Your Weekend Itinerary for Boston’s Marathon Weekend and Beyond

There’s nothing quite like Marathon Weekend in Boston. The energy is infectious—it’s an excuse to indulge in good food, cheer on runners until your voice gets hoarse, and explore the city in all its spring time glory. At the heart of it all, Prudential Center serves as your home base to enjoy everything Boston has to offer.

Where to Eat & Drink

Start with carbs. You’ll need them whether you’re running 26.2 miles or just walking from one end of Boylston to the other. The newest addition to the Pru’s dining scene, Descendant Pizza, is already making a name for itself with its square, crispy edged Detroit-style pies. Grab a slice (or two) for your pre-race fuel, or post-race reward.

And of course, Eataly remains the ultimate reliable go-to. With handmade pasta, Roman-style pizza, a fresh salad bar, and an Italian marketplace filled with goodies you didn’t know you needed, it’s got something for every craving. Reserve a table to dine in or grab something to-go—whatever you’ll pick, it’s always a solid bet.

In the mood for a drink? Treehouse Brewing is setting up a beer garden right in the Pru, adjacent to their pickup window, making it the ultimate spot to toast the runners in the afternoons leading up to the Marathon, starting on Wednesday, April 16. There will be an indoor and outdoor area (weather dependent).

What to See & Do

For a different type of view, take the elevator up to View Boston, the city’s best advantage point. There’s no better place to map up the marathon course or get a birds eye-view of all the action below. Plus, get in the Marathon spirit with their series of happenings, from speciality cocktails and a post-race party, to medal engravings.

And if you want to give your legs a break, let the Duck Tours do the work, rolling from land to water while giving you a crash course in the city’s history.

Where to Shop & Gear Up

Of course Marathon Monday means tracking down the right gear. Whether you’re running, recovering, or just feeling inspired by the sheer determination on the streets, Prudential Center has everything you need to get fitted for race day—and after it.

Dick’s House of Sport is hosting a variety of Marathon-related activities, including athlete appearances, medal engraving, and a recovery area. Plus, they’re stacked with the essentials. From race-day must-haves like energy gels and anti-chafe balm to recovery tools that will make you grateful you planned ahead. Think massage guns to work out the post-run knots, foam rollers to soothe sore muscles, and compression gear to speed up recovery.

If you’re one of the 30,000 runners toeing the starting line in Hopkinton, you probably already have your race sneaks broken in—but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a post-race reward. HOKA’s plush, cloud-like sneakers make for the ultimate recovery shoe (your feet will thank you), and let’s be honest, a fresh pair is the perfect way to get excited for whatever’s next on your race calendar. And if watching the marathon has you suddenly convinced you should take up running yourself, start with a solid pair of shoes from HOKA. Running is a lot more fun when your knees aren’t screaming at you. From there, Lululemon and Alo have you covered with performance-ready (and very cute) outfits that work just as well for training runs as they do for post-run brunch.

Since Boston’s spring weather can’t seem to make up its mind, layering is key. Canada Goose and Mackage have lightweight but warm options to keep you comfortable standing on the sidelines, squeezing in a shakeout run, or just strolling through the city.

Whether you’re running, cheering, or just here for the city’s buzz, Prudential Center is the place to be. The marathon may be the main event, but Boston isn’t slowing down any time soon. So fuel up, gear up, and make the most of the city.

Explore all dining, shopping, and attractions at Prudential Center here.

This is a paid partnership between Prudential Center and Boston Magazine