Boston is so centrally positioned in New England that it’s the right spot for a household trip. There, 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 lodge in Boston and take a number of completely different day journeys – seeing completely different points of interest and possibly even a unique state. Inside a brief driving distance, you’ll discover historic cities, coastal cities, household points of interest, and sandy seashores. Whereas there are numerous choices, listed here are a few of our favourite day journeys from Boston.
Disclosure: We’ve obtained complimentary admission to a few 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 by means of certainly one of these hyperlinks could end in a fee being paid to us.
The Greatest 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 automobile to get there. You’ll be able to head to the ferry at Lengthy Wharf in Boston through the summers. You’ll be able to board a brief journey to one of many a number of islands that make up the Boston Harbor Islands State and Nationwide Park.
These islands provide quite a lot of facilities and applications, so overview the whole lot earlier than deciding the place to go. There’s no “greatest” Boston Harbor Island—it would actually rely on what you need to do.
Totally different ferries are 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 range 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 explored tide swimming pools and frolicked on the small seaside. A few 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 Conflict-era fort to stroll round. Georges Island is usually 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 out of doors parks. It’s positioned about an hour exterior of Boston. Regardless of its location in one other state, it’s fairly near Boston and is a superb spot for a day journey.
Seize lunch at one of many waterfront eating places for some attractive views. Historical past lovers could go to Strawbery Banke Museum, a residing historical past museum. I really like procuring 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 enter the gilded age. This attractive 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 properties.
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 through the weekends. They’re open seasonally, so try working hours earlier than
You may as well take a ship journey, go to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, try a baseball sport, store, eat, and way more whereas in Newport. It’s a spot that you could possibly go to for greater than someday.
However, should you solely have time for a day journey, I’d concentrate on 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 lovely, superb seashores and the Cliff Stroll. If you’re doing a day journey from Boston, go away early so that you could take pleasure in all of those points of interest. It’s positioned 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, positioned lower than a two-hour drive from the downtown space of Boston. There, you’ll discover Mystic Seaport, the biggest maritime museum in the USA. It’s largely open air, so it’s an incredible place to go to in good climate.
Children additionally love the Mystic Aquarium, which is certainly one of my favourite aquariums to go to. Don’t miss the Beluga whales! Mystic Aquarium options the biggest out of doors beluga whale exhibit in the USA. 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 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’ll be able to seize lunch.
See issues to do in Mystic right here. Whereas it’s an incredible day journey, you could possibly 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 staying in a single day (identical to Martha’s Winery and Nantucket), you could possibly additionally go to the Cape for a day journey. It gives lovely seashores, improbable out of doors actions, and scrumptious, recent seafood.
You’ll need to arrive on the seashores early within the busy season. Cape Cod visitors is notoriously dangerous, so driving at an off-peak time is greatest. It’s one of the crucial in style vacationer locations within the space, particularly in the summertime.
A few of the greatest locations to go to on Cape Cod embrace:
- Provincetown
- Yarmouth
- Chatham
- Orleans
- Falmouth
While you’re there, find time for a few of the well-known ice cream and lobster rolls obtainable in the summertime months.
Plymouth, MA
Any historical past journey to Boston ought to embrace a day in Plymouth, MA. There, you’ll be able to see Plymouth Rock, and discover Plimoth Plantation (not too long ago renamed Plimoth Patuxet Museums). In case your trip plans embrace a visit all the way down to the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore, you’ll discover Plymouth on the best way. However you solely want a day there, so it’s a simple day journey from Boston.
There are additionally loads of scrumptious eating places and nice outlets in Plymouth. When 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 certainly one of my favourite locations to go to for the day. Bearskin Neck is the right spot to go to for a day.
It gives 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 and the film The Good 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 go away this city as effectively. In my view, Gloucester is the right 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 largely recognized for some fabulous outlet outlets. There are a number of outlet malls, all positioned on the identical road. It’s simple to drive to every plaza, park, and store.
Throughout your day in Kittery, Maine, you’ll be able to 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 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 every kind of sweet.
In order for you, you’ll be able to mix a visit to Kittery with a cease in Portsmouth, NH. Though they’re in numerous states, they’re adjoining, and 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 need to head to Harmony, MA. Situated about 40 minutes from Boston, Harmony can also be dwelling to Minute Man Nationwide Historic Park. When you don’t have a automobile or don’t need to drive, there’s additionally a commuter rail station in Harmony.
When you do select to drive, you may as well go to Lexington, dwelling of historic websites from the Revolutionary Conflict. Head to Lexington Widespread (Battle Inexperienced), the beginning of the American Revolution. Historical past lovers could benefit from the Liberty Trip, a guided tour by means of Lexington and Harmony with costumed guides.
Salem, MA
Dwelling to the notorious Salem Witch Trials, Salem, MA, is about 50 minutes from town. Nearly the whole lot that you just’ll need to see within the coastal city of Salem is positioned proper in the identical space. When you arrive on 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 museum) 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 many household actions all year long. It’s closed on Mondays, so go to on a unique day.
Salem is on the waterfront, so you’ll be able to take a brief boat journey or tour. In order for you some guided narration whereas visiting, there are numerous metropolis strolling excursions.
Sturbridge, MA
West of Boston, you’ll discover Sturbridge, MA. Anybody excited by historical past could take pleasure in visiting Previous Sturbridge Village, a residing historical past museum. It’s a little 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, positioned about 90 minutes from Boston, options a number of family-friendly points of interest. Sports activities followers will need to go to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame. It has a number of flooring of sports activities memorabilia and 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
Need to store for bargains on model names? Wrentham Massachusetts is dwelling 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
You’ll in all probability need to hire a automobile for many of those day journeys from Boston. There are different choices to attending to some locations, together with Amtrak practice (to Mystic and north to Maine on the Downeaster), commuter rail, and ferry. Driving is often the simplest, and parking isn’t too tough except you go to a seaside in the summertime.
You may additionally discover that you just need to cease at multiple location, making it useful to have a automobile. Many of those cities are unfold out, and strolling in every single place isn’t an possibility. When you don’t have a automobile rental on your Boston trip, try to be in a position simply to hire one for the day.
