Arriving by Car
Parking options near the Research Center
From West of Boston:
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) heading east, going through the Allston/Brighton tolls, following signs for Boston. Take Exit 22 (the “Prudential/Copley Square” exit) and bear right in the tunnel following signs for “Copley Square.” The tunnel will let you out onto Stuart Street in the Back Bay of Boston. From here there are several parking garages nearby.
From each garage head towards Copley Square (a public park across from the Boston Public Library). We are one block north and one block east, near the corner of Clarendon and Newbury Streets.
From North of Boston:
Take Interstate 93 south towards Boston. Take Exit 26 (“Storrow Drive/North Station”).
From the exit ramp you will be on an access road that will lead you under some bridges and on to Storrow Drive. Stay towards the left along with the main flow of traffic. Follow Storrow Drive westbound along the Charles River and look for the “Copley Square/Back Bay” exit. It should be either the second or third exit once you get onto Storrow Drive and it will be on the left hand side. The exit will lead you to Beacon Street. After taking the exit, turn left onto Beacon followed by an immediate right onto Arlington Street with the other traffic. From here there are several parking garages nearby.
From each garage head towards Copley Square (a public park across from the Boston Public Library). We are one block north and one block east, near the corner of Clarendon and Newbury Streets.
From South of Boston:
Take Interstate 93 north toward Boston. Take Exit 18 (“Berkeley Street”) and follow the exit straight staying in the left lane. At the first light, make a left onto Berkeley Street. Follow Berkeley Street (which bends slightly at the light at Tremont Street; be sure to continue forward on Berkeley) past the old Boston Police headquarters, which will be on your left. From here there are several parking garages nearby.
From each garage head towards Copley Square (a public park across from the Boston Public Library). We are one block north and one block east, near the corner of Clarendon and Newbury Streets.
Arriving by Public Transit
Boston has a clean and inexpensive public transit system which makes it easy to visit the American Ancestors Research Center. The subway [the “T”] and the commuter rail are run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Schedules, parking fees, maps, and other information can be viewed on their website or by calling 1-800-392-6100.
The website of the MBTA features an interactive Trip Planner that can be helpful when using public transportation in the Boston area. All you need to know to use the Trip Planner is a starting point, a destination, and the date and time you plan to travel. You can choose a specific street address, an intersection, a subway station, a commuter rail station, or a landmark. You can also customize your trip by determining how far you want to walk from the stop to your destination and by your “trip preferences” (minimize time, minimize transfers, or minimize walking). Your results include the locations of stations or stops (and walking directions to these locations), route or line number of the bus, train, or boat that goes to your destination, fare information, and maps and downloadable schedules in PDF format.
Commuter Rail
Directions to the Research Center from the Boston Commuter Train/Amtrak Stations:
SOUTH STATION
Take the Subway Red Line “inbound” for two stops to Park Street Station.
Transfer to the Green Line “outbound” train to Copley Station.
When you exit the station, you will be at the intersection of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets.
Make a left on Boylston Street and walk one block to Clarendon Street (Trinity Church will be on your right).
Cross Clarendon, then make another left and walk one block to Newbury Street.
Cross Newbury; The entrance is at 99 Newbury Street.
NORTH STATION
Take the Subway Green Line “inbound” to Copley Station.
When you exit the station, you will be at the intersection of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets.
Make a left on Boylston Street and walk one block to Clarendon Street (Trinity Church will be on your right).
Cross Clarendon, then make another left and walk one block to Newbury Street.
Cross Newbury; The entrance is at 99 Newbury Street.
BACK BAY STATION
Exit on the Clarendon side of the station.
Make a left on Clarendon, and walk 4 blocks north, heading towards (and past) the tall John Hancock Building, until you get to Newbury Street.
Cross Newbury, then make a right.
The entrance is at 99 Newbury Street.
Suburban Stations with Parking
Many stations have free parking on Saturdays.
FORGE PARK / 495 STATION – Franklin Line
For points southwest
Route 140 off Route 495, Franklin
Take train into Back Bay Station
KINGSTON / ROUTE 3 – Kingston/Plymouth Line
For points southeast
Exit off Route 3, Marion Drive, Kingston
Take train into South Station
MIDDLEBOROUGH / LAKEVILLE – Middleborough / Lakeville Line
For points southeast
Route 105, Middleborough
Take train into South Station
NEWBURYPORT – Newburyport Line
For points northeast
Boston Way and Parker Street, off Route 1, Newburyport
Take train into North Station
ROUTE 128 STATION – Providence/Attleboro/Stoughton Lines
For points west/southwest
100 University Avenue (Exit 13 off Route 128, Westwood)
Take train into Back Bay Station
Subway (The “T”)
Research Center Location: Green Line near the Copley or Arlington stations; Orange Line near Back Bay Station
Suburban Stations with Parking
ALEWIFE
For points north/northwest
Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge (at end of Route 2 on the Arlington border)
Once parked, you may take the Red Line Train to Park Street Station, change to an “Outbound Green Line Train” and get off at the Arlington or Copley stations.
RIVERSIDE
For points west
Grove Street off Route 128 at Exit 21.
Recommended for over-sized vehicles.
Once parked, you may take this Green Line “D” train at the Riverside subway stop directly into Boston, getting off at the Arlington or Copley stations.
WONDERLAND
For points northeast
1300 North Shore Road (Route 1A), Revere.
Once parked, take this Blue Line train to Government Center, change to an “Outbound Green Line” train, getting off at the Arlington or Copley stations.
BRAINTREE
For points southeast
Ivory Street between Union Street and Pearl Street, off Route 3, Braintree
Once parked, take this Red Line train to Park Street Station, change to an “Outbound Green Line” train and get off at the Arlington or Copley stations.