Museums or Activities Involving Transportation
Mar 6, 2017, 10:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BNA
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, RC STARS, Rosewood Elite, Bellini, SPG LP, Dorchester Diamond, PenClub
Posts: 357
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!
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!
Mar 6, 2017, 11:47 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
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
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
Mar 6, 2017, 12:37 pm
#5
Ambassador, New England
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Maineiac, USA
Programs: Amtrak, WN RR, Choice
Posts: 2,655
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.
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.
Mar 6, 2017, 2:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
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.
Mar 7, 2017, 8:56 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,118
It's not a museum, but he may be interested in the MBTA retail store:
http://www.mbtagifts.com/shop.php?i=s
http://www.mbtagifts.com/shop.php?i=s
Mar 7, 2017, 10:01 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
Not a place to go, but essential reading: https://www.amazon.com/Race-Undergro.../dp/0312591322
Mar 7, 2017, 2:10 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
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.
Or maybe you all feel like taking the train to NYC for a couple days.
Mar 8, 2017, 12:16 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BNA
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, RC STARS, Rosewood Elite, Bellini, SPG LP, Dorchester Diamond, PenClub
Posts: 357
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.
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.
Mar 8, 2017, 12:47 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248