Take a relaxing getaway to the Greater Merrimack Valley, no car required. The Commuter Rail is a fantastic way to travel, as it takes you to several of Merrimack Valley’s most popular towns and is within walking distance of some incredible local attractions. So skip the traffic and experience a relaxing trip into the Greater Merrimack Valley via train.
Fitchburg Line
The Fitchburg Line is a scenic, peaceful train route that’s perfect for your next family trip. The line goes from North Station in Boston to Wachusett and Fitchburg, with stations in Concord, Lincoln, and Acton situated right in the middle. This means it’s ideal for heading into the Merrimack Valley if you live in central Massachusetts or the greater Boston area.
Acton
The Discovery Museum is only a half-mile from South Acton Station, so it’s the perfect way to travel with young children. Even better, kids ages 11 and under always ride the Commuter Rail for free, so it’s an affordable way to get to the museum. Once you’ve arrived at the Discovery Museum, your child will get to learn through play both indoors and outdoors. In fact, there’s even a room themed around trains, so if your child loves the ride in, they’ll have the perfect place to play conductor.
Concord
When you head into Concord on the Fitchburg Line, you’ll have lots of things to do near the station, especially if you’re into history. For example, the Concord Museum and Minute Man National Park both give great, in-depth looks at the Revolutionary War and Colonial America. Both are less than two miles from the train station, so you can take a walk or a quick rideshare over.
If you have a daughter who loves Little Women, or it’s a story you grew up with yourself, the Commuter Rail is also an easy, car-free way to get to Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. The historic home is about a mile-and-a-half from the station, so it’s easy enough to get to when you arrive. Parking at the Orchard House is rather limited, so taking the train can genuinely be a better option than your car, as you’ll be saving yourself the stress of finding a parking spot elsewhere.
Lincoln
Looking for a beautiful place to walk around on a sunny day and appreciate art? Get off at Lincoln Station. About a mile and a half away is deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, where you can view 30 acres of manicured landscapes and more than 60 stunning, large-scale, modern and contemporary sculptures. It’s an amazing place to visit when the weather is nice and take Instagram-worthy photos and get inspired by thoughtful, unique works of art.
Lowell Line
Taking the Commuter Rail’s Lowell Line brings you from North Station directly into the city of Lowell. It’s a straightforward, relaxing way to get in and out of Boston to visit Lowell without having to deal with the traffic. On top of that, the Lowell Line was actually one of the first railroad lines in North America and the first major one in Massachusetts. This means you’ll be riding a piece of history while you head into the city, though the train itself is much more modern. Get off at Lowell Station and you’ll find plenty of fun things to do without needing to find a parking spot.
Lowell
Want to shop at cool, independently-owned stores? Housed in a repurposed textile mill, Mill No. 5 is a center for shopping, dining, and entertainment a half-mile from the station. Go on the weekend to shop for books, pop culture goodies, vinyls, fashionable clothes, and more. Pop into Coffee and Cotton for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a glass of wine. Depending on the day you also could be treated to live entertainment, game nights, and more, so you’ll have a full day of fun to look forward to.
Speaking of live entertainment, you can get to some great entertainment venues by taking the train. Lowell Memorial Auditorium is less than a mile from the station, while the Tsongas Center is just over a mile away. This makes it convenient to get to shows, concerts, and sporting events.
The train is also a great way for history lovers to get to Lowell and explore museums and historic sites. Lowell National Historic Park, the Whistler House Museum of Art, and Boott Cotton Mills Museum are all within a mile of the station, so you’ll have local and art history right at your fingertips.
Don’t assume you need a car to get to some of the most exciting places in the Greater Merrimack Valley. Take the Commuter Rail for a family day out, to view great art, or attend awesome live performances.
