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-   -   Museums or Activities Involving Transportation (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/new-england/1827513-museums-activities-involving-transportation.html)

luxtrvlwrks Mar 6, 2017 10:42 am

Museums or Activities Involving Transportation
 
My sister and nephew are coming out to stay with us this month to look at engineering schools. My nephew loves anything transportation related - planes, trains, automobiles, etc.

We are definitely going to take the commuter rail into Boston and ride the T. I was wondering if you might have suggestions for other things to do - either museums, exhibits, or activities that would fit his interests. Open to locations, but probably won't want to drive more than a couple of hours in any direction.

I had thought about taking a water taxi, taking Acela to Providence, duck boat, Boston Fire Museum, but I am guessing there are more obscure places or things to do that would be cool.

Thanks!

Blumie Mar 6, 2017 10:52 am

How old is your nephew?

luxtrvlwrks Mar 6, 2017 10:56 am


Originally Posted by Blumie (Post 27998972)
How old is your nephew?

17

Blumie Mar 6, 2017 11:47 am

Unless you know your nephew well, you might want to check with him or your sister about his interest level in these things. My 17-year-old loved many of the things you suggest maybe 5-10 years ago, but would roll her eyes today! Then again, she's not into engineering and transportation.

Here are some other ideas within about a 2-hour drive:

Seashore Trolley Museum
National Streetcar Museum
Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum
New England Air Museum
Larz Anderson Auto Museum
Aviation Museum of New Hampshire

Not transportation related, but of interest to engineers:

MIT Museum
Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation
Museum of Science

Due to open in 2020:

Massachusetts Air & Space Museum

lo2e Mar 6, 2017 12:37 pm

If you think this might be something he'd want to see, there are the two old trolley cars on display inside Boylston station. Not sure if there is any information about them posted there, but it might be cool just to see what the T used to look like back in the day.

Another idea might be to contact the MBTA or Amtrak to see if it might be possible to do some sort of tour of one of their facilities in/near Boston. I believe I've heard of people being given tours of some of the "hidden" tunnels in Boston if I remember correctly.

Out of my Element Mar 6, 2017 2:51 pm

There are "show and tell" signs on those trains. If he likes old trains, the Mattapan "High Speed Line" still runs the 70+ year old PCC cars as their sole mode of transportation.

LoganFlyer Mar 7, 2017 8:56 am

It's not a museum, but he may be interested in the MBTA retail store:

http://www.mbtagifts.com/shop.php?i=s

wideman Mar 7, 2017 10:01 am

Not a place to go, but essential reading: https://www.amazon.com/Race-Undergro.../dp/0312591322

gfunkdave Mar 7, 2017 2:10 pm

A little far away, but I still feel I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the NYC Subway museum for the next time your nephew is in NYC.

Or maybe you all feel like taking the train to NYC for a couple days. :)

TWToKM Mar 8, 2017 6:28 am

I don't know if they still do them, but South Station used to conduct free tours. I have never been, but some of my co-workers went and said it was actually pretty interesting.

luxtrvlwrks Mar 8, 2017 12:16 pm

Thanks everyone. These are great suggestions. I had no idea most of these places existed!

I would love to take him to NYC, but that will have to wait until he goes to college here :)

Trying to figure out a way to take Acela somewhere for dinner. I had thought of going to Providence, but I don't recall it going very fast on that section, so might not be worth it.

Blumie Mar 8, 2017 12:47 pm


Originally Posted by luxtrvlwrks (Post 28009797)
Trying to figure out a way to take Acela somewhere for dinner. I had thought of going to Providence, but I don't recall it going very fast on that section, so might not be worth it.

The Acela briefly reaches its max speed somewhere between Boston and Providence, but that stretch also is the least scenic. There are, however, decent dining options an easy walk from PVD station. Federal Hill is less than a mile away. I recommend Bob & Timmy's for great grilled pizza.


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