Ask me anything -Boston, Massachusetts (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough Massachusetts) travel/local area info

[Andrew Gibson]

[Nigeyy]

14 hours ago, Nigeyy said:

I suppose I should add, "Where would I stay or where would I recommend?"

If you don't want to be in the centre of Boston, and are willing to take a 35 minute commuter rail ride in to the centre of Boston, I'd recommend the town of Norwood.   Norwood is to the south slightly west of Boston, and the commuter rail line is the same line that serves Gillette Stadium.   Norwood is (in my opinion) a lovely little safe town with a very walkable center with decent restaurants (including Norwood Spice Indian Restaurant which I like) and bars.

However, and this goes for any place you may consider staying at, be careful where you look even if you think the town is a good idea.  For clarity, a town in Massachusetts isn't a town in the traditional UK sense, but the area bounded by the town boundaries so can be quite a large area and quite sparse or out there.  Route 1 for example runs through the town of Norwood to the south and has a Ramada hotel that's pretty cheap, but route 1 is like a dual carriageway and it's very hard (and quite possibly dangerous) to cross from the Ramada hotel and a good 1/2 to 3/4 miles away from Norwood centre and the commuter rail stations.   Public transport and pedestrian access aren't high infrastructure priorities over here.

An update to this post: I saw that the special event trains going to the stadium from Boston are directly from South Station to Gillette Stadium (with no stops) so it wouldn't be stopping at Norwood or any other commuter rail stations on the Franklin Forge Park line!

However I'm still sticking to the recommendation of Norwood assuming you don't want to stay in the centre of Boston as it's still easy to catch the train (35 mins) into Boston and has a nice walkable little centre with quite a few bars and restaurants and a little bandstand green.

[GaryWood34]

How’s Rivere? 

[mariokempes]

1 hour ago, GaryWood34 said:

Just got one for £60 per person per night.

 

Which site ? Cannot find anything cheapish

[GaryWood34]

13 minutes ago, mariokempes said:

Which site ? Cannot find anything cheapish

Posted this on the travel thread mate :

 

After searching for 3 days and only seeing hotels in Boston at £300/500 per night I tried Vrbo who took me to Expedia which is a holiday home place ..

None of these places showed on Expedia on their own.

I can only assume some people who own these know the World Cup is on and some don’t.

Just got 18-20th June - 15 mins from centre and 15 mins from airport (by T Orange line) for £61.50 per person per night.

Paid in full but with free cancellation.

Now to find 6 nights in Miami ..

 

 

link - https://www.trivago.co.uk/en-GB/srl/hotels-near-international-airport-logan?search=500-548461;dr-20260618-20260620;drs-40;rc-1-2;so-

[tattiescone69]

7 hours ago, Nigeyy said:

OK, you should be aware that Salem is out there up on the "North Shore".  Lovely place and worth a visit.  However, it's over 30 miles as the crow flies from there to Foxborough where Gillette stadium is.  Now that's as the crow flies, which is very misleading as it's over 50 miles by car and the highway.

It's going to be much easier to get back to Boston rather than Salem.  I'm guessing a taxi or Uber from the stadium to Salem will be extremely expensive (most likely more than an hour and fifteen minutes of driving and that's not accounting for traffic, which you can expect to encounter).

Salem is nice, but you will be paying a transportation penalty -both in cost and time.

 

Any thoughts Nigeyy on transport back to Boston after the game ? Looks like an 11pm finish in the first game , we're in Salem too so it may need a taxi from Boston but we're more worried about getting away from the ground at that time of night , it's a long walk ...

[Jzw85]

Hi nige some good information here thanks.  Any advice on getting from New York to Boston on the 13th June ? See the bus times accurate or is the train better ? Cheers

[Andy of Lochcarron]

18 minutes ago, Jzw85 said:

Hi nige some good information here thanks.  Any advice on getting from New York to Boston on the 13th June ? See the bus times accurate or is the train better ? Cheers

Well I dont know about efficiency maself, thought i would just advise my option but I booked FlixBus for £25 New York to Boston takes 4.5 hours & there were plenty showing on Greyhound, FlixBus sites, was considerably cheaper than train, reviews indicate good service

[Nigeyy]

4 hours ago, DesiScotsman said:

Much appreciated. He's not really going to hire a car and if that is gonna cause a hassle without one then I'm thinking he will most likely therefore cancel the Boston trip and meet me in Miami instead to save funds. I've passed your info onto him and he will take it from there once he has seen it. Thank you very much for the information there.

Me, my dad, brother & 2 cousins are based at a hotel called Club Quarters Hotel Faneuil Hall, Boston which looks pretty central when I googled the address (161 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02110, United States). It's pretty expensive for the 9 nights but all 4 of us have chipped in together to spread the cost. Should be fine for transport to and from the stadium, I'd imagine.

Club Quarters Hotel is really well situated in downtown Boston.  Very close to South Station as well.   Yes, so long as you get those special event commuter rail tickets you should be fine, nice going!  I think you are well placed to enjoy Boston as well as be able to use the train to get to the stadium.

The area is safe, but as I always say, use your common sense and everything will be fine.

 

[Nigeyy]

49 minutes ago, Jzw85 said:

Hi nige some good information here thanks.  Any advice on getting from New York to Boston on the 13th June ? See the bus times accurate or is the train better ? Cheers

You can definitely get a cheap bus ticket, I think most bus lines get into Boston's South Station.  The downside?  It's long and not very scenic ride.  If you can get cheap train tickets it's a much more relaxed affair and usually faster (though there's the faster "Acela" train and a much slower non-Acela train.  Sadly, train transportation is sadly ignored over here.  New York to Boston on the train is actually one of the best served and best Amtrak lines, and sometimes that's not saying much.

Really short on money?  Get the bus unless you see a really cheap train ticket.  Got money and want probably a more pleasant experience? Take the train (preferably the Acela, but these can be more expensive.)  Both should take you to South Station.

Oh and whatever you decide, book early!

Edited December 9, 2025 by Nigeyy

[Nigeyy]

1 hour ago, tattiescone69 said:

Any thoughts Nigeyy on transport back to Boston after the game ? Looks like an 11pm finish in the first game , we're in Salem too so it may need a taxi from Boston but we're more worried about getting away from the ground at that time of night , it's a long walk ...

I'm sorry, there's only really the train back to South Station, hire a car, taxi, Uber or try to carpool.  A taxi or Uber are going to be expensive too.  I'd advise at least getting the train back to South Station and seeing if you can get a taxi or Uber from there (too late by then for the commuter rail to Salem and you have to get back to North Station for trains to Salem anyway). At least you'd cut off a bit of distance very cheaply.  I think that's it -public transportation really isn't a priority here sadly.  If I think of anything else I'll let you know.  At this point, it may be worth while trying to contact anybody else who is in Salem to see if car pooling an Uber is the best way to go.

[Jzw85]

27 minutes ago, Andy of Lochcarron said:

Well I dont know about efficiency maself, thought i would just advise my option but I booked FlixBus for £25 New York to Boston takes 4.5 hours & there were plenty showing on Greyhound, FlixBus sites, was considerably cheaper than train, reviews indicate good service

Been having a look.  The train prices are mental for that day not sure if cheaper tickets get released 3 months in advance like they do here 

[Jzw85]

10 minutes ago, Nigeyy said:

You can definitely get a cheap bus ticket, I think most bus lines get into Boston's South Station.  The downside?  It's long and not very scenic ride.  If you can get cheap train tickets it's a much more relaxed affair and usually faster (though there's the faster "Acela" train and a much slower non-Acela train.  Sadly, train transportation is sadly ignored over here.  New York to Boston on the train is actually one of the best served and best Amtrak lines, and sometimes that's not saying much.

Really short on money?  Get the bus unless you see a really cheap train ticket.  Got money and want probably a more pleasant experience? Take the train (preferably the Acela, but these can be more expensive.)  Both should take you to South Station.

Thanks again.  Trains are expensive that day just now like 200 dollars a head not sure if cheaper tickets are released 12 weeks before 

[tattiescone69]

1 minute ago, Nigeyy said:

I'm sorry, there's only really the train back to South Station, hire a car, taxi, Uber or try to carpool.  A taxi or Uber are going to be expensive too.  I'd advise at least getting the train back to South Station and seeing if you can get a taxi or Uber from there (too late by then for the commuter rail to Salem and you have to get back to North Station for trains to Salem anyway). At least you'd cut off a bit of distance very cheaply.  I think that's it -public transportation really isn't a priority here sadly.  If I think of anything else I'll let you know.  At this point, it may be worth while trying to contact anybody else who is in Salem to see if car pooling an Uber is the best way to go.

Yeah we might need to look at that , thanks for the info . Bar those driving , everybody will be in the same boat 

[Nigeyy]

Revere should be reasonably safe, and if you can be close to the "T" subway it makes things a lot easier.  You've still got the headache of getting to transportation (i.e. commuter rail from South Station to the stadium) but you can do it.  It's not super convenient but doable, and you have to plan ahead.  I wouldn't get off at Chelsea though, it can be tough in parts.

3 hours ago, GaryWood34 said:

How’s Rivere? 

 

Edited December 9, 2025 by Nigeyy

[PSJ84]

11 minutes ago, Jzw85 said:

Thanks again.  Trains are expensive that day just now like 200 dollars a head not sure if cheaper tickets are released 12 weeks before 

Can fly for about £80. 

[macwomble]

4 minutes ago, PSJ84 said:

Can fly for about £80. 

If your staying in Manhattan by the time you get to the airport, leave yourselves say hour and a half to get through security, fly, transit to the city, makes bus about the same time I’d guess! 

[PSJ84]

1 minute ago, macwomble said:

If your staying in Manhattan by the time you get to the airport, leave yourselves say hour and a half to get through security, fly, transit to the city, makes bus about the same time I’d guess! 

There’s no airport bar on a bus, though. 

[Toepoke]

Is there much to do around the stadium if you don't have a ticket for the game? Some family members might be happy to participate in the tailgating but not be bothered about paying a fortune to watch the football.

 

[Nigeyy]

27 minutes ago, Toepoke said:

Is there much to do around the stadium if you don't have a ticket for the game? Some family members might be happy to participate in the tailgating but not be bothered about paying a fortune to watch the football.

 

Gillette Stadium has a development of shops and chain restaurants (https://www.patriot-place.com).  Sort of like an outdoor mall, and there's nothing else really easily within walking distance (there are some restaurants on Route 1 but it's hard and probably not the safest to walk to them -though if traffic is jammed, it might actually not be too bad).

You can also have fun looking at the hunting rifles and auto pistols at the Bass Pro Shop if you like (though they are thankfully behind a counter).  Massachusetts is one of the least firearm-sy types of states, but they are still there.

If you like chain restaurants (I personally think they are overpriced) then your family members could go to them in the Gillette complex, though of course its very likely they will be insanely busy.   One other thing: I was at Foxboro for the last World Cup in 1994 and they did a decent job of putting on entertainment stuff outside the stadium, and I'm sure there will be some sort of pre-game entertainment this world cup.  There is also a walk through a cranberry bog at the back of the stadium https://www.patriot-place.com/tenant/cranberrybog/ (done that, it's nice but not very long -but it's close to the Bass Pro Shop!!!!)

Lastly, for New England Patriot games there is -like most NFL stadia -a tradition of "tailgating".  This is where people pull up in the parking lot (oh sorry, car park) and unload a bbq grill for burgers and hotdogs, along with coolers of beer.  I'd imagine it would also be allowed for the world cup at Gillette stadium but of course you rather need a car for all that.

On one hand, there's nothing quite like being there even if you can't get in, on the other hand sometimes it's nice to be celebrating in more comfort somewhere else that's more remote.....

 

[Nigeyy]

1 hour ago, macwomble said:

If your staying in Manhattan by the time you get to the airport, leave yourselves say hour and a half to get through security, fly, transit to the city, makes bus about the same time I’d guess! 

Ha! My wife worked at a job that required her to be at an office in Manhattan.  She took a flight to LaGuardia.  Her colleagues took the train.  They had a competition -she did beat her colleagues by about 10 minutes but was definitely more stressed with all the aggravation!  Of course much depended exactly on when both parties left and whether it happened to coincide nicely with a train or plane time.

I used to travel to NYC on business a long time ago.  Sometimes the flight path would take you right over Manhattan, I still have a memory of seeing the World Trade Center towers.  Personally, having done both, I much prefer the train.

[Toepoke]

1 hour ago, Nigeyy said:

Gillette Stadium has a development of shops and chain restaurants (https://www.patriot-place.com).  Sort of like an outdoor mall, and there's nothing else really easily within walking distance (there are some restaurants on Route 1 but it's hard and probably not the safest to walk to them -though if traffic is jammed, it might actually not be too bad).

You can also have fun looking at the hunting rifles and auto pistols at the Bass Pro Shop if you like (though they are thankfully behind a counter).  Massachusetts is one of the least firearm-sy types of states, but they are still there.

If you like chain restaurants (I personally think they are overpriced) then your family members could go to them in the Gillette complex, though of course its very likely they will be insanely busy.   One other thing: I was at Foxboro for the last World Cup in 1994 and they did a decent job of putting on entertainment stuff outside the stadium, and I'm sure there will be some sort of pre-game entertainment this world cup.  There is also a walk through a cranberry bog at the back of the stadium https://www.patriot-place.com/tenant/cranberrybog/ (done that, it's nice but not very long -but it's close to the Bass Pro Shop!!!!)

Lastly, for New England Patriot games there is -like most NFL stadia -a tradition of "tailgating".  This is where people pull up in the parking lot (oh sorry, car park) and unload a bbq grill for burgers and hotdogs, along with coolers of beer.  I'd imagine it would also be allowed for the world cup at Gillette stadium but of course you rather need a car for all that.

On one hand, there's nothing quite like being there even if you can't get in, on the other hand sometimes it's nice to be celebrating in more comfort somewhere else that's more remote.....

 

Cheers, good to know 👍

[Nigeyy]

8 hours ago, Goozay said:

Welcome to the TAMB @Nigeyy! Thanks for your kind offer of sharing your local knowledge.

Currently holding a refundable room in a bed and breakfast just north of Fields Corner station - less than 10 minutes walk according to Google Maps. Fields Corner to South Station seems to be well served by the Red Line. 

Should I consider another neighbourhood or does this sound alright? 

 

I asked my wife (who grew up in Hyde Park, Boston) what she thought about Fields Corner, and she didn't know.... Asked my sister-in-law who grew in Dorchester and close to Fields Corner and she didn't think it was safe, but the areas of "Centervale Park, Paisley and Burnside are fine".  However she now lives in a suburb outside Boston and has been for the last 20 years, so obviously things may have changed. I'm just reporting back what she told me, and like I said I really don't know.

[Goozay]

7 hours ago, Nigeyy said:

I asked my wife (who grew up in Hyde Park, Boston) what she thought about Fields Corner, and she didn't know.... Asked my sister-in-law who grew in Dorchester and close to Fields Corner and she didn't think it was safe, but the areas of "Centervale Park, Paisley and Burnside are fine".  However she now lives in a suburb outside Boston and has been for the last 20 years, so obviously things may have changed. I'm just reporting back what she told me, and like I said I really don't know.

Okay, thanks. The room is cancellable so will keep looking for alternatives, as well as dig around to find out how safe or otherwise Fields Corner is.

[SeaCowe]

Hi Nigeyy,

Thanks for all the info, its real handy.

I’ve got myself a place in Cambridge about 15 mins walk to Harvard square (station) & 1hr 15min walk to downtown Boston (which I’ll probably do a few times as I don’t mind it). Do you know how safe the area is around Harvard and a walk into town from there, as sometimes I’ll be walking back to the pad, especially late at night?

Cheers.