Know Before You Go
With a park created as early as the 1890s through the 1930s and again in the 1950s the Esplanade is a historical landmark park. The Esplanade stretches for three miles one way along the Charles River on the Boston side, between the Museum of Science and the Boston University (BU) Bridge. This page provides details on how to access the park as well as other key information you might need for your next visit to the Esplanade.
Any questions or concerns about ADA access in the park? See below for more information or reach out to Brenda Hernandez, the Projects & ADA Accessibility Coordinator, at bhernandez@esplanade.org.
Download a printable Esplanade Map to take with you on your next trip into the park!
Restrooms
Restrooms are currently closed. There are men’s and women’s restrooms behind the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell and at Dartmouth Comfort Station. Restrooms are typically open from dawn to dusk starting in mid-April and until mid-October.
In addition, there are accessible gender-neutral portable restrooms behind the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, next to Teddy Ebersol Red Sox fields and next to the Alfond Memorial Spray Deck.
Next winter we will have year-round restrooms at Charlesbank!
Water Fountains
There are water fountains located throughout the park. They are typically open from mid-April to mid October. Water fountains are currently closed.
Traveling to the Esplanade
Storrow Drive separates the park from Boston city proper. Park visitors must therefore access the Esplanade either via one of the seven footbridges or the two at grade entrances.
Public parking is not available on the Esplanade. We recommend that visitors take the MBTA to the park, use Bluebikes, or that they park in one of the nearby public parking facilities.
ADA Accessibile Entrances
The Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge at Charles Circle is the most accessible entry point to the park. There are two at-grade entrances to the park on either end of the park. One near the Museum of Science and Boston Police Barracks and the near the BU sailing pavilion.
The Esplanade has over five miles of paved pathways. Although they vary in width and smoothness, they are largely welcoming to all park visitors.
Traveling via car
There are four accessible parking spaces located between the Teddy Ebersol Red Sox Fields and the Alfond Memorial Spray Deck at the Blossom Street entrance of the Esplanade. These are the only parking spaces in the park. We encourage park visitors who are driving to the Charles River Esplanade to park at nearby garage in Beacon Hill or Back Bay.
Traveling via Rideshare
The best address for rideshare drop-off at the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge is the corner of David G. Mugar Way & Beacon Street. If you’re looking to access the park via the Frances Appleton Footbridge, we recommend using 170 Charles Street (The Whitney Hotel) as your rideshare drop-off address.
Traveling via MBTA
There are ten MBTA stations located near the park. The table below shows each station and its proximity to the park.
| MBTA Station | Neighborhood | Distance to the Park | Entrance Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Park | West End | 0.2 miles | At-Grade |
| Charles/MGH | Beacon Hill | 0.2 miles | ADA Footbridge |
| Arlington Street | Back Bay | 0.4 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
| Copley Street | Back Bay | 0.4 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
| Back Bay Station | Back Bay | 0.7 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
| Mass Ave @ Beacon St (#1 Bus Line) | Back Bay | 0.2 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
| Kenmore | Fenway | 0.5 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
| Blandford St | Fenway | 0.2 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
| BU East | Fenway | 0.2 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
| BU Central | Fenway | 0.1 miles | Non-ADA Footbridge |
