Boston Marathon: Travel tips to attend the world's oldest marathon

 The Boston Marathon has always been a special event for locals, as it takes place on a special Boston holiday: National Day. Always on the third Monday in April, Patriots Day commemorates the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. Not only does the Boston Marathon happen, but the Red Sox also plays an 11:00 game, and most people who have a day off from work hit the streets and bars to have a good time.

It's an even more significant event in this resilient city since the bombings at the marathon finish line in 2013.

The Boston Marathon allows more than 36,000 runners to cover 26.2 miles, starting in the suburbs and ending in Copley Arena. With Eid and the race month being the oldest and longest-running marathons in the world, hundreds of thousands of spectators take part in the festivities as well. Are you looking for tips to experience the race as a participant or as a fan? Here are some things you'll need to know.

To get to the Boston Marathon

Getting to Boston is very easy. Logan airport car service serves as a hub for JetBlue and a smaller hub for Delta. JetBlue is offering a $10 discount each way with a promo code to those traveling on the Boston Marathon. You can fly non-stop to Logan from most major cities in the United States. Be aware that flights maybe a little more expensive than usual due to the demand for this weekend event.

TF Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island is also an hour's drive away if you are looking for an alternative airport. The easiest way to search for flights is with Kayak's travel ticket aggregator.

You can also drive into Boston from elsewhere in the Northeast. It's an hour's drive from Providence, a two-hour drive from Hartford and Portland, less than a three-hour drive from Albany, and a three-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City or a five-hour drive from Philadelphia.

There is also Amtrak rail service in the Northeast Passage starting in Washington, DC, and making stops in Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, New Haven, and Providence along the way. The train usually takes the car driving, as the high speed is not going. Bus service from operators such as Greyhound, Megabus, and Bolt Bus is offered to Boston from major cities as well, but add at least an hour to the journey.

Boston Marathon hotels

Boston is a major city with many hotels, but rooms fill up quickly for the Boston Marathon, and hotels are increasing their prices due to demand. You'll likely want to stay near Boston Common or Boylston Street, so you can explore the best Boston sights during your stay. Major hotel brands with a presence in Boston include Four Seasons, Hyatt Regency, Marriott, Ritz Carlton, and Westin.

If you want to stay near Faneuil Hall and further from the race, there is the Boston Harbor Hotel, the Hilton, or the Marriott Long Wharf. Or for something unique, consider the Liberty Hotel: a Luxury Collection that was once a prison. It is located near the Charles River. The downspout area has exploded in recent years, and there are a few brand-name hotel options out there, including the Intercontinental.

Increasingly, residents are taking advantage of the influx of people by offering their apartments or houses for rent. You can look into these options with Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO. This could be a savings opportunity, especially if you are staying longer than the weekend.

Restaurants at Boston Marathon Weekend

Runners focus on their diets leading up to the marathon, and the Boston restaurant scene is diverse enough to offer healthy options. If you're a runner who has to consider your pre-race intake, save the most varied restaurants for your post-marathon reward. Italian food is a favorite as runners look forward to a 'carrot' before the race, and there is plenty of Italian food. The North End, Boston's Italian neighborhood, is not directly accessible by public transportation, but it's a short walk from two T-stations, and easy to get to via taxi.

Dolce Vita, Giacomo, Luca, and Mama Maria are all good options for a traditional Italian dinner. You probably won't want pizza before the race, but after the race, there's also Regina's Pizza, which is a Boston staple for piping hot pies. Lines can run down the street during busy times. Make some room for dessert while you're in the North End, so you can enjoy cheesy mayonnaise on Mike's pancake or trendy pancakes. The locals who love the most are divided.

There is plenty of good seafood around town, as well. Legal Sea Foods is Boston's great seafood chain, but you can enjoy seafood at The Chart House or Island Creek Oyster Bar. There's also the Neptune Oyster or the Union Oyster House if you don't mind battling the lines. The burgers at the Four Seasons are upscale but served. The burger offerings at The Butcher in the South End aren't fancy, but they are good. Galleria Umberto and Santarpio compete with Regina for the best pizza in town. It's hard to get a reservation at Myers + Chang, but the varied Asian fare keeps customers happy. Toro is an award-winning restaurant that specializes in trying small dishes. No. 9 Park has been around now for a while, but the European-influenced roster may hold up as well as anything in the city over time.

Finding a restaurant reservation can be difficult since people plan well in advance for the nightly dinner before dinner. Open Table is often the best way to book reservations for participating restaurants. Those that are not listed generally have online reservation systems on their websites or accept reservations by phone.

Things to do

Runners are generally advised to stay off their feet in the days leading up to the race, but that doesn't mean the Boston experience is lost. The Red Sox always plays at home the weekend before the Boston Marathon, so head out to Fenway Park: one of America's best amusement parks. It's also time to play hockey and basketball, so you might want to check the TD Garden schedule for a Bruins or Celtics game. You can also sightsee on a duck ride, catch a show, catch a movie or go to a comedy club. Just save things like the aquarium and museums for another time.

Tips for watching the Boston Marathon

Be sure to study the Boston Marathon route before choosing a cheering location. The map shows subway stops, so you can take a T and avoid traffic.

Track the specific contestants you're following using the mobile app, so you know where and when to discover them.

Wear lots of layers. The weather can vary throughout the day in April, and you'll need to be prepared for anything. You can always ditch the layers if the sun goes out.

The best time to get to the rails near the finish line is around 10 am. The weather is great in this area with the very best runners approaching.

Moving away from the finish line as the day goes on. The area near Kenmore Square becomes a lot of fun once the Red Sox game and a couple of crowds are over. Just be prepared to be very busy.

Beacon Street before the race to Kenmore Square is the perfect place to spy on friends and family who are participating. There is a good crowd, but it is not overcrowded. There are many areas to post along the railways and to encourage people to.

A lot of drinks are drunk on the streets, but you need to be careful if you drink. Fines are usually $200 if you are caught drinking on the street during a race. Do not use red or clear plastic cups. Get a little creative, and fill ginger ale bottles with beer or alcohol mix in Gatorade or juice bottles. Just know that containers of one liter or more of liquids are prohibited.

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Tips for second place

Be prepared to be cold while you wait for the race to start. Bring easily disposable, waterproof clothing if there is a chance of rain. (All for a good cause, as all post-race items, are donated.)

Find a porta-potty as soon as you head out to Hopkinton. Athletes Village can be overwhelming with a lot to take in, but try to be smart so you are set when the race starts.

Women should remember to bring tissues or toilet paper. Porta dishes along the course are not always reliably prepared.

Do your best to maintain your pace when the race begins. Runners tend to let the adrenaline take over and start very quickly. This will hurt you, especially in the Boston Marathon with the hills coming in the second half of the race.

Hydrate as much as possible before and during the race. The last thing you want is to be dehydrated when you're bombing 26.2 miles.

Press the cup on top when you grab it at the hydration station. It keeps the liquid in the cup better and makes it easier to drink

The adrenaline rushes when you arrive at Wellesley College on Mile 13. This is the time when you will have the most fun. Use that to motivate yourself.

You've likely heard of Heartbreak Hill, which is a stretch of the race between Mile 20 and 21 near Boston College. It's the last of the four hills stretching over 4 miles, but there's no reason why you can't handle it. Don't run too fast to fall back, and you'll have something left.

Make sure you have friends and people supporting you near the finish line, so they can meet you away from Boylston Street when you finish.