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

[Clootie Dumpling]

Hi Nigeyy/Glen9085,

 

can you put out an all stations call to the local Bostonians to see if anyone is interested in adopting 2 weary Scotland Tartan Army Fans from the 11-20 Jun 2026? Much appreciate the info already provided.

[Nigeyy]

42 minutes ago, Clootie Dumpling said:

Hi Nigeyy/Glen9085,

 

can you put out an all stations call to the local Bostonians to see if anyone is interested in adopting 2 weary Scotland Tartan Army Fans from the 11-20 Jun 2026? Much appreciate the info already provided.

If I hear of anything, I will let you know.

 

[weekevie04]

How often have been called a limey? Do Americans think Nigel (assuming that's your name) is a funny name?

Sorry, off topic, but that limey insult makes me laugh.

[Nigeyy]

46 minutes ago, weekevie04 said:

How often have been called a limey? Do Americans think Nigel (assuming that's your name) is a funny name?

Sorry, off topic, but that limey insult makes me laugh.

Ha! I've never really been called a Limey, in fact I  can only think of one time (but read on about accents as a possible explanation). 

However the name Nigel is incredibly rare, and it's been butchered many times ("Ni-jeel","Nee-gwell" -like a Spanish "Miguel"-"Ni-gull", "Niggle"). The other thing is some people seem to be unsure of the gender of that name.

The more interesting thing is accents. I'm from Northern England, but I'd say I only have a mild Northern accent, but no American accent (my American phraseology gives it away sometimes that I don't live in the UK though)

But what most people in the UK don't know is that as a whole, people in the States can't identify any English speaking accent outside the States.  So.... keeping that in mind, I've been asked if I'm Australian (surprisingly often), South African, Irish and yes, Scottish as well as English.  Even after being married to an American for over 30 years, my wife still asks me what the accent is if she hears a non-England English accent (readily confuses Irish and Scottish accents).  And she can still barely tell the difference between a northern English accent and a Southern English accent, or a South African vs Australian accent.

However, here's the weird thing: both of us now have difficulty distinguishing between American and England English accents. I have to listen just a bit more carefully and process it to ascertain it!

One other thing, I've slowed down my speech pattern considerably (so much so that after a couple of years and being back in the pub with a mate, he asked "why---are---you---speaking---so---slowwwwwly?"). I'd got fed up of always having to repeat myself, so adjusted accordingly, very rarely am I not understood over here now.

So a couple of pieces of advice over here: i. Don't be offended if someone asks if you are Irish and not Scottish, and ii. Do speak more slowly and even probably enunciate more than usual.

 

 

[Ally Bongo]

3 minutes ago, Nigeyy said:

Ha! I've never really been called a Limey, in fact I  can only think of one time (but read on about accents as a possible explanation). 

However the name Nigel is incredibly rare, and it's been butchered many times ("Ni-jeel","Nee-gwell" -like a Spanish "Miguel"-"Ni-gull", "Niggle"). The other thing is some people seem to be unsure of the gender of that name.

The more interesting thing is accents. I'm from Northern England, but I'd say I only have a mild Northern accent, but no American accent (my American phraseology gives it away sometimes that I don't live in the UK though)

But what most people in the UK don't know is that as a whole, people in the States can't identify any English speaking accent outside the States.  So.... keeping that in mind, I've been asked if I'm Australian (surprisingly often), South African, Irish and yes, Scottish as well as English.  Even after being married to an American for over 30 years, my wife still asks me what the accent is if she hears a non-England English accent (readily confuses Irish and Scottish accents).  And she can still barely tell the difference between a northern English accent and a Southern English accent, or a South African vs Australian accent.

However, here's the weird thing: both of us now have difficulty distinguishing between American and England English accents. I have to listen just a bit more carefully and process it to ascertain it!

One other thing, I've slowed down my speech pattern considerably (so much so that after a couple of years and being back in the pub with a mate, he asked "why---are---you---speaking---so---slowwwwwly?"). I'd got fed up of always having to repeat myself, so adjusted accordingly, very rarely am I not understood over here now.

So a couple of pieces of advice over here: i. Don't be offended if someone asks if you are Irish and not Scottish, and ii. Do speak more slowly and even probably enunciate more than usual.

 

 

I doubt there are many of us that havent seen Ted ! 

 

[Clootie Dumpling]

2 hours ago, Nigeyy said:

If I hear of anything, I will let you know.

 

Ha ha, nice one mate, You never know it could happen.

[Shad1907]

 

Hi Nigeyy, we are staying at the holiday inn express in Boston south, Quincy area next to north Quincy T stop. Any info on this area.  

Also info on easiest way from Logan airport to Quincy when we arrive?

I was in Boston in July 1992 as part of the tall ships Columbus celebrations and can’t wait to visit again!

thanks

 

[mwng]

Thanks for all the advice. Not seen it mentioned yet but my my mate has booked a couple of nights in Brockton. The price looked a bit too good to be true. A quick google and I can see why.  A couple of questions. A/ how easy is it to get to the stadium and B/ Will we get shot?

[glenn9085]

7 hours ago, Nigeyy said:

Excellent, hopefully you can provide another opinion!

I grew up in Dedham. Yes Rt 1 you have to be very careful crossing. Otherwise the whole area is safe and there should be no issues. It is worth mentioning that marijuana is 100% legal in all forms and readily available in stores to purchase however, don’t try taking it through the airport. I don’t use it but in Massachusetts any adult can buy it over the counter. Once you step into another state or an airport different laws apply. I would consider the towns along Rt. 495 as easy driving to the stadium and with commuter rail access such as Middleborough (also spelled Middleboro sometimes) and towns west along that highway. Plymouth has lots of hotels, bars, very tourist oriented, safe and is also on the eastern end of commuter rail service to Boston. Obviously closer to the stadium is best but just putting this here in case anyone is curious. 

[albamikey]

Thanks for all the information @Nigeyy! At the stadium is there a dedicated area for Uber (or similar) pick ups? For Game 1 will be travelling to Framingham. Game 2 travelling to Middleborough. 

[Nigeyy]

19 hours ago, Shad1907 said:

 

Hi Nigeyy, we are staying at the holiday inn express in Boston south, Quincy area next to north Quincy T stop. Any info on this area.  

Also info on easiest way from Logan airport to Quincy when we arrive?

I was in Boston in July 1992 as part of the tall ships Columbus celebrations and can’t wait to visit again!

thanks

 

First of all I'm not really familiar with Quincy but do know it's pretty safe.  You are close to the North Quincy Red Line T stop, and that's great -getting into Boston's South Station should not be a problem so that's great if you decide to the use the special event train from South Station to the stadium which is about 20 miles south west of Boston.  I did google map the Holiday Inn Express near the north Quincy T stop, and it looks like it's close to various places to eat (got to be honest, they look like chain places and I always encourage people to try small family owned restaurants if you can).  Even if you go to a late game and get to South Station and miss the last T subway to North Quincy, I think the cost of an uber to Quincy shouldn't be crazy expensive.  As I've posted before, just be careful crossing streets (See my handy resources post).

So the easiest (but most expensive way) to get from the airport to Quincy is going to be  a taxi. It's convenient and depending on when you get in (you could be tired) and have some suitcases to lug around, it could just be worth it (but expensive).

If you are up to schlepping your suitcases yourself and spending much less, you can catch the Silver Line (free) from the terminal to South Station, then go to the red line and catch a south bound T subway to North Quincy.  This would be much cheaper but obviously not the easiest. Timewise, it may be comparable to a taxi (not sure just taking a guess here based on there could be a lot of traffic from the airport to Quincy).

A mid range option could be to get the free Silver Line from the terminal to South Station, and then get an Uber or taxi from South Station to Quincy to probably save a bit over just a plain taxi from the airport terminal.

 To summarize:  you are in a pretty safe location, with close access to the T stop as well as places to eat. Getting from the airport to Quincy really depends on when you arrive (very late at night, just take a taxi might be the best option), how willing and unfatigued you are -given you are coming off a trans Atlantic flight -to carry your suitcases, how much money you want to save, etc.

Please take a look at my post of "Handy Resources" as well for some travel tips and resources. Hope this helped! Safe travels and good luck!

Edited December 13, 2025 by Nigeyy

[Nigeyy]

18 hours ago, albamikey said:

Thanks for all the information @Nigeyy! At the stadium is there a dedicated area for Uber (or similar) pick ups? For Game 1 will be travelling to Framingham. Game 2 travelling to Middleborough. 

That's an excellent question, and one I don't know the answer to.  If you find out, do you want to post the answer for others?  Without a doubt, it is going to be an absolute zoo and chaos after a game, and I do wonder if some taxis or ubers just won't want to turn up given how long it's going to take them.

I do know if you are able to walk, I'd suggest this place (but this is more northwards than going towards Middleboro): 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/srrF3jMQUgcec1Us7

Anywhere near the stadium is very safe to walk, the biggest safety issue will be without a doubt the traffic (State Troopers usually police the traffic and allow for pedestrians crossing Route 1).  The location above should be better than most as it is on Washington Street that can be much less busy than Route 1 yet also heads north and is easier to access for an Uber driver or taxi.   If you are heading south, I'm not sure there's a really great place other than try to head south on Route 1 if you can and at least go past an intersection where a northbound car can turn around before you get to the stadium -I can't imagine any Uber or taxi would want to drive by the stadium after a game if you get my logic.

Let's hope they get some buses organized for transport to and from the stadium! I haven't heard anything except for the special events Commuter rail train to/from the stadium from South Station (see my handy resources post).

Edit:  I do know there is a way to walk from the stadium to the east and south which I've never done as I live to the north, and only ever driven to the stadium.  My recommendation is to go to a New England Revolution or New England Patriots online forum and see what they say.  Since the crowd size will be comparable to a New England Patriots game, I'd guess they may have better answers.

 

Edited December 13, 2025 by Nigeyy

[Nigeyy]

19 hours ago, mwng said:

Thanks for all the advice. Not seen it mentioned yet but my my mate has booked a couple of nights in Brockton. The price looked a bit too good to be true. A quick google and I can see why.  A couple of questions. A/ how easy is it to get to the stadium and B/ Will we get shot?

I will be honest, Brockton isn't a place I'd recommend you stay, and I personally would try to find somewhere else if you can.  There is a commuter rail station there, but depending on where you are staying I wouldn't want to walk to/from it late at night.   Will you get shot?  Probably not, but you do certainly stand a far better chance of being shot or accosted in Brockton than say, the town of Wellesley.  Use common sense precautions and if you don't feel safe, use an Uber and keep to areas with a lot of people there.  Again, personally I would try to find somewhere else.

So is it easy to get the stadium which is 20 miles south west of Boston, and about 20 miles away from Brockton? In a word, no.  You could catch the commuter rail into Boston's South Station, an then use the special events commuter rail train to the stadium that goes to and from South Station (see my handy resources post) but the problem here is for a late game getting back to South Station and possibly missing the last commuter rail to Brockton.  You'd then be stuck without paying for an expensive Uber, and the cost may be more than just getting an Uber from the stadium to Brockton, or even just getting an Uber from Brockton to the stadium in the first place.

Brockton is the home of the late Marvellous Marvin Hagler!

 

Edited December 13, 2025 by Nigeyy

[Shad1907]

Thanks for advice @Nigeyy much appreciated.

cheers

mark

[mwng]

6 hours ago, Nigeyy said:

I will be honest, Brockton isn't a place I'd recommend you stay, and I personally would try to find somewhere else if you can.  There is a commuter rail station there, but depending on where you are staying I wouldn't want to walk to/from it late at night.   Will you get shot?  Probably not, but you do certainly stand a far better chance of being shot or accosted in Brockton than say, the town of Wellesley.  Use common sense precautions and if you don't feel safe, use an Uber and keep to areas with a lot of people there.  Again, personally I would try to find somewhere else.

So is it easy to get the stadium which is 20 miles south west of Boston, and about 20 miles away from Brockton? In a word, no.  You could catch the commuter rail into Boston's South Station, an then use the special events commuter rail train to the stadium that goes to and from South Station (see my handy resources post) but the problem here is for a late game getting back to South Station and possibly missing the last commuter rail to Brockton.  You'd then be stuck without paying for an expensive Uber, and the cost may be more than just getting an Uber from the stadium to Brockton, or even just getting an Uber from Brockton to the stadium in the first place.

Brockton is the home of the late Marvellous Marvin Hagler!

 

And Rocky Marciano. City of Champions.

Thanks for the feedback Nigel. Think we’ll take the hit and try get closer to Boston.

[Nigeyy]

13 minutes ago, mwng said:

And Rocky Marciano. City of Champions.

Thanks for the feedback Nigel. Think we’ll take the hit and try get closer to Boston.

If you are staying outside Boston, I'd start looking for anywhere close to a commuter rail line station. E.g. on the Franklin Forge Park line, anything at or past Readville.

[Andy of Lochcarron]

University Shooting in Providence  the night ffs breaking on BBC

[glenn9085]

On 12/12/2025 at 7:30 AM, Clootie Dumpling said:

Hi Nigeyy/Glen9085,

 

can you put out an all stations call to the local Bostonians to see if anyone is interested in adopting 2 weary Scotland Tartan Army Fans from the 11-20 Jun 2026? Much appreciate the info already provided.

Do you have tickets for any of the matches or are you  looking to go to the stadium, lots of bars there to watch from or do you have a general plan. I can ask around the Scottish community and pipe bands here. 

[glenn9085]

On 12/12/2025 at 1:49 PM, mwng said:

Thanks for all the advice. Not seen it mentioned yet but my my mate has booked a couple of nights in Brockton. The price looked a bit too good to be true. A quick google and I can see why.  A couple of questions. A/ how easy is it to get to the stadium and B/ Will we get shot?

I work in Brockton. E mail me the exact address and I will drive by there and check it out for you. mpdexp64@yahoo.com

[Broath Boy]

Nigeyy 

Hi, we’re catching the bus after the Haiti game at South Station at 1am back to New York, is this doable at full time. Cheers.

[Nigeyy]

10 minutes ago, Broath Boy said:

Nigeyy 

Hi, we’re catching the bus after the Haiti game at South Station at 1am back to New York, is this doable at full time. Cheers.

I don't know what time the game ends, but assuming you are catching the special events train back from the stadium to South Station and the game starts at 9, I think you would have time. However I've never done this, so was thinking if the game ends at 11, train leaves at 11:45-12 and you'd be back in South station by 12:30-12:45 at the latest (train might be even quicker without stops). These are my best guesses though. The bus terminal is literally a couple of mins from the commuter rail part of the station and easy to get to (done that picking my son up from a bus).

Summary:  I'd assume a 1:45 travel time if you  take the train after the finish of the game, and that's probably on the more conservative side.

[Nigeyy]

On 12/9/2025 at 7:24 AM, DOUBLE A said:

Nigeyy, seen a few folk staying in providence.

Do you know if there will be trains running to and from there to the stadium even though it later kick offs ?

Please see my "handy resources" post with an update on the commuter rail possibility of a train from Providence to the stadium!

[Nigeyy]

On 12/9/2025 at 10:22 AM, Bristolhibby said:

What's your thoughts Nigeyy on Providence Rhode Island? A gang of us are booked up for here for both games. 

 

Looks easy enough to get into Boston, also looks not too bad to get direct to the stadium. Have read that there are event day trains running. 

 

Given how many supporters appear to be staying in Providence, I presume (big assumption) that there will be trains after the game heading back to Providence. 

J

Please see my update to the commuter rail for trains from Providence to the stadium in my handy resources thread

[glenn9085]

On 12/12/2025 at 2:50 PM, albamikey said:

Thanks for all the information @Nigeyy! At the stadium is there a dedicated area for Uber (or similar) pick ups? For Game 1 will be travelling to Framingham. Game 2 travelling to Middleborough. 

Parking lot 15 at Gillette Stadium is the designated ride share pick up drop off location. 

[Nigeyy]

21 minutes ago, glenn9085 said:

Parking lot 15 at Gillette Stadium is the designated ride share pick up drop off location. 

👍