The Hub opens its arms for South Coast Rail riders

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You’ve just arrived at South Station after a smooth, 95-minute ride on the MBTA’s new Fall River/New Bedford line. You made it to Boston — the state’s capital city, the home of legendary sports teams, the cradle of the American Revolution, a bustling hub of arts and culture.

Now what?

This guide will show you where you can go from South Station, and how to get there.

If Boston isn’t your final destination

Logan Airport

The Silver Line bus SL1 route goes between South Station and the airport, stopping at every terminal. You’ll need to buy a $2.40 CharlieTicket from the ticket kiosks at South Station to get to the airport, but the bus is free to ride on the way back from the airport.

North Station

This transit hub is the origin for MBTA commuter rail lines to the North and Northwest. It’s also where you can catch Amtrak’s Downeaster headed for Brunswick, Maine.

From South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife. Then, you can get off at Downtown Crossing and take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove, or you can get off at Park Street and take the Green Line toward Medford/Tufts or Union Square. Both the Orange and Green lines stop at North Station.

Alternatively, you can make the transfer on foot if you’re up for a one-mile walk. Just head north along Congress and Canal streets.

Museums and attractions

The New Bedford Free Public Library offers free passes to cardholders that get you into the Boston Children’s Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. You can reserve them on the library’s Culture Pass website.

The Boston Children’s Museum

308 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210

This museum has exhibits where children can play and learn. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., though it doesn’t open until 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Admission is $22 for adults and children, and free for babies under 12 months old.

It’s just a short walk from South Station. Go west on Summer Street, then turn left and walk one block north on Dorchester Avenue. Turn right to cross the Congress Street bridge. You should see a 40-foot milk bottle — the museum is right behind it.

The Museum of Fine Arts

465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115

Boston’s largest art museum has a sprawling collection of works from six continents, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to early American paintings to innovative modern art exhibitions. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. General admission is $27 for adults, $10 for children ages 7 to 17, and free for children 6 years old and under.

The simplest way to get there from South Station is by hopping on another commuter rail train. Take any outbound train on the Worcester, Needham, or Providence/Stoughton lines and get off at Ruggles. Walk north along Forsyth Street. When you reach Huntington Avenue, cross to the north side of the street and walk a couple of blocks west to reach the museum.

The Museum of Science

1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114

You’ll find interactive exhibits, more than 50 species of animals, and an IMAX dome theater at this museum on the Charles River. It’s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $31 for adults, $26 for children ages 3 to 11, $27 for seniors over age 60, and free for children under age 3.

Take the Red Line toward Alewife and get off at Park Street. Then, transfer to a Green Line train toward Medford/Tufts or Union Square. Get off at Science Park/West End. When you leave the station, head northeast on Charles River Dam Road. The museum is on the south side of that street.

The New England Aquarium

1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110

Penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions call this aquarium home. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Tickets are $39 for adults, $30 for children ages 3 to 11, $37 for seniors 60 and over, and free for children aged 2 and under. Excluding some blackout dates including weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, New England residents qualify for a $5 discount per ticket.

The aquarium is less than a 15-minute walk from South Station. Head northeast on Atlantic Avenue and turn right at Milk Street.

The Freedom Trail

This iconic 2.5-mile walking path shows off historic landmarks from the American Revolution. Sites include the Statehouse, the Old South Meeting House, the Paul Revere House, the Boston Massacre site, and Bunker Hill Monument.

There are plenty of guided tours available at various price points, but you can walk the path on your own. The National Park Service offers a free, self-guided audio tour on its app. Some sites charge admission to get inside.

The official starting point is at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center. Take the Red Line toward Alewife and get off at Park Street. The visitor center is just downhill. From there, follow the red brick line in the sidewalk.

The Boston Public Library

700 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116

Boston’s main library branch is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Download the free mobile visitor guide to help you explore the historic building’s art and architecture. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Take the Red Line toward Alewife and get off at Park Street. Then, take any westbound Green Line train to Copley. The station is just across the street from the library.

Stadiums

Fenway Park

4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215

See the Red Sox play at their home ballpark. The stadium will also host concerts featuring Shakira, Hozier, The Lumineers, and My Chemical Romance this year.

Take the Red Line toward Alewife and get off at Park Street. Then, take any westbound Green Line train except the E Line toward Heath Street (the E Line branches off in a different direction!). Get off at Kenmore and follow signs in the station for Fenway Park.

When you leave the station, turn left onto Commonwealth Avenue and then turn left again to head up Brookline Avenue. You should be able to see the park as you cross the bridge over the Massachusetts Turnpike.

TD Garden

100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114

Catch a Celtics or Bruins game at this busy arena. Or see a concert — Tyler the Creator, Katy Perry, and Dua Lipa will perform there this year. South Coast Rail opens just in time for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden, from March 26 to March 30.

The arena is right above North Station, so see our directions at the top of this guide.

Health care

Massachusetts General Hospital

55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114

This Harvard-affiliated hospital provides care “in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery.” 

Take the Red Line toward Alewife and get off at Charles/MGH. The hospital campus is across the street to the north of the station.

Longwood Medical area

This medical campus has locations for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Dana–Farber Cancer Institute.

Take the Red Line toward Alewife and get off at Park Street. Transfer to the Green Line — either a D Line train toward Riverside or an E Line train toward Heath Street, depending on which part of the medical campus you’re going to.

If you’re headed to a building on the east side, take the E Line and get off at Longwood Medical Area, then walk west on Longwood Avenue past the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

If your destination is on the south side of the campus, take the E Line and get off at Brigham Circle. Walk southwest on Huntington Avenue and turn right on Francis Street.

If you’re going anywhere on the west side of campus, take the D Line and get off at Longwood. Head south on Chapel Street and turn left on Longwood Avenue. You’ll reach the campus in four blocks.

Email Grace Ferguson at gferguson@newbedfordlight.org

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