Walking Safety Near Boston Common
 

Hello! My husband, two little boys and I will be traveling to Boston in September and my husband will be attending a Patriots night game while we are there. We are having difficulty making a decision on where to stay that will be safe and fits our budget, as well as needs for the kids. Here is the big conundrum: we are thinking he will take the Boston Common Coach to and from the game, but my concern is that when he returns from the game, he will have to walk to our hotel late at night, by himself. We are looking at hotels around Boston Common, since the drop-off location will be the Park Street Station. Can anyone give advice about how safe this will be in this area at 1 or 2 am? We are debating either Park Plaza or Omni Parker House. Any and all input is welcome. Thank you!

Have you looked into the train?

My husband said he would do it. Admittedly I don't have experience there at 1 or 2am but Boston is generally a safe city and Omni Parker House is close to the Common.

I would do it. Boston feels pretty safe to me late at night. I also think the chances are pretty good that he'd have company most of the way because of game traffic.

The streets should be safe. The only night game in Sept is a Thursday and there will be less foot traffic on a weeknight, but I think he will be fine.

From Park Street there are shortcuts through Boston Common and Boston Public Garden. I would stick to the streets, even though a bit longer, unless there is a group going through the parks. Not that they are especially unsafe, but less lit.

Do not underestimate how long it will take him to get from Foxboro to Boston on the bus. Traffic outside Gillette Stadium can be gridlocked for several hours after the game - and while buses get a special route out of the parking lot, they still all merge onto 2-lane highway. Also, that Thursday will be when they raise SuperBowl banner, and so it takes longer. Telling you this so you don't worry if he is back late.

There is a Patriots gamely train he should investigate. Obviously, no traffic. But warn him to get himself quickly out of the stadium after the game and be sure he knows where to catch it (it can be confusing) - I have heard of people missing the train back. And there is really no other way from Foxboro to Boston.

Boston Common and the Public Garden are fine during the day but can be dicey (and as gail said, not so well lit) very late at night. He should be fine at that hour as long as he takes sidewalks alongside the park rather than cutting through them.

If he takes the train which I think is a good idea. Then it leaves from and returns to South Station with a stop in Back Bay station. That might open you to different choices for hotels.

Actually if the bus drops him at Park Square (Stuart & Charles Street) you could consider staying in the Back Bay area.

The Omni Parker House Hotel is minutes from the Park Street T. I am there now and although you see a few homeless people at night, Tremont feels safe as there are people and cars. I went out to dinner myself walking down Tremont street to Temple Place and felt fine. I wasn't so comfortable walking up Beacon Street last night as it was darker and there wasn't alot of action at night. I only walked a few minutes to Emmet's Irish pub. I really like the location of the hotel. It is walking distance to a lot of places and convenient to restaurants and amenities. You can enter it from both School and Tremont. The staff are really nice and helpful. If going ask for a room away from the street. It is an old hotel. The Park Plaza is further down and one street in.I have not walked by it. I don't think walking down Tremont would be a concern.

I have taken the train from South Station to the Patriots game and back for a night game. I would highly recommend that vs. taking the bus. If your husband choses the train option then you would be staying in another area of Boston close to South Station.

I lived a three minute walk from the Park Plaza until last year. I would have zero concerns about walking around that area (or around the OPH) as a man.