5 Things You Should Know This Week – May 12th

MBTA Service Updates for May

Alright, friends—time for your monthly MBTA update! If you’re a Red Line rider, heads up: shuttle buses are replacing trains between Ashmont and JFK/UMass through the end of service today. Plan accordingly and maybe leave a few extra minutes for your commute. Looking ahead to May, the biggest weekday disruption is coming for Orange Line riders—there’s a nine-day shutdown between North Station and Oak Grove, so brace yourselves. Weekend warriors on the Red Line and Green Line (B branch) will also see some temporary closures.  You can plan ahead by checking out the full rundown here.

National Bike to Work Day is May 16th

Join a neighborhood-based group ride, or just show up for the fun. Going to work after the event is optional. 😉 Find more information about this year’s event on the City of Boston’s Bike to Work Day page. On Bike to Work Day, you can join a bike commuter neighborhood-based group ride from one of dozens of locations throughout the Boston metro area. Guided group rides with experienced ride leaders will follow a fixed schedule and route and finish together in Downtown Boston. Head to City Hall between 7 and 9 a.m. on Friday, May 16th. Enjoy some breakfast snacks and coffee. Stop by tents and tables to learn about local businesses and organizations that support our cycling community in the Boston region. The event is free, but registration helps the City to know you’re coming. Registration will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14. You can still attend the event if you don’t register, but you will not be able to get a t-shirt during the event. Register here. 

USS Constitution is Underway on Friday

USS Constitution is scheduled to get underway Friday, May 16, from Charlestown Navy Yard at 10:00 A.M. The cruise will be visible from the Boston Harborwalk, Castle Island, and Charlestown Navy Yard. A 21-gun salute will be fired at approximately 11:30 A.M., viewable from Fort Independence on Castle Island. Check her out!

Greenway Garden Club

Join the friends of Mary Ellen Welch Greenway for a spring garden cleanup on Saturday, May 17th at 10am at Memorial Garden at Marginal.

Free Ferry Weekend

Celebrate Boston Harbor Islands opening weekend with a FREE trip to Spectacle Island! Explore Spectacle Island’s beaches and winding trails. Catch the ferry to Spectacle right from Downtown Boston’s Long Wharf North… for free!

• Saturday, May 17
• Sunday, May 18

Getting Tickets:

• Tickets are first come, first served, and can be picked up at the Boston Harbor City Cruises Ferry Center at Long Wharf North  beginning at 8:00am. No advance reservations. Arrive early, as this event will sell out fast!
• This event cannot accommodate groups – 5 tickets allowed per adult

Ferry Schedule: Ferries depart from Gate 5 . Ticketed passengers should plan to be in line at least 15 minutes before their ferry departure time. 10:30AM  |  12:30PM Ferries from Spectacle back to Boston depart the island at 1:30PM & 3:30PM