Boston Locals-

The Head of the Charles is this weekend. Although I have previously lived here for years, I never went once. Perhaps it's time for me to go check it out this weekend?

Obviously, we will get into town by T (Red Line). Would Harvard Sq be the better stop to get off and walk to the river? Can anyone who's been to Head of the Charles tell me where's a good spot to watch (and to take photos)?

Since they're rowing upstream (towards west), would going in the morning be better for photos? (I assume the rowers are rowing backwards, so their face is towards the East?)

I've been going since the beginning but it has been very crowded the last several years. Go early to get a good spot. Mass Ave t-stop is a closer walk to the river if you want to watch from the Mass Ave bridge area. I've always watched from the Back Bay when I lived on Newbury St and later by the river near Central Square.

My daughter, who has rowed here, recommends any of the bridges for good morning photos. She said the H of the Ch web site should give you a good idea of the layout as it is a long course.

She says the music and food will be best in the area starting at the Harvard boathouse.

Have fun! I am kicking myself (and so is she) that I fly out of Boston tomorrow.

Hey Lucy, so happy to have met you this weekend! Wish you could have joined us after the brunch!

Also recommend the website. We go every few years. It is quite a spectacle and always end up chatting with fascinating people from all over the country and even world. Obviously finish line area is the most crowded, but I find other spots somewhat boring - you see them glide by, but no excitement. For photos, one of the other bridges would be better since there would be fewer people.

I like the narrower parts of the river, certainly above the BU Bridge. Weeks Bridge (the footbridge from Memorial Drive to the B School) is in the center of a lot of action. Harvard Square
T would obviously be best for this.

I always watch from the Anderson bridge near Harvard Square.

Thanks very much for your replies!

I guess we'll either aim for the Anderson Bridge or the Weeks foot bridge from Harvard Sq.

Is it safe to assume it'll be less crowded on Saturday?

Just want to say thanks to everyone who replied.

We ended up going on Sat AM and we took the bus. We tried out both the Anderson Bridge and the Weeks foot bridge. The Anderson Bridge is much better for viewing because the Weeks foot bridge has a very high balustrade (is that how you call it?). It's made of stone, and is about 4 1/2 feet high and 2 feet thick. For someone like me who's 5'2", it was very difficult for me to get a good view!

We stayed for about 2 hours total.

But was it fun?

It was "fun" in a sense that it got us out of our house and enjoyed the day. It was a beautiful day but a bit nippy, so I don't think I would enjoy spending too much time outdoors, esp since we didn't know anyone who was rowing.

Not sure if it's something I would go every year.

BTW, of the few races we saw, they appear to have staggered starts. So, to me, it doesn't seem it'll be too exciting to watch at the finish line???