TRAVELING TO BOSTON 

This page was developed by parents for parents to help you plan your travel to Cambridge for consultation or care. 

Renee's list:
Things I wish I knew when I first traveled to Boston.

• Location is everything

• The office is in Cambridge, one subway stop across the river from Boston. You can stay in Boston or in Cambridge.

• I encourage people to try the T (the subway).  This is one thing that scared me the most being from a small town.  I was AFRAID to try something new like that with a child.  If I had known how easy, clean, cheap and safe it was, I would of done it a lot sooner. 

• The office is on the RED LINE  branch of the sub way.  

• Pick a hotel that is close to the subway, specifically to the "Red Line." 

• Pick a hotel that has these things to offer: a year round swimming pool, a medical discount, and where kids eat free or where there are great cheap eats near by. 

• If you are going to be traveling to Boston frequently for care, consider signing up for clubs within the hotel itself / or airlines so that their points can accrue towards either free nights, or air miles. 

• You are accompanying a child for medical treatment.  That means that much of your travel expenses can be deducted as a medical expense on your taxes.  Keep receipts.  Check with a tax accountant about how to do this.

• Plan some fun things to do.  Boston is a great city to explore. Most of the great historic sights are within 2 miles walking distance of the office. 

Kids recommendations for fun things to do:

• Kiam's Trip to "Patriotic" Boston

Finding the Office: The Address

C. Stephen Foster, M.D.

Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) 

5 Cambridge Center (8th Floor)

Cambridge, MA

(617) 742-6377

Printable Brochure

Plot your own Directions

5 Cambridge Center is an office building on Main Street in the Kendall Square/MIT section of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The entrance to the building is on Main Street.  This same block on Main Street is home to the famous Legal Seafood Restaurant (3 Cambridge Center) and the MIT Coop (7 Cambridge Center).  Local legend holds that one's IQ rises 20 points simply by entering the MIT Coop! 

By Cab

If the cab driver seems befuddled about where "5 Cambridge Center" is (the office), tell him or her that 5 Cambridge Center is an office building on Main Street in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge, next door to Legal Seafood (a famous restaurant).

By Subway ("the T")

The subway in Boston is called "The T" (Transit authority).  If you ask "where is the nearest 'T' stop," you will sound like a local.  Or, "where is the nearest RED LINE stop?"

To get to the office by subway: 

• Take the Red Line to the Kendall Square/ MIT stop

• Exit onto Main Street

• Walk approximately 200 feet to the entrance for
  5 Cambridge Center.  If are coming from Boston, the office is on the same side of the street that you will exit the T.

• Getting Around Boston: A guide to riding the T

• The  "T" is inexpensive.  Under $2 a ride  You can ride any distance for that fare.  Children pay less. Once you get off and go above ground, you will have to pay again. Before your first ride, you will purchase a "Charlie Card" near where you board the T.
• If you will be in the area for more than 2 days, consider purchasing a Boston Visitor Pass for unlimited use of the subway.  It is a great way to go sightseeing.

From the Airport

• A cab ride from the airport to the office is about $25-$30.  See "cab," above.

• By subway, get onto the SILVER LINE at the airport (this is a special bus service).  Get off at South Station.  At South Station, take the RED LINE going toward Cambridge/Alewife ("outbound").  Get off at the Kendall/MIT stop.  Exit onto Main Street, go right.  The office building entrance is approximately 200 feet.

• A shuttle service goes from the Airport to the Cambridge Marriott Hotel.  The hotel is in the same block as Dr. Foster's office. So, the hotel shuttle service is a good alternative for some.

From the Train Station

Am Track trains coming from the south (Rhode Island, New York) come into South Station.  South Station is also subway exchange with the RED LINE.

• Take the train to South Station
• At South Station, take the RED LINE going toward Cambridge/Alewife ("outbound") 
• Get off at the Kendall/MIT stop

Trains coming from the North (Vermont, Maine, NH) come in to North Station. North Station is on the ORANGE LINE of the subway.

• Take a cab to the office

Driving

• Printable Directions
• Driving directions (web-based)
• Plot your own Directions

Places to Stay

• Hotels in Boston, by proximity to the office, and rates
• You may also want to call the office and ask if there are any local hotels participating in a reduced rate for MERSI patients. The office number is: (617) 742-6377.