Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · United States

Arlington, MassachusettsArlington

Base in Boston or Cambridge and visit Arlington as a half-day on the Minuteman Bikeway; sleep here only if you want a quiet, car-light suburb.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Arlington is a residential town of about 43,000 people 10 km northwest of Boston, settled in 1635 as Menotomy and renamed in 1867. It holds two things worth a trip: the Jason Russell House and Smith Museum, site of the bloodiest fighting on 19 April 1775, and the Minuteman Bikeway, a rail-trail that runs through Arlington Center to Alewife station. There is no hotel strip and almost no nightlife, so most travellers come for a half-day and sleep in Boston or Cambridge.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jan–Feb (cold, icy paths)
Airport
BOS
Nights
0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Arlington, Massachusetts911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Arlington, Massachusetts, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealSit-down dinner main$18–32
  • Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or burrito$10–16
  • BeerDraught beer in a restaurant bar$7–10
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare$14–22
  • Metro or bus rideMBTA bus or subway ride$2.40 (check)
  • Museum or sight ticketJason Russell House and Smith Museum entryAdults $5, children $2 (check)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed (nearest options are in Cambridge), a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Jason Russell House and Smith MuseumMinuteman BikewayCyrus E. Dallin Art MuseumOld Schwamb MillUncle Sam statue
Airports
BOS Boston Logan International (About 30–45 min by car via Route 2 and I-93; also reachable on the MBTA Silver Line plus Red Line to Alewife, then bus 67 or 77 (check))

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  7. Jul

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

  8. Aug

    not flagged

    27°C (81°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    5°C (41°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Aug (9). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Arlington, Massachusetts: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

2°C (36°F)

−7°C (19°F)

11 rd

Feb

3°C (37°F)

−6°C (21°F)

10 rd

Mar

8°C (46°F)

−2°C (28°F)

11 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

4°C (39°F)

11 rd

May

20°C (68°F)

9°C (48°F)

12 rd

Jun

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

11 rd

Jul

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

10 rd

Aug

27°C (81°F)

17°C (63°F)

9 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

13°C (55°F)

9 rd

Oct

17°C (63°F)

7°C (45°F)

10 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

Dec

5°C (41°F)

−4°C (25°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The MBTA bus 77 runs along Massachusetts Avenue through Arlington Center to Alewife Red Line station; buses 62, 67, 78, 80, 87 and 350 cover the rest of town less often. The Minuteman Bikeway is the fastest way between Arlington Center, Arlington Heights and Alewife by bike or on foot. Bluebikes stations allow short rentals. A car helps for the Old Schwamb Mill and Spy Pond but parking in Arlington Center is limited.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Bostongo

Door to door: About 45–60 min

Bus 77 to Alewife, then Red Line to Park Street

Cheaper and easier than driving; skip the car into downtown.

Cambridge, Massachusetts

go

Door to door: About 30–40 min

Bus 77 or 67 to Alewife, then Red Line one or two stops

Harvard and Central squares are the nearest big night out.

Lexington, Massachusetts

go

Door to door: About 30–40 min by bike

Minuteman Bikeway northwest, about 8 km (5 mi)

Pairs with the Jason Russell House for a full Revolution day.

Somerville

go

Door to door: About 35–45 min

Bus 77 to Alewife, then Red Line to Davis

Best food and bar density within a short ride.

Concord, Massachusetts

caution

Door to door: About 30–40 min by car

Minuteman Bikeway to Bedford then roads, or drive Route 2 west

The bikeway does not reach Concord directly; the last stretch is on road.

Waltham

caution

Door to door: About 25–40 min

Drive via Route 2 and Route 60, or bus connections via Alewife

Public transit is slow here; drive unless you have time.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Arlington Center

Massachusetts Avenue at the Minuteman Bikeway crossing; walkable to restaurants and the Dallin museum, but only one or two lodging options.

Arlington Heights

Northwest along Massachusetts Avenue near the bikeway; quieter, more residential, bus 77 runs through.

Alewife / Cambridge line

Red Line terminus on the Arlington border; the practical base if you want Boston access without a car.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–100 excl. bed
Mid
$100–170 excl. bed
High
$170+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180US$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110US$220
MBTA bus 77 ride, one way2 × US$2 · checkUS$5
MBTA subway ride from Alewife, one way2 × US$2 · checkUS$5
Bluebikes single ride, 30 min2 × US$4 · checkUS$8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$45
Trip total≈ US$247 per person per day, bed includedUS$493

2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before Massachusetts sales tax and exclude flights. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Deli sandwich or burrito$10–16
Sit-down dinner main$18–32
Draught beer in a restaurant bar$7–10
MBTA bus or subway ride$2.40 (check)
5 km taxi or rideshare$14–22
Jason Russell House and Smith Museum entryAdults $5, children $2 (check)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Arlington is a low-crime residential suburb and feels safe by day and evening. The real risks are icy sidewalks and bikeway surfaces in winter, fast commuter cyclists, and the fact that most bars close early because alcohol must come with food.
  • Arlington liquor licences require alcohol to be served with a meal, so bars are inside restaurants and staff may ask you to order food after a second drink.
  • The Minuteman Bikeway is shared with commuter cyclists at rush hour; keep right and expect fast riders.
  • Winter ice on the bikeway and sidewalks makes walking genuinely risky in January and February.
  • Several sights open only two or three days a week and close in winter; confirm hours before you go.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Arlington, MassachusettsArlington

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Arlington; consulates-general are in Boston and embassies in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus 77 Arlington Center → Alewife: about $2.40, 20–25 min (check)
  • Alewife → Park Street, Red Line: about $2.40, 20 min (check)
  • Taxi Arlington Center → Logan Airport: $45–65, 30–45 min (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the Minuteman Bikeway? — Where is the Minuteman Bikeway?
  • Does this bus go to Alewife? — Does this bus go to Alewife?
  • One ticket, please — One ticket, please
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the nearest restroom? — Where is the nearest restroom?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arlington, Massachusetts. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, icy paths) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BOS: last Red Line and bus 77 departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Arlington Center, Arlington Heights and the Minuteman Bikeway, Spy Pond.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Jason Russell House, Smith Museum, Dallin Art Museum, Old Schwamb Mill) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Seasonal and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources