Boston, Massachusetts, USA

BOSTON : Overview

OVERVIEW

Boston, Massachusetts, the commonwealth’s capital, is a quaint city, rich with history and European feel. There are many accessible things to do for the physically challenged traveler, including touring historic sites, visiting world-class museums, and taking in a ballgame at famous Fenway Park.

LANGUAGE

The national language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the US dollar.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

BOSTON : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Logan International Airport: Boston can be easily accessed by air via Logan International Airport. The airport is equipped to handle the physically challenged traveler. They offer loaner wheelchairs (if needed), in case your wheelchair or walking device is held up in the belly of the plane, and they also have on call individuals to assist with transfers and transport to and from the airplane. For travelers unable to walk on the plane, “aisle chairs” are also available. These chairs are small enough to fit down the aisle of a plane, with the assistance of airport personnel.

Logan International Airport can be quite busy, especially during the peak holiday season, so it is best to notify the gate personnel upon arrival if assistance is needed to board the plane. It takes the ground crew extra time to transport a wheelchair to the tarmac and load onto the flight, which can cause delays if put off. Plus, by notifying the gate personnel early, the traveler has a better chance of being able to board first, which offers the benefits of privacy and availability of overhead bins near their seat.

Wheelchair accessible taxis frequent Logan International Airport. To obtain a wheelchair taxi, visit the taxi stand after retrieving baggage. The taxi stand has the ability to call up a wheelchair cab from the cue straight to the front – no need to wait in line. However, sometimes it can take a while, so be prepared! Also, some cab companies don’t offer there wheelchair accessible cabs every day of the week. Living in Boston for two years and traveling frequently, we never had a problem obtaining a wheelchair taxi.

If you need short or long term parking at Logan, Massport offers a free shuttle bus which is equipped with a wheelchair lift. Massport’s on-call lift-equipped van serves all of Logan Airport’s terminals, parking facilities, Water Shuttle dock, Economy Parking, and the MBTA Wood Island subway station. To request service, call from any Public Information Booth at the arrivals level/baggage claim areas of all terminals or call: 617 561-1770.

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FERRY

The Boston and Provincetown Ferry Company: The Ferry is wheelchair accessible on both the Boston and Provincetown docks. While boarding,the crew can assist if the tide is too high. The high speed ferry has accessible restrooms, however, the Provincetown II, which is an older ship does not have an accessible restroom. For more information regarding accessibility, please contact 617-748-1428 extension 1251 for additional info.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

A significant portion of Boston’s taxi fleet is comprised of wheelchair accessible vans.  Some are side entry, and some are rear entry (which can sometimes be a tight fit for larger chairs).  Unfortunately none of the Boston taxi companies currently list anything about accessible services on their websites, so we cannot provide any hyperlinks at this time.

Boston Cab: To order a wheelchair accessible cab, call the company’s dispatch at: 617 536-5010.

Livery Services (Ambassador Cab): Ambassador Cab has 1 wheelchair accessible mini-van but it is rear entry and it has a lot of space for even the larger power chair. Call them at 1-781475-3233 for a reservation.

“I use a large motorized chair, and I have had difficulty getting into some of the rear entry cabs in Boston. Sometimes I have to pull my feet up on my chair and recline my back so I can fit. Also, I have had hit or miss luck with getting dispatchers to send accessible cabs. I found that sometimes it is easier just to go to a busy intersection and street hail one. Whenever I can, I use Title Cab, the drivers are very courteous, and the even coordinated my pick up between shifts to make sure I will get to the airport on time.” Christopher, 6/26/2010

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SHUTTLE

Senior Shuttle: This program, Senior Shuttle is a free service  for seniors within the city of Boston. The service is provided for non-emergency medical appointments, grocery shopping, and social and recreational events.  Wheelchair accessible shuttles are available for seniors, who are 60+. At least three days notice is recommended for reservations.

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RENTAL CAR (Wheelchair Van)

New England Wheels: This company rents both mini and full-size wheelchair accessible vans, and serves the New England area. Delivery and pickup is available for an additional charge.

Ride Away Vans: Ride Away Vans serves multiple US locations and the company has a branch in New Hampshire, which serves Boston. The New Hampshire location’s fleet consists of a variety of accessible vans, some of which have navigation (for an additional fee). Ride Away will deliver the rental to your specified location for an additional fee.

“I used Ride Away Vans for multiple business trips to Boston and have been very pleased with their service. The company has always dropped off the vehicle right when I specified – when I land at the airport, I call the driver and they meet me at the arrivals with the vehicle to hand me the keys. I always request that they remove the passenger seat so I can ride up front, which they do. The vans have also always had four sturdy, auto-retracting tie downs. ” Christopher, 6/26/2010

Wheelchair Getaways: Wheelchair Getaways rents wheelchair accessible vans to the Boston area. The company provides 24 hour emergency vehicle service.

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BUS

MBTA: The MBTA bus system serves the entire Boston area, and is dedicated to increasing the accessibility of all its services.  All buses are accessible, and are equipped to serve the wheelchair dependent rider.  More information about accessibility can be found here.

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

MBTA: Boston’s subway system is affectionately referred to as the “T.” Not all stops are wheelchair accessible, and often those that are, are temporarily “out of order” because of elevator issues. When functioning, it is a very convenient way to get around Boston. We frequented the Redline between Harvard Square and Downtown, the majority of the time without hassle. Please visit the online subway map for a list of accessible stops at the MBTA’s website, or call the Office for Transportation Access with any questions: 800 533-6282.

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BOSTON : Accommodations

HOTELS

Boston has a wide assortment of hotels. However, since Boston is such an old city with historical buildings, not all hotels are wheelchair accessible. Make sure you ask the hotel receptionist about accessibility when making your reservation.

The Doubletree Guest Suites Boston is located just outside of downtown Boston, near the Harvard Business School and Harvard University Campus. The hotel features large suites, complete with separate living rooms. We stayed in the wheelchair accessible room, and found the accommodations were very accessible. The hotel is only a short cab ride from downtown.

Ritz Carlton, Boston Common Hotel: The Ritz Carlton, Boston Common Hotel is located just East of the Boston Common and is near the accessible Red Line stop in the Common. The hotel is wheelchair accessible with both accessible suites and rooms. This location has 20 accessible rooms in total, with four of which have roll in showers.

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LUXURY RESORTS

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BOSTON : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Duck Tours: Duck Tours are site seeing tours aboard amphibious vehicles, which insist on going in the water at some point, just because they can. For those unable to walk long distances, or those seeking an alternative sightseeing experience, the Duck Tours might be a great way to see a lot of Boston. Some are equipped for wheelchair access, make sure you contact the company ahead of time for details: 617 450-0068.

Freedom Trail: Boston’s Freedom Trail is a walking tour that visits historical sites in downtown Boston which include: State House, Granary Burial Grounds, King’s Chapel, site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, home of Paul Revere, Old North Church, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill. The trail is marked by a red brick path which begins in Boston Common. At the beginning of the trail, there is a visitor’s center where you can either purchase a self-guided tour, or join up with a group for a docent guided tour (complete in costume). We have done the Freedom Trail multiple times, and recommend breaking it into 2 sessions. While one could complete the entire tour in one afternoon, it is quite a long trail, complete with many hills. Also, there is a stretch between the North End (home to Paul Revere’s house which is partially accessible, and the old North Church, which is also accessible) and the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill. Overall, most sites along the trail are accessible, making it more than worthwhile.  Note that the Granary Burial Grounds, resting place of Sam Adams, John Hancock, Mother Goose, and Paul Revere (to name a few) is wheelchair accessible. The entrance is located on the northeast side of the cemetery (down an alley on Beacon Street).

Harvard Yard Walking Tour: The student-lead Harvard Yard tour will give you a first hand account of the history behind the famous university. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and is free to the public. Wheelchairs are available with a week or more advance notice.

On Location Tours: Lights, Camera, Boston! On Location Tours takes you on the ultimate tour of Beantown with the Boston TV & Movie Sites Bus Tour and the Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour. The tours take guests through the lens of their favorite TV shows and movies featured on the big and small screen, seen around the world.

The Boston TV & Movie Sites tours visit the North and West End of Boston, Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Back Bay and South Boston. It includes multiple recognizable sites such as the Statehouse as seen in The Verdict; the law firm featured in Civil Action; the Boston Public Gardens spotted in Alex and Emma; the pub made famous by Cheers; the restaurant shown in The Game Plan, the Leonard Zakim Bridge that appears in The Departed, the coffee shop used in The Town, and many more.

“Our tours are wheelchair accessible. However, we do ask customers to contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the tour so we can ensure a wheelchair accessible bus. On our walking tours, we can also accommodate wheelchairs, but request that customers let us know ahead of time so we can plan any alternate routes (via ramp) if necessary.” Lauren, On Location Tours

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ACTIVITIES

Boston Common: The nations oldest park, Boston Common is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Boston, at the beginning of the Freedom Trail and base of the gold-domed State House. The park covers over 50 acres, and includes Frog Pond, which is an ice rink in the winter, and a wading pool for kids and families in the summer. The park has large, wide, paved trails, and has good accessibility.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace: Faneuil Hall has been a central meeting place in Boston for over 200 years. Home to many historical events, Faneuil Hall still buzzes with energy and offers a large variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment. It is also a stop on the Freedom Trail and near many of the trail’s other historical sites, including the North End and Paul Revere’s home. The marketplace is wheelchair accessible, but beware of the many cobblestones that surround the area. They can be quite bumpy and uneven.

JFK Library: The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library is located south of downtown Boston on the Columbia Point Peninsula. The library is wheelchair accessible and features a large volume of JFK memorabilia and historical artifacts.

Mount Auburn Cemetery: This beautiful national landmark covers many acres, and is home to many elaborately decorated grave sites and tombs. The cemetery offers tours, and famous sites are marked on a map for easy location. Because the cemetery is so expansive, the best way to see it is to use a wheelchair accessible vehicle to tour the grounds.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Boston’s MFA is home to a large collection of works and hosts visiting exhibits. The museum is committed to increasing its accessibility for the disabled community, and more information can be found here.

New England Aquarium: The aquarium offers visitors a chance to see many kinds of sea life and penguins up close. There are no issues with accessibility at the aquarium, although it can be difficult to navigate through the large crowds of children (that are rightfully preoccupied by all of the exhibits). There is also an IMAX theater on the premises that is wheelchair accessible as well.

Newbury Street: Newbury Street is a popular destination for upscale shopping and dining in downtown Boston. Unfortunately, most of the shops and restaurants are not wheelchair accessible. Be sure to call ahead if you desire to visit a particular restaurant.

North End: Boston’s North End is famous for its Italian restaurants, Paul Revere’s Home, the Old North Church, and traditional desserts. There are many restaurants that are wheelchair accessible, so options are available if you don’t mind potentially waiting for a table. The narrow streets are crowded with locals, patrons, and tourists, which can make getting around in a wheelchair somewhat of a challenge. Disabled parking is available on a variety of streets, but finding an empty spot can be challenging. There is a pay lot in the heart of the North End that is good for a last resort if you are driving and can’t find a disabled spot. Taxis are also a safe bet.

Sports venues:
Banknorth Garden (home of the Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins)
Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox)
Gillette Stadium (home of the New England Patriots, New England Revolution)

“I have been to Fenway twice, and sat in different wheelchair sections each time. The stadium has a series of ramps that makes getting to any level pretty easy. On one visit, my seats were on the third base line, on the roof. Again, I was able to navigate my way to my space without issue, and had a great view of the game. I did not use the bathrooms while I was there, and was not able to find disabled parking on either visit (we had to pay for parking in a lot).” Chris, 1/27/09

USS Constitution: Old Ironsides was one of six ships commissioned when George Washington signed the act that created the US Navy. The ship is still in service today, and can be visited free of charge.

“I have visited the USS Constitution twice, and was able to get on board the main deck of the ship in my motorized wheelchair. The ramp leading onto the ship is somewhat narrow, and the ramp bridging into the ship is a bit steep, but I was able to get in and out with a bit of help both times. While I wasn’t able to go below deck, it was still worth getting on the ship.” Chris, 1/27/09

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Boston has a very active nightlife, however many of the clubs are not wheelchair accessible. If you are wheelchair dependent and are planning to go out, ALWAYS check with the venue prior to going out. Here is a list of restaurants we frequented during our two years in Boston:

Al Dente Ristorante: Al Dente offers an outstanding menu, and is one of our favorite Italian restaurants located in the North End. Even though the restaurant is a bit small, it is wheelchair accessible. The only minor difficulty we experienced was going through the two front doors, but usually the hostess helped us through. One of our favorite dishes is the Chicken Marsala. Unfortunately, Al Dente does not offer dessert, but around the corner there are a couple of dessert places, which are fun and accessible. Please note that the restrooms are not wheelchair accessible at Al Dente.

Border Cafe: Border Cafe is a fun place to eat if you’re in the mood for Mexican food and margeritas. The restaurant is located in Harvard Square, so it can get a bit crowded at times, however it is accessible. Not sure about the restroom situation, if I remember correctly the restroom is down a flight of stairs. There is also disabled parking nearby, but during peak hours, it’s not always available.

Daedalus Restaurant: This restaurant is a popular hot spot for the college crowd and visitors. Dadedalus installed an elevator in 2007, so the roof top deck is now totally accessible. The bathrooms are also accessible and are private.

Douzo: Douozo sushi is a modern sushi and lounge restaurant. The sushi at Douzo is very, very fresh and creatively made. We also had one of the best sake
tastings at Douzo. The restaurant and bar is wheelchair accessible, and they have a ramp to the lower level of the restaurant. It gets a bit busy, so be sure to make a reservation.

Finale : After hitting up a restaurant in Harvard Square, Finale is a wonderful place to finish off the evening with a decadent dessert treat. Finale is wheelchair accessible. There are multiple locations in Boston, but the Harvard square location was our favorite.

Fugakyu: This sushi restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat in Boston. It’s located in Coolidge Corner area. Even though the restaurant has multiple levels, the upper-levels can still be accessed through an elevator next door to the restaurant. The staff is very friendly and will help you access the elevator when they seat you.

Grafton Street Pub and Grill: This draws a large college crowd and is a lot of fun. The food has always been very good every time we ate here. It’s pretty easy to maneuver a wheelchair around the restaurant and bar area.

John Harvard’s Brew House: Even though John Harvard’s has a flight of stairs down into the restaurant and bar, it is wheelchair accessible. They have installed a lift system that can hover you down the stairs. You must have someone get the hostess or manager’s attention to operate the lift. The restaurant is very open and has a lot of seating options in both the bar and restaurant.

Legal Seafood: If you visit Boston, you can’t leave town without dining at Legal Seafood and having a warm cup of Chowder. There are many Legal Seafood Restaurants located throughout the city of Boston, and all are wheelchair friendly – I think we ate at every one while we lived in Boston! I can’t recall if the bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.

9 Tastes: Unfortunately, 9 Tastes is not wheelchair accessible, due to the fact that there is a flight of stairs going down into the restaurant. However, they do have the best Thai food in Boston, in our opinion. We love the Tom Yum Soup and Pad Thai. The good thing is that they deliver… so if you’re visiting and don’t feel like leaving your hotel room it’s an option!

Noir: Noir is a swanky, little bar located in Harvard Square inside the Charles Hotel. There is both indoor and outdoor seating which is easily accessible. Noir has the best martinis!

The Ivy: If you’re looking for a casual, quite, romantic place to eat after touring the city of Boston, the Ivy is the perfect stop. The ivy is one of those places where it’s difficult to order because there are so many great options to choose from. They also have a $26 bottle wine menu, which is very good. This restaurant and bar is wheelchair accessible.

The Red House: Even though this restaurant was built in 1802, it is wheelchair accessible. The restaurant is a quaint little red house located in Harvard Square and offers an eclectic menu that changes with the seasons. When making a reservation, be sure to let them know if you are in a wheelchair because they also have dining upstairs. Downstairs there are many accessible dining areas; two rooms, a bar, and outdoor space to choose from.

UpStairs on the Square: At UpStairs on the square there are a couple dining room options that are accessible. This place has a fun, colorful atmosphere, and offers an eclectic menu to please everyone.

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BOSTON : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

Boston has many hospitals in the area if you are in need of one during your visit:

Children’s Hospital Boston, Faulkner Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Home Care Assistance of Massachusetts: Providers of skilled in home nursing care. Minimum booking is 4 hours.

“I arranged for assistance on a recent trip to Boston. I needed help in the morning for 2 hours at my hotel. Even though the minimum booking was 4 hours, they were able to match me with a caregiver who was willing to do the 2 hours each day. He was very good at learning my care, and we were able to trust him quickly… I was not worried that I was going to get hurt or have an accident (pressure sore, fall).” Christopher, 6/26/2010

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

If you’re visiting Boston, and need to rent medical equipment there are a few options available in the area:

Belmont Medical supply, Cambridge Medical Supply, and AA Medical Equipment Co.

“I rented a Hoyer lift from Belmont Medical Supply on a visit to Boston. The company delivered it to my hotel in advance of my stay, and it was in my room on my arrival.” christopher, 6/27/2010

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BOSTON : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

During the winter months in Boston, the weather can be extremely dangerous for the physically challenged traveler. Watch for icy pathways, and be mindful to dress appropriately to prevent hypothermia or frost bite.

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