Boston’s North Station is the perfect place to kickstart an exciting day trip from the city. Want to go rock climbing on a crag? How about a visit to historic sites or an enlightening cultural excursion? All of this and more is possible with our Adventures from Boston’s North Station.
Keolis massAdventures has designed a number of fun day trips departing from Boston’s North Station, using the Commuter Rail system to create easily accessible and sustainable tours.
Whether you’re a Bostonian looking to explore beyond the city or a tourist expanding your horizons, our tours will show you the best Massachusetts has to offer.
Read our guide for everything you need to know about Boston’s North Station and our available day trips.
Boston’s North Station is located on 135 Causeway Street. Centrally located in the city, North Station is also home to TD Garden, situated above it. North Station is easily accessible from hotels, Airbnbs, and other accommodations in the city, making it the perfect jumping-off point for a number of day trips from Boston.
Outdoor bike racks are available should you choose to travel to the station by bicycle. North Station is also wheelchair accessible, with elevators and high-level platforms available.
There are several Commuter Rail lines departing from Boston’s North Station, also known as the Purple Line. You can see the route of the entire Commuter Rail line on MBTA.com/massbytrain. The four main lines from North Station are Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport. Trains depart daily at multiple different times, giving you plenty of options.
You can learn more about Sustainable Ways to Get Out of Boston and using the Commuter Rail system with our blog.
If you don’t have a car or would prefer to have someone else take care of the logistics, our sightseeing tours from Boston include everything you need to have an amazing day trip. When you book with us, your Commuter Rail train ticket, activity ticket, and transportation in sprinter vans from your arrival station to your activity and back are all included, providing an easy, seamless experience.
Better yet, your Commuter Rail ticket is valid for the entire weekend, meaning you can keep using the Commuter Rail before and after your tour to enjoy even more activities from Boston. If you want to make the most of your weekend, you can also book multiple tours and receive a $10 discount for each traveler. Learn more about How It Works with our detailed page.
Day trips from Boston’s North Station will suit a variety of tastes, whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a culture vulture. Find out more details about Keolis massAdventures’ tours below. You can also learn more about each line and other day trip options on MBTA.com/massbytrain.
The Hammond Castle Museum is one of Massachusetts’ most delightful curiosities. Overlooking Atlantic waters, this castle was built in the 1920s by the inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr. On a Hammond Castle tour, you can discover an eclectic and enchanting building you won’t find anywhere else, featuring a mix of architectural styles.
Our Hammond Castle Museum Tour includes your Commuter Rail ticket and free time to explore the stunning masterpiece on your own. Your Hammond Castle tickets are also included, meaning you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Roundtrip travel time: Approx. 3 hours
Train line: Newburyport Line
Arrival station: Gloucester Station
The more adventurous may be interested in some rock climbing! In Halibut Point State Park, you can test your mettle with our Beginners Rock Climbing Experience at Red Rock.
You can learn the ropes under the guidance of expert instructors before scaling the rockface. There are a number of routes to choose from — and stunning views at the top. Your Red Rock climbing guide will be on hand throughout the duration of the experience to provide you with any information, tips, or support you may need.
Roundtrip travel time: Approx. 3 hours
Train line: Newburyport Line
Arrival station: Gloucester Station
Journey back in time with our Castle Hill on the Crane Estate Tour. Explore the stunning lawns spread across 2,100 acres, with lawns to picnic on and seaside vistas to admire. During your Castle Hill tour, you’ll visit the Great House built by the Crane family and experience life in 1929. Our tour includes your guided Guest of the Cranes tour tickets for a seamless day trip from Boston!
Roundtrip travel time: Approx. 3 hours
Train line: Newburyport Line
Arrival station: Ipswich Station
On just a 1.5-hour trip from Boston, you can find yourself immersed in nature with our Plum Island Bird Watching Tour. In the beautiful Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll be joined by an expert bird watcher and spot plovers, owls, eagles, vireos, warblers, and more. During your Plum Island birding experience, you can also admire the diverse natural scenery, which includes beaches, marshes, and woodlands. If you want a peaceful escape from the city, you can’t go wrong with this Plum Island tour.
A Plum Island bird watching tour is excellent in the spring when a variety of birds migrate here. Read more with our Guide to Massachusetts’ Incredible Spring Bird Migration.
Roundtrip travel time: Approx. 3 hours
Train line: Newburyport Line
Arrival station: Newburyport Station
Go on a cultural excursion like no other with a DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park Tour! Explore 30 acres of land dotted with 60 fascinating statues by world-renowned artists. With your DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum tickets, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the park and gain further insight into the intriguing creations. Featuring everything from a tilted house to a musical fence, the DeCordova Sculpture Park is a fun and illuminating day trip from Boston.
Roundtrip travel time: Approx. 2 hours
Train line: Fitchburg Line
Arrival station: Lincoln Station
The adventures in Massachusetts don’t stop there! Day trips from Boston’s North Station are just the beginning of the exciting things you can experience in the state. Check out our Day Tour’s from Boston’s South Station to discover what more you can do on the other side of Massachusetts, including kayaking at Cape Cod and oyster farm tours.
For the full range of our tours, browse our Fun Day Trips Near Boston.
If you have any questions about our activities and sightseeing from Boston, feel free to get in touch.