10 Best Day Trips From Boston
Head Out of Boston for a Day Trip in New England
Embark on the best day trips from Boston, each offering the unique charms of New England in all seasons. Admire Gilded Age mansions and dramatic coastlines while delving into the region’s rich history, including its pivotal role in the American Revolution. Sail aboard a schooner to learn about New England’s maritime heritage or lose yourself in bustling shopping districts.
Delve into New England’s history as a hub for literature and tour the homes of famous American authors. Romantics will find quaint plazas, hidden beach coves and picturesque waterfronts, while families with young adventurers can enjoy beach picnics and connect to nature through marine life encounters at tidepools.
1. Newport, Rhode Island
Gilded Age mansions and dramatic coastal shorelines
Categorías: Parejas, Historia, Fotos
Renowned as the Sailing Capital of the World, Newport is 1 of 9 towns nestled along New England’s Classic Coast that offers a blend of natural beauty and historical charm. Start your journey at the famous Cliff Walk where fresh ocean breezes, stunning views and hidden coves await as waves break against the rocky shoreline.
Stroll Bellevue Avenue to admire Gilded Age mansions, like The Breakers, an opulent estate built by the industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Check out Thames Street for shops and restaurants, like the White Horse Tavern. First opening in 1673, it’s famous for being America’s oldest restaurant. For dining with a water view, Newport’s waterfront offers fresh seafood and enchanting views of sailboats gliding across the harbour.
Newport, Rhode Island
2. Newburyport, Massachusetts
Historic shopping district and lighthouse views
Categorías: Ir de compras, Historia, Fotos
Uncover the rich maritime heritage of Newburyport, a historic town near the mouth of the Merrimack River. With deep roots in the maritime industry, the city offers a delightful mix of old and new. Stroll the Clipper City Rail Trail to explore the city’s shipbuilding history, sculptures and waterfront views from comfortable park benches.
Head downtown to soak up the ambiance of the Market Square Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Marvel at Federalist-era architecture where charming brick row houses host modern shops and restaurants. Don’t miss an opportunity to visit the Plum Island Lighthouse to enjoy scenic views and learn about Abner Lowell, the lighthouse’s first keeper, who was appointed by President George Washington.
Newburyport, Massachusetts
3. Gloucester, Massachusetts
Schooner sailings and romantic beaches
Categorías: Parejas, Familias, Fotos
Situated on Cape Ann, Gloucester is a coastal town known as America’s oldest seaport. Today, it’s a beloved New England destination, attracting history enthusiasts, artists and romantics alike. Learn about Gloucester’s shipbuilding past by sailing aboard a historic schooner while enjoying fresh ocean breezes and magnificent coastal views.
For lighthouse enthusiasts, take a stroll along the Dog Bar Breakwater for views of the Eastern Point Lighthouse and Gloucester Harbor or visit the Annisquam Harbor Lighthouse. For families, Plum Cove Beach is an ideal spot for beach picnics and swimming in calm waters. For a romantic setting, Half Moon Beach, with its crescent-shaped beach and rocky outcroppings, provides picturesque surroundings.
Gloucester, Massachusetts
4. Salem, Massachusetts
Rich history, lively festivals and colonial landmarks
Categorías: Historia, Poco común, Ir de compras
Journey to Salem, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, where you can enjoy the town’s historical landmarks and festivals in all seasons. Take a tour of sites that provide a glimpse into Salem’s storied past, including the Salem Witch Museum and The House of the Seven Gables, a National Historic Landmark and birthplace of the author Nathanial Hawthorne.
Get cozy beside the fireplace at The Daniels House, Salem’s oldest inn, built in 1667 by a sea captain. In the spring, attend the Salem Arts Festival, highlighting local artists. In fall, participate in the world’s largest Halloween celebration. Witness Salem’s spectacular transformation into a winter wonderland at the annual ice sculpture illumination, featuring dozens of magical ice sculptures.
Salem, Massachusetts
5. Concord, Massachusetts
Historical landmarks and canoeing on Walden Pond
Categorías: Historia, Fotos, Asequible
An exploration of Concord’s Revolutionary War history and literary legacy at The Concord Museum should be on your itinerary during a Boston road trip. Visit Minute Man National Historical Park to hike The Battle Road Trail and then visit the Old North Bridge’s iconic Minuteman Statue.
Nature lovers can unwind at Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived, with the option to rent a canoe or swim. Alternatively, paddle on the Concord River to spot wildlife like white-tailed deer and blue herons. Other literary landmarks include Orchard House, home of Little Women author Louisa May Alcott, and The Old Manse, once occupied by Emerson and Hawthorne. Don’t miss Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the final resting place of Concord’s famous residents.
Concord, Massachusetts
6. Providence, Rhode Island
Lively dining hotspots and enchanting sunset cruises
Categorías: Parejas, Comida, Ambiente nocturno
Providence is a haven for dining enthusiasts, foodies and gourmands. Start your culinary journey at Historic Federal Hill, the city’s Italian neighbourhood, where DePasquale Plaza serves as a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors, surrounded by Italian restaurants, quaint cafes and shops. Share a pizza as you watch the vibrant life of the plaza.
If romance is on your itinerary, head to the waterfront for savoury cuisine with unforgettable views or a steakhouse serving New England favourites like steaks, lobster and striped bass. Visit Waterplace Park for a pleasant stroll along a scenic riverwalk or take an enchanting sunset boat ride along the Providence River, complete with the ambiance of Venice-inspired bridges and festive braziers lit after dark.
Providence, Rhode Island
7. Falmouth, Massachusetts
Sun-soaked beaches and marine life interactions
Categorías: Familias, Fotos, Asequible
Discover the coastal charms of Falmouth, where you can relax on the soft, golden sands of Old Silver Beach. It offers views of Buzzard’s Bay, or Surf Drive Beach, where sailboats glide across Vineyard Sound. For biking, The Shining Sea Bike Trail offers superb coastal views. Marine enthusiasts can visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Ocean Science Discovery Center to learn about deep-sea discoveries.
Next, head to Woods Hole Science Aquarium, a learning space that connects young explorers with the ocean environment. Don’t miss the touch tank featuring sea stars, crabs, scallops and other marine life that inhabit New England’s coastal waters. For more adventures, hop on a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or visit Nobska Lighthouse, a favourite subject of photographers.
Falmouth, Massachusetts
8. Lexington, Massachusetts
Historical battle sites and farm-to-table shopping
Categorías: Historia, Ir de compras, Comida
Explore Lexington’s rich colonial past, one of the best day trips from Boston. History enthusiasts can delve into the town’s pivotal role in the American Revolution while enjoying its New England charm. Visit Lexington Battle Green, the site of the first battle of the Revolution, then stop by Buckman Tavern, a historic gathering place for Minutemen before battle.
Don’t miss the Hancock-Clarke House, where John Hancock and Samuel Adams stayed the night Paul Revere warned of the British. If you enjoy shopping, visit Lexington Center’s quaint art galleries featuring local artists and boutique shops filled with unique finds and apparel for every occasion, or visit Wilson Farm to shop for locally grown produce, fresh-cut flowers and baked goods.
Lexington, Massachusetts
9. Halibut Point State Park, Massachusetts
Hiking trails with ocean views and marine tidepools
Categorías: Familias, Fotos, Asequible
See the dramatic coastal views of Halibut Point State Park, a picturesque granite outcropping at the sea’s edge. Start your explorations at the Visitor’s Centre, then head to the Loop Trail, a popular trail that circles the former granite quarry, offering magnificent viewpoints, including lookouts over the Atlantic Ocean.
On clear days, you can see the distant peak of Maine’s Mount Agamenticus and the Isles of Shoals in the Gulf of Maine. As you look around, listen for the joyful sounds of songbirds such as warblers, sparrows and chickadees. Spend a family day discovering life hidden beneath the surface in tidepools and look for colourful sea stars, anemones swaying in the current and colonies of mussels attached to the rocks.
Dirección: 170 Main St, Rockport, MA 01966, USA
Horario: Daily from 8 am to sunset
Teléfono: +1 978-546-9372
Halibut Point State Park, Massachusetts
10. Plymouth, Massachusetts
Mayflower II replica and a visit to Plymouth Rock
Categorías: Familias, Historia, Fotos
Make the most of the hospitality in Plymouth, known as ”America’s Hometown”. It’s famous for being the landing site of the Mayflower in 1620, where Pilgrims established one of the first settlements in America. You can traverse Plymouth Rock, the landing site, and delve into the daily life of pilgrims at Plimouth Patuxet Museums.
Appreciate a Mayflower II replica and the Patuxet Homesite, highlighting the culture of the Patuxet people and a gristmill. The Nye Museum offers a glimpse into what daily life was like when farmers met at Grange Hall. Today, it serves as a visitor centre. Be sure to visit the gardens where colourful blooms offer a delightful immersion in the area’s natural beauty.
Plymouth, Massachusetts
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