LA may be the entertainment industry’s epicentre, but a slew of films and TV shows filmed in Boston make the Massachusetts city a must-visit for any movie buff.
Whether you stroll, rent a car, jump on the “T” (Boston’s public rail system), or book a guided tour with On Location Tours, these top spots captured on celluloid are worth checking out.
Harvard
Forget the dorm scenes in – other universities and prep schools in Boston’s suburbs (and in Baltimore) stood in for in the tale of Facebook’s beginnings. However, the 1970 film was allowed on the grounds of the hallowed school, and many others have filmed in nearby including (although, sadly, the coffee shop and bar where Matt Damon wooed Minnie Driver have since closed) and which utilised the bar where you can still grab a burger or pint of pumpkin ale. Nearby in Somerville, the pub provided the setting for opening scene.Take the Red Line “T” train to Harvard Square.
The Charles River
While in Cambridge, take a stroll along the banks of The Charles. Rowing scenes from The Social Network were shot near the North Beacon Street Bridge in the suburb of Brighton, and city views beyond the river look movie-like all year round.
Getting there: Take the No.64 bus from Central Square, Cambridge “T” Station and get off at Brooks Street, near Nonantum Road.
Boston’s Public Garden
Take the stairs from the lagoon bridge to the south side of the lagoon and walk along the path beside the water. Look for the third backless park bench on the left. That’s the spot from Good Will Hunting where Robin Williams counseled Matt Damon.
Getting there: Take the Red or Green Line to the Park Street Station.
South Boston
The streets of this working-class Irish neighbourhood will be familiar to anyone who’s seen Mystic River, The Departed or Gone Baby Gone. One of the most popular destinations in the area is Woody’s L Street Tavern. It was Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s local in Good Will Hunting. For more Affleck pub action, try Murphy’s Law, which had a starring role in Gone Baby Gone.
Getting there: Take the Red Line to Broadway or Andrew Station.
Theatre District
The wedding scene in the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz action flick Knight & Day was filmed at Jacob Wirth Restaurant. This German beer hall has been in operation since 1868. Stop in on a chilly afternoon to warm up with a bratwurst or a Wiener Schnitzel.
Getting there: Take the Orange Line to Tufts Medical Center Station.
Fenway Park
You’ll have to wait until the northern spring to see the Red Sox in action, but it’s worth it to spend an afternoon indulging in America’s favorite pastime. And it’s also a chance to check out one of the locations from The Town and Drew Barrymore’s romantic comedy, Fever Pitch.
Getting there: Take the Green Line to the Prudential Center Station.
The younger set might recognise this small city square surrounded by historic buildings from Disney TV show, Suite Life Of Zach And Cody. The stately Copley Plaza Hotel also appeared in the Kate Hudson movie, My Best Friend’s Girl.
Getting there: Take the Green Line to Copley Station.
The imposing exterior of the state capitol (24 Beacon Street) is quite the movie extra, with credits in Paul Newman classic The Verdict (it doubled as a courthouse and hospital) and appeared in The Departed and Armistad.
Getting there: Take the Green or Red Line to Park Street Station
Leventhal Post Office Square Park
This verdant oasis in the centre of Boston’s financial district, bound by Franklin Street, Pearl Street, Milk Street and Congress Street, was the location for a big wedding scene in the new Anna Faris movie, What’s Your Number? It’s open to the public daily from 6am to 9pm.
Getting there: Take the Orange Line or Red Line to Downtown Crossing or the Silver Line to South Station.
Back Bay
You may recognise the imposing exterior of 500 Boylston Street as the home of Boston Legal’s eccentric law firm, Crane, Poole & Schmidt; although like most TV shows set in Boston (Ally McBeal, The Practice) the interiors were all shot on a Los Angeles soundstage.
Getting there: Back Bay’s leafy, Victorian brownstone-lined streets make the area perfect for exploring by foot. You can also take the Green Line to Arlington Station.
To leave the planning to someone else, visit: screentours.com/tour.php/boston/
See & Do
Harvard
20 Quincy Street,
Cambridge, Boston.
+1 617 495 5758.
hfc.harvard.edu.
Fenway Park
4 Yawkey Way, Boston.
+1 877 733 7699.
boston.redsox.mlb.com
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street, Boston.
+1 617 727 3676.
cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/massachusettshouse.asp
Copley Plaza
138 Saint James Avenue, Boston.
+1 617 267 5300.
fairmont.com/copleyplaza
Food & Drink
Grendel’s Den
89 Winthrop Street,
Cambridge, Boston.
+1 617 491 1050.
grendelsden.com
Thirsty Scholar
70 Beacon Street,
Somerville, Boston.
+1 617 497 2294.
thirstyscholarpub.com
Woody’s L Street Tavern
658 E 8th Street #A, South Boston.
+1 617 268 4335.
Murphy’s Law
837 Summer Street, South Boston.
+1 617 269 6667.
Jacob Wirth Restaurant
37 Stuart Street, Boston.
+1 617 338 8586.
jacobwirth.com