Visiting Boston (Springfield: construction, live in, train station)

[canuckexpat]

I live in CT and I would like to take my visiting parents to see Boston for one day. What is the best way to get to Boston by train? Is there any other option other than Amtrak? I could take the train from either Springfield,MA or New Haven,CT?

What is the station that services the downtown part of Boston(more or less around Boston Commons area)? I see there are several train stations in Boston.

I can also drive to Boston but I am not sure what it is like with all your constructions around the downtown area. Last time I was there(several years ago) it was a nightmare to drive as different streets were closed every day.

Thanks

[ogre]

Do you have clear plans already about the sites you would be visiting? If they are all in or around downtown or the central city area, I would suggest going with the option of taking the train, if this fits your schedule. Driving in Boston can be a hassle, and parking can be expensive. From either New Haven or Springfield, upon arrival in Boston the train will stop first at Back Bay station, then end its run at South Station. Back Bay is probably more centrally located and is closer to the Common, though South Station puts you closer to the waterfront, if you're interested in checking out that area. From either station, you'd have a quick subway ride to any place right in the central city, so you'd probably do just as well to get out at Back Bay and shorten your train ride by a few minutes.

[canuckexpat]

ok thanks for replying. I am also leaning towards the train option as well. I don't know if the Big Dig is over but it was horrible last time I was in Boston. Yes we would probably stick around the Boston Common area. If anyone has any other suggestions please leave a post here.

[boston mark]

The Dig is done, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway (or whatever they ended up calling it) is a huge improvement over that I93 eyesore. But as mentioned, Boston can still be a b-word to drive if you're not familiar with the former cow paths we call streets. The train is your best bet.