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Your guide to the Head of the Charles: Course map, best spots to watch, insider tips, T and parking info
Races begin Friday at 7:45 a.m. and continue over the weekend.
Under new leadership, the Head of the Charles Regatta is sticking to tradition.
Tori Stevens is in her first year as executive director after Fred Schoch retired last October, but the time-honored event will look largely unchanged from a spectator’s perspective.
Races begin this Friday on the Charles River at 7:45 a.m. and run until just before 11 a.m. The regatta continues Saturday and Sunday, with races from 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. Click here for the complete schedule.
Whether you’re an athlete, a longtime fan, or you just want to enjoy the atmosphere at one of New England’s favorite fall traditions, here’s everything you need to know about the 59th Head of the Charles Regatta.
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Head of the Charles map
As they race along the 3-mile course, rowers will pass under six bridges, which offer great vantage points for spectators but often get packed with people as the day goes on.
Here’s a closer look at the 3-mile, upstream course.
Best spots to watch the Head of the Charles
Whether you want to be in the thick of it or you prefer a quieter spectating experience, you have options.
- The start line is just off the front of Boston University’s DeWolfe Boathouse, which is open to spectators. After the start, the river curves quickly, so the views from the boathouse are limited. To see the start line plus more of the course itself, head to the BU Bridge.
- Magazine Beach, near the start line, offers a quieter experience for spectators. It’s also where the singles and doubles launch, so you can get a close-up view of some of the athletes.
- Next up are the River Street Bridge and the Western Avenue Bridge, which are prime spots to watch the Powerhouse Stretch, a straightaway section of the river.
- Things start to get crazy as boats approach the Weeks Footbridge, an iconic spot of the regatta where the river makes a challenging 90-degree turn. Arguably the most difficult part of the course for the crews, the Weeks Footbridge is also one of the toughest viewing points for spectators because of how busy it gets.
- The Anderson Bridge and the Eliot Bridge are great spots to see the end of the races. You can also set up camp at Herter Park, but watch your step as athletes pass by carrying expensive and delicate equipment.
What to do when you’re not watching the races
Not a rowing aficionado? Veteran attendees recommend wearing walking shoes and going for a stroll up and down the course to take in all the sights and sounds, rather than parking in one place. But keep in mind: The farther down the course you go, the more packed things get.
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The pros say it’s worth battling crowds to check out some of the many hospitality areas.
The Weld Exhibition is the most popular destination for food and drinks. Vendors line Riverbend Park, which also offers a good viewing area for the races between the Weeks Footbridge and the Anderson Bridge.
On the opposite side of the river is the less packed Reunion Village, which offers admission for $15 per day. It’s marketed as a family-friendly locale; visitors 21 and over can purchase alcohol.
Tickets are sold out for the Eliot Bridge Enclosure, the regatta’s VIP experience. If you managed to score one, you’ll be treated to premium food and drink, as well as a view of the final stretch of the course.
If you’re not on the VIP list, fear not, there’s still plenty to do and see at the finish line. At Herter Park, the Expo at Attager Row (”regatta” spelled backward) will have more than 40 vendors selling regatta merchandise and other products. Nearby is the FALS Bar, an outdoor beer garden-style viewing area serving beer, wine, and cocktails.
It’s also worth hanging around Attager Row to catch an award ceremony or two. The Head of the Charles Medal was designed by sculptor Joe Brown for the first regatta in 1965, and the design has remained unchanged.
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Parking and transportation
The biggest piece of advice from longtime Head of the Charles viewers? Leave your car at home. With road closures, traffic backups, and limited parking, it’s best to take public transportation or a rideshare to get to the course.
Three MBTA stations are within walking distance: Central and Harvard on the Red Line and BU Central on the B branch of the Green Line. Bus routes 1, 47, 64, 66, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 86 all service the area.
If you must drive, experts recommend reserving a spot ahead of time, which is possible through apps such as SpotHero and ParkBoston. Approximately 500 spots will be available at Harvard Stadium for $30 per day, but the lot fills up in a hurry.
Memorial Drive from Cambridge Boat Club to Western Avenue will be closed Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Weather forecast
Rain put a damper on last year’s Head of the Charles weekend, but it’s looking like this year’s regatta will benefit from clear skies and warm temperatures.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be sunny in Boston, with temperatures starting in the mid 40s in the morning and reaching the 70s by midday.
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