21 Best Day Trips from Boston

Relax on Cape Cod National Seashore (1 hour 45 minutes)

Renowned for its beauty and mystery, Cape Cod National Seashore features an array of diverse animal and plant life. The forty-mile-long beach is backed by marshes, ponds and upland areas.

• Wild cranberry bogs and ancient lighthouses dot the long coastline.
• Cape Cod National Seashore is filled with opportunities for sightseeing and exploration. Hiking, biking and relaxing on the beach are some popular activities among visitors.
• There are also designated areas for hunting and fishing, but these activities are only permitted at certain times of the year. Here is how you get a license.
• Cape Cod National Seashore management also runs junior ranger and junior lifeguard programs for children.

Visit shops and museums in Kennebunkport (1.5 hours)

Kennebunkport is a historic seaside town with a rich seafaring culture. Home to roughly 3,500 people, Kennebunkport was the summer home of President George H.W. Bush. Several prominent world leaders, including Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Vladimir Putin and Nikolas Sarkozy, have spent time in this New England town.

• The center of Kennebunkport is filled with locally-owned shops, galleries, restaurants, museums and more.
• For recreation, visitors enjoy walking around town, hanging out at the beach, dining at one of the many seafood restaurants near the harbor, and visiting the local parks.

Kennebunkport is 1.5 hours from Boston.

Head to the Beaches of Rockport, MA (50 minutes)

Rockport is home to roughly 7,000 people. This quaint New England town sits at the tip of Cape Ann peninsula and is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. Once home to Native American villages, Rockport's year-round population now consists mainly of fishermen and artists.

• Tourists enjoy seeing Rockport's beaches and walking around the historic downtown area.
• Halibut Point State Park, Thacher Island, the Paper House, and the Rockport Art Colony Galleries are among the popular tourist attractions in the area.
• There are also several museums and performing arts centers in town.

Rockport, MA is one hour from Boston.

Enjoy the relaxed vibe of Stonington, CT (2 hours)

Stonington Borough was originally settled back in 1752 and is full of history. The town is beckons visitors to come and enjoy a coastal getaway in a place where there is a slower and more relaxing vibe. Stonington is just 15 minutes from popular Mystic and excellent beaches.

• Go on a scenic harbor cruise.
• Take long strolls along the Seawall.
• Visit the historic Lighthouse Museum.
• Enjoy a bit of retail therapy at the many quaint and unusual independent stores and boutiques and along the popular Stonington Borough Antiques Trail.
• The town has a selection of accommodation and restaurants to suit all tastes, including the Whitecrest Eatery, Dog Watch Cafe and Water Street Cafe.

Stonington, CT is 2 hours from Boston.

Take the kids to the water park in Portsmouth (1 hour Day Trip from Boston)

Portsmouth is another iconic coastal town that draws tourists from all over the United States for the weekend.

• Portsmouth is packed with history, and some of its most popular attractions include historic homes, forts, cemeteries, gardens, and parks.
• For families, Portsmouth boasts New England's largest water park along with a marine and Science Center.
• There are beaches and museums that are also great for day trips with kids.
• Adults will find ample nightlife in Portsmouth along with wineries, golf courses, shopping centers, high-end restaurants, river cruises, hiking trails, locally-organized tours and more.
• Where to Eat: The Wilder, River House and Surf Portsmouth.

For Kids and Nature Lovers - The Butterfly Place in Westford, MA (45 minutes from Boston)

At the Butterfly Place in Westford, MA visitors can learn all about butterflies from around the world. The unique observation center gives guests the chance to see and interact with butterflies in their natural habitat.

Why we love it:
• Koi fish and quail birds live among the hundreds of butterflies in the exhibit.
• To learn about the butterfly life cycle, visitors can watch a 15-minute video that discusses each stage of a butterfly's life when visiting.
• There is an exhibit that contains eggs, caterpillars, cocoons and chrysalises.
• Kids can also pick up an at-home hatching kit for butterflies or moths.
• Souvenirs at the visitor's center include educational books, butterfly-themed gifts, jewelry and more.

Where You'll Find it: 120 Tyngsboro Road, Westford, MA 01886, Phone: 978-392-0955

If you want to spend the day indoors, visit the Peabody Essex Museum (40 minutes)

The Peabody Essex Museum, known simply as PEM, contains an array of interesting and beautiful art objects. The Peabody Essex Museum holds 400,000 books, manuscripts and documents, and is also home to 22 historic buildings. The sprawling Salem campus contains an impressive glass atrium and ample space for relaxing and studying.

161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970, Phone: 978-745-9500

To help your kids understand the old ways, visit Old Sturbridge Village (1 hour)

Old Sturbridge Village is a living history museum where guests can get a feel for life in the 1830s. You can buy tickets before you go.

Why we love it:
• The village features authentic homes, a conference center, a store, a tavern, a sawmill, some barns, a church and a gift shop & bookstore.
• There are plenty of spots throughout the village for dining and shopping, and there are also accommodation options for visitors who wish to stay overnight.
• Old Sturbridge Village holds special events and reenactments throughout the year.
• For school groups, the village runs special tours with guides in period costumes.

Where You'll Find it: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road Sturbridge, MA 01566, Phone: 800-733-1830

Don't Forget the Norman Rockwell Museum in the Berkshires (2 hours)

The Norman Rockwell Museum in the Berkshires pays tribute to one of America's most iconic artists.

Why we love it:
• Born in 1894, Norman Rockwell formerly began his art studies at age 14. He honed his skills while attending some of the most prominent art institutions in the United States.
• The Norman Rockwell Museum holds the largest collection of Rockwell's works in the world.
• In total, the museum holds more than 100,000 items, including photographs, letters, business documents and more.
• The museum also hosts educational programs, tours, art appreciation events and school programs to increase appreciation for Rockwell's work among visitors of all ages.
• Spend a few days relaxing at the nearby Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

Where You'll Find it: 9 Glendale Road/Route 183, Stockbridge, MA 01262, Phone: 413-298-4100

If you love old movies, Tour The House of the Seven Gables also in Salem (40 minutes)

The House of the Seven Gables is a stately cabin that dates back to the mid-1600s.

• Built by a sea merchant named John Turner, the home stayed in the Turner family for three generations before being sold to Captain Samuel Ingersoll in 1782.
• Ingersoll left the property to his daughter Susanna, the cousin of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
• The sprawling cabin served as the setting for The House of Seven Gables film.
• The house has been preserved over the years and now serves as a space for educational programs and special events.
• The building is also available to rent for corporate events and weddings.

Where You'll Find it: 115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970, Phone: 978-744-0991

Take a Scenic Drive to Good Harbor Beach (50 minutes from Boston)

Located near Gloucester, Good Harbor Beach features soft white sands and dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

• When tide conditions are right, you can walk out to Salt Island (Youtube) or enjoy some boogie boarding and body surfing.
• Life guards patrol the beach daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Good Harbor Beach has restrooms, restaurants, concessions stands, mini marts and other amenities.
• Paid parking is available near the beach on holidays. Since parking space is limited, be sure to come early.

Get to know Provincetown (2.5 hours)

Provincetown is known as a haven for artists and famous because of its pilgrim heritage. The coastal town only has 3,000 permanent residents, but its summer population soars to 60,000+ people.

• Provincetown has several epic beaches.
• It is one of the most popular areas in the nation for vacationers from the LGBTQ+ communities.
• Provincetown is also home to one of America's oldest continuous art colonies.
• The multitude of art galleries, museums and arts centers in Provincetown hold all types of creations, including paintings, sculptures, theatrical productions and music.
• The town also features a handful of historic buildings and districts that have been carefully preserved for tourism purposes.
• The famous Provincetown Jazz Festival and the Carnival Week Provincetown both take place in August.

The drive from Boston to Provincetown can take over 3 hours in the summer, so be sure to leave early on your day trip, or consider spending the night.

Stop at the New Bedford Whaling Museum (1 hour)

The New Bedford Whaling Museum tells the story of Massachusetts' robust whaling industry. Founded in 1903, the Museum is home to some fascinating artifacts, including the world's largest ship model, the world's largest collection of whaling logbooks and the biggest collection of Japanese whaling art outside of Japan.

18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740, Phone: 508-997-0046

While in Provincetown, Admire the View at Race Point Beach (2 hours 14 minutes)

Race Point Beach is a popular recreational area along the Cape Cod National Seashore.

• Famous for its treacherous waters, more than 3,000 shipwrecks were recorded off the coast of Cape Cod in a 300-year period.
• Shipwrecks happened so frequently that the Massachusetts Humane Society set up the world's first lifesaving service in the early 1800s.
• Today, Race Point Beach is known for its meandering bike trails and expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Amenities at the beach include restrooms that are equipped with showers and changing areas. Race Point Beach sits just of Route 6 in Provincetown.

Take kids hiking in Wompatuck State Park (30 minutes)

Situated half an hour outside of Boston, Wompatuck State Park is the perfect spot for a fun-filled day trip, weekend or even an inexpensive birthday vacation.

• The park holds more than 250 campsites, 140 of which are equipped with electricity.
• In addition to ample camping space, Wompatuck has 12 miles of paved bicycle paths and a multitude of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails.
• Visitors can catch fish at Cohasset Reservoir or load up on fresh drinking water at Mt. Blue Spring.
• Wompatuck is named after Josiah Wompatuck, an Indian chief who gradually sold settlement rights to colonists in the 1600s.

204 Union Street, Hingham, MA 02043, Phone: 781-749-7160

While in Rockport, Tour a Granite Quarry in Halibut Point State Park (1 hour)

Open year-round, Halibut Point State Park is known for its incredibly picturesque seascape.

• Ocean-carved rock and dramatic cliffs line the coastal region within the park.
• There are plenty of areas for hiking, biking, bird watching and relaxing.
• Clear weather days allow visitors to get a glimpse of New Hampshire and Maine.
• On Saturdays between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, visitors can take a tour of the nearby granite quarry and get a firsthand look at how granite is sourced and cut. There is an entrance fee for cars.

Concord has several claims to fame (35 minutes)

While this day trip won't take you to the beach, the town of Concord, has several claims to fame.

• In its early days, the town was known for being the first settlement located away from the tidewater on a non-navigable river.
• Concord evolved into an important seasonal Indian camp site due to its diverse bird and fish life.
• In 1775, Concord became the first battle site in the Revolutionary War.
• Some of America's most prolific writers, including Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson, spent time in this important town.
• Today, visitors can stop by the Concord Visitor Center to learn all about the town's unique history.

The drive takes just 35 minutes and as an added bonus you'll be heading away from beach-going crowds.

For basketball fans - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1 hour 45 minutes)

Head 1.5 hours inland to The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield which dedicated to the more than 300 famous players who have been inducted in the hall's 50+ year history.

• The 40,000 square-foot space contains all types of basketball memorabilia.
• The Hall of Fame has a distinctive sphere-shaped entryway that can be spotted from miles away.
• There are regular events held at the building to honor basketball's most prominent stars and to bring basketball fans together.
• Visitors can buy shirts, hats, photos, art, basketball equipment and other souvenirs at the Hall of Fame store.

1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105

Explore the beaches and historical attractions in Plymouth, MA (50 minutes)

A shorter drive than Provincetown and an easier family day trip from Boston, Plymouth is home to great beaches and unique attractions.

• Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a living history museum located less than an hour outside of Boston. Known for serving as the set for many modern films, Plimoth Patuxet Museums began in 1947 with two English cottages and a small waterfront fort.
• Now Plimoth contains a range of historic pieces, including the Mayflower II, the Wampanoag Homesite, several barns, and a grist mill.
• Plimoth Patuxet Museums is open for visitors year-round.

137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360, Phone: 508-746-1622

Learn about the Revolutionary War in Lexington (30 minutes)

Lexington, Massachusetts, is another key New England city in American history. Steeped in rich Revolutionary War history, Lexington has more than 10 historic battle sites, cemeteries and memorials.

• At the Minute Man National Historic Park, visitors can learn all about the young men who put their lives on the line to protect colonists.
• Visitors can also see the Lexington Battle Green, where the war with Britain began in earnest in 1775.
• At the USS Lexington Museum, there are five granite markers that are dedicated in memory of the people who served aboard the Lexington ships.
• Tourists can also stop by the Lexington Depot to see the historic train.

Admire and Photograph Glendale Falls (2 hours 10 minutes)

Glendale Falls is one of the longest and strongest waterfalls in Massachusetts. Fed by more than five square miles of watershed areas, Glendale Falls is a relaxing and scenic destination for visitors of all ages.

• In the forest surrounding Glendale Falls, visitors can see many types of beautiful trees and bushes, including hemlock, birch, beech, maple, shadbrush and mountain laurel.
• Several short trails in the area provide visitors with unobstructed views of Glendale Falls and the quiet woods that surround it.
• Glendale Falls is open year-round and admission is free for all. There is plenty of parking nearby.

The drive takes just over 2 hours but once you get there you'll be surrounded by peaceful nature.

Clark Wright Road, Middlefield, MA 01243, Phone: 413-532-1631