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Get Outside with the T

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The T is here to help you get outside this summer. Whether you want to walk the city or take a weekend getaway, this guide can help you find outdoor activities that are just a short walk away from a T stop.

Click the button under a destination to get suggested routes and fare calculations for your journey.

Already know where you want to go? Jump to a section below:

Weekend Rail

Commuter Rail train crossing a bridge over a river, with lush greenery

Take unlimited Commuter Rail trips on Saturdays and Sundays for just $10.

Learn more about $10 weekends


Get Outside the City

Commuter Rail passing over Shawsheen River Bridge and waterway

Cape Cod

From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, beat the traffic with weekend Commuter Rail service to Cape Cod. The CapeFLYER runs from Friday evening to Sunday night, is fully accessible, and offers reduced fares and group rates.

With 114 miles of bike paths and over 70 miles of trails, Cape Cod has plenty of ways to get outside.

See the National Parks Service activities guide for Cape Cod

North Shore

South Shore

Been a While Since You've Taken the T?

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Explore Boston Parks

A picture of the stairs entrance to Park Street Station, shown from outside

There are tons of parks in Boston—no matter where you are in the city, there's a park within a 10-minute walk.

Below is a list of popular parks, with links to helpful information and buttons for directions taking the T.

You can also find a park nearby using this interactive map of Boston playgrounds, which lists features like basketball courts, swings, sports fields, and fitness stations.


Walk Through History

A large standing sign with a map of the Freedom Trail. The Old State House is in the background

Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail

Boston’s Freedom Trail starts at the Boston Common Visitor’s Center, between Park Street and Boylston Street stations—the oldest underground stations still in use in the country.

The Black Heritage Trail begins at Abiel Smith School near Bowdoin Station, and crosses the Freedom Trail between the Massachusetts State House and Park Street Church.

The Boston Women’s Suffrage Trail begins at the Massachusetts State House near Park Street and Government Center stations, and has several sites in common with the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail.


Visit the Harbor

A photo of a ferry in the water, taken from the Rowes Wharf dock. There's a large blue rope tied to the dock in the foreground.

Boston Harborwalk

The Harborwalk is almost 40 miles of live music, landmarks, public art, trails, and beaches connecting multiple Boston neighborhoods along the water.

If you’re coming in on the Commuter Rail, North and South stations are great starting points—both are just a couple of blocks away from the Harborwalk.

For directions to beaches along the Harborwalk, jump to the beaches section.

View the interactive Boston Harborwalk map


Ride a Ferry

A photo of Rowes Wharf, taken from the ferry across the water. The water is white from the wake of the ferry moving in the water. A United States flag is flying at an angle from the side of the boat, and the sky is a bright clear blue

The T has ferry terminals at the Boston Harbor, Charlestown Navy Yard, Hingham and Hull, and the airport. Ferries are a fun way to explore the Boston Harbor Islands—and get a great view of the city from the water.


Shop Farmers Markets

Riders wait on the platform at the Brookline Village stop on the Green Line D branch

There’s nothing better than a bustling farmers’ market on a warm summer day. It’s easy to take the T to these outdoors markets—and don’t forget, you can use SNAP benefits and get a dollar-for-dollar rebate on fresh fruits and vegetables from HIP farm vendors.

Looking for a market closer to your area? Check out this interactive map of farmers markets and use the Trip Planner to take the T there.


Relax at the Beach

A photo of the Nahant Beach Shoreline. There's a little wooden plank fence in some grass in the foreground, and there are buildings across the water, further down the curve of the beach

The Massachusetts coastline has lots to offer—sandy beaches to stretch out on, rocky shores with tide pools to explore, and plenty of places to sail or swim. We've picked out some popular beaches that are easy to visit using the T.


Hit the Trails

A closed pedal and park bike station with bikes parked inside at Forest Hills station

Rail Trails

There are more than 400 miles of rail trails in Massachusetts. Rail trails are former railroad rights of way that have been converted to public trails—meaning trailheads are conveniently close to stations.

View a map of Rail Trails in Massachusetts

Bikes on the T

A person secures a bicycle on the bike rack on the front of a bus at Haymarket station

Bring your bike on the bus, train, and ferry.

Learn more about bike guidelines


Take a Hike

A dirt hiking trail in the forest.

Looking for a park to explore outside of the city? Here are some options for hiking and camping that are easy to reach using the T:

Alewife Brook Reservation

Right next to Alewife Station is Alewife Brook Reservation, an urban forest with areas for hiking and fishing, as well as a playground, athletic fields, and tennis courts. The popular 10-mile Minuteman Commuter Bikeway also starts at Alewife and runs all the way to Bedford, where it connects with the Narrow Gauge Rail Trail.

Wompatuck State Park

This is a great park to hike, bike, camp, and hunt for geocaches. It’s a short walk from Cohasset Station to Wompatuck State Park—just follow the Whitney Spur Rail Trail from the station.

Winter Island Park in Salem

The waterfront Winter Island campsite is just two miles from Salem Station and has a tent sites, a playground, and a public beach with a lifeguard.

The Salem Trolley is the fastest way to the campground. Tickets are available at the Trolley Office just a few blocks from the Commuter Rail station.


Canoe and Kayak

River and cityscape in summer

Rentals are available along the Charles River, at Hopkinton State Park, and at Spot Pond in Middlesex Fells State Reservation—all a short walk from a T stop or station.

More Guides

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Our user guides can help you learn how to navigate the system, get to local events, use accessibility features, and more.

View all guides

Weekend Rail

Commuter Rail train crossing a bridge over a river, with lush greenery

Take unlimited Commuter Rail trips on Saturdays and Sundays for just $10.

Learn more about $10 weekends

Bikes on the T

A person secures a bicycle on the bike rack on the front of a bus at Haymarket station

Bring your bike on the bus, train, and ferry.

Learn more about bike guidelines

More Guides

Clickable graphic for User Guides

Our user guides can help you learn how to navigate the system, get to local events, use accessibility features, and more.

View all guides