11 Coolest Day Trips From Boston - By a Local (Updated 2026)

Boston is the gateway to New England. You can see the golden sand of Cape Cod, learn about the Salem Witch Trials, go for a hike in New Hampshire, have a go at surfing in Maine, explore quaint New England towns, or even island hop to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket from Boston in just a day! The close proximity to different types of places is one of the reasons New England is so unique. We have a cool surf scene alongside hippy mountain towns, all reachable to each other in only a few hours of driving. In this guide we will go over some cool places to visit from Boston in a day.

11 Best Day Trips To Take From Boston

1. Salem, Massachusetts

The most popular day trip from Boston is defiantly Salem, Massachusetts. If you didn't already known Salem was home to the famous witch trials that took place in the colonial period between 1692 and 1693. The most popular time to visit Salem is around Halloween (you will find parades, people dressed up, and amazing decorations throughout the month of October), but you could really go anytime and have a blast. Make sure to visit the Salem Witch Museum!

Be sure to stick to the tourist areas though because Salem is a bit sketchy.

The best way to get to Salem is by doing a tour or renting a car. The cheaper and easier option is taking the high speed ferry.

🪄Book Here - Salem, Massachusetts High Speed Ferry From Boston

2. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is a peninsula located in the southern part of Massachusetts. Just 1.5 hours south of Boston you can find adorable coastal towns like Harwich, Brewster, and Chatham. You can also take a ferry to the stunning Provincetown from Boston. The Cape is home to golden beaches, hydrangea flowers, adorable shops, and much more.

🛥️Book Here - Boston to Provincetown Ferry

⭐Read Next - 25 Things To Do In Cape Cod

⭐Read Next - 5 Best Towns On Cape Cod

3. Nantucket

This island is set 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod and is most well known for its quaint boutiques, brick streets, scenic beaches, and laid back seafood restaurants. Doing a Nantucket day trip from Boston is doable, but it would definitely be tiring - plan to get up early and go to bed late.

⭐Read Next - A Complete Guide To Nantucket

4. Martha's Vineyard

Right next to Nantucket you will find the more relaxed and a bit less pricey Martha's Vineyard. Doing a Martha's Vineyard day trip from Boston is a bit easier than Nantucket because it is closer to the mainland and a shorter ferry ride. The best way to get to Martha's Vineyard from Boston is by doing a tour.

🚗Book Here - Boston to Martha's Vineyard Tour

⭐Read Next - The Ultimate Guide To Martha's Vineyard

5. Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth is an adorable town situated in southern New Hampshire (1 hr north of Boston). Offering unique shops, coastal restaurants, quaint museums, and easy access to nearby beaches, Portsmouth has always been one of my favorite places to go on a weekend from Boston. You will have a blast in Portsmouth anytime of year, but my favorite time to visit is over the holidays because it is a great place to do Christmas shopping and see the decorations.

⭐Read Next - A Complete Guide To Portsmouth, New Hampshire

6. York, Maine

Just five minutes north of Portsmouth you will find the beachside village of York, Maine. York is a coastal town known for its cool surfing scene and fun downtown area. The best time to visit York is in the summer if you are looking for a fun beach vacation. In the winter and fall you can spot some diehard surfers catching waves in the freezing water.

The best way to get to southern Maine is by driving or doing a tour. On this tour you will see a few other adorable towns and it is more affordable than renting a car.

🚗 Book Here - Southern Maine Tour From Boston

⭐Read Next - The Perfect Guide To York, Maine

7. Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is a ritzy coastal town situated 1.5 hours south of Boston. Home to the iconic Newport Mansions, gorgeous beaches, a preppy downtown area, the tennis hall of fame, and amazing restaurants, Newport is a great option for a day trip. The best way to get to Newport from Boston is by doing a tour or renting a car and driving. You can take a train to Providence and then an uber to Newport, but this is a hassle and more expensive.

🚗Book Here - Boston to Newport, RI Tour

⭐Read Next - A Complete Guide To Newport, Rhode Island

8. Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic is a historical town located just west of Newport and 1.5 hours from Boston. In Mystic, Connecticut you will be met with an adorable downtown area, the seaport museum, hiking areas, plenty of fascinating museums, nearby beaches, and the famous Old Mystic Village. For more information on how to get to Mystic and Mystic travel tips read this article.

⭐Read Next - A Complete Guide To Mystic, Connecticut

9. Rockport

I have only been to Rockport on a few different occasions, but every time I have went it has been lovely. Located an hour north of Boston on the water the stunning seaside village of Rockport offers stunning beaches, adorable boutiques, and amazing seafood restaurants. While in the area be sure to visit Gloucester as well.

10. Manchester-By-The-Sea

To this day I frequently visit the gorgeous Manchester-By-The-Sea. The small coastal town is about 40 minutes north of Boston. You may recognize the quintessential beach town from the popular Casey Affleck film Manchester-By-The-Sea. If you are traveling with your dog stop by Singing Beach (a dog friendly beach) or explore the cute downtown area.

⭐Read Next - A Perfect Guide To Manchester-By-The-Sea

11. Newburyport

Newburyport is so underrated. If feel like this town should be much more popular among travelers. You will find the picturesque Plum Island Beach, cute shops, lovely seafood restaurants, cool cafes, brick streets, well preserved historic homes, and one of a kind museums in Newburyport.

Read my Newburyport Article In T+L

11 Best Day Trips From Boston - By a Local

Boston is the gateway to the gorgeous New England. If you are looking to check off multiple US States in one trip then Boston is the place to go. I hope that these 11 day trips from Boston help you plan fun excursions from the city during your trip. If you liked this post checkout my Locals Guide To Boston, Massachusetts, 15 Places To Visit In Massachusetts, and Where To Stay In Boston: The Best Neighborhoods & Hotels.