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Wifi in the Boston area?

By jstemwedel on June 11, 2009.

I have a quick question for the hive-mind:

Where are good places with free wifi in Boston, Cambridge, and Wellesley?

I'm heading off to my 20th college reunion and I am hopeful that an area as student-centered as the Boston metropolitan area will be brimming with free wifi. But, seeing as how I lived long enough to have my hopes dashed before, I figured it was worth asking for specific recommendations.

Anything close to a T-stop or stocked with pastries is a plus.

Thanks for helping keep me connected!

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MIT Campus - only gives you fourteen days/year as a guest, but that shouldn't be a problem. :)

Bruegger's Bagels chains have free 'net and are pretty common - there's one right at Porter Square on the Red Line, and probably many other T stops as well.

I'll be in need of free wifi far from home in a few weeks, and from what I've heard Panera Bread is good.

Harvard Square (and elsewhere): b. good

And I second Panera, ideal for pastries, also near the Fenway and Kenmore T stops.

Haha, glad someone already suggested the MIT campus. I've been able to pick their network up from inside BU buildings across the river. The signal's pretty strong.

I'm interested in this, too. I went apartment hunting in Boston and was shocked that the coffee shops didn't offer free wifi.

The Boston Public Library in Copley Square is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, and has two restaurants (a somewhat fancy one that serves afternoon tea, as well as a casual cafe).

Fulfilling all your requirements, I think, there's an open WiFi access point visible from the Au Bon Pain in Central Square just north of the main entrance to the T-stop. (It's not ABP's, I don't think, so obviously people shouldn't, like, BitTorrent on it or anything, but just web/e-mail use should be fine.)

Welcome back -- I hope the reunion goes well. :-)

Luna Cafe on Mass Ave. a few blocks north of the Central Square T stop is pretty good, and you can usually get the wireless from the outdoor seating, which is great in good weather.

One of the more popular places to work is The Diesel in Davis Square (okay, it's technically in Somerville, but it's still on the T Red Line).

As people have mentioned, Panera is reliable for free wi-fi. The Au Bon Pain near Harvard Square (not the one right in H. Square) also does free wifi. If you are looking for a place that is actually awesome, go find Petsi Pies (also near H. Square).

In Boston, Trident Bookstore and Cafe is good if you can get a spot (located on Newbury Street).