Things to Do in Boston for Marathon Monday Weekend

Whether you’re coming to Boston from out of town to run the marathon or to cheer someone on, or you’re a local looking forward to all the fun of watching the marathon and having a day off, then get excited. Even if you’re not any of these things, get excited anyway! Marathon Monday is a HUGE day in Boston where the city rallies around the thousands of runners taking on the 26.2. If you want to make a long weekend of the festivities then we’ve got you covered. Check out some of the awesome activities you can do over the weekend leading up to the marathon and then on Marathon Monday itself. Grab your running shoes whether you’re headed to the race or running to the bar to grab a drink after. Ready, set, GO!

Saturday/Sunday:

Bites of Boston Walking Neighborhood Food Tour

Photo Credit: Bites of Boston

Get out and about and explore the city through the lens of food and history with Bites of Boston Food Tours. With their neighborhood food tours running on both Saturday and Sunday (and Friday if you begin your weekend early) and several choices of times, there are multiple chances for you to adventure with them around Beantown. Join them for The Sweet & Savory South End Tour offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday or The Chinatown’s Culture & Cuisine Tour on Friday and Saturday. You’ll experience six specially-picked tastings and learn the stories behind each of them and the restaurants they come from as well as tons of fascinating neighborhood history. Walk before you run the marathon with Bites of Boston!

Boston Marathon Sign Making at Peloton

Photo Credit: Peleton

Head over to the Peleton store on Boylston Street right where the marathon will be taking place to make your own signs to cheer on the runners. You have two chances to do this, one big block of time on Saturday (10am-9pm) and one on Sunday (11am-7pm), so be sure to join them for some pre-marathon hype and fun!

Northern Lights Boston Harbor Brunch Cruise

Photo Credit: @nikkilivinglife2.0 via Instagram

Upgrade your brunch game in Boston as you head out to sea with the Northern Lights Boston Harbor Brunch Cruise. That’s right—brunch on a boat, and by boat, we mean YACHT. On yes, you’ll be pre-marathon brunching in style on Boston Harbor. You can book a cruise for either Saturday or Sunday morning. Included is a full brunch and a narrated tour of the sites you’ll see. Mimosas and other beverages are available for purchase as well. It is brunch after all!

Load Up on Pasta at Cinquecento

Photo Credit: Cinquecento

We all know that before you run a marathon you need to load up on carbs! Well we believe this is also important if you’re watching the marathon so that you can build your stamina for keeping up with the race and cheering really loud. That said, one of our favorite spots in the city to load up on pasta and bread is Cinquecento, a Roman Trattoria in the South End. They serve exquisite homemade pasta with absolutely delicious flavors and sauces. They also offer gluten-free pasta. This is a wipe the bowl clean with bread kind of situation for sure.

Visit the SoWa Vintage Market

Photo Credit: SoWa Vintage Market

If you’d like to do a little pre-marathon shopping at one of Boston’s most special markets head to the SoWa Vintage market on Sunday to check out what they have to offer. Even if you’re just browsing this is a great way to get on your feet and explore something unique. They operate every Sunday from 10am-4pm rain, snow, or shine (but thankfully we don’t have to worry about snow anymore).

Run the Boston Athletic Association 5k

Photo Credit: BAA 5k

Can’t handle a full marathon but still want to run in celebration? No problem! Sign up to run the Boston Athletic Association’s 5k on Saturday morning. The run will take you through Back Bay and Beacon Hill with some historic sites on the route. While the fun is the most important aspect of the race, there is a cash prize for the winners if that entices you even more.

Boston Midnight Marathon Ride

Photo Credit: @mackclark311 via Instagram

If you’d rather ride than run then join this group of bikers as they ride for the 10th year in a row on the eve of the Boston Marathon. This 30 mile ride following the marathon running route is a group rice, all about the fun, and not a race at all. Dressing up silly and bringing bike lights is highly encouraged. You can find all of the information about the ride, including important safety information, on their website.

Marathon Monday:

Watch the Marathon!

Photo Credit: Boston Marathon

On Marathon Monday the streets from Hopkinton to Boston are packed with enthusiastic spectators ready to cheer on the runners. There are plenty of spots along the Marathon route to watch from but some are especially popular such as the Wellesley Scream Tunnel just before halfway point, Heartbreak Hill in Newton around Boston College, and the final stretch on Boylston Street before the finish. Wherever you decide to plant yourself be ready for an energetic and fun day!

Attend the Patriot’s Day Parade

Photo Credit: The Boston Calendar

Marathon Monday at Burro Bar Brookline

Photo Credit: Burro Bar Brookline

If you’d prefer margaritas over miles then head to Burro Bar in Brookline to watch the marathon with a marg in hand as the runner dash right by. Load up on tacos too while you’re at it because you need your energy to cheer everyone on as they make their way into their final stretch of the marathon.

Back Bay Marathon Monday Viewing Party

Photo Credit: Bar Boulud

For a glimpse at the very final moments of the marathon, join Bar Boulud on their street level bar and lounge for their watch party. Buy your tickets ahead of time to ensure your spot. The cover charge includes lite bites, ground level marathon viewing, a television broadcasting the event, and a complimentary Boston Strong wristband. A full cash bar and our a la carte restaurant menu will also be available for guests.

Celebrate with Cube Toast at Double Chin

Photo Credit: @bostonbehavior via Instagram

For the perfect post-marathon group celebration dessert head to Double Chin in Boston’s Chinatown for their famous cube toast. A homemade brioche loaf is hollowed out and the insides cut into cubes and deep fried in French toast batter. The fried cubes are put back in the hollowed out loaf, which has also been French-toast battered and fried, and topped with everything under the sun—ice cream, chocolate syrup, cereal, fruit, mochi, pocki, macarons, THE WORKS!

Celebrate with Drinks at Bootleg Special

Photo Credit: Bootleg Special

If you want to close out Marathon Monday in style, head to Bootleg Special in the South End to toast with some delicious cocktails in hand. This Louisiana-style boil spot offers classic cocktails such as Hurricanes and Sazeracs as well as twists on the classics and large format “social bowl” options. Enjoy the evening chilling out in this hip space and sipping away on flavorful cocktails to properly conclude your long weekend. Cheers!