Boston is so centrally situated in New England. It’s the proper spot for a household trip since you’ll have the ability to see all kinds of household sights, together with cultural and historic spots.
As well as, you may keep at a lodge in Boston and take a number of totally different day journeys – seeing totally different sights and possibly even a unique state. Inside a brief driving distance, you’ll discover historic cities, coastal cities, household sights, and sandy seashores. Whereas there are such a lot of totally different choices, listed here are a few of our favourite day journeys from Boston.
Disclosure: Notice that we’ve acquired complimentary admission to a number of the Boston day journeys and sights talked about right here. All opinions are my very own. This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks and a purchase order by way of one in all these hyperlinks might end in a fee paid to us.
The Finest Day Journeys From Boston
Desk of Contents
Boston Harbor Islands, MA
This is likely one of the best day journeys from Boston. You gained’t even want a automotive to get there. In the course of the summers, you may head to the ferry at Lengthy Wharf in Boston. There, you may 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 provide quite a lot of totally 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 depend upon what you need to do.
There are totally different ferries going to the totally different islands, so that you’ll need to know which one you might be selecting earlier than attending to Lengthy Wharf and buying ferry tickets. Meals choices differ on the islands, so analysis upfront so that you aren’t left hungry.
We’ve loved a visit to Spectacle Island, the place my youngsters had been in a position to discover tide swimming pools and hang around on the small seaside. Among the islands even have nice spots for exploring, so plan and pack appropriately. Many households get pleasure from touring to Georges Island, which is the most well-liked island.
There, you’ll discover a Civil Warfare-era fort which you can stroll round. Georges Island is commonly the primary cease on the ferries to the opposite islands, so that you might be able to mix it with one other island.
Portsmouth, NH
Proper over the New Hampshire border is Portsmouth NH, a coastal city stuffed with outlets and eating places. There’s additionally the Water Nation water park and several other outside parks. It’s situated about an hour exterior 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 get pleasure from a visit to Strawbery Banke Museum, a dwelling 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 may step into the gilded age. This beautiful city is a trip vacation spot in itself. Newport was as soon as the popular summer time trip spot for wealthy households together with the Vanderbilts, who owned the Breakers and Marble Home mansions as summer time 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 in the course of the weekends. They’re open seasonally, so take a look at working hours earlier than
You can even take a ship trip, go to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, take a look at a baseball recreation, store, eat, and a lot extra while you’re in Newport. It’s positively a spot that you possibly can go to for greater than sooner or later.
However, in case you solely have time for a day journey, I’d give attention to seeing one mansion (in all probability the Breakers) after which heading to Brick Market/Thames Road. There, you’ll discover quaint outlets and eating places proper on the waterfront.
Newport can also be dwelling to stunning wonderful seashores, in addition to the Cliff Stroll. If you’re doing a day journey from Boston, go away early as a way to get pleasure from all of those sights. It’s situated on Aquidneck Island which is accessed by way of 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 america. It’s principally outside, so it’s a terrific place to go to in good climate.
Children additionally love the Mystic Aquarium, which is one in all my favourite aquariums to go to. Don’t miss the Beluga whales! Mystic Aquarium options the biggest outside beluga whale exhibit in america. The whales are so interactive and enjoyable to look at.
Throughout the road from the Mystic Aquarium is Olde Mistick Village, the place you’ll discover outlets 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 may seize lunch.
See issues to do in Mystic right here. Whereas it’s a terrific day journey, you possibly can additionally keep one or two nights right here.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is likely one of the hottest trip locations in New England. Whereas I’d in all probability suggest that you just’d keep in a single day (similar to Martha’s Winery and Nantucket), you possibly can additionally go to the Cape for a day journey. It presents stunning seashores, improbable 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 one of the vital fashionable vacationer locations within the space, particularly in the summertime.
Among the finest locations to go to on Cape Cod embrace:
- Provincetown
- Yarmouth
- Chatham
- Orleans
- Falmouth
If you are there, find time for a number of the well-known ice cream and lobster rolls you may get in the summertime months.
Plymouth, MA
Any historical past journey to Boston ought to embrace a day in Plymouth, MA. There, you may see Plymouth Rock, and discover Plimoth Plantation (which was not too long ago renamed Plimoth Patuxet Museums). In case your trip plans embrace 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 outlets 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 particular person.
Rockport, MA
North of Boston is Cape Ann, the place you’ll discover Rockport, MA. This quaint seaside village is one in all my favourite locations to go to for the day. Bearskin Neck is the proper spot to go to for a day.
It presents outlets, eating places, and artwork galleries. You’ll additionally need to {photograph} Motif #1, an iconic fishing shack that is likely 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 identified 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 go away from this city as properly. In my view, Gloucester is the proper day journey for a seaside day.
Kittery, ME
Kittery Maine is the primary Maine city that you just’ll discover proper over the New Hampshire border by Portsmouth, NH. It’s principally identified for some fabulous outlet outlets. There are a number of outlet malls, all situated on the identical avenue. It’s straightforward to drive to every plaza, park, and store.
Throughout your day in Kittery, Maine, you may as well discover Fort McClary State Park and be adventurous at Take Flight Adventures. Make sure to cease at one of many many seafood eating places and stands to select up a scrumptious lobster roll.
Choices embrace 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 stuffed with all types of sweet.
In order for you, you may mix a visit with Kittery with a cease in Portsmouth, NH. They’re in numerous states however are adjoining. It’s straightforward 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 also be dwelling to Minute Man Nationwide Historic Park. Should you don’t have a automotive or don’t need to drive, there’s additionally a commuter rail station in Harmony.
Should you do select to drive, you may as well go to Lexington, dwelling of historic websites from the Revolutionary Warfare. Head to Lexington Frequent (Battle Inexperienced), the beginning of the American Revolution. Historical past lovers might benefit from the Liberty Experience, a guided tour by way of Lexington and Harmony with costumed guides.
Salem, MA
House to the notorious Salem Witch Trials, Salem, MA is about 50 minutes from the town. Nearly every thing that you just’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 may park and stroll round with no need your automotive.
Along with a number of museums devoted to the Salem Witch Trials (the Salem Witch Museum is one fashionable museuem) and The Home Of The Seven Gables (made well-known by the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, you may as well 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 you should definitely go to on a unique day.
Salem is situated on the waterfront, so that you’ll additionally have the ability to do a brief boat journey or tour. There are additionally many strolling excursions of the town if you would like some guided narration while you’re visiting.
Sturbridge, MA
West of Boston, you’ll discover Sturbridge, MA. Anybody curious about historical past might get pleasure from a visit to Previous Sturbridge Village, a dwelling historical past museum. It’s a bit over an hour from Boston and is a simple drive down the Mass Turnpike. Buy tickets on-line upfront to save lots of time in line.
Springfield, MA
This metropolis, situated about 90 minutes from Boston, options numerous family-friendly sights. 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 court docket. 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 get pleasure from.
Wrentham, MA
Wish to store for bargains on model names? Wrentham Massachusetts is dwelling to the Wrentham Village Premium Shops, the place you’ll discover high-end shops 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 automotive. There are different choices to attending to a number of the locations, together with Amtrak prepare (to Mystic and north to Maine on the Downeaster), commuter rail, and ferry. Most often, driving is the simplest, and parking isn’t too troublesome until you will a seaside in the summertime.
You might also discover that you just need to cease at a couple of location, making it helpful to have a automotive. Many of those cities are unfold out, and strolling in every single place isn’t an possibility. Should you don’t have a automotive rental in your Boston trip, it is best to have the ability to simply lease one for the day.
See our Boston day journey net story right here.
