Traveling and exploring is SO amazing! You see new things, make memories with your pals, and take tons of pics. You packed the essentials for your day/weekend/month-long trip and plotted your must-sees on a map. What you forgot, like many of us, is what you’re going to do in that new, unfamiliar place when you need a restroom. Yes, it’s a strange topic, but seriously, think about it. WHAT do YOU do?? It’s such a small thing but it matters a LOT.
Listen, I’m a major travel junkie, but I’m also the girl who drinks too much water before going out and has to pee at least every few hours. Europe is amazing and has restrooms all over (although they require a small fee), but here in the U.S., it is NOT the same, especially in large cities. If you travel or explore cities a lot, then you know what it’s like. So I’ve done some research so you will know where to go when you have to… go. Hydrate all you want and have a blast in Boston!
Before I begin I want to say that almost every fire/police station will have a restroom so those are always worth a check and also two grocery stores: Star Market and Stop and Shop. most Star markets are open 24/7 and Stop and Shop is usually closed by 11 p.m. If you’re near Fenway/Back Bay then the vegan restaurant By Chloe. is super easy to pop into and discreetly use the restroom. I also HIGHLY recommend their taco salad or brunch if you’re there during the weekend.
Here’s where to find a restroom if you’re in:
Allston/Brighton
Public Library
40 Academy Hill Rd, Brighton, MA 02135
Hours: Mon: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tues/Wed: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thurs: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Public Library
419 Faneuil St, Boston, ma 02135
Hours: Mon: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tues: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wed/Thurs: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Public Library
300 N Harvard St, Allston, MA 02134
Hours: Mon: 12 p.m.. – 8 p.m.
Tues: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wed: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thurs: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Star Market
1065 Commonwealth Ave
Hours: 24/7
**Most bars and restaurants in the area have restrooms so either stop in and buy an appetizer, a beer, or lunch or very kindly ask for the restroom.
Back Bay
Boston Public Library
700 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116 (near the Copley T)
Hours: mon – Thurs: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
**If you’re closer to the Prudential Center, there are restrooms in the mall and a Star market nearby.
Boston Common/Beacon Hill
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon St Boston, ma 02108
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**Enter through the security entrance to the right, past the statue of General Thomas J. Hooker. Pass security, take a left and then follow the signs. It’s not exactly a short walk, so only plan on this if absolutely necessary.
The Boston Common Visitor Center
139 Tremont St Boston, MA 02108
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat-Sun: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Public Restrooms
Along Charles St. across from the Public Gardens. Boston has just started providing public restrooms in this area.
Hours: 24/7
Arlington T Stop
Southwest corner of the Boston Public Gardens
Hours: 24/7
Charles River/Esplanade park
1. Between Charles MGH train stop and Arlington St.
2. Off the corner of Dartmouth St. which will also lead you to Copley
Check out the park map for details.
Charlestown (Bunker Hill)
Public Restroom
197 8th St, Boston, ma 02129
Hours: 24/7
Cost: 25 cents
Public Library
179 main St, Charlestown, ma 02129
Hours: Mon: 12 – 8 p.m.
Tues/Wed: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thurs: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Cambridge
Public Restroom
Corner of Garden St. and mass ave. (maps search: “Portland Loo”)
Hours: 24/7
Public Restroom
Corner of mass ave. and River St. across from the Central T stop on the Red Line
Hours: 24/7
Chinatown
Public Library
2 Boylston St, Boston, ma 02116
Hours: Mon-Fri: 2 – 9 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**Again, tons of restaurants in this area. If you’re closer to the Boston Common, walk into the Explorateur Cafe like you own the place. The restrooms are in the back near the bar.
Downtown
Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat & Sun: CLOSED
Public Restroom
206-214 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
Hours: 24/7
Public Restroom
2 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
Hours: 24/7
Faneuil Hall
4 S. Market Street
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
East Boston
BCYF Paris St.
112 Paris St.
Hours: Sun: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mon-Sat: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
BCYF Pino
86 Boardman St.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Boston Public Library – EAST
365 Bremen St.
Hours: mon: 12 – 8 p.m.
Tues/Wed: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thurs: 12 – 8 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
North End
BCYF Nazzaro
30 North Bennet St.
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
BPL – North End
25 Parmenter St.
Hours: Mon/Tues: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wed: 12 – 8 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Public Restroom
35 Commercial St.
Hours: 24/7
Roxbury
BCYF Shelburne
2730 Washington St.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Public Restroom
140 Dudley St.
Hours: 24/7
BPL – Egleston Square
2044 Columbus ave.
Hours: Mon/Tues: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wed: 12 – 8 p.m.
Thurs: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
South Boston
BCYF Curley
1663 Columbia Rd.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
BPL – South
646 East Broadway
Hours: Mon: 12 – 8 p.m.
Tues/Wed: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thurs: 12 – 8 p.m.
Fri/Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Public Restroom
12 Drydock Ave
Hours: 24/7
South End
BPL- South End
685 Tremont St.
Hours: Mon: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tues: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wed/Thurs: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sun: CLOSED
Science park/West End
BPL – West
151 Cambridge St.
Hours: Mon-Wed: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thurs: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat: CLOSED
**Check out a comprehensive interactive map here.
***Any attraction you visit, especially indoors, is very likely to have restrooms or directions to the nearest one.