Where to Park

Because the museum is in a historic mill, there is no direct vehicle access to the front door. You must park in a nearby lot and walk a short distance along the scenic Riverwalk to get to the Museum. Most of the side streets also have free parking in the area.

Free Parking: McDevitt Middle School at 75 Church Street (About a 10-minute walk to the Festival).

Public Parking Near Charles River Museum

Select an address below to open navigation in Google Maps. Parking rates are $1/hour or $6 for the entire day. There is also street parking along Main and Moody St that is metered on Saturdays.

Parking Lot Name
Address (Click for Map)
Approx. Distance
Embassy Parking Garage 42 Cooper Street 0.1 miles
Crescent Street Lot 25 Crescent Street 0.2 miles
Carter Street Lot (Commuter Rail) 3 Carter Street 0.3 miles
Railroad Lot (Commuter Rail) 119 Moody St. 0.3 miles
Chestnut Street Lot 20 Chestnut Street 0.3 miles
Central Square Parking Deck Lexington & Main St 0.4 miles
Walnut Street Lot 41 Walnut Street 0.4 miles
Common Street Lot 68 Common Street 0.4 miles
Library Lot 735 Main Street 0.5 miles
Church Street Lot Church & Main St 0.6 miles
Spruce Street Lot 10 Spruce Street 0.6 miles

The museum is located at 154 Moody Street, just a 5-minute walk from the Waltham Commuter Rail Station.

Public Transportation from Boston (East)

  • MBTA Commuter Rail (Fitchburg Line)
    Take the train from North Station to Waltham Station. The museum is a 0.2-mile walk from the platform.
  • MBTA Bus Route 70
    Runs from Central Square (Cambridge) directly to Waltham’s Moody Street area.
  • MBTA Express Bus (504/553)
    Direct service from Downtown Boston/Copley to Waltham Central Square.

Public Transportation from the West of Waltham

  • MBTA Commuter Rail (Fitchburg Line)
    Direct service from Fitchburg, South Acton, and Concord. Alight at Waltham Station. The museum is a short walk across the Common.
  • MBTA Bus Route 70 (Main St)
    Connects Weston and North Waltham to the downtown area. Get off at the Moody St @ Main St stop.
  • MWRTA Transfers
    Visitors from Marlborough or Framingham can utilize MWRTA fixed routes to connect with the MBTA Fitchburg Line at South Acton.

Public Transportation from the North of Waltham

Coming from the North (Burlington, Lexington, or Woburn), the connection to Waltham is primarily via MBTA Bus Routes 76 and 62, which link to the Alewife Red Line hub, or Route 170 for direct peak-hour service.

  • MBTA Bus Route 70 (North Waltham/Lexington):

Departure: From the Cedarwood or North Waltham areas.

Arrival: Moody St @ Main St.

Details: This is the most frequent north-south bus connection within Waltham.

  • MBTA Bus Route 170 (Central Square, Waltham – Burlington):

Departure: Burlington (Market Street / Mall area).

Arrival: Central Square, Waltham.

Details: Note that this is a limited-service express route, primarily operating during peak commuting hours.

  • Lexpress (Lexington Local Bus):

Departure: Various points in Lexington.

Arrival: Transfer to MBTA Route 70 at the Waltham/Lexington line.

Details: Ideal for residents of Lexington looking to connect to the Waltham transit network.

Public Transportation from the South of Waltham

  •  Commuter Rail (Fitchburg Line):

From the South, take the Providence/Stoughton Line to Back Bay or South Station.

Transfer to the Orange Line to North Station.

Take the Fitchburg Line to the Waltham stop.

The Walk: Exit the train and walk south on Moody Street for about 3 minutes. The museum is behind the shops on the left, right along the river.

  • Bus Route 70:

If you are coming from the Brighton/Cambridge area, the 70 Bus runs frequently and stops at the corner of Main St & Moody St, just a short walk from the museum.