Terri

Hello everyone - I am planning a trip to the Boston area in July and would love to spend a day in the Lexington/Concord area. My problem is transportation. We were thinking of renting a car in Cambridge (to avoid driving in Boston), but am concerned about the drive to Lexington from there. I'd appreciate any info about the difficulty of the drive there and any other info anyone could share. I also considered hiring a limo to take us around, but dont really want to pay that much! Any ideas? Thanks!

FlyFish

I live just a couple of towns away from Concord. I really think the driving problems in Boston are much overstated. If you avoid the typical weekday morning and evening rush hours the drive out from Boston to Concord, passing through Lexington on the way, is not a problem. Starting from Cambridge saves a bit, but it's really just not that big a deal. If you really, really want to avoid driving in the city consider taking the commuter rail to Concord and renting a car when you get there.

The route that saves the most in-town driving is to head north on I-93, then back south on I-95 (locals still call it Route 128). Take the exit for Route 2A and head east a couple miles into Lexington, then back west across I-95 to Concord. Route 2A more or less follows the original route of march of the British troops and passes through Minuteman Park, which is a bit of a work-in-progress with very nice facilities and interpretive exhibits.

Anonymous

I agree -- renting a car in Boston and heading OUT of town is no problem -- it's driving around IN Boston that's daunting, especially if you're looking for a parking spot or a specific address. Just be sure you get good directions, ecpecially for returning the car when you're done.

Terri

Thank you so much for the advice. I didnt realize it might be possible to rent a car in Concord. Is it easy to get a cab from the train station to the rental car place?

John_T_Cuttino

Where will you be staying?
It would be easy to rent a car at your hotel or the airport. As other posters have said, navigating around Boston is not difficult, outside of rush hours. With the new Ted Williams Tunnel, getting out of the airport into Boston and environs is easy (Mass Pike to Back Bay or Storrow Dr or to 128 (I-95)).
I live in Lexington and highly recommend a day in Lexington and Concord. They have done a great job upgrading the Battle Road, Park Service visitors center, etc. Great museums in Concord and Lexington. Good restaurants in both towns.
For a real treat, take a diversion over to Carlisle to get ice cream at Kimball's Farm (the best ice cream in Boston, IMHO).
Have a good trip.

Rosanne

We were at Kimball's last month for the great ice cream, but isn't it on Littleton Road in Westford? Maybe there's more than one.

FlyFish

Yes, there are two Kimball's locations - the Littleton one is becoming something of a "destination" complete with driving range, pitch & putt course, and mini-golf. Great ice cream as well.

Terri, I still think you'd be fine driving from Boston but if you really want to do the train thing, there's an Enterprise location in Maynard, the next town southwest from Concord. The number is 978 823-0044. If you took the train (Fitchburg Line, by the way) from North Station to West Concord, which is only one stop and about one mile beyond Concord Center you would be about two miles from Enterprise and I believe they will bring the car to you if you want.

Chele60

When I was in Boston a couple of years ago I wanted to go to Concord. I just took the commuter train there. Once there, I walked wherever I wanted to go - the town is not that big as far as sights to see. At the train stop in Concord, there is a small travel agency. Sorry, don't know the name. For .50 I bought a map of the city, and the agent assured me I could walk out to the battlefield and showed me where the homes of authors were.

Of course, this was in May and the weather couldn't have been better for a nice walk. And had a terrific lunch as well as did a little window shopping before heading back to the train.

I'm not sure how this would work out if you tried to do Lexington at the same time, however. I only wanted to see Concord.

I do recommend Concord highly, however. It really is a quaint little town and just walking around some of the homes is amazing! I don't think I would have had the same experience if I had rented a car. I would recommend parking the car and walking a bit. You won't be disappointed.

Have fun!

Terri

Wow! You guys are amazing. I really appreciate all the good advice. I'm sure Concord would be a great place to walk around, but my Mother has some difficulty walking a lot, so I'm trying to limit the amount we have to do. We both love history, so we are really excited about this trip. Thanks again for the great advice, I will definitely be checking into your suggestions. By the way, we're staying at the Boston Marriot Copley Place. I heard it was in a good location. Thanks again!

gail

Check with the hotel ahead of time - they probably can tell you of several "in-town" car rental places and likely have some sort of arrangement with one where they will bring you the car and pick it up at hotel.

Whether or not you will feel comfortable driving in Boston area depends on your style, personality, experience, etc. While annoying and frustrating, driving around Boston is only somewhat worse than driving around any other older congested city. If you are OK with that, you can certainly make this trip. Just avoid rush hours and keep your sense of humor.

I think with M-I-L's walking limitations, this is better option than taking train.

Anonymous

There are car rental places in Copley Square, and easy highway access so you won't actually be driving the notorious streets of Boston. Taking the train and renting in Concord would be about ten times the hassle of just renting the car near your hotel.

FlyFish

I agree with Anonymous. From the Copley Sq. area it's easy to hop on the Mass Turnpike - the hotel is just about right on top of it, then 10 mins west to I-95 (aka 128) north, then another 10 mins or so to Route 2A where you can proceed as in my earlier post. Don't forget to visit Walden Pond and the site of Thoreau's cabin - about a mile or so out of town near the intersection of Rts. 2 and 126.

John_T_Cuttino

Rent your car through the hotel (or they will advise where/how).
Here's a suggested itinerary:
Drive to Lexington. Park and go the the Park Service visitor center and tour the historic things there. (big debate whether the "shot heard round the world" was in Lexington or Concord).
Poke around the town a bit (cut of coffee, shop).
Drive via Rt 2A to Concord (also known as the Battle Road. Another visitor center on the way to Concord.
Go by Concord Museum (the light used in the Old North Church is there).
If you have time and want a diversion, drive over to Walden Pond.
Do the Orchard House (Louisa May Alcott house) and other, Hawthorne, I think, house nearby.
Head into Concord Center. Lunch there.
Go to North Bridge (another visitor center--park by the visitor center and walk "back" to North Bride not the main parking lot on the other side of the river.
After the NOrth Bridge drive via Monument Street to Carlise and Kimball Farms Ice cream (see above). Monument Street(North Bridge on this) is one of the most beautiful New England places to see.
After Carlise return by Lowell Street to Concord (go by Middlesex Academy-where "School Ties" was filmed.
That should occupy a good day.

Terri

Thanks again - all of those suggestions sound really great. I can hardly wait to go!