Concord and Lexington
Jun 28th, 2013, 12:58 PM
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Concord and Lexington
We r going to Boston in a couple of weeks and want to take train for a day trip. Is the doable via train. Should we do on our own or trolley/ tour. We r three adults in good walking shape. Looking for some good advise.
Jun 28th, 2013, 07:09 PM
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Getting from Boston to downtown Concord is no problem -- just ride the Fitchburg Commuter Rail from North Station direct to Concord. From there you'll have to walk.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...route=FITCHBRG
http://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Getting to Lexington by mass transit is a little trickier, but do-able.
Or you can take a city tour.
http://www.libertyride.us/libertyride.html
For three people, you may just want to make this a one-day car rental. Just be aware that driving in Boston is one of the worst experiences you can imagine. Have a GOOD map, know where you want to go and how to get there, be prepared for traffic, and don't expect the nicest drivers in the world.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...route=FITCHBRG
http://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Getting to Lexington by mass transit is a little trickier, but do-able.
Or you can take a city tour.
http://www.libertyride.us/libertyride.html
For three people, you may just want to make this a one-day car rental. Just be aware that driving in Boston is one of the worst experiences you can imagine. Have a GOOD map, know where you want to go and how to get there, be prepared for traffic, and don't expect the nicest drivers in the world.
Jun 29th, 2013, 04:21 AM
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Driving in Boston at non-commuting hours (after 9 inbound, after 3 outbound) is not bad at all unless you are coming from someplace with two stoplights.
The hard part is that the main roads are not signed, only the cross streets, in most locations, so a GPS is almost essential if you don't know the area.
The hard part is that the main roads are not signed, only the cross streets, in most locations, so a GPS is almost essential if you don't know the area.
Jun 30th, 2013, 04:46 AM
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It's not at all difficult to get to Lexington by public transportation. Take the MBTA red line to Alewife station (the northern terminus), then take the 62 or 76 bus from Alewife to Lexington Center.
The train to Concord is comfortable, but the service isn't very frequent -- less than 1 per hour, except at rush hours. You also have a 10- or 15-minute walk (and a pleasant walk, through a nice neighborhood) from the train station to the center. The red line/bus service to Lexington is much more frequent -- at least 2/hour for the bus, and much more frequent for the red line trains.
You might also be interested in the Minuteman National Historical Park, which straddles Lexington and Concord and contains a wealth of history concerning the beginning of the American Revolution. The centerpiece of the park is a trail (maybe 2 miles long, primarily for pedestrians but also good for bicycles on weekdays) with several key sites. I don't believe that the park is accessible by public transportation, but it is easy to reach by auto. As Ackislander says, driving around Boston is not all that challenging for non-natives if you have a GPS. Indeed, a car trip to Lexington, the Minuteman Park, and Concord would be a very doable day trip.
The train to Concord is comfortable, but the service isn't very frequent -- less than 1 per hour, except at rush hours. You also have a 10- or 15-minute walk (and a pleasant walk, through a nice neighborhood) from the train station to the center. The red line/bus service to Lexington is much more frequent -- at least 2/hour for the bus, and much more frequent for the red line trains.
You might also be interested in the Minuteman National Historical Park, which straddles Lexington and Concord and contains a wealth of history concerning the beginning of the American Revolution. The centerpiece of the park is a trail (maybe 2 miles long, primarily for pedestrians but also good for bicycles on weekdays) with several key sites. I don't believe that the park is accessible by public transportation, but it is easy to reach by auto. As Ackislander says, driving around Boston is not all that challenging for non-natives if you have a GPS. Indeed, a car trip to Lexington, the Minuteman Park, and Concord would be a very doable day trip.
Jul 1st, 2013, 09:42 AM
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I'd consider renting a car for the day. The many different places to visit are not that close. So it would be time consuming trying to do it by public transportation.
You could easily take a walk at Walden Pond, see the sites of Lexington, visit a historical house or two, stop by the inn, window shop and have lunch in Concord. The cost of the rental car, vs time saved and independence may even be a wash.
That said, I know nothing about the trolley tour and if that would be the best.
You could easily take a walk at Walden Pond, see the sites of Lexington, visit a historical house or two, stop by the inn, window shop and have lunch in Concord. The cost of the rental car, vs time saved and independence may even be a wash.
That said, I know nothing about the trolley tour and if that would be the best.
