Your Patriot’s Day Survival Guide


At long last, Patriot’s Day is nearly here. After dealing with nightmare commutes during blizzards, and an unusually early Easter, it’s the first chance we’ve had to really get out and celebrate spring.

The curmudgeons among us view the third Monday of April with dread. Most of the city’s roads are closed, making it nearly impossible to get around by car. Those who aren’t lucky enough to get the day off have to contend with tourists and runners on the T.

Whether you love the madness or pout all day, we want you to be prepared. After the jump, we outline all the Patriot’s Day happenings.

This year, drivers will have to contend with road closures on Sunday as well as Monday. The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: Women’s Marathon starts on Sunday at 8 a.m. and features a loop around downtown Boston and Memorial Drive in Cambridge. You can find out what roads are affected by Sunday’s race here.

The wheelchair athletes kick off 112th Boston Marathon in Hopkinton at 9:25 a.m. on Monday morning. The forecast is calling for temperatures around 60 degrees with a chance of showers, which should be good for the runners, at least.

You can watch coverage of the race starting at 8 a.m. on WBZ. We have an interactive map of the route, and the City of Boston has a long list of road closures and parking bans in effect.

Believe it or not, the T will be the least annoying way to get around Boston on Monday. Copley Station will be closed all day, but spectators looking for a spot near the finish line can get off the Green Line at either Hynes or Arlington.

The subway is running on a regular weekday schedule with extra service before and after the Marathon. Buses will run on a Saturday schedule. You can get the low-down on the myriad service updates here.

The best way to deal with the crowds and craziness of Patriot’s Day is to enjoy it. You won’t find any parking in the city on Monday, so leave the car at home, chat up the anxious runners you meet on the T, and enjoy the first real day of spring.