Concord transportation
 

Is there a way to make a day trip to Concord from Boston without a car?

Commuter rail runs to Concord, MA, from out of North Station, on the Fitchburg/South Acton Line.

Thank you! The guide books I was researching seemed to indicate you needed a car.

Although you can get to Concord without a car I think getting around to the major sites will be a challenge. As far as I can tell from checking the web site, the town does not offer bus/shuttle services except for large groups. I have only visited with a car.

OK, might not be practical on this trip, then, in spite of my interest in Emerson, Thoreau, Alcott, and Hawthorne! I just have a few days in Boston accompanying my husband on business in mid-Sept...have been to Boston twice before but still have lots left to see like Charlestown and MFA. Also want to hang out in Cambridge when schools are in full swing, not that I have any chance of passing for a coed!

Peggionthego--I am trying to decide whether I was too discouraging about a possible visit to Concord by train.

Some of the sites in Concord are close to each other
For example, the Old Manse is right by the North bridge and close to the visitor's center for that part of Minuteman Historic Park
And the Orchard House (Alcotts) is right next to The Wayside where the Alcotts, then Hawthorne lived and not far from the Emerson House. You have to take guided tours of all three of these to see the houses

however, these two groupings of sites are in different directions from the center of Concord and the train station, though. Also, Walden Pond is farther out and in yet another direction from the center of town.

The day we visited Concord last fall it was pouring rain so that may be affecting my judgment about how hard it would be to walk. My husband and I visited Orchard House and Wayside, both of which are very interesting. He had just read March so was interested in the Alcotts, although I think the Little Women references on the tour were rather confusing for him.

Peggionthego: Here's a link for a shuttle bus (Liberty Ride) that starts in Lexington and will take you into Concord, stopping at most of the places that you will want to see
http://www.libertyride.us/libertyride.html. You can also get to the pick up area in Lexington using public transportation (Red line to the Alewife T station in Cambridge and then board a bus that will take you to Lexington). I live in Concord and see the bus along its route - it seems to be quite popular and you can get on and off as much as you like. Concord is a beautiful town and I think you would enjoy seeing the historic homes. The fall is a great time to visit, too.

I didn't think of checking a bus option from Lexington. I agree if you have a way of getting to the places you want to see, concord is a great destination.

peggionthego--
When we were at the Orchard House in Concord last fall we picked up a book called the Literary Trail of Greater Boston by Susan Wilson. It lists sites in Boston, Cambridge and Concord and would probably interest you whether you get to Concord or just stay in Boston. I also noticed that the organization Literary Trail of Greater Boston offers tours of Concord
More information
http://www.literarytrailofgreaterbos...928/64009.html