This content is sponsored by Keolis
Sponsored by Keolis
This content was produced by Boston Globe Media's Studio/B in collaboration with the advertiser. The news and editorial departments of The Boston Globe had no role in its production or display.
MOST POPULAR ON BOSTONGLOBE.COM
Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in these stories
If there’s a perfect time of year to explore all of the region’s charms, it’s autumn.
Fall puts the best of the region on display — not just in terms of foliage, but also with one-of-a-kind activities. Plus, many of these activities, from visiting historical towns to exploring wildlife sanctuaries, are only a train ride away.
Taking a day trip via the Commuter Rail is a near-perfect way to spend a Saturday or Sunday. When you leave your car behind, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery. Even better, if you’re traveling with a group, you can chat, sip some coffee, and stretch your legs — because time together is better than time spent in traffic. The convenience of bathrooms on board (and plenty of space to let out any antsy energy) also makes the Commuter Rail an excellent option for families with kids.
“Leave your car at home and let us take care of the driving,” says Abdellah Chajai, general manager and CEO of Keolis Commuter Services. “Enjoy fall in Massachusetts from the train on your way to farms, food, hiking, and many other fun attractions.”
When you’re not worried about parking, Boston and its surrounding towns seemingly open up; the Commuter Rail makes it easy to reliably reach fun spots both inside and outside the city. With that in mind, here are four excellent options for a fall getaway from Boston — no sitting in traffic necessary.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by B-Side (@bostonbside)
A post shared by B-Side (@bostonbside)
If it’s leafy strolls and wildlife encounters you’re after, plan to visit Lincoln, a suburb just west of the city. Simply hop on the train at North Station and enjoy a leisurely 34-minute ride to Lincoln, where animal encounters and walking trails await.
Once you’ve disembarked, it’s only a six-minute walk to Codman Community Farms, a working farm with a store that stocks local produce, meat, eggs, flowers, gifts, and more. From Codman Farms, you can stroll for 16 minutes to Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll glimpse pigs, sheep, chickens, goats, and cows in the farmyard. You can also walk nature trails to see fields, forests, and wetland habitats.
Anastasia Gallardo, who runs the account @sceneoverheard, visited both spots on a recent trip to Lincoln. “This was my first time taking the Commuter Rail for a day trip and it absolutely made me wonder ‘Why am I not doing this regularly?’” she says. “I really hate sitting in traffic, and the Commuter Rail ride was so chill. Just me, Spotify, and some snacks about to go enjoy some nature.”
Gallardo explains she was especially excited to take home goodies from the Codman Farms store. “I live for fresh produce and locally made foods, and they had everything you could ever want, grown and made right there at Codman or nearby in [Massachusetts],” she says. “That store alone could lure me onto the Commuter Rail any day.”
Travel time from Boston: 34 minutesDistance from station to Codman Community Farms: 0.3 miles, 6-minute walkDistance from station to Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary: 0.7 miles, 16-minute walkFares: Weekend Pass: $10 (unlimited travel Saturday, Sunday, and holidays)
One-Way: $8.75
Round Trip: $17.50
Kids 11 and Under: Free
Seniors: 50 percent off
Searching for a fun fall family outing? Look no further than the Franklin Park Zoo, easily accessible from the Commuter Rail’s Fairmount Line. As an added bonus, kids 11 years old and under travel for free. Simply board at South Station to enjoy a 13-minute ride to the Four Corners/Geneva stop. From there, it’s an easy 13-minute walk to the park’s Zebra Entrance gate.
Zoo highlights include meeting western lowland gorillas at the Gorilla Grove, spotting an African lion at Kalahari Kingdom, watching a Grant’s zebra graze at Serengeti Crossing, and peering up at a Masai giraffe in the Giraffe Savannah. The Children’s Zoo section of the park allows kids to experience animal viewing, education, and imaginative play all in one.
For lunch, there are wraps, burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizza, fries, and more available at Farmhouse Café, as well as grab-and-go snacks at Kalahari Outpost. You’re also welcome to pack a lunch for your visit, as the zoo offers plenty of picnic areas. And finally, you’d be remiss not to stop in the Things Wild Gift Shop for a zebra stuffie.
Travel time from Boston: 13 minutesDistance from station to Franklin Park Zoo: 0.5 miles, 13-minute walkFares:
Weekend Pass: $10 (unlimited travel Saturday, Sunday, and holidays)
One-Way: $2.40
Round Trip: $4.80
Setting out for a day of thrifting could result in the best autumn perk of all: cozy sweaters. Whether you’re a student, young professional, or a thrifting enthusiast, consider boarding the Needham Line for a 39-minute ride to flip through the racks at Closet Exchange Consignment in Needham Center. From the Needham Center stop, it’s a short four-minute walk to the store. Browse secondhand brand-name women’s clothes, accessories, jewelry, and shoes, and enjoy the slower pace this suburb has to offer.
Afterward, you can hop back on the train and ride 19 minutes back to Roslindale Village, where you can find one of Boston’s oldest thrift stores, the Thrift Shop of Boston. There’s plenty to choose from here, including clothes, furniture, housewares, art, books, and more. (Pro tip: There’s a 50 percent off discount on books, music, and movies every Thursday, and a 50 percent off sale on jewelry every Friday.)
Iona MacGowan, better known as @instaiona, took the Commuter Rail to Needham and Roslindale while thrifting this fall. She says she loved her time in Rozzie, where she was excited to see such a large homeware selection.
“I found two beautiful vintage books at the Thrift Shop of Boston — a children’s fairytale collection and a copy of ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ After I read them, I’m planning to wrap them up as Christmas gifts for my book-loving friends,” MacGowan says. “I also had so much fun playing dress-up at the consignment store in Needham — they had incredible pieces!”
After plucking your gems from the thrift store, duck into Fornax Bread Company for a griddled sandwich, a pastry, and a mug of something warm. Arguably one of the coziest cafes in Boston — the vintage ambiance only adds to its charm — it’s only a few doors down from the shop.
Needham CenterTravel time from Boston: 39 minutesDistance from station to Closet Exchange Consignment: 0.2 miles, 4-minute walkFares to Needham Center:
One-Way: $7.00
Round Trip: $14.00
Roslindale VillageTravel time from Boston: 16 minutesDistance from station to the Thrift Shop of Boston: 0.2 miles, 4-minute walkFares to Roslindale Village:
One-Way: $6.50
Round Trip: $13.00
There are two excellent reasons to visit Providence: art and top-tier dining. Culture vultures and foodies alike flock here for the impressive exhibits at the RISD Museum, the spectacle of WaterFire, and the scores of award-winning restaurants. Grab a $10 weekend pass and take the train down to this scenic New England city, which is just over an hour’s ride.
From the train station in Providence, it’s a four-minute walk to Waterplace Park, where you can view the beloved local treasure that is WaterFire. Held on select dates throughout the year, the art installation sets small bonfires aglow in the water. Visitors can watch the torches float downstream in the three rivers that pass through downtown Providence.
It’s a nine-minute walk to the RISD Museum from the riverfront. A ticket unlocks a range of stunning art and design exhibits, including The Art of French Wallpaper Design, on view from Nov. 16 through May 11, 2025. There’s also an Ancient Egyptian gallery, a silver and metalwork exhibition, and much more. One block away is the Providence Athenaeum, a 188-year-old membership library teeming with antique titles. It’s worth stopping in to behold its time-honored charms.
Experience more of the city by taking the mile walk (or take a ride-share if you’re fed up with walking) to Federal Hill, where Italian spots like Maria’s Cucina and Massimo Ristorante serve up some of the best pasta and seafood dishes in the region.
Travel time from Boston: 1 hour and 12 minutesDistance from station to Waterplace Park: 0.2 miles, 4-minute walkFares:
One-Way: $12.25
Round Trip: $24.50
