The capital of Massachusetts isn’t someplace you essentially suppose you’ll need to take a day journey from, and it’s true – Boston has tons to do within the metropolis middle. There’s a wealthy historical past, artwork museums, and even the well-known Harvard College. However contemplating its prime location on the east coast, it could be an absolute crime to go to and never take pleasure in some journeys from Boston. The broader Boston surrounds are nicely related by trains and even higher related by highways and again roads. So ebook a practice ticket or lease a automotive and get occurring a day journey.
Prime Day Journeys from Boston
Whether or not you need recent seafood or to sort out the East Bay Bike Path, these top-day journeys from Boston are certain to maintain you ticking over all through your keep. On this information, we’ll cowl Boston’s greatest day journey choices – together with day journeys you possibly can attain by automotive and practice to maintain issues accessible for everybody. Let’s get began.
1. Plum Island
Plum Island is a beautiful day journey from Boston in the summertime months. The barrier island is simply over an hour’s drive on a nasty site visitors day and will get its identify from the wild plum shrubs that develop alongside its shores. It additionally earned the title ‘plum’ from the attribute purple sand that happens throughout low tide because of pinkish-tinted garnet crystals blended in with the sand.
As a day journey, it’s probably the most pleasurable locations for a seashore day – though guests ought to keep in mind that there aren’t any on-duty lifeguards. It may not be the Boston day journey for swimming should you aren’t assured within the water and visiting with a bunch of robust swimmers.
Plum Island is simply 11 miles lengthy, so you possibly can stroll the entire island should you actually wished to. In any other case, stick with organized climbing trails just like the Hellcat Marsh Loop Path, which cuts by the Parker River Nationwide Wildlife Reserve. Plum Island wormed its manner onto our information due to its quiet seashore vibe and lots of nature-immersive experiences. It isn’t as busy because the seaside cities, so good should you simply need to seashore bum for one in every of your Boston day journeys.
2. Provincetown
Talking of seashore days, Provincetown is a kind of busier seaside cities we suggest. While you desire a day journey to someplace busy and entertainment-filled, Provincetown is the place to move. The New England city is correct on the tip of Cape Cod and is known for its arts, meals, and pilgrim historical past. In 1620, Provincetown was really the location of the Mayflower’s touchdown, commemorated by the Pilgrim Monument right this moment.
Nevertheless, it’s not all historical past; its seashores are the cherry on high. Race Level Seashore is the most well-liked spot for sunbathing in Provincetown – so permit time to go to while you head on today journey from Boston.
Provincetown is pleasant, eclectic, and supreme for an impactful addition to our high Boston day journeys. You possibly can drive to Provincetown in round 2 hours, passing little coastal city hotspots like Plymouth and Sandwich en route. Alternatively, use public transport to achieve the World Commerce Heart Pier and catch the ferry in roughly a 2-hour whole journey. This is a wonderful option to sneakily glimpse Boston from the water.
3. Peabody Essex Museum
Artwork lovers, put together to be blown away by this one. Peabody Essex Museum is well one of many high artwork galleries you possibly can go to from or in Boston. And this museum is only a quick drive (45 minutes) from central Boston – so simply squeezed right into a busy itinerary. In the event you don’t have a automotive, you even have public transport choices with a number of bus strains connecting the 2.
The glitzy trendy artwork museum is famend for its American and Asian artwork. It has a fairly weird assortment of artifacts and shows. Be ready for full-room shows and loads of head-tilting artwork items. A substantial part is devoted to the Salem witches, a well-known story within the museum’s city of over 20 girls who have been put to demise over baseless allegations of witchery.
In the event you go to the Peabody Essex Museum, you possibly can simply go to the Salem Witch Museum if you are there. Salem is small however mighty, with fairly a number of high-quality points of interest, so don’t hesitate to bulk your go to to this gallery right into a full-day affair. We had so as to add it to this itinerary due to the witch aspect to its shows and the glitzy, complete showcasing of such an unlimited show of high quality artwork. This museum additionally makes an excellent rainy-day journey from Boston. Day journeys aren’t only for sunny days.
4. Highway Journey to Portland, Maine
Driving to Portland from Boston takes lower than a number of hours – roughly 2 hours and 1 minute. However as an alternative of speeding as much as Portland and again, make a day journey out of the drive and deal with it as a single-day street journey. We advise driving by the attractive Middlesex Fells Reservation, detouring barely to cease by Salem and see all of the witch historical past, stopping for lunch at Portsmouth, after which spending a few hours absorbing Maine in scenic Portland.
In Portland, you possibly can experience the Maine Slender Gauge Railroad, go to the Portland Museum of Artwork, or the Worldwide Cryptozoology Museum. The final one is pleasurable, with many fictional characters reveals like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.
With all these stops on the primary a part of your journey, permit round 6 hours for the primary leg to completely get pleasure from every cease. Then, your return journey ought to be about 2 hours except you cease anyplace fairly for sundown and dinner. The north shore residents are fortunate to have such historic cities and exquisite views on their doorstep, so make sure you get a great style of this unbelievable stretch.
5. Salem Witch Museum
Salem Witch Museum is likely one of the most fascinating day journey concepts from Boston, and even higher, it’s also probably the most possible. It’s simply an hour from Boston by automotive or a 45-minute direct practice experience from North Station. The museum takes you again to 1692 when the Salem Witch Trials have been absolutely flowing. Over 200 girls stood trial for false claims of witchery, and 19 have been convicted and given a death-by-hanging sentence.
The ordeal was catastrophic and thought of probably the most tragic occasions in historical past. You possibly can relive the expertise with life-size mannequins and trial scenes on the museum. You possibly can flick through informative reveals to be taught extra in regards to the girls prosecuted and about attitudes and examples of witchcraft right this moment.
The Salem Witch Museum may not be the very first thing that pops into your head while you consider a beautiful weekend getaway. Nevertheless, as a day journey from Boston, it highlights a massively necessary part of historical past.
6. Woods Gap
Woods Gap is on the very finish of Cape Cod. In reality, it appears nearer to the islands than the mainland, regardless of being on the primary peninsula. The tiny village was as soon as a central whaling level, and you may nonetheless get pleasure from a extra moral model of coastal residing by strolling previous the marina and having fun with the waterfront promenade.
There’s numerous science-based leisure available on this village, too; simply cease by the Woods Gap Oceanographic Establishment Ocean Science Discovery Heart. This science museum even has Titanic restoration reveals. And you’ll benefit from the each day summer time of Woods Gap that departs from the Woods Gap Historic Museum.
Woods Gap is roughly a two-hour drive from Boston. For us, the primary draw is its whole science and marine focus. However keep in mind that the driving route all the way down to Woods Gap passes Plymouth or Blue Hills Reservation – relying in your route.
7. North Conway
North Conway is likely one of the furthest day journeys from Boston, taking 2 hours and 50 minutes to achieve by automotive. So why trouble? What grip does this little forest city maintain on so many guests? North Conway is a sizzling spot for climbing, snowboarding, and waterfalls. The tiny village has extra climbing trails and out of doors adventures in a 10-mile radius than most cities do mixed. Head as much as North Conway early within the morning to have a full day having fun with its elegant locale earlier than heading again after dinner. It’s a full day, however undoubtedly worthwhile.
Should-visits in North Conway embody Diana’s Baths Cascade and Echo Lake State Park. The water points of interest listed below are gorgeous and an excellent early morning exercise. Whether it is ski season, you possibly can additionally spend a full day on the slopes. Whereas catching some stunning views on a time restrict, the Conway Scenic Railroad is your greatest shot.
The Nineteenth-century steam practice whisks you round a few of the prettiest surroundings in North Conway in conventional eating automobiles. The out of doors journey in North Conway is unbeatable, so we had so as to add it to this information.
8. The Home of the Seven Gables
The Home of the Seven Gables could sound acquainted to any literature followers. The novel was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1851 and was a significant hit. And in Salem (we’re beginning to suppose that every little thing good is in Salem), you possibly can go to the precise home that impressed the novel.
The Home of the Seven Gables is now an up-and-running not-for-profit museum devoted to the creator, his life, and his novel. The home itself dates again to 1668 however was restored in 1910, saved in line with as many interval parts and options as doable. Positioned overlooking the water, it’s a stunning spot filled with historical past and price visiting.
The Home of the Seven Gables is an hour away from Boston by automotive or an hour by practice from North Station. In the event you catch the practice, be ready for a 25-minute stroll to the precise museum from the station.
9. Nantucket
Nantucket is an island extra remoted than Martha’s Winery and situated just a bit additional offshore. For an adventurous day journey, look no additional. The island has a bit city middle with these cobbled streets that you just adore regardless of your self. The entire thing has that quaint attract and ruggedness from its geographical isolation. Briefly, Nantucket is an island price day-tripping and a wonderful instance of the Cape Cod area.
Nantucket’s essential highlights are its waterfront cottages and conventional buildings in the primary city. You may also seashore hop and bounce between lighthouses, reveling within the fewer vacationers than you’d discover on the mainland or busier islands. It has a return ferry service that completely strains up with sufficient hours on the island to sightsee.
In addition to, it’s extra a spot to expertise than tick off a great deal of particular issues. The ferry is an hour lengthy, and it takes round 2 hours to achieve Hyannis Terminal by practice from South Station, Boston. Carry a great ebook and a few anti-motion illness tablets, simply in case.
10. New Bedford
New Bedford is likely one of the high day journeys from Boston. With restricted time, you possibly can take this journey one in every of two methods: a chance to study maritime historical past or style a great deal of scrumptious seafood. In a great world, we’d recommend staying a full day and ticking off each, but when that isn’t an choice, prepare to select one.
First issues first, although, New Bedford is situated on the south coast, simply exterior of Windfall and Rhode Island. Town was based by English Quakers and, since then, has totally revolved across the fishing trade, which ought to be simple to inform from all of the fishing boats in its harbor.
You possibly can cease by (or bounce between) the primary wharf space and all of the seafood retailers simply south of the wharves, off MacArthur’s Drive. There are many high-brow seafood eating places, like The Black Whale and Merrill’s on the Waterfront.
So you possibly can at all times ebook in for a sundown eating expertise there, as many tables additionally include waterfront views. In any other case, head to the New Bedford Whaling Museum to maintain issues academic. This considerably tragic museum tells the story of the worldwide whaling trade. It gives wonderful perception into the toils of those stunning mammals.
New Bedford is simply 1.5 hours from Boston or 3 hours by public transport. It’s a simple day journey to prepare – whichever manner you intend it. And should you drive, then you definitely’ll reduce straight by Blue Hills Reservation which is a big plus.
11. Harmony
Harmony is way over only a picturesque city. Out of all of the small cities in Massachusetts, this spot is likely one of the final day journey choices you possibly can select from in Boston. Harmony is famed for its revolutionary warfare historical past, and you may go to the Outdated North Bridge and Outdated Hill Burial Floor.
Outdated North Bridge is especially well-known and is the duplicate of the 1775 bridge the place the primary pictures of the American Revolution have been unleashed. Any historical past buffs ought to actually prioritize a visit to Harmony. Truthfully, there’s a lot historical past right here that it feels just like the world revolved round Harmony for a very long time.
As if all that American historical past wasn’t sufficient of a draw, Harmony additionally caters to a barely totally different crowd – literature followers. The city is residence to Louisa Could Alcott’s Orchard Home, the place Little Ladies was written and set. Now you can take excursions round the home, a totally functioning museum commemorating the creator and her work.
Prepared for the actually thrilling half? Harmony is simply a 40-minute drive from Boston. And from North Station, you can too take a direct practice in simply 40 minutes. So Harmony is likely one of the most public transport-friendly choices for Boston day journeys.
12. Polar Caves Park
Polar Caves Park doesn’t have polar bears. As a substitute, it cops its identify from the glacial caves fashioned within the park throughout the Ice Age – polar bears stay close to glaciers, get it? There are 9 caves in whole, and also you scramble between them utilizing a mix of steel ladders and step contraptions and a little bit of a squeeze right here and there.
Exploring caves that date again to the final Ice Age is basically thrilling. Polar Caves Park is the kind of place that you would be able to encourage youngsters to get pleasure from but additionally get worth out of as an grownup. The caves are additionally linked by little wood trails, which is a pleasant contact and gives gorgeous forest views.
Polar Caves Park is roughly an hour and 50 minutes from Boston by automotive. Attending to Polar Caves Park is a complete breeze should you lease a automotive. You may also cease at good locations en route, like Canobie Lake Park, a enjoyable theme park with rollercoasters and water rides. A day journey to Polar Caves Park is well mixed with different points of interest to interrupt up the journey time – so don’t let the drive time put you off. Polar Caves Park is likely one of the most unusual day journeys you possibly can take from Boston.
13. Outdated Sturbridge Village
Outdated Sturbridge Village is one other residing museum to your itinerary. The 1830s recreation is a settlement by design however an absolute time capsule by impact. The eye to element is classy, and also you stroll by the ‘village’ to satisfy costumed actors who’ll cease and chat with you about what they’re doing.
The sawmill and blacksmith actors even give demonstrations. Prepare for an extremely immersive museum expertise. You possibly can wander out and in of historic buildings, admiring all of the effective particulars – even all the way down to garments and desk cutlery. For us, Outdated Sturbridge Village is well one of many high issues to do close to Boston. The eye to element, as we mentioned, is second to none.
The museum is simply an hour’s drive from Boston, so a possible addition to your journey. You can squeeze Outdated Sturbridge Village right into a 5-6 hour slot. We advise permitting as a lot time as doable to spend on the museum as a result of there are masses to get entangled with, like actions and rides. It’s one thing you need to take your time with. And, should you wished, you possibly can incorporate it with a cease in Worcester, the closest main metropolis to Boston.
14. White Mountain Nationwide Forest, New Hampshire
White Mountain Nationwide Forest spans over 800,000 acres of preserved forestland, which is kind of difficult to even start to image the dimensions of. The forest has mountain views and historic websites scattered by its midst, so it combines climbing trails and points of interest to sightsee. If you’re fortunate, it’s possible you’ll even spot black bears and moose.
In summer time, White Mountain Nationwide Forest is an absolute haven for hikers; in winter, ski season takes over. On this sense, it is likely one of the most seasonally versatile day journeys from Boston. In summer time, we advise heading to the forest for its climbing trails for a day of strolling and picnicking. Whereas in winter, we suggest an exhilarating snowboarding day journey from Boston. Take your decide – or let your go to dates resolve for you.
White Mountain Nationwide Forest is just below a 2-hour drive from Boston, so not an enormous distance to drive for a day journey. You’ll reduce by Harmony too, which makes the proper stopover level to have a good time being midway.
15. Martha’s Winery
Fancy consuming some wine? We hate to interrupt it to you, however Martha’s Winery is just not what you thought it could be. As a substitute of wine tastings, a Martha’s Winery day journey includes wildlife sanctuaries, marshlands, and loads of seashores. It’s a time out for a rural, distant expertise of New England island residing.
The British explorer Bartholomew Gosnold named the island after his daughter, so you have got him to thank for the whacky identify. You possibly can attain Martha’s Winery by automotive from Boston after which a fast ferry crossing. It’s probably the most adventurous locations to make a day journey due to the ferry aspect and island standing.
Prime issues to do on Martha’s Winery embody visiting the gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs, kicking again on the seashore, and admiring the views from Aquinnah Cliffs. The island has three essential cities: Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and Winery Haven, all extremely walkable.
However in any other case, should you convey your automotive on the ferry, you possibly can drive round all one of the best spots. The Flying Horses Carousel, Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook, and Polly Hill Arboretum are important points of interest. Put it this fashion, you’ll have a lot to do while you aren’t having fun with essentially the most distant sections of Martha’s Winery.
16. Jamestown
Jamestown is the kind of New England allure you hope to search out. The cobblestone streets give off that quintessential New England city attract and demand you to cease and take images if you’re social media-inclined. Relating to day journeys from Boston, Jamestown is a major candidate should you like aesthetic locations. And at only a 1.5-hour drive from Boston or a 2 hours 20-minute public transport journey from South Station, you might be onto a winner logistically.
After all, it isn’t all quintessential aesthetics and cutesy cobblestones. Jamestown has a darkish historical past. Jamestown was the primary everlasting English settlement and a web site of a well-known 1622 bloodbath during which practically a 3rd of the English inhabitants was killed. The systematic seizure of Powhatan lands prompted the killings, and Opechancanough led a lethal collection of assaults on the settlement.
While you go to Jamestown, you possibly can go to quite a few historic buildings and landmarks that tribute English and Powhatan historical past. Powhatan Indian Village and James Fort are the 2 most visited. The truth that there’s a lot historical past simply over an hour from Boston actually stands out, and Jamestown’s shut hyperlinks to early American historical past and the tragedies of New England are the primary causes we’re that includes it.
17. Cycle the East Bay Bike Path
The East Bay Bike Path is one of the best day journey you possibly can take from Boston if you wish to go biking. The 14.5-mile bike path may shadow the rocky shoreline between Windfall and Bristol. Nevertheless, the route itself is paved and tremendous simple to navigate. Whereas the space requires a little bit of psychological grit, the East Bay Bike Path is technically simple and beginner-friendly. So whether or not you might be a longtime street biker or simply fancy the problem, this bike path can swing each methods.
The bike path passes by 8 totally different parks, a bridge, and numerous waterfronts. It’s a actually thrilling and various option to embrace coastal residing, and actually eco-friendly as nicely. Not solely does it have quickly altering surroundings, nevertheless it additionally has tons of consuming and consuming choices en route – to the purpose the place individuals have began to prepare meals excursions.
You can cease at Narragansett Brewery, the Field East Bay, or the Sowams Cider Works Firm, simply to call a number of. Enable round 3 hours for a return journey with a brief, 15-minute break or a full day should you plan to cease heaps alongside the best way.
18. Wrentham Village Premium Shops
Wrentham Village Premium Shops is the biggest outlet purchasing spot in New England, and one of the best half is that it’s set outdoor, so you possibly can benefit from the solar whilst you store. The outlet retailer has over 160 manufacturers and competitively strains as much as 65% reductions. It’s the proper place to snag a discount and solely a 50-minute drive from Boston – what extra might you need? Of the over 160 manufacturers it options, you’ll discover Gucci, Adidas, Versace, Burberry, and extra. It has a luxurious spin, however you’ll discover some high-street manufacturers, so don’t let that put you off.
Wrentham Village Premium Shops made our record due to its large reductions and thrilling purchasing experiences. Purchasing in Boston is enjoyable, however saving cash and having all one of the best manufacturers in a single handy house is tons extra enjoyable. You possibly can deal with your self to new attire, sneakers, and even jewellery.
19. Newport, New Hampshire
Newport is likely one of the high day journeys from Boston. In simply 1.5 hours by automotive of some hours by public transportation, you possibly can simply skip over to Newport as a day journey from Boston. Newport is a metropolis set proper on the sting of Aquidneck Island on Rhode Island. It’s well-known for the America’s Cup, a worldwide well-known annual crusing regatta, that was as soon as held repeatedly within the metropolis.
Newport is the proper place to embrace coastal residing in a trendier manner than you’ll discover within the seaside city options. Image luxe yachts in a shiny harbor and a clifftop path (straightforwardly named the Cliff Stroll) that passes Gilded Age mansion after mansion. If you would like a stylish place to benefit from the ocean or have an affinity for crusing, then Newport is the day journey for you.
Newport, Rhode Island, has loads of native historical past, and you may cease by its museums, which embody The Breakers – a summer time residence of the Vanderbilts and a wonderful instance of the Gilded Age structure. True to its sporting core, there’s additionally the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, which was the house of the first-ever US Open Championship in 1881 and is an absolute memorabilia fest. Newport offers off ‘outdated cash’ vibes, and since it’s such a brief drive from Boston, there’s no purpose why you shouldn’t add it to your record.
20. Blue Hills Reservation
Blue Hills Reservation is a 7,000-acre park only a 30-minute drive or hour public transport scramble from central Boston. It’s the haven of inexperienced house that everybody flocks to, particularly on a busy day, and we’d suggest visiting for its climbing trails and wonderful picnic prospects. There are over 125 miles of climbing trails to get caught into, together with Burma Path and the Blue Hills Skyline Path. There’s a designated swimming space, too, that opens seasonally, so maintain that in thoughts on a sizzling day.
Blue Hills Reservation is a surprising state park supreme for a day journey. It’s someplace to sprint to and escape the inner-city chaos, with many alternatives to calm down amongst nature. As a fast further suggestion, we advise heading to the 635ft Nice Blue Hill – the place you possibly can get pleasure from views of the Boston cityscape skyline on the horizon.
And it’s additionally price mentioning that Blue Hills Reservation is simply as stunning within the fall; in truth, a fall day journey to Blue Hills is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Boston. Particularly when strolling across the state park’s lakes and seeing the orange and burnt-red reflections within the water. For us, Blue Hills Reservation is so stunning that it simply needed to make our record.
21. Josiah Keith Home Residing Historical past Museum and Homestead
- 50 minute drive from Boston
Josiah Keith Home Residing Historical past Museum and Homestead is the oldest home in Easton, Massachusetts. And this is likely one of the most uncommon day journeys from Boston. Excursions can be found by appointment solely, so it’s essential to ring or electronic mail beforehand. Self-guided excursions are usually not an choice. Josiah Keith Home is a residing historical past museum situated only a 50-minute drive from central Boston.
The property dates again to 1717 and has all the unique furnishings intact, so you possibly can wander by its rooms, getting a sensible impression of earlier lives in Massachusetts. As a ‘residing museum,’ it’s nonetheless a totally functioning homestead and runs a B&B service. Josiah Keith Home is lived in and acts as a functioning time capsule to offer guests a glimpse of 18th-century residing.
Visiting Josiah Keith Home Museum and Homestead is an absolute breeze by automotive, so be sure to lease a automotive if today journey has caught your eye. It has made our record as a result of it presents an off-the-beaten-track expertise (not many individuals have Josiah Keith Home on their Boston itineraries) and a way of immersive historical past.
FAQs: Day Journeys From Boston
So, the place are you heading first in your day journeys from Boston? As now you can clearly see, Boston’s the proper launchpad for exploring Massachusetts and past. However don’t get carried away; maintain fireplace for a second. Earlier than you decide on someday journey concept, although, try these important snippets of information.
What cities are 1 hour from Boston?
Bedford, Plymouth, and Bridgewater are all underneath an hour away from Boston. These cities all make improbable day journeys from Boston.
What cities are half-hour from Boston?
No cities are inside half-hour of Boston, however the closest, Worcester, is round 50 minutes away. And Windfall is an hour and 10 minutes away by automotive.
What cities are 4 hours from Boston?
New York Metropolis is round 4 hours from Boston by automotive – so undoubtedly record that as one in every of your most bold choices for a day journey from Boston. Montreal is a bit additional at 5 hours by automotive and can contain crossing the Canadian border.
Is Boston price visiting for a day?
Sure, Boston is completely price visiting for a day due to its thriving arts scene, Boston Tea Social gathering historical past, and exquisite Charles River Esplanade. With only a day, you must concentrate on 2-3 points of interest in Boston and keep within the Downtown, Waterfront, and Beacon Hill areas.
What are the Finest Day Journeys from Boston?
Day journeys from Boston vary from healthful visits to a seaside city to indulgent journeys to get pleasure from recent seafood and whacky historic points of interest just like the Salem Witch Museum. You’ll love these day journey concepts. Take a break from the artwork galleries and inner-city points of interest in Boston and unfold your wings a bit.
Acquired a bit bit longer? You can strive one in every of our extra bold day journey concepts from Boston or perhaps a two-day getaway. There are a lot of issues to do in New York, which is only a 4-hour drive from Boston. Inside two days, you possibly can additionally enterprise into Canada to go to Montreal or try Niagara Falls (we’ve acquired a information on the place to remain in Niagara Falls right here). As we mentioned, Boston has a great location on the east coast – so plan a day journey or an in a single day journey wherever doable.
