Massachusetts Has 3 Of The Most Beautiful Train Stations In The U.S.
Train stations in America are typically fast-paced hubs where travelers are often looking to either board and depart, or catch their ride home. But if you stop and look around, some train stations are really beautiful. In fact, TimeOut recently published a ranking of the most beautiful train stations in the country. Three Massachusetts places were included on the list.
“We’re focusing on the train stations themselves, those places where you can get out of the weather to wait for your train, or the edifice you gawk at through the window as you pull into the station,” TimeOut states.
So, the next time you are traveling by train in Massachusetts you may be stepping foot in one of the most beautiful stations in the country, according to TimeOut. It might be worth spending a few extra minutes to explore the building.
#11 John W. Olver Transit Center – Greenfield
TimeOut explained that this station qualified due to the fact that the Vermonter and the Valley Flyer are right behind it. Technically, the John W. Olver Transit Center is for bus rides. Nonetheless, it’s close to the Main St. Historic District of Greenfield. It is often praised for its net-zero carbon design. The architectural exterior is also one to marvel at. It is made of brick, carbon, and locally sourced stone.
#4 South Station – Boston
“Opened in 1898, it was originally a union station built for five different rail systems which have since been consolidated or are defunct,” TimeOut explains. There are 13 platform tracks out of South Station. These will see commuters traveling locally and those heading out on vacation. Wanderu describes how there is even one train per day that goes to Chicago out of this busy Boston spot.
#3 Union Station – Worcester
This station is also over 110 years old. It serves Amtrak riders and local travelers. Furthermore, its placement in the city allows for a quick walk to many popular destinations within Worcester, such as the DCU Center for a concert or a game. The white exterior of this building is picturesque with the two white, tall-standing towers. At night, the roundabout in front is often lit up, making the entire train station block postcard worthy.
Massachusetts: Local Street Art Is Getting National Exposure
A New Bedford, Massachusetts street art display is now getting national attention by being published in a book by Simon & Schuster.
On the Wall Posters: Street Art is described as a one-of-a-kind collection of posters, all from local artists. This book showcases 30 graffiti and street mural-inspired wall posters. Furthermore, it is all from the local mural art project, Superflat NB.
Founded in 2017, Superflat NB works directly with New Bedford’s residents and other artists around the world. Together, they are creating transformative public art. The collection of posters they will be publishing into a colorful book will bring these art pieces to life. In fact, you can now insert them right into your home.
What Superflat means
Japanese contemporary artist, “Takashi Murakami coined the term to express spatial compression and the blending of high and low art in his own work.” Superflat NB explains via their website. “Surperflat NB will provide access to the arts by directly engaging New Bedford’s youth, artists, and its residents in the ideation and creation of transformative public art through the traditions of mural-making,” they conclude. Their aim is to revitalize the city of New Bedford by inspiring youth with this creative outlet. In addition, their murals will bring national artists’ work into the community.
Book Introduction
“Today, street art is used worldwide for self-expression and to add character to unexpected places,” the book quotes. What can you expect to find when you crack open this poster book? On The Wall Posters: Street Art explains it as “wildstyle graffiti tags and colorful B-boy characters, to pop-art, stencil-style mural and more.”
Here, we will look at three pieces featured in this Massachusetts street art book that will now receive national distribution.
The book is available for pre-order now. It will be officially released on September 19, 2023. In the meantime, you preview the images and find more information on their Simon & Schuster page.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
