Interzone Travel: Your Guide to the Best Day Trips on the Fitchburg Line

Whether you enjoy exploring nature trails, parks, historical landmarks, or art museums, the MBTA Commuter Rail Fitchburg Line has something for every member of your family. 

From the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham to the Discover Museum in Acton, this Line of the Commuter Rail offers many opportunities to visit key historical sites, like the Minuteman National Park or Louisa May Alcott’s home in Concord or explore woodland trails such as the Nashua River Rail Trail in Ayer, the Assabet River Trail in South Acton or the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in West Concord. 

Whether you are a college student looking for something unique to do on your weekends or a family hoping to make history come alive, Interzone travel along the Fitchburg Line is a great place to start your adventure. Remember, thanks to the $10 Unlimited Weekend Pass, there is no need to limit your stops or fun, so you can spend the day hopping between station zones at no extra cost! 

Hop on the Fitchburg Line, running from North Station to Wachusett Station, for an exciting and educational journey. Here are some of the activities you can access along your trip. 

Waltham Station: History, Culture, & Downtown Delights

Waltham Station is centrally located in the city, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, and attractions such as the Embassy Theater (.6 mi) and the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation (.3 mi). 

Moviegoers and film buffs alike will appreciate a stop at the Embassy Theater, the historic, refurbished twin-screen cinema and community arts center located on Moody Street in Waltham. This intimate entertainment venue shows first-run movies and indie films and hosts community events like talent shows, making it a community gathering space in a landmark building. 

History enthusiasts may want to take in the exhibitions and activities at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation. Located in a historic 19th-century textile mill in Waltham, the museum showcases the American Industrial Revolution through exhibits on steam power, Waltham watches, and machinery. Visitors can see working belt-driven tools, antique automobiles, and bicycles. Children may enjoy playing with interactive displays, such as a 19th-century telephone switchboard. 

After exploring the theater and museum, check out the wide assortment of nearby shopping and dining establishments to round out your visit. Enjoy fine Italian fare, wine, cocktails and a unique rooftop dining experience at Stazione di Federal (.1 mi) or for a distinctive experience, try Rhino Restaurant and Lounge (.4 mi), a vibrant fusion of East African and Afro-Caribbean cuisine. 

Take a stroll up and down Moody Street for some ethnically diverse shopping, including food products from the four corners of the globe. This fun, walkable experience is a great way to explore the neighborhood, including shops like Gourmet Pottery (.4 mi) and pop-culture hub The Outer Limits (.4 mi), as well as Indian fashion at Aalok Fashion (.4 mi) and games at Game Underground (.3 mi). 

Brandeis/Roberts Station: A Stop for Contemporary Art and Culture

Art lovers should take the Fitchburg Line to the Brandeis/Roberts Station, where they will find a small but impactful museum. The Rose Art Museum (.5 mi), founded in 1961, is a part of Brandeis University. 

The museum displays and houses works of art from its permanent collection of 9,000 objects, including works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Willem de Kooning, and Cindy Sherman. The free museum is particularly famous for its “founding” collection of 1960s Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism, acquired early on before the artists became household names.

Concord Station: Where History and Literature Come Alive

Whether you love history or literature, Concord Station is your stop to exploration and adventure. 

Start your exploration of Minuteman National Historic Park (1.5 mi) at the North Bridge Visitor Center located at 174 Liberty Street in Concord, where you can gather maps and more information about how to make the most of your time at the 1,000-acre park that preserves the site of the opening battle of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. 

While the park stretches across Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord, the Concord section is home to some of its most hallowed ground. Visit the North Bridge (1.7 mi), the site where the “shot heard around the world” occurred, the Minuteman Statue, the graves of British soldiers and the 5-mile-long Battle Road Trail. Plan your trip in advance as there are many activities, tours and reenactments that you may want to witness. 

The Orchard House (1.3 mi) of Louisa May Alcott is another landmark you may want to visit while in Concord. This historic house was home to Amos Bronson Alcott and his family, including his daughter Louisa May Alcott, who wrote and set her novel Little Women there in 1868. Guided tours through the home introduce visitors to the family members themselves, the household items that held meaning to them, their individual and collective achievements and lasting impact, as well as their influence on characters in the beloved novel.  Or spend the day with Keolis massAdventures for a Day at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. 

Ayer, South Acton, & West Concord Stations: Your Guide to the Scenic Trails

Many of the stops along the Fitchburg Line offer a chance to get outdoors on trail and rail trails. Enjoy the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in West Concord, the Assabet River Trail in South Acton and the Nashua River Rail Trail in Acton. 

West Concord Station – Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Whether you’re a serious cyclist or a casual Sunday stroller, a stop at the West Concord Station will give you access to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) (.3 mi), which offers a premier escape through the heart of Middlesex County. Stretching across eight historic Massachusetts communities, from the urban energy of Lowell down to the quiet woodlands of Framingham, this scenic corridor breathes new life into the ghost of the old New Haven Railroad.

South Acton Station – Assabet River Trail

The Assabet River Rail Trail (.15 mi) is a multi-use rail trail running through the cities and towns of Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard, and Acton. It can be easily accessed via the trailhead opposite the South Acton Station, near 19 Maple Street. Enjoy a day of walking, biking or running through the towns of Middlesex County. 

Ayer Station- Nashua River Rail Trail

The Nashua River Rail Trail (.01 mi), accessible from Ayer Station, is a 12-mile trail connecting Ayer, MA, to Nashua, NH. It travels 11 miles through the towns of Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, and Dunstable, offering a 10-foot wide paved surface for the entire length and a 5-foot wide gravel equestrian path for seven miles of the trail from Groton Center to the New Hampshire border in Dunstable. The entire trail is open to pedestrians, bicyclists, inline skaters, wheelchairs, and cross-country skiers.