While every attempt has been made to ensure the greatest degree of accuracy of the contents within, 20 States on Wheels makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this book and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this book. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, contents of this book or its URLs to other Internet resources. Reference in this the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by 20 States on Wheels. Many of the photographs used in this book were taken directly by team members of 20 States on Wheels. All photographs not taken by our team members were posted online under Creative Commons 2.0 copyright licensing, and an attribution to the photographer is listed.
for Haley Rue, fellow adventurer, whose spirit lives on.
Boston, MA by Brad
Unbelievably, after seven weeks on the road, we had made it from one coast to another, and had arrived back at our home in Boston. We spent all day celebrating in Kunho’s new room for sophomore year, and then we unloaded the car and cleaned it out and returned it to Hertz. It was so strange and surreal to come to the end of our trip. But our work had not ended here - it was just beginning! We rushed to complete as much of the book as we could before the start of the school year, and holed ourselves up in the basement of Kunho’s dorm for many long hours fueled by coffee and milk and cereal. We paused only to venture out for our one last stop on the journey: Boston downtown. The three Harvard guys had each been downtown before, but it was something different to go as tourists with an eye for accessibility. After seeing so many specially accessible tourist destinations throughout the country, it was something of a shock to reyears before the passage of the ADA. This was sometimes frustrating, to come home to what was in places the least accessible area we’d been to: some attractions were not accessible at all, such as the old statevard. It was fun to be there with my friends after the long journey we had gone through. We ordered a pizza and sat and talked. We were tired, but
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Basics Weather Boston’s weather is unpredictable and very changeable, so make sure to check your weekly forecast when preparing for a trip. Here are some basic guidelines: Spring Boston winters last very long, and the spring doesn’t begin until around Once spring does arrive, it can still be pretty chilly, with highs in the 50s and 60s and lows in the 40s. Also prepare for frequent rains. Bring a jacket and an umbrella. Summer Boston summers can be warm in the day, with highs upwards of 80, and cool in the evening, with lows around 60. Thunderstorms are common. Bring a light sweater for the evening and an umbrella.
Autumn Fall is said to be one of the best times to visit Boston. Temperatures are often crisp, though there are also warm days; highs average in the 70s, with lows in the 40s. Bring a sweater. Winter Boston winters are very cold, with highs in the 30s and lows in the teens. Bring winter gear and be prepared for snow.
Parking with a Disability Placard With a disabled parking placard in Boston, you can park for free at regular metered parking and are exempt from posted time restrictions.
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Tours Boston Duck Tours Boston’s famous duck tours take visitors around famous attractions in the city in an amphibious truck that doubles as a boat. The following are some companies that offer wheelchair accessible duck tours in Boston: Boston Duck Tour Tel: (617) 267-3825 All buses are equipped with lifts.
Super Duck Tour Tel: (617) 742-1440 Call in advance for special accessibility accommodations.
Trolley Tours The following are some companies that offer wheelchair accessible hopon, hop-off trolley tours of Boston. Call in advance for accessible accommodations.
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Basics Accessible Taxi accessible vehicles available 24 hours a day. The following are some companies in the Boston area that have wheelchair accessible vans. Call in advance to reserve an accessible cab. Boston Cab (617) 536-5010 www.bostoncab.us Metro Cab (617) 782-5500 www.boston-cab.com Town Taxi (617) 536-5000 www.towntaxiboston.com
Public Transportation If you plan to use public transit in Boston, be sure to obtain a free “Charlie Card,” which offers a discounted fare. To obtain one, simply request a card from one of the representatives at any ‘T’ subway station. The fares shown below are for Charlie Card holders; single-use tickets typically run about a dollar more expensive. Travelers in wheelchairs are eligible for discounted fees with a special to complete. For more information, visit www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/reduced_fare_programs/ Bus Fares:
Adults:
$1.60
Subway Fares: Adults:
$2.10
stations are marked on the map to the right with the international handicap sign. Portable bridgeplates are available at all Red, Orange and Blue line stations if
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Accessible Van Rental Wheelchair Getaways Phone: (800) 727-1656. Wheelchair Getaways rents wheelchair accessible vans with hand controls. Reserve at least a month in advance. There is a $150 fee for delivery to the airport. Wheelers Phone: (617) 770-0007 www.wheelersvanrentals.com Wheelers rents wheelchair accessible vans but does not offer vehicles with hand controls. There is a $75.00 fee for delivery to the airport. To view this map in greater detail, please visit our website at: 20statesonwheels.com/maps
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Attractions Quincy Market Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109 (617) 523-1300 www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com Entrance Bathroom Parking Hours
main entrances at either end not accessible; side entrances accessible by ramp accessible restroom in basement street parking ing at www.75statestreet.clickandpark.com)
-
counter restaurants. The area around the marketplace is very bumpy, and wheelchair users may want assistance moving around. The main entrances at either end of the long market are not accessible, and there are no signs indicating the direction to the accessible entrances at the sides of the building. The ramps there can be somewhat steep, and may require assistance. Once inside, the long hallprovide access to the accessible restrooms in the basement and to the second
The main entrances at either end of Quincy Market are not accessible due to stairs. 376
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Faneuil Hall 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109 (617) 635-3105 www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/faneuilhall.asp Entrance Bathroom Parking Tours Price Hours Courtesy of Kathy
main entrance not accessible; accessible entrance with ramp on south side of building street parking parking at www.75statestreet.clickandpark.com) Free varies by season Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
Jan. 1 – Mar. 31 Apr. 1 – May 31 Jun. 1 – Oct. 31 The roads around Fanueil Hall can be rather bumpy.
Faneuil Hall is a historical site that has served as both a market and a meeting place for hundreds of years, and is an iconic stop on the Freedom Trail. The main entrance is not accessible, but there is an accessible entrance on the south side of the building. The information desk across from the entrance will kindly give information about accessibility
Courtesy of Tony Fischer
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Attractions
Boston, MA
Boston Old Statehouse 206 Washington St, Boston, MA 02109 (617) 720-1713 www.bostonhistory.org Entrance Bathroom Price Hours
not accessible not accessible Adults:
$10.00
Children (under 18):
Free
the middle of historic Boston. The Declaration of Independence was issued here, accessible, though it is notable for its history and is visible from the outside.
Courtesy of tobbo
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The Boston Old Statehouse is today dwarfed by modern skyscrapers in the downtown area.
Courtesy of Ingfbruno
The seal of the Freedom Trail, which is indicated by classic red brick lines throughout the city.
Freedom Trail 139 Tremont street, Boston, MA 02116 (617) 357-8300 www.thefreedomtrail.org Tour Price
Adults:
$14.00
Children (under 12):
$8.00
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile loop through the streets of Boston that highlights several historic sites from the American Revolution, from the for a wheelchair user to navigate, we recommend picking which sites you most want to see and selectively going to those. The city offers walking tours, and each attraction is accessible with one exception, the Granary Burying Ground. Tours are offered from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.and depart
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A bronze statue of George Washington watches over the park.
Courtesy of ROxBo
Boston Common
139 Tremont street, Boston, MA 02116 (617) 635-4505 www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncommon.asp
Parking
paid garage or street parking
ing point for the Freedom Trail. Until 1817, public hangings took place here; today, it is a recreational park. This calm setting is pleasant for its trees and grass, but the sidewalks can be a bit bumpy for a wheelchair
Courtesy of Eric Kilby
The Boston Statehouse is visible at the top of the hill. Boston Common has paved sidewalks but can be somewhat hilly. 35 20 States on Wheels 380 Boston, MA
Attractions
Boston, MA
Boston State House 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 01233 (617) 722-2000 www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/faneuilhall.asp Entrance Bathroom Parking
main entrance not accessible;
accessible
entrance) lot with designated handicap parking at The Boston Common Parking Garage on Zero Charles
Tours
offered every 15 or 30 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to
Price
front of the building Free
mistakable for its huge golden dome. The main entrance is not accessible due to stairs; wheelchair users must enter through the side entrance on Bowdoin several automatic doors installed, as well as wheelchair lifts where necessary. There are also readily visible signs that indicate these accessibility features. Wheelchairs are available for public rental and tours in eight languages are prominutes from 10 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon. The main entrance to the Boston Statehouse is not accessible.
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Attractions New England Aquarium 1 Central Wharf Boston, MA 02110 (617) 973-5200 www.neaq.org/index.php Entrance Bathroom Parking
fully accessible main entrance street parking The following garages provide discounted rates with Boston Harbor Garage: Rowes Wharf:
Price
Hours
Wheelchair users:
$37.00 $15.00 Free
Courtesy of Ryan Harvey
varies by season Summer Fall-Winter Penguin!
Courtesy of Max Lieberman
play, and numerous reef and special ecosystem exhibits. The aquarium also offers Whale Watch boat tours and education on marine life and conthere is an automatic door. Inside, elevators pro-
The New England Aquarium main entrance is fully accessible. 382
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ID. There are three accessible Whale Watch boats with accessible restrooms at the rear. Wheelchairs can only enter the main deck of these boats; the top
Boston, MA
Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 (617) 267-9300 www.mfa.org Entrance Bathroom
Parking Price
main entrance accessible by ramp; additional accessible restrooms available at the following locations: Lower ground level Level 1 in the Art of the Americas Level 1 in Contemporary Art Level 2 by the Bravo restaurant Level 2 in the Art of the Americas Level 2 at the Rotunda lot with designated handicap parking in museum garage; valet parking fee waived with disability placard (regular fees apply) Personal care assistants enter free Adults: $25.00 Youth (7-17):
Hours
$10.00 (free on weekends or after 3 p.m.) Children (under 6): Free
has an expansive collection of art from either side of the main entrance. Inside, all exhibits are wheelchair accessible and ever, many doors between exhibits are not automatic and can be heavy to open. The main entrance to the MFA is accessible by ramps to either side.
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Attractions Harvard University 1465-1483 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 495-1000 www.harvard.edu setts, about ten minutes from downtown Boston. Harvard is 354 years older than the Americans with Disabilities Act, and most of Harvard’s buildings predate the ADA. While some buildings are not accessible, including the majority of undergraduate housing, most academic buildings have been renovated to include elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms.
their pleasant moderate temperatures, are some of the best months to visit Harvard.
An iconic bell tower at Harvard College. This tower belongs to Eliot House, one of the twelve undergraduate houses.
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Cambridge, MA
Harvard Yard 1465-1483 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138 Bathroom
accessible public restrooms available in
Harvard Yard is the center of the college and home to most of the itors to the Yard can catch sight of students from all over the college commuting to class, and during the warmer months, many students statue, whose left foot many tourists rub for good luck. However, be warned that the foot can be extremely dirty due to nefarious activity by mischievous students at night; we recommend not touching the foot. Courtesy of Roger W
The sidewalks in Harvard Yard may be challenging for manual wheelchairs to maneuver, as they can be somewhat bumpy. Crowds of tourists, which can get quite large in some areas, may also pose a mobility challenge. Accessible public restrooms are located in the basement of ing building in the plaza just north of the Yard. Courtesy of InSapphoWeTrust
John Harvard presides over the center of Harvard Yard, and is almost always surrounded by tourists.
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Attractions Harvard Memorial
Cambridge, MA
Church
(617) 495-5508 Entrace
Bathroom Hours
main entrances not accessible; accessible side entrance facing Canaday Hall operable by staff. locked accessible restrooms available on basement level
Harvard students who died in World War I. Today, the church is used for various services and commemorations, both religious and secular. The main entrances facing Widener Library and Thayer Hall are not wheelchair accessible due to stairs. A separate side entrance next to Canaday Hall is accessible by ramp. The side entrance is sometimes locked, and visitors may require staff assistance to enter the building; take warning that the call button is not always operational. If
Courtesy of Crimson400
386
Memorial Church, located across from Widener Library, hosts a variety of events both religious and secular.
Harvard’s Widener Library contains the largest collection of books out of any university in the world. Courtesy of Will Hart
Harvard Harry
Elkins Widener Library 31 Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA 02138
Entrance
main entrance not accessible;
accessible
brary contains the largest university repository of books and manuscripts in the world. Unfortunately, access to the library is only permitted with Harvard ID. The library’s main entrance is inaccessible due to stairs. The back entrance, facing -
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Hotels
in Boston
This randomly compiled list displays some of the hotels with accessible rooms in Boston.
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Hotel Name
Star Rating
Boston Common Hotel & Conference Center
2
Irving House at Harvard
2
(617) 547-4600
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Boston - Cambridge
2
(617) 577-7600
Ramada Boston
2
Embassy Suites Boston at Logan Airport
2
The Midtown Hotel
2
Boston Hotel Buckminster
2
(617) 236-7050
Econo Lodge
2
(781) 324-8500
HI Boston
2
The Inn at St Botolph
3
Hampton Inn Boston Cambridge
3
Hotel140
3
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
3
Club Quarters
3
Omni Parker House
4
Hyatt Regency Boston
4
Onyx Hotel
4
Four Seasons Hotel Boston
5
20 States on Wheels Boston, MA
Address
Phone
Copley Place, 40 Trinity Pl, Boston,
(617) 567-5000 02115
(617) 262-1000
02116
02116
(617) 585-5600 (617) 426-2000
02110
(617) 357-6400 (617) 227-8600
02111
(617) 338-4400
# Accessible # with Roll-in Shower Designated Distance to Rooms Showers Accommodations Handicap Parking Downtown (miles) 3
3
built-in bench
parking not included
1.7
1
0
chair by request
yes
3.2
7
2
built-in bench
yes
1.8
2
2
built-in bench
yes
11
2
chair by request
valet parking
3.8
2
2
chair by request
yes
3.3
5
1
chair by request
parking not included
3.1
2
2
built-in bench
yes
12
8 (communal restroom)
built-in bench
parking not included
1
4
1
chair by request
valet parking
2.2
7
3
built-in bench and chair by request
yes
1.5
5
0
built-in bench
street parking
1.6
51
50
built-in bench and yes; valet parking chair by request
1.2
13
3
built-in bench and chair by request
valet parking
0.3
25
3
chair by request
yes
0.2
24
7
18
2
chair by request
valet parking
0.5
7
built-in bench and chair by request
valet parking
1.4
14
built-in bench and yes; valet parking chair by request
0.6
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