The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is the main convention center in Boston. It is located in the renovated Seaport District, convenient to the airport, major highways and with many bars and restaurants close by.
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is designed for events large and small and is still close (a long walk or a short taxi ride) to downtown Boston hotels and restaurants.
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center has more than 500,000 square feet of exhibition space that is divided into at least 10 different configurations. There is also 160,000 square feet of meeting space and a 40,000-square-foot grand ballroom. The facility’s food court can accommodate up to 700 people and the building is designed so that attendees can quickly travel from one place to another.
Travel directions
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is easily accessible by car from almost anywhere. The facility is located at 415 Summer Street in Boston’s newly renovated Seaport District, along the waterfront.
- From Logan Airport (or Route 1A South), travelers can take I-90 West through the Ted Williams Tunnel to Exit 25 (marked “South Boston”). Turn right at the top of the ramp onto Congress Street and take the next right onto “D” Street. Just after the ramp, turn right onto Summer Street.
- From the west, take I-90 East to Exit 25 (marked “South Boston”). Turn right on Congress Street, right on “D” Street and right on Summer Street.
- From the east, travelers can take I-90 to I-93 South, Exit 18. Turn left at the second traffic light (marked “South Boston Bypass Road) and proceed for approximately one mile. Turn right on Cypher Street and left on West Side Drive.
- From the north, travelers can take I-93 South to Exit 20A (marked “South Station”). Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Summer Street. Follow the summer for about a mile.
- From the south, travelers can take I-93 North to Exit 20 (marked “South Boston”) and follow the signs to I-90 East. Take the first tunnel exit (“South Boston” market). Turn right at the first light onto Congress Street, and the second right onto “D” Street. After the ramp, turn right on Summer.
Public transport
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is also convenient to a variety of public transportation options.
- From Logan Airport, travelers can take the Silver Line SL1 bus and exit at the World Trade Center stop. From there, take the elevator to Level 2, turn left, and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center will be in front of you.
- From the Amtrak and Commuter Rail lines, travelers can get off at the South Station stop and walk to Summer Street. Turn right and take a taxi or walk (it’s about a mile from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center).
- From the Boston Subway / T, commuters can take the MBTA Red Line, exit at the South Station, and walk (per instructions above) or take the Silver Line SL1, SL2, or SL3 to the World Trade Center stop as directed previously.
- The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center can also be reached by city bus. Entering # 7 (City Point to South Station), get off at 415 Summer Street. Coming out of the south station, get off at 425 Summer Street, turn right and walk half a block.
Surprisingly, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center can also be reached by boat. City Water Taxi service between Lovejoy Wharf at North Station and the World Trade Center (about a ten minute walk).
Parking lot
The first option for parking at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center should be valet parking. Economy parking is available during most events for $ 25. Turn from Summer Street onto East Side Drive. The valet area will be on your right and accepts cash and credit cards.
Alternatively, visitors can self park for $ 12 if they continue past the valet parking area and follow the side of the building. Turn right at the end of the building to go down a ramp. Turn left at the end of the ramp and the entrance to the south parking lot will be in front of you.
If the event you are attending is very large, the garages may have reached full capacity. In that case, additional parking is available at the Boston Marine Industrial Park or in private lots on the boardwalk.
There are some limited parking spaces around the Boston Convention Center.
Lost objects
Surprisingly, you can check out what has been found at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center online at the Lost and Found page of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
Items are kept for 60 days. For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at 617-954-2222 or 617-954-2111 for the location of Hynes.
Hotel options
For places to stay near the convention center, see this overview of Boston hotels in the About.com New England Guide. Or these best Boston hotels, as identified by the About.com Hotels and Resorts Guide.
If you have an early or late flight and want to stay close to the airport, the About.com Guide to New England has put together this list of hotels near Logan Airport.
And on the other end of the spectrum, if you’re a sports fanatic, you might want to consider hotels near Fenway Park.
Contact information
Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC)
415 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-954-2000
Fax: 617-954-2299
Email: [email protected]
