posted
I am working on plans for a "quick" trip to Maine this summer and was wondering about 2 things: Where exactly is Boston North located? I have the address, but can someone describe where it is in terms of downtown Boston? I know recently Mr Kisor mentioned one can get off at Back Bay and then take the MTA to the station; but what if one were walking, would it be better to go from Boston South? Does anyone know the route to take?
Also, does anyone know if there is a place to store your luggage at North Station? Because I think I will get into Boston around lunchtime and not leave for Maine till 5-ish, so I would love to be able to get to North Station, dump luggage there somehow, and go back into Boston and do a little sightseeing/eating (North Boston has that wonderful "Mangia calimari" place, for instance--Daily Catch it may be called--with the squid ink pasta . . . )
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
posted
Not sure about the luggage situation, sojourner, but here's good old Wikipedia to the rescue:
The last time I was at North Station was probably for a Boston Bruins-New York Rangers hockey game in the early 60's (when there were only 6 teams in the NHL). The time before that was in 1957 when my Mom and I caught a Boston & Maine train to Portland, ME after coming up from NY on the New Haven on our summer trip to Lewiston, ME.
RRRICH Member # 1418
posted
Boston North Station is only about a mile or so north of South Sation. If I knew how to post maps or Google Earth images into this forum, I'd post a map for you.
rresor Member # 128
posted
Downtown Boston is really quite a small city. Boston's North and South stations are really only about a mile apart. It's walkable, or take the Red Line to Government Center and the Green Line to North Station.
North Station is a dismal place, quite bereft of amenities. I don't recall any place to leave luggage, and there is no redcap service. It's really just a commuter station with a handful of Amtrak Downeaster trains.
The only advantage of getting off at Back Bay (another dismal and uninviting place) is that you can get from there to North Station without a change of subway lines.
If you have luggage, leave it in South Station (where there is redcap and checked baggage service) or just take a taxi.
TBlack Member # 181
posted
I can confirm all of the above. There is no place to check luggage at North Station. Walking is quite do-able along the new Rose Kennedy Greenway (thanks to all you taxpayers who supported the "big dig"). In fact, if you can give me the date, I'll meet you at South Station and we'll walk it together! In that event, we can leave your luggage in my brother's office across the street from North Station.
Tom Black
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
Thank you all for your helpful info. And what a lovely offer, Tom. I still don't know for sure if I'm going--I have to arrange things with a friend in Maine--but I wanted to find out about the luggage situation to see if I had to come back to South Station and then get to North, which means a little less time for the Boston layover. I also wanted to know if it was walkable (assuming a nice day, I mean). Sounds like it is--I know the Rose Kennedy Greenway--is the North Station right along there? I did not see it--it must be somewhat further west (I think it's west) from as far as I went on the Greenway there; we went on the Freedom Trail (of course) to the Paul Revere House and the Old North Church etc., and ate at that wonderful Daily Catch place.
TBlack Member # 181
posted
Sojourner,
Now that I think about it, I realize that the Greenway starts at the South Station and ends at the North Station. Also, I'm thinking that the "Daily Catch" is the Union Oyster House. My next offer is inspired by Gilbert Norman, who has been known to host travelling foamers in Chicago: I'd be delighted to walk the Greenway with you and treat you to lunch at UOH (it's really an excuse for me to have oysters)!
TB
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
That is so nice of you, Mr T!! But I don't think I can make any plans at this point--I have 2 old friends in the Boston suburbs I may also be arranging to see, although I haven't made any arrangements with them yet while I try figuring out trip logistics (plus, one of them has been quite ill, so I'm not sure). Logistics of it all are esp tricky because there really are not enough trains or even buses midday to Maine!
But meanwhile, I would certainly encourage you to go to the Union Oyster House for your oysters as soon as may be!!! I know where that is, nice old building not far from Quincy Market, popular with tourists, and famous for those oysters. However, the place I'm talking about is on the North Boston side of the Greenway, and I would encourage you to try it too: the Daily Catch, 323 Hanover between Prince & Richmond, 617-523-8567, dailycatch.com. It is absolutely TINY; one has to get there early to get a seat (I think they open 11 for lunch, but we went at 10 minutes to 5 for dinner and did get a seat, though by 5:30 I think all the seats were gone). I also think the DC may be closed Mondays or something like that--you can call and check. They are Italian like most places in North Boston, but their specialty is Italian seafood & pasta (fettucine), the latter made black with squid ink. Maybe it doesn't sound good, but it's absolutely delicious! The orders were pretty big; my husband and I both got a different pasta & then shared. We ordered putanesca and aglio olio, but I cannot remember which was which; the one we liked best had just onions and peppers I think? Well, they were both very good. They also had regular seafood, higher priced. I think it was cash only. I called it Mangia Calamari because that is what it says on the awning in front of the restaurant.
Now, Daily Catch does have a new branch place-- spacious, possibly pricier, may even take credit cards. I have no idea if the food is as good, but it's on the wharf in South Boston (the part right after you cross over into South Boston, I mean, before even the new art museum), and it does have outdoor seating. But it's not the same as sitting in the famous little North Boston place and watching the cooking being done (by a Chinese chef, actually, though the wait staff is from Italy).
Mangia Calamari . . . or oysters!
Joe Urda Member # 8938
posted
Sojourner,
Off the topic. I see that you are from upstate NY. I'm near Ithaca. Send private message if you care to.
posted