Wonderland (MBTA station)

Wonderland (MBTA station) is the northern terminus of the Blue Line rapid transit line in Revere, Massachusetts. Located adjacent to the historic Revere Beach, the station serves as a major transportation hub for the city's coastal neighborhoods and provides direct access to one of the oldest public beaches in the United States. The station is named for the former Wonderland Greyhound Park and Wonderland Amusement Park that once occupied the site, offering extensive parking and connections to local bus routes.

History

The station's history is deeply tied to the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad, a narrow-gauge railway that operated along the shoreline from the 1870s until the 1940s. The modern rapid transit station opened on January 19, 1954, as part of the MBTA's extension of the Blue Line from Orient Heights to replace the former rail service. The site was previously home to the famed Wonderland Amusement Park, a major attraction that operated from 1906 to 1911 before being destroyed by fire, and later the Wonderland Greyhound Park, which opened in 1935. A major reconstruction project from 2004 to 2006 modernized the station, adding ADA-compliant features and improving passenger facilities.

Station layout

The station features a simple above-ground layout with two side platforms serving the two terminating tracks of the Blue Line. The main station building, constructed of red brick, houses the fare lobby, a Transit Police office, and customer service areas. A pedestrian overpass connects the platforms to the main entrance and the large surface parking lot. The design is functional, emphasizing efficient bus and passenger transfer movements, with clear sightlines to Revere Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

Accessibility

The station is fully accessible, a key outcome of the 2004–2006 renovation project. Elevators provide access from the street-level entrance to the fare lobby and from the lobby to each side platform. All platforms are level with train floors, and tactile warning strips are installed along platform edges. Accessible parking spaces are available in the adjacent lot, and all pathways comply with ADA standards.

Services and connections

As the terminus, all Blue Line trains originate and terminate at Wonderland, providing direct service to Boston via stations like Aquarium and State. The station functions as a key bus hub, with several MBTA bus routes connecting to surrounding communities, including Route 110 to Wellington and Route 117 to Malden Center. The large park-and-ride lot, with over 1,200 spaces, facilitates commuter use from the North Shore region.

Nearby points of interest

The station's primary attraction is the adjacent Revere Beach, a designated National Historic Landmark and the first public beach in the United States. The beachfront is lined with concessions and is the site of the annual Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival. The former site of Wonderland Greyhound Park is nearby, with redevelopment plans frequently discussed. Other local landmarks include the Revere Beach Parkway and various residential and commercial districts in Revere, Massachusetts. Category:MBTA Blue Line stations Category:Railway stations in Suffolk County, Massachusetts Category:Revere, Massachusetts Category:Railway stations opened in 1954 Category:1954 establishments in Massachusetts