Boston is so centrally situated in New England. It’s the proper spot for a household trip since you’ll be capable to see all kinds of household points of interest, together with cultural and historic spots.
As well as, you’ll be able to keep at a resort in Boston and take a number of completely different day journeys – seeing completely different points of interest and perhaps even a special state. Inside a brief driving distance, you’ll discover historic cities, coastal cities, household points of interest, and sandy seashores. Whereas there are such a lot of completely different choices, listed here are a few of our favourite day journeys from Boston.
Disclosure: Word that we’ve acquired complimentary admission to a number of the Boston day journeys and points of interest talked about right here. All opinions are my very own. This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks and a purchase order via one in every of these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us.
The Finest Day Journeys From Boston
Desk of Contents
Boston Harbor Islands, MA
This is without doubt one of the best day journeys from Boston. You received’t even want a automobile to get there. Through the summers, you’ll be able to head to the ferry at Lengthy Wharf in Boston. There, you’ll be able to board for a brief journey to one of many a number of islands making up the Boston Harbor Islands State and Nationwide Park.
These islands supply a wide range of completely different facilities and applications, so evaluation every thing earlier than deciding the place to go. There’s no “finest” Boston Harbor Island – it should actually rely upon what you need to do.
There are completely different ferries going to the completely different islands, so that you’ll need to know which one you’re selecting earlier than attending to Lengthy Wharf and buying ferry tickets. Meals choices differ on the islands, so analysis prematurely so that you aren’t left hungry.
We’ve loved a visit to Spectacle Island, the place my youngsters have been capable of discover tide swimming pools and hang around on the small seashore. A number of the islands even have nice spots for exploring, so plan and pack appropriately. Many households take pleasure in touring to Georges Island, which is the preferred island.
There, you’ll discover a Civil Struggle-era fort you could stroll round. Georges Island is usually the primary cease on the ferries to the opposite islands, so that you could possibly mix it with one other island.
Portsmouth, NH
Proper over the New Hampshire border is Portsmouth NH, a coastal city crammed with retailers and eating places. There’s additionally the Water Nation water park and a number of other outside parks. It’s situated about an hour outdoors of Boston. Regardless of its location in one other state, it’s truly fairly near Boston and is a good spot for a day journey.
Seize lunch at one of many waterfront eating places for some beautiful views. Historical past lovers might take pleasure in a visit to Strawbery Banke Museum, a residing historical past museum. I like buying across the small city.
Newport, RI
Lower than a two-hour drive from Boston, you’ll discover Newport Rhode Island, the place you’ll be able to step into the gilded age. This beautiful city is a trip vacation spot in itself. Newport was as soon as the popular summer season trip spot for wealthy households together with the Vanderbilts, who owned the Breakers and Marble Home mansions as summer season houses.
Each of those properties, in addition to different Newport Mansions, can be found to tour throughout your journey to Newport. Arrive early, as these properties get busy, particularly throughout the weekends. They’re open seasonally, so try working hours earlier than
You may also take a ship journey, go to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, try a baseball recreation, store, eat, and a lot extra if you are in Newport. It’s positively a spot that you can go to for greater than at some point.
However, when you solely have time for a day journey, I’d deal with seeing one mansion (in all probability the Breakers) after which heading to Brick Market/Thames Road. There, you’ll discover quaint retailers and eating places proper on the waterfront.
Newport can be residence to lovely wonderful seashores, in addition to the Cliff Stroll. If you’re doing a day journey from Boston, depart early in an effort to take pleasure in all of those points of interest. It’s situated on Aquidneck Island which is accessed through bridges.
See extra issues to do in Newport with youngsters right here.
Mystic, CT
Proper over the RI border is Mystic, CT, situated lower than a two hour drive from the downtown space of Boston. There, you’ll discover Mystic Seaport, the biggest maritime museum in the US. It’s largely outside, so it’s a terrific place to go to in good climate.
Children additionally love the Mystic Aquarium, which is one in every of my favourite aquariums to go to. Don’t miss the Beluga whales! Mystic Aquarium options the biggest outside beluga whale exhibit in the US. The whales are so interactive and enjoyable to observe.
Throughout the road from the Mystic Aquarium is Olde Mistick Village, the place you’ll discover retailers and eating places in a quaint little historic village. It’s enjoyable to stroll round there, and there are a number of eating places the place you’ll be able to seize lunch.
See issues to do in Mystic right here. Whereas it’s a terrific day journey, you can additionally keep one or two nights right here.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is without doubt one of the hottest trip locations in New England. Whereas I’d in all probability suggest that you simply’d keep in a single day (similar to Martha’s Winery and Nantucket), you can additionally go to the Cape for a day journey. It gives lovely seashores, implausible outside actions, and scrumptious, contemporary seafood.
Within the busy season, you’ll need to arrive on the seashores early. Cape Cod visitors is notoriously unhealthy, so it’s finest to drive at an off-peak time. It’s probably the most in style vacationer locations within the space, particularly in the summertime.
A number of the finest locations to go to on Cape Cod embody:
- Provincetown
- Yarmouth
- Chatham
- Orleans
- Falmouth
When you are there, find time for a number of the well-known ice cream and lobster rolls you will get in the summertime months.
Plymouth, MA
Any historical past journey to Boston ought to embody a day in Plymouth, MA. There, you’ll be able to see Plymouth Rock, and discover Plimoth Plantation (which was just lately renamed Plimoth Patuxet Museums). In case your trip plans embody a visit right down to the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore, you’ll discover Plymouth on the best way. However you positively solely want a day there, so it’s a simple day journey from Boston.
There are many scrumptious eating places and nice retailers in Plymouth as properly. In case you have restricted time, I’d suggest solely going to Plimoth Plantation. Plymouth Rock, whereas well-known, is fairly disappointing in individual.
Rockport, MA
North of Boston is Cape Ann, the place you’ll discover Rockport, MA. This quaint seaside village is one in every of my favourite locations to go to for the day. Bearskin Neck is the proper spot to go to for a day.
It gives retailers, eating places, and artwork galleries. You’ll additionally need to {photograph} Motif #1, an iconic fishing shack that is without doubt one of the most photographed buildings.
There are additionally a number of seashores on Cape Ann – together with a number of in Rockport.
Gloucester, MA
Proper subsequent door to Rockport on Cape Ann is Gloucester MA. Well-known from the TV present Depraved Tuna, in addition to the film The Excellent Storm, Gloucester is a enjoyable seaside city recognized for scrumptious seafood.
Along with the waterfront eating places, you’ll additionally discover a number of seashores in Gloucester (Good Harbor is our favourite). Many whale watching cruises depart from this city as properly. In my view, Gloucester is the proper day journey for a seashore day.
Kittery, ME
Kittery Maine is the primary Maine city that you simply’ll discover proper over the New Hampshire border by Portsmouth, NH. It’s largely recognized for some fabulous outlet retailers. There are a number of outlet malls, all situated on the identical avenue. It’s simple to drive to every plaza, park, and store.
Throughout your day in Kittery, Maine, you may also discover Fort McClary State Park and be adventurous at Take Flight Adventures. You should definitely cease at one of many many seafood eating places and stands to choose up a scrumptious lobster roll.
Choices embody Bob’s Clam Shack and Robert’s Maine Grill (the place the lobster roll and chowder pictured above got here from). Whereas in Kittery, you’ll additionally need to cease at Yummies, a retailer crammed with every kind of sweet.
If you would like, you’ll be able to mix a visit with Kittery with a cease in Portsmouth, NH. They’re in several states however are adjoining. It’s simple to go to each.
See issues to do in Kittery right here.
Harmony, MA
If you wish to go to Walden Pond, made well-known by Henry David Thoreau, you’ll want to move to Harmony, MA. Situated about 40 minutes from Boston, Harmony can be residence to Minute Man Nationwide Historic Park. In the event you don’t have a automobile or don’t need to drive, there’s additionally a commuter rail station in Harmony.
In the event you do select to drive, you may also go to Lexington, residence of historic websites from the Revolutionary Struggle. Head to Lexington Frequent (Battle Inexperienced), the beginning of the American Revolution. Historical past lovers might benefit from the Liberty Experience, a guided tour via Lexington and Harmony with costumed guides.
Salem, MA
Residence to the notorious Salem Witch Trials, Salem, MA is about 50 minutes from town. Nearly every thing that you simply’ll need to see within the coastal metropolis of Salem is situated proper in the identical space. When you arrive in your day journey to Salem, you’ll be able to park and stroll round with no need your automobile.
Along with a number of museums devoted to the Salem Witch Trials (the Salem Witch Museum is one in style museuem) and The Home Of The Seven Gables (made well-known by the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, you may also discover the Peabody Essex Museum proper within the metropolis.
The museum options a big assortment of Asian artwork and hosts a lot of household actions all year long. It’s closed on Mondays, so be sure you go to on a special day.
Salem is situated on the waterfront, so that you’ll additionally be capable to do a brief boat journey or tour. There are additionally many strolling excursions of town if you would like some guided narration if you are visiting.
Sturbridge, MA
West of Boston, you’ll discover Sturbridge, MA. Anybody concerned with historical past might take pleasure in a visit to Outdated Sturbridge Village, a residing historical past museum. It’s a bit of over an hour from Boston and is a simple drive down the Mass Turnpike. Buy tickets on-line prematurely to avoid wasting time in line.
Springfield, MA
This metropolis, situated about 90 minutes from Boston, options plenty of family-friendly points of interest. Sports activities followers will need to go to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame. It’s a number of flooring of sports activities memorabilia, in addition to a full basketball courtroom. You’ll in all probability need to plan to spend a few hours there.
There’s additionally a comparatively new Dr. Seuss Museum that youthful youngsters will take pleasure in.
Wrentham, MA
Wish to store for bargains on model names? Wrentham Massachusetts is residence to the Wrentham Village Premium Shops, the place you’ll discover high-end retailers together with Burberry, Bose, Coach, kate spade, and Tory Burch. It’s a brief drive from Boston.
Getting There
For many of those day journeys from Boston, you’ll in all probability need to lease a automobile. There are different choices to attending to a number of the locations, together with Amtrak practice (to Mystic and north to Maine on the Downeaster), commuter rail, and ferry. Generally, driving is the best, and parking isn’t too troublesome except you’re going to a seashore in the summertime.
You might also discover that you simply need to cease at a couple of location, making it helpful to have a automobile. Many of those cities are unfold out, and strolling all over the place isn’t an choice. In the event you don’t have a automobile rental in your Boston trip, it’s best to be capable to simply lease one for the day.
See our Boston day journey internet story right here.
