TD Garden Boston
TD Garden is Boston's largest indoor arena and the home of the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins, sitting directly above North Station at the northern edge of downtown Boston. The arena opened in 1995 as the replacement for the original Boston Garden, and it has hosted more than 200 public events a year ever since, from NBA and NHL games to major concerts and touring shows.
Because TD Garden sits right on top of a major transit hub, it works as a natural anchor point for a day of sightseeing rather than a stop you build a whole trip around. This guide covers where the arena is, its history, what to expect at a game or show, and which downtown Boston landmarks are close enough to fold into the same visit.
Where Is TD Garden Located?
TD Garden is located at 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114, directly above North Station in the city's West End. North Station itself is one of the busier transit hubs in New England, served by the MBTA Green and Orange Lines, several commuter rail lines, and Amtrak's Downeaster service, so most visitors arrive by train or subway rather than by car.
From the arena, several of downtown Boston's best-known stops sit within an easy walk: the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, and the North End. That makes TD Garden a convenient starting or ending point for a broader downtown itinerary, whether or not you're attending an event there.
History of TD Garden
TD Garden opened on September 30, 1995, as the successor to the original Boston Garden, which stood next door at 150 Causeway Street from 1928 until it closed the same year. The new arena went through a few names before settling on its current one: it was called Shawmut Center during construction, FleetCenter from 1995 to 2005, and TD Banknorth Garden from 2005 to 2009, before becoming simply TD Garden. The naming rights agreement with TD Bank runs through June 2045.
The arena is owned and operated by Delaware North, and it seats roughly 19,000 for basketball and hockey, with a bit more room added for concerts. A bronze statue of Bruins legend Bobby Orr, unveiled outside the arena in 2010, has become one of the more recognizable landmarks on this stretch of Causeway Street. Inside, The Sports Museum occupies part of the building and traces the history of Boston sports, including both the Celtics and Bruins franchises, and it's worth a stop even outside of game nights.
Home Arena of the Boston Celtics
TD Garden is the official home arena of the Boston Celtics and has been since the team's first game there on November 3, 1995. Visitors searching for where the Celtics play, or what the team's arena is called, will find the answer here: TD Garden, on Legends Way in downtown Boston.
Celtics games run through the NBA regular season from fall into spring, and into the playoffs if the team qualifies. Game nights bring some of the loudest, most consistent crowds in the building.
Home Arena of the Boston Bruins
TD Garden is also the Bruins' home ice, hosting the team since its first game there on October 7, 1995. The court used for Celtics games converts to ice for Bruins games, a changeover the arena's staff handles between back-to-back events on the same day.
Bruins home games run through the NHL season from fall into spring, overlapping closely with the Celtics' schedule on the arena's calendar.
Beyond Sports: Concerts and Events
TD Garden's role in Boston goes past its two home teams. The arena runs a full calendar of concerts, comedy shows, family productions, and other touring events throughout the year, and it has hosted major championship tournaments and college sports competitions in addition to Celtics and Bruins games. With a capacity built for both team sports and large-scale shows, it remains one of the busiest event venues in the Northeast.
Nearby Attractions
TD Garden's location puts several of downtown Boston's landmarks within a short walk, which makes it easy to build a full day around an event rather than heading straight home afterward.
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail's 2.5-mile route connects sixteen Revolutionary War sites, and one end of it passes close enough to TD Garden that many visitors walk a portion of it before or after an event.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
A short walk from the arena, Faneuil Hall Marketplace combines historic architecture with shopping, restaurants, and street performers, and it's a popular stop for visitors filling time before a game.
Quincy Market
Sitting right alongside Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market's food stalls and local vendors make it a convenient place to eat before or after an event at the Garden.
North End
Boston's North End, known for its Italian restaurants and Revolutionary War history along Hanover Street, sits close enough to TD Garden that it's frequently paired with an evening event as a dinner stop.
Boston Harbor and the Waterfront
The waterfront offers harbor views, walking paths, and boat tours, and it's an easy addition to a TD Garden visit for anyone with extra time before or after a game.
Best Time to Visit TD Garden
The right time to visit depends on what brings you to the arena. Basketball fans should plan around the NBA season for Celtics games, and hockey fans around the NHL season for the Bruins, while the concert calendar runs year-round regardless of sports schedules. For visitors combining an event with sightseeing, spring and fall tend to offer the most comfortable weather for walking to nearby attractions, though summer in Boston works well too if you don't mind the heat.
Visitor Tips for First-Time Guests
- Arrive early before major events, since security lines can move slowly during busy nights.
- Check event schedules in advance, especially during overlapping Celtics and Bruins seasons.
- Use North Station for the most convenient access, rather than driving.
- Stop by the Boston Bruins Pro Shop for team merchandise before or after a game.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes if you're planning to explore downtown Boston the same day.
- Plan dining reservations ahead of time on busy event nights, since nearby restaurants fill up fast.
Why Choose Boston Sightseeing?
TD Garden's central spot above North Station makes it a natural fit for a broader day of sightseeing, especially since parking near the arena is limited and expensive on event nights.
- Flexible hop-on-hop-off access: Hop off near TD Garden, spend as long as you like at the arena or the Sports Museum, and rejoin the route to keep exploring.
- Convenient access to top attractions: The route connects TD Garden to the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, and the North End, so a game night can double as a day of sightseeing.
- Multiple tour options for every schedule: Choose from a 90-minute Single Ride Pass up to longer tour packages if you want to see more of the city before or after an event.
- Built for first-time visitors: Double-decker buses and mobile-friendly ticketing make it easier to get around downtown Boston without worrying about parking or navigating unfamiliar streets on a busy event night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the Celtics play?
The Boston Celtics play their home games at TD Garden, located at 100 Legends Way in downtown Boston, directly above North Station.
Where do the Bruins play?
The Boston Bruins play their home games at TD Garden, the same arena the Celtics use, with the court converted to ice for hockey games.
What was TD Garden called before?
The arena was known as Shawmut Center during construction, then FleetCenter from 1995 to 2005, and TD Banknorth Garden from 2005 to 2009, before becoming TD Garden.
How big is TD Garden?
TD Garden seats roughly 19,000 people for basketball and hockey, with a bit more capacity available for concerts, making it the largest arena in New England.
Where is TD Garden located?
TD Garden is at 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114, directly above North Station in the city's West End.
What's the best way to get to TD Garden?
North Station, right beneath the arena, is served by the MBTA Green and Orange Lines, several commuter rail lines, and Amtrak's Downeaster service, making public transit the most convenient way to arrive.
Can I combine a TD Garden visit with Boston sightseeing?
Yes. TD Garden sits close enough to the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, and the North End that many visitors combine an event with a broader day of sightseeing, and a Boston Sightseeing hop-on-hop-off tour makes it easy to connect those stops without driving or parking downtown.
Planning Your Visit
To make the most out of your visit to TD Garden, consider taking a tour on the Boston sightseeing double-decker bus. This hop-on-hop-off tour offers a convenient way to explore the city while also providing interesting insights and commentary from knowledgeable guides.
Our Tour Packages
Single Ride Pass
$33.25
Explore Boston in 90 Minutes
Ride above the crowd and enjoy the panoramic view of Boston
- Boston City Tour Single Ride Pass
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour
- Charlestown Sightseeing Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off All Day
$41.55
Boston City Sightseeing Tour
Experience historic Boston with unlimited hop-on hop-off at your own pace.
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Shuttle Bus Service
- Charlestown Tour
Hop-on Hop-off Boston & Charlestown Tour
$48.65
Boston & Charlestown Tour
Experience the charm of Boston & Charlestown with Boston Sightseeing at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$70.40
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Tour
Explore Boston & Charlestown with Boston's first double-decker bus at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 2 Days Validity
Cruise Terminal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$52.00
200 Minutes Hop-on Hop-off
Get onboard from Boston Cruise terminal and explore the historic beantown with Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop 1-8, 12-15
- Blue & Purple Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 200 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Charlestown Tour
Boston & Cambridge City Tour
$63.00
Guided Photo & City Tour
A 3.5-hour guided shuttle tour featuring Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods, Cambridge highlights, waterfront views, and curated photo opportunities.
- Guided Boston & Cambridge sightseeing tour
- Approximately 3.5 hours
- Curated stops and photo opportunities
- Climate-controlled shuttle bus transportation
- Live local tour guide
- 45-minutes Quincy Market lunch break
- Same-day tour experience
- Double-Decker Bus Service
- Hop-on, hop-off service
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