Maine Fall Fun: Take Amtrak to Celtics & Bruins Games

For me, the best part of this time of year is fall! Every major sport is going on at once, and it’s pretty darn exciting.

If you’re from Maine and just happen to be a huge Celtics or Bruins fan, there’s a pretty easy way to get to TD Garden without spending hours behind the wheel.

This past spring, I headed to TD Garden to see the final regular-season Boston Celtics game. Normally, that would mean the usual stress-filled four-hour drive from Maine, but this time, we decided to switch things up and try something different: the Amtrak Downeaster. After the quick 90-minute drive from Bangor to Brunswick, I got to kick back, relax, and leave the stress of driving behind.

And honestly? I’m glad we did.

The Downeaster runs between Brunswick and Boston, with stops along the way in places like Portland, Saco, Exeter, New Hampshire, and Haverhill, Massachusetts. The final stop is Boston’s North Station, which just happens to be right underneath TD Garden.

That makes it pretty hard to beat if you’re heading to a Celtics or Bruins game. ??????

Our round-trip ticket was about $50, and the ride took around 3 hours and 20 minutes. Yes, that’s a little longer than driving from Brunswick, but for me, it was absolutely worth it.

Instead of worrying about traffic, parking or navigating Boston, we could sit back, enjoy the scenery, grab some food and a drink, and let someone else do the driving.

And there’s another cool option for game nights:

They offer an Event Night Train for select Celtics and Bruins games and TD Garden concerts. For qualifying events that start at 8 pm or later, the special train can leave Boston North Station at 11:25 pm, for the trip back toward Maine.

One important thing to remember: the train won’t wait if your game runs late, so check the schedule carefully before making your plans.

Schedules can change, so be sure to check the Amtrak Downeaster website for the latest information before your trip.

For Maine sports fans, though, this is a pretty fun alternative: no Boston traffic, no downtown parking headache, and you can step off the train practically underneath TD Garden. Not a bad way to spend a fall game day!