The Boston area may be notorious for traffic congestion, but fortunately, the city has made consistent investments into refining its public transportation system. In fact, the public transportation system in Boston (MBTA) is one of only two in the nation that leverages five major modes of transit, including a local rail service, bus transit, ferries and commuter rail.
This makes it possible to explore most of the city’s cultural offerings without using a car, which can get expensive due to parking fees. Those who are fortunate enough to live in the towns along the South Shore get the best of everything: easy access to the amenities of Boston via the MBTA commuter rail combined with a quiet, small-town coastal atmosphere.
Although this is by no means a complete list, a few of the cities that make up the South Shore include Plymouth, Scituate, Weymouth, and Braintree. Plymouth, of course, is the site where the Pilgrims first landed in 1620. Aside from the many historic sites, and the Mayflower II, a replica of the famous ship, the town is home to Myles Standish State Forest, Ellisville Harbor State Park, and many golf courses.
Not surprising given it was established in 1636, Scituate also has many historic sites, including the iconic Scituate Lighthouse. With five local beaches, a low crime rate and a wealth of options for shopping, dining or outdoor recreation, Scituate has earned a reputation as one of the state’s best places to live.
Weymouth has traditionally been recognized as one of the most affordable towns on the South Shore. One of the South Shore’s closest towns to Boston, Weymouth offers a short commute to major centers of employment, a town beach, 43 parks and many other cultural offerings. Braintree is also home to several pristine natural areas, including Blue Hills Reservation, Pond Meadow Park and Sunset Lake.
Similar to the other South Shore towns, Braintree offers convenient access to major Boston attractions through the MBTA Commuter Rail, which connects to South Station.
Five Easily Reachable Boston Destinations from South Station
The historic South Station was built in 1899. Aside from connecting residents of the towns along the South Shore to Boston, it offers access to the Silver Line bus system. South Station has a food court and it is located nearby the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a one-mile-long park with landscaped gardens that connects several vibrant parts of the city.
Children’s Museum
Located a short walk away from South Station across the scenic Bass River, the Boston Children’s Museum is a draw for visiting families as well as South Shore residents. Established in 1913, the Boston Children’s Museum is one of the oldest children’s museums in the nation.
With three floors of exhibits, including a climbing structure, an art lab, a STEAM lab, a Japanese house and many others, the museum encourages children to develop an appreciation of the world and build foundational skills.
Boston Tea Party Ship
The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is also a short walk away from South Station. Aside from providing a chance to explore a full-scale replica of a seafaring vessel from the 1700s, visitors have the opportunity to experience a live action reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, complete with historic artifacts and technological integrations.
Grab and go sandwiches, muffins, cider, salads, chowder and beer are also available at Abigail’s Tea Room and Terrace, located on site.
Institute of Contemporary Art
Although not an extremely long distance away from South Station, it is easier to take the Silver Line bus if you are interested in reaching the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA). Located on the waterfront, the Institute has floor-to-ceiling windows and soft contemporary architecture that make it a work of art in its own right.
The ICA features a variety of visual exhibitions, including music, film, video and performance art. With 65,000 square feet and an extensive permanent collection of art, presented on many different forms of media, it’s necessary to set aside a number of hours to fully experience what it has to offer.
New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is a favorite attraction for local families and visitors alike. Easily accessible via the T Subway line from South Station, the aquarium features a four-story tank with a Caribbean-themed coral reef exhibit, consisting of more than 1,000 animals.
Other highlights include a penguin colony, a Pacific-themed reef, Atlantic Harbor Seals, an Amazon rainforest, Sea Jellies and a Shark/Ray touch tank, the largest one of its kind on the East Coast.
Public Garden
From South Station it is possible to walk or take the Red Line to Park Street, where you can revel in the natural beauty on display in Boston’s Public Garden, a famous public botanical garden. The first of its kind in the US, the Public Garden was created in 1837 as a place to display artwork from gardeners.
Emphasizing beauty over function, in contrast with Boston Commons, the Public Garden includes a lagoon, specimen trees, monuments, fountains and colorful exotic plants. The Swan Boats will be immediately recognizable to many visitors, as they have often been presented on TV and in the movies.
There are so many things to see and do in Boston that picking the right one can be overwhelming. Whether you are new to the area or a local, the commuter rail map and schedule linked here should help connect you to what the city has to offer.
Leveraging the advice of a South Shore native or a Boston local expert can vastly simplify the process, however, whether you’re looking for South Shore real estate or just visiting the area. To connect with a Jack Conway agent and benefit from their years of local knowledge, click here today.
