Boston Marathon 2023 route guide and course map

The Boston Marathon course starts in Hopkinton, MA and ends on Boylston Street in Boston, MA.

If you’re headed into the final stretch of the race, there are tons of spots to hang out near the finish line.

Tasty Burger’s Back Bay location is just two blocks from the finish line, and frequently has a few runners behind the counter once they’ve completed their journey. In Copley Square, the Fairmont Copley Plaza, where many of the elite athletes stay, is a veritable headquarters for marathon activity. If you’re at Fan Fest in Copley or volunteering in the big tents, head over to OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, where it’s highly possible you’ll see a runner or two. (Hey, even Des Linden loves to drink whiskey there!) Of course, don’t miss Cori Copley, who will again have a decked out dog house and lobby area like last year. A couple streets over, Little Whale Oyster Bar on Newbury Street will sell table packages, and Porto will have a variety of Marathon Monday specials. You can also carbo-load at Davio’s, or head to Bistro du Midi, where Executive Chef + Partner Robert Sisca, a marathon runner himself, will serve one of his favorite dishes to carbo-load: the Duck Bolognese.

Up in Kenmore Square, the Hotel Commonwealth will provide complimentary signs for fans and bells to cheer on the athletes from their prime location at the 25-mile mark. Their newly-opened restaurants, Blue Ribbon Sushi and Pescador, will be serving up food and drink all day. Another popular pic in the area is Audubon, tucked away on Beacon Street. 

Out in Newton, Baramor will embrace its location just a few blocks from Heartbreak Hill with a selection of pre-race dishes off the Baramor Carbo-Loading Menu. Think Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese or truffle pizza.

For official Marathon parties, Kings Back Bay will be hosting a 26.2 party with all-you-can-play games for $26.2 alongside additional specials. Over at Rochambeau, the Heather Abbott Foundation will host their annual watch party, but be sure to buy tickets beforehand. The Revere Hotel will also be hosting a marathon party on its rooftop this year to kick-off its rooftop season.  The Beehive and Cósmica, both in the South End, will host their annual fundraiser in support of the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. From 3PM to midnight, 100% of profits will be donated to the organization’s mission.

If you’re an early riser, you can head out to Hopkinton, where participants warm up at the Athletes’ Village. Head to the Scream Tunnel near Wellesley College if you want to crank up the volume when you support your favorite runners in one of the loudest spots on the route. At Heartbreak Hill in Newton, competitors tackle a lengthy uphill battle, already 20 miles into the race. It’s the perfect spot for some extra encouragement. 

If you’re more into watching in the final stage of the race, head to Coolidge Corner in Brookline, where crowds are less plentiful. In Kenmore Square, participants start their last mile while Red Sox fans spill out of Fenway Park. But nothing’s quite like the finish line on Boylston Street, where finishers are filled with emotion as they celebrate the completion of this monumental challenge. Of course, you could always hang out at home and watch it on TV.

Maybe you just hauled it over 26 miles. Maybe your feet are just tired from standing on Boylston Street all day. If your idea of recovery is soaking your feet in a luxe 17,000-square-foot spa, head to G2O Spa + Salon right on Exeter, where you can get a CBD Pedicure or CBD Massage. Both treatments utilize CBD to reduce joint and muscle pain while promoting relaxation, making it the perfect treatment for individuals enduring 26.2 miles on foot… or just spending a day in uncomfortable shoes.

There are so many ways volunteers can help out during the big weekend. Out in Hopkinton, where the marathon begins, volunteers are needed to help kick things off, whether it’s directing traffic in the parking lots and greeting buses to collecting leftover clothing and guiding athletes to their spots.  Meanwhile back in Boston, finish area volunteers also have a multitude of responsibilities, like distributing food to finishers and helping out in the medical tent. If you’re interested in volunteering, be sure to email the BAA to see which of the coveted slots are available.