Guide To Boston's TD Garden

The TD Garden is the home of the Boston Celtics, Bruins and Blazers.

Beyond the games, concerts and circuses that have been held here, the venue has hosted several big national events, such as the 2008 and 2010 NBA Finals, the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, and the 2004 Democratic National Convention (where then-Illinois state senator Barack Obama delivered the keynote address, launching him into the national political scene).

It's also hosted several big-name concerts, the NCAA men's basketball tournaments in 1999 and 2003, the 2006 Women's Final Four, and the 1998 and 2004 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships.

In August 2010, the UFC came to the Garden for the first time.

IDENTITY CRISIS

This venue has been undergoing an identity crisis for years – nobody knows just what to call it. Some locals still call it the "new Garden" even though it's 15 years old now.

Originally called the Shawmut Center during construction, a bank merger led to renaming it the FleetCenter before opening. The doors opened on September 30, 1995, the day after the original Boston Garden closed next door.

Since then, TD Banknorth bought the naming rights and it became the TD Banknorth Garden in 2005. In 2009, Banknorth was dropped from the name; it's now officially the "TD Garden".

COMING AND GOING

Two words. North Station.

The easiest way to get there is on the subway or the commuter rail, because the Garden is above the train station.  Take the Green or Orange lines to North Station. You can also get there from the suburbs on the Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, or Newburyport-Rockport MBTA commuter lines.

If you're taking the commuter line into South Station, get off at Back Bay Station and take the Orange Line to North Station.

Driving

This is the worst way to get to the Garden. But if you must, plot out your trip on Google maps or set your GPS before you leave. Here are the general directions:

From the north:

Take 93 south to Exit 26/Leverett Circle/Cambridge. Follow the signs towards North Station. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Nashua Street. Turn left at Lomasney Way. The Garden will be on your left.

From eastern New Hampshire and northeastern Mass.:

Take 95 south to Route 1 south.  Go across the Tobin Bridge and follow signs for Storrow Drive/Cambridge. Stay right to exit at Nashua Street and follow signs for North Station. The Garden will be on your left.

From the south:

Take 95 north to 93 north to Boston. Enter the 93 north tunnel. Take Exit 26/Storrow Drive. After exiting, stay in the left lane and follow signs for North Station. Make a right at the next set of lights onto Nashua Street. Follow Nashua Street until the end and make a left at the lights. The Garden will be on your left.

From the west:

Take Mass Pike East to 93 north to Boston. Enter 93 north tunnel. Take Exit 26/Storrow Drive. After exiting, stay in the left lane and follow signs for North Station. Make a right at the next set of lights onto Nashua Street. Follow Nashua Street until the end and make a left at the lights. The Garden will be on your left.

From the Back Bay:

Turn left onto Berkeley Street. At the end of Berkeley Street turn right onto Storrow Drive East. At the end of Storrow Drive, turn right onto Martha Road/Nashua Street. Turn left onto Causeway Street. The Garden will be on the left.

From Logan Airport:

Exit the airport and follow the signs to the Sumner Tunnel (pay a toll) toward Boston. Once through the tunnel, stay in the right lane and take the ramp marked Storrow Dr/Cambridge. Once on the ramp, follow signs for North Station.

The Garden's web site also has some alternative routes.

Parking:

There are quite a few options near the arena.

The MBTA Garage is right underneath the Garden. The entrance is on Nashua Street.It costs $25 on game nights.

The Government Center garage is an easy 5 minute walk to the Garden. It's just above the Haymarket bus station. You can enter on New Sudbury Street or New Chardon Street. It costs $25 on game nights.

Insider tip: If you don't mind a bit of a walk, there are two garages on Somerset Street that cost $10 & $11.

TICKETS

Garden events are pricey.  The Celtics and Bruins each have some of the most expensive tickets in their leagues.

To get tickets to a Garden event, you can visit the box office, which is on the west side of the North Station platform, to the right of the Bruins pro shop.

You can also buy them online through Ticketmaster. There's also StubHub, FanSnap, and SeatGeek.  A cheaper, less secure option is Craigslist. You can also check out Ace Ticket.

For more information about Celtics tickets, visit their web site. The Bruins web site can also answer most of your questions about B's tickets.

SEATING

Here's the capacity for each event at the Garden:
 
Hockey - 17,565
Basketball - 18,624
Concert, End Stage - 14,801
Concert, Center Stage - 17,171
Ice Shows - 15, 898
Wrestling - 17, 834
Circus - 17,315

Tip: Once you get your tickets, the Garden's web site has a great interactive feature where you can get a 3D virtual view from your seat – for a Celtics or Bruins game or for a concert.

FOOD AND DRINKS

You can't bring any into the Garden, so bring your wallet and try out one of these concession stands:

The Frank House
Uno's Express
The Links Grill
Stonyfield Café
Seaside Shack

The Boston Pops Stand
West End Chicken and Brew
Back Bay Carvery
Pile High Deli
The Fry Depot
Sweet Spot
On Tap
Dunkin Donuts
Shots Bars
Kosher Café

View: Map of Main Concourse Concessions (pdf)
View: Map of Balcony Concessions (pdf)

There are also a few restaurants in the arena, but most of them are private. The Hub is open to everyone.  It's on the level 4 concourse and has a panoramic view of the city.

For premium level ticketholders, these are the private areas:
 
Banners Harbor View
Premium Club Bistro
Budweiser Legends Club (members only)
Insight Club Lounge
The Patron Platinum Lounge

If you're looking for a bar-restaurant to meet before or after a game, there are several around the Garden. Here's a quick rundown of the best in the neighborhood.

AT THE STADIUM

One of the hidden gems in the Garden is The Sports Museum, which features more than a half-mile of exhibits honoring local legends.  You can find it on levels 5 and 6.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors.  Children under 10 get in free. You can buy tickets at the Garden box office or the Bruins Pro Shop.