Whether or not you reside in Boston or you’re visiting and need to see extra of Southern New England, there are numerous scenic cities and enjoyable sights which might be inside a brief drive of the Boston Metro space and make for nice day journeys from Boston.
Greatest Day Journeys from Boston
Since I imagine a day journey ought to actually be simply accomplished in a day — with out spending all day within the automotive, these day journey choices are all inside a two-hour drive or ferry journey from Boston. Many might be accomplished year-round, however they’re particularly fairly or perfect in the summertime or fall.
1. Boston Harbor Islands
The simplest option to escape the town is to leap on a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands. Made up of 34 islands and peninsulas, Boston Harbor Islands Nationwide and State Park supply up choices for recreation and leisure.
You possibly can guide ferry tickets prematurely (or stroll as much as the ticket workplace on Lengthy Wharf North and see what is accessible) for the ferry to Spectacle Island. Spectacle Island is a 114-acre island providing mountain climbing, swimming, boating, and studying.
2. Provincetown
A 90-minute quick ferry from Boston will take you to colourful and quaint Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod. Right here you possibly can store, eat, and drink to your coronary heart’s delight. For one thing completely different, spend a day exploring the sand dunes with Artwork’s Dune Excursions.
Should you can stick round for low tide, comb the seaside for sea creatures within the shallow tide swimming pools left behind by the receding ocean tide. See a few of my favourite issues to do on Cape Cod within the low season.
3. Plymouth
Plymouth Rock might underwhelm, however fortunately it isn’t the one factor to see and do in Plymouth. These inquisitive about Colonial historical past and Native American tradition ought to go to the close by Plimouth Patuxet Museums. You can too go whale watching, sea kayaking, go to a cranberry lavatory, and even take a ghost tour on the town.
4. Somerville
In case you are within the temper for purchasing and leisure, head as much as Somerville. Meeting Row provides eating, outlet purchasing, and leisure choices like Fortunate Strike bowling and the LEGOLAND Discovery Middle for youthful children (simply verify to see what’s open earlier than you go.)
You can too take a meals tour, go to a brewery, go mountaineering at Brooklyn Boulders, or choose up some chocolate at Somerville Chocolate.
5. Salem
Simply 45 minutes north of Boston, Salem makes a terrific day journey vacation spot. After all, there’s loads of historical past to discover, together with the well-known Salem Witch Trials. However past that macabre previous, Salem is a captivating seaside city with pretty museums just like the Peabody Essex and historic websites just like the Salem Maritime Nationwide Historic Web site.
You can too go to the Home of the Seven Gables, a historic house and gardens made well-known by American creator Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the identical identify. In case you are into the spooky, there’s the Salem Witch Museum and ghost excursions.
6. Newburyport
Positioned 45 minutes north of Boston, a day journey to Newburyport on the North Shore will deliver you thru farmland to this scenic seaport city. Excellent for these in search of a spot for purchasing and eating alongside the waterfront, Newburyport is a bustling city for locals and guests.
Stroll alongside the Harbor Stroll, picnic in Waterfront Park, go to the Maritime Museum and dine on native seafood. In case you are in search of extra of the outside, go to one of many close by parks, seashores, or nature preserves.
7. Gloucester
Additionally 45 minutes north of Boston on Cape Ann, the historic fishing village of Gloucester is a welcome respite in the summertime warmth. Whereas seaside parking is reserved for in-town residents, even now you possibly can get pleasure from a whale watch or sightseeing cruise on a historic Schooner. For a less expensive option to get out on the water, purchase a $10 ticket for the water shuttle and keep on for a full harbor tour or hop-on and hop-off all through the day.
The downtown additionally provides some nice eating decisions, together with informal eating at Blue Collar Lobster, fashionable eating at Minglewood, or waterfront eating at The Studio on the Rocky Level artists’ colony. Afterward, take the scenic route alongside the water as much as the quaint and touristic city of Rockport if in case you have some additional time. See extra issues to do in Gloucester, MA.
8. Blue Hills
The Blue Hills Reservation, simply half-hour south of Boston off Route 93, is a superb spot for mountain climbing when that you must get out of the town. Protecting 7,000 acres, the Blue Hills provides 125 miles of mountain climbing trails. You possibly can climb hills, cross marshes, or stroll alongside the water relying in your pursuits and health degree.
9. Horseneck Seaside
An hour-and-a-half south of Boston, Horseback Seaside State Reservation provides an exquisite two-mile-long seaside on the western finish of Buzzard’s Bay. You should definitely head out early and double-check parking restrictions to get pleasure from a day on the seaside. You possibly can even flip it into an in a single day with a tenting reservation on-site.
10. Nashoba
Nashoba could also be recognized for its ski space, however in the summertime and fall, the Nashoba Valley Vineyard makes a pleasant day journey. Simply 45 minutes exterior of Boston in Bolton, the vineyard provides picnic grounds, an on-site restaurant, and curbside pickup. Simply be aware that reservations are required for the picnic grounds and restaurant right now and they’re solely open from Thursday by way of Sunday.
11. Springfield
An hour-and-a-half from Boston, Springfield provides loads to do on a day journey from the Dr. Seuss Museum and Gardens and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame are each highlights downtown and fashionable for households.
Six Flags New England is at present nonetheless closed however hopefully will reopen sooner or later with enjoyable occasions and loads of thrills.
12. Sturbridge
An hour southwest of Boston close to the Connecticut border, Sturbridge is a superb day journey for households. Previous Sturbridge Village is the biggest dwelling historical past museum in New England. Protecting 200 acres, Previous Sturbridge Village recreates life in rural New England in the course of the 1790s by way of 1830s.
You possibly can spend the day exploring the assorted buildings and displays, with hands-on studying alternatives together with candle making and metalworking. Simply take into account that ticket reservations are required right now.
13. Windfall, Rhode Island
The “Inventive Capital” in neighboring Rhode Island makes a terrific day journey getaway. Take a ship journey with Windfall River Boat Firm or a gondola journey by way of downtown with La Gondola. Foodies can get pleasure from a meals tour and discover Windfall’s notable meals scene.
Households can spend the day at Roger Williams Park & Zoo or stroll round Windfall’s East Facet and Faculty Hill. The RISD Museum is a superb spot for artwork lovers and bibliophiles will need to discover the Windfall Athenaeum. See extra issues to do in Windfall, Rhode Island.
14. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Simply throughout the border in New Hampshire, the seacoast city of Portsmouth provides historic attraction to discover. Spend the day strolling alongside the cobblestone streets, poking into native boutiques, and having fun with some recent seafood at a waterfront patio.
15. Kittery, Maine
An hour and 1 / 4 north of Boston and simply throughout the border with Maine, Kittery is ideal for a day journey of purchasing and nice meals. Simply be sure to verify present quarantine necessities as Maine nonetheless requires a 14-day quarantine for MA residents or a destructive take a look at end result.
You possibly can spend the day purchasing on the Kittery Premium Shops or discover a little bit of the Maine coast. Simply depart your self loads of time to attend in line at Bob’s Clam Shack for the most effective lobster rolls and fried clam strips round.
Bonus: King Richard’s Faire
In case you are searching for a enjoyable fall day journey from Boston, head all the way down to King Richard’s Faire in Carver, Massachusetts. That is the biggest Renaissance Competition in New England, with rides, video games, and leisure together with minstrels, acrobats, hearth eaters, aerialists, and larger-than-life-size puppets. The honest runs from early September by way of the third weekend in October.
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