I need to be in Boston on Friday for D’s Emerson’s admitted student’s day. I initially had DH going with us so he can drive the crazy Boston traffic and drop us off and then he would go on to park. However, he is now unable to come along.
The event starts quite early at 8:30 and we are unable to go the night before. Otherwise, I would just go the night before and stay on the outskirts and take the metro (T) in. Snow is predicted for Thursday to make things even more interesting.
I am driving up from NY via 84 to 90. I hope the roads are good. That is my first worry. The second is parking. The school website recommends a couple of garages nearby but when we visited the school in the summer, these were full. DH drove around until he found a meter nearby, which he kept running out to feed. This would be highly inconvenient if I am the only parent and there are parent sessions. This event goes on much longer than the visit did. What other options might I have? Could I park on the outskirts conveniently off the 90 and take the metro in? I am not familiar with the metro but willing to try it. It sounds easy enough.
We used the T when we visited Boston and found it very easy to figure out. Perhaps their website would have information on park & ride lots on the outskirts of town? Sounds much less scary than driving in town and trying to find parking close to Emerson.
You could park at the Riverside T-Station; it’s just off of Rt. 128/95 in Newton–exit I-90 onto Rte 128/95. From Riverside, take the Green Line to Boylston St.and walk over to Emerson. However, I just heard a report on the local news about delays on the MBTA because of the snow. Here’s a link to the MBTA website–it’s got schedules and information about parking at Riverside. If you can get into the city before 8 am–you might have a better chance at getting into one of the parking lots on the Emerson list.
Bromfield. Thank you. I like that idea. I found it on google maps on Grove Street. Seems doable. What would be a realistic travel time from that station to Boylston St?
I will certainly call the school but their website says they have no parking and recommend local garages. So I need an alternative option. Thank you for the quick replies.
Are you spending the night or doing a round trip in the same day. We usually park with the hotels we stay at (for $40-$45 a night). There is parking at the prudential center for this rate also (a very short trip from there to emerson on the T).
So you’re leaving your house at 4:30 a.m.? Since you will need to be in Boston very early, it is unlikely that the area garages would have filled up with commuters yet. Regardless, I’d rethink your timeline if possible.
The way the T and the commuter rail have been running I would not rely on them since you have to be in the City so early. I ended up telecommuting today because my commuter train was cancelled. The train I would have taken home was also cancelled. Friday morning traffic is usually lighter so I recommend driving in. If the parking garages near Emerson are full drop the student off and then park in the garage on Clarendon by the Back Bay commuter rail station. There are always spots there. It will be a cold walk to Emerson but doable. The garage at the Boston Common would probably also have spaces and might be closer. If you do decide to take the T check the mbta website for cancellations.
Yes, I am doing a round trip same day. Can’t stay over this time.Not too happy about that but it just doesn;t work out. I received an email this evening from the school. There is discount parking at the Revere Hotel for the event. I will call them tomorrow to see how that works. Hopefully, traffic is light but I won’t count on it.
The parking garage under Boston Common is quite large.
The situation in Boston right now approaches being dire. It took me two hours to drive back in today, starting at the outskirts. Total gridlock. Many parking spaces are occupied by snow! The T isn’t exactly behaving reliably either. these things will no doubt improve by Friday, but it might be better to stay in a hotel the night before, though I know you said you couldn’t.
I am sure that there will be more cars on the road because people cannot take the T. If you cannot stay overnight, I would highly recommend getting here earlier than you had planned. Also, if you can at all, stay in a covered garage. At least south of the city, it is challenging to see around the snow - we live on a major suburban street, and I was out tonight checking for traffic so my husband could pull out of our driveway. I would think that there will be mountains of snow in uncovered lots - they were using bucket loaders today to clear the Fore River Bridge from snow - I was waiting for 20 minutes. It won’t be as bad at the end of the week. But there is a LOT of snow.
It will take you extra time, but if you plan ahead, drive in earlier and park in a nearby garage, you should be fine. I am sorry if this sounds dire - it isn’t, but we also haven’t had this much snow. We broke our record for the amount of snow in one week. It is unusual.
Also…it is possible Boston could get a little more snow Wednesday…not a big storm like the last two,…but still.
We know folks who live there. The streets are a mess. Cars are covered with snow, and haven’t been moved. Some places have one lane only. Main roads ar better than side roads. On street parking…probably not possible.
if there is any way to make the drive Thursday night, I would try to make that happen.
Amtrak has a stop at the Back Bay station (Boylston & Mass. Ave.). You could take Amtrak, and sleep your way from NY (I don’t know their schedule- do they run this early?)- or Bolt Bus. If you are on a schedule and always at a single place (Marlboro/Beacon & Berkeley?), why not take mass transit and WiFi or sleep your way there?
The parade is still scheduled for Wed - so it won’t impact Friday. The green line t from Riverside takes FOREVER, even when they aren’t having the troubles they are having. At that hour, the idea to take Amtrak is a good one - where in NY are you coming from? Parking and driving in the city stinks right now (and it’s never great). 8am is peak rush hour getting in on the Mass Pike. Leave yourself lots of time.
Ok , I think I will just drive Friday morning. It will be snowing Thursday so even if I could go, the drive would be awful. I can park at the Revere Hotel and I talked to the school. They will accommodate late arrivals given the situation. It looks like I can be on the highway all the way to Copley Square, go under the tunnel and exit to Stuart street. The Revere hotel should be a couple of blocks from there.