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Day trips from Boston
Real trips under ~3h each way, with distances, transport times, and insider tips for timing them right.
Photo by Kareya Saleh on Unsplash
Every reachable escape, at a glance
6 trips under ~3h each way from Boston — most doable between breakfast and a late dinner back in town.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
105 km
1h 15min by car
A charming historic seaport with a vibrant arts scene and excellent dining. Explore its colonial past and picturesque waterfront.
Highlights
- •Strawbery Banke Museum
- •Market Square
- •Waterfront stroll
- •The Music Hall
history buffsfoodiesfull-day
Salem, Massachusetts
26 km
30 min by MBTA Commuter Rail (Newburyport Line)
Famous for the 1692 witch trials, Salem offers a unique blend of history, maritime heritage, and quirky attractions. It's a compact city easily explored on foot.
Highlights
- •Salem Witch Museum
- •The House of the Seven Gables
- •Peabody Essex Museum
- •Old Burying Point Cemetery
history buffscurious mindshalf-dayfull-day
Providence, Rhode Island
87 km
1h by MBTA Commuter Rail (Providence/Stoughton Line)
Rhode Island's capital boasts a thriving arts and culture scene, a beautiful riverfront, and impressive Gilded Age architecture. It's home to Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design.
Highlights
- •WaterFire Providence (seasonal)
- •RISD Museum
- •Benefit Street (Mile of History)
- •Federal Hill (Italian dining)
art loversfoodiesfull-day
Cape Ann (Gloucester/Rockport), Massachusetts
65 km
1h by MBTA Commuter Rail (Rockport Line)
Discover picturesque fishing villages, stunning coastal scenery, and a thriving arts community. Gloucester is America's oldest fishing port, while Rockport is known for its galleries and Motif Number 1.
Highlights
- •Fisherman's Memorial Statue (Gloucester)
- •Motif Number 1 (Rockport)
- •Bearskin Neck (Rockport shops)
- •Cape Ann Museum
photographersart loversseaside escapefull-day
Portland, Maine
180 km
1h 45min by Amtrak Downeaster
A vibrant coastal city with a renowned culinary scene, historic architecture, and a lively arts district. Explore the Old Port's cobblestone streets and enjoy fresh seafood.
Highlights
- •Old Port District
- •Portland Head Light (nearby in Cape Elizabeth)
- •Eastern Promenade
- •Bissell Brothers Brewing
foodiesbrewery enthusiastsfull-day
Concord, Massachusetts
35 km
40 min by MBTA Commuter Rail (Fitchburg Line)
Immerse yourself in American literary and Revolutionary War history. Concord is the home of transcendentalist writers and a pivotal site in the fight for independence.
Highlights
- •Minute Man National Historical Park
- •Walden Pond
- •Orchard House (Louisa May Alcott)
- •Concord Museum
history buffsliterary enthusiastsnature lovershalf-dayfull-day
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