Because the highway's crammed with broken heroes

October 1, 2007 7:16 AM

Boston Assistance: I've got Bruce tickets for Nov. 19 at the TD Banknorth Center. What's the best park & ride combo where we can leave the car and take the T, coming from the north - probably down Route 1?

Also interested in good spots to go pre- and post-show, if you have suggestions. Looking to make an afternoon and evening of it with minimal transportation stress.

posted by Miko to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

I'd say park at Wellington Station on the orange line, and take the T to North Station - short walk to TD Banknorth Center.

In terms of pre and post show - what kind are you looking for? You're close to the North End if you wanted a meal, or maybe dessert post-show at Mike's or Modern Pastry.
posted by darsh at 7:40 AM on October 1, 2007

You probably know this but the MBTA website has a nice interactive subway map (click the tab) that actually overlays a highway map so you can check answers here against your driving reality. Wonderland is another option near route 1 which has $3 parking but it does involve switching trains to get to Boston Garden [or whatever bank named monstrosity it is this week]
posted by jessamyn at 7:49 AM on October 1, 2007

How far north? Newburyport line is pretty good and right off of rte one (just south of the new hampshire border)- the only issue is the schedule- the trip back may not be in time for the end of your show.

Parking there is only $2, so it's nice and cheap if the schedule works out. It leaves you at north station, which is right where you want to be.
posted by jenkinsEar at 10:19 AM on October 1, 2007

Wonderland has been our stop since we moved to the Seacoast. It's a little bit scummy at night, but it's the closest. The one thing to watch for is to make sure you go the right way on the roundabout-- online directions were a bit sketchy on that point. IIRC (and I probably don't), I think you want to go straight (with the obvious caveat I mean "take the exit opposite from where you came into the circle," not to jump the median (though I'm sure it's been done)).
posted by yerfatma at 10:19 AM on October 1, 2007

Seconding Wellington. Not quite as sketchy as Wonderland, usually adequate parking, quick train ride.
posted by briank at 10:42 AM on October 1, 2007

I think Wonderland is the way to go here. If you go Wellington, you're going to need to get on 93. And the 93/95 split is consistently jammed from about 3pm to 8.

Wellington is less sketchy and a straight shot, but it could add up to an hour waiting to get on 93 from 95. And even under optimal conditions, Wonderland is going to be faster.

If you elect to go Wonderland, it's an easier transfer at Government Center onto the Green Line than State onto the Orange (the blue and orange tracks are some distance away from each other).
posted by Mayor Curley at 3:11 PM on October 1, 2007

I have to state again what jenkinsEar said, strongly: make sure you check the schedule, the T stops running much earlier than you might think it would. Make sure you know when the last train leaves from the station or stations you need to leave from. Getting cabs from Boston to distant T stations sucks. The whole scene beats driving in Boston, but it's worth knowing that there are some limitations.
posted by jessamyn at 3:43 PM on October 1, 2007

Good helps, thanks, everyone. I'm coming from Portsmouth. I do know the North End a bit, so that's a possibility. Will definitely check the schedule...that could pose difficulties with a show that's likely to end after 11. But even if it doesn't work for the show, it's good to know what the handy park-and-rides are. Iv'e been driving into the city habitually, and it's just silly. And expensive.
posted by Miko at 4:50 PM on October 1, 2007

We've done the T for shows in Boston for years and haven't hard a problem (though we used to use the Red Line).
posted by yerfatma at 10:22 AM on October 2, 2007