copley Plaza Hotel has been one of Boston's most prestigious landmarks since 1912. It offers the usual luxuries—a gym, bars, and restaurants and the notable Oak Room restaurant has won awards for the “Best Steaks in Boston.” Each room is furnished with “period antique reproductions,” private bars, and modern communications services. Rooms start at $300, but quickly rise to well over $450 for a double or a suite. Overnight parking $36. Make Commencement reservations at least 8 months in advance, although they will take reservations up to 2 years ahead. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. This is the location of the Press/Media area for the Boston Marathon. The media areas include the Oval Room, Venetian Room and Grand Ballroom in the Fairmont Copley Plaza. No blue jeans or sneakers allowed. The Marathon Awards Ceremony is from 5 - 6 pm in the Grand Ballroom. Special room rates for the Boston Marathon® available through Marathon Tours and Travel. Public restroom: down the stairs before the front desk and near the hair salon.

The Jury's Hotel in the Back Bay is part of the Jury's family that is based in Dublin and quite popular throughout Ireland and the UK. This location offers a swanky hotel as well as two restaurants: Stanhope Grill and the bar Cuffs at the Jury's Hotel. Special room rates for the Boston Marathon® available through Marathon Tours and Travel. This is a comfortable business oriented hotel based in a former police station with very busy bar on the lower ground floor.

Special room rates for the Boston Marathon® available through Marathon Tours and Travel.

This charming turn-of-the-century hotel offers renovated rooms (last refurbished in 1998), all with marble bathrooms and free wireless internet, and many with fireplaces or great views of the Boston Marathon finish line. Guests can dine at in-house restaurant Azure, then kick back with a drink or two at either of the hotel's bars, City Bar and Solas Irish Pub. Reserve up to a year in advance for Commencement. Rooms start at $189; suites $695. Parking (valet or self-park) $36. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. One of the older hotels in Boston that has been well maintained and managed for years by the Saunders Group. Family owned and family friendly. Boston Marathon® Tip: Considering their finish-line proximity, rooms at the Lenox and Commonwealth hotels can offer some awesome race-day sights--but at a price: $300-$600 per night. Public restroom: Up the stairs next to the Sam Adams pub.

Thai cuisine- that combines gentle spices and often a coconut milk, or something to off-set kick. Part of the Asain food catagory, Thai is a great alternative to your traditional General Taos- on the high end scale. For a great judge of a good dining place, it's been opened for a while on Boylston, and always draws a crowd.

John Hancock Hall is a popular venue for dance, theater, and musical performances. The Hall does not have a box office; tickets are generally purchased through the organization or group that is renting the space for a performance. Don't miss the 2008 performance of the Urban Nutcracker presented by BalletRox. For information on show times and prices, visit the BalletRox website