While there are enough things to see and do in Boston to keep you busy for a lifetime, sometimes you’re just in the mood for a day trip. You’ll want to visit popular destinations like Concord and Salem at least once in your lifetime, but these are the places that people suggest over and over again. Instead, mix things up and try a visit to somewhere a little different. Here are 10 unique destinations that you should consider for your next day trip. These may be some of the best day trips near Boston!

1. Doane’s Falls, Royalston
Doane's Falls, Royalston, MA 01331, USA
Flickr/Kristin
About two hours from Boston lies Doane’s Falls. This impressive, cascading waterfall is 175 feet high. An easy half-mile-long trail allows you to walk alongside Lawrence Brook as it tumbles over the rocks in three sections. If you’re in the mood to marvel at nature, a visit to Doane’s Falls Reservation is the way to go – it’s stunning at any time of year. Doane Falls is on Athol Road and it’s free to visit. It's one of the best day trips near Boston for the whole family.
2. Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island
Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, USA
Flickr/LEONARDO DASILVA
Discover the natural beauty of Roger Williams Park, which is just an hour from Boston (or 52 miles away) in Providence. There’s a little something for everyone here. If you have kids in tow, the zoo, carousel, and zip line might be appealing. Looking for a more peaceful experience? Then stroll through the grounds where you’ll find lakes and a lovely Japanese Garden. It's one of the most unique day trips near Boston.
3. Plane Jane’s Place, Plymouth
246 S Meadow Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA
Facebook/Plane Janes Place
So you’ve already been to the Plimoth Patuxet Museums and seen Plymouth Rock. But that doesn’t mean you’ve seen all this town has to offer. Try some destination dining at Plane Jane’s Place. This restaurant is definitely a one-of-a-kind place. If you eat on the deck, you can watch planes taking off and landing right in front of you at Plymouth Municipal Airport. Afterward, stick around to explore Brewster Gardens or Ellisville Harbor State Park. There's so much to see and do in Plymouth!
4. Brimfield Antique Show, Brimfield
Main Street, Main St, Brimfield, MA, USA
Flickr/Lee Wright
Three times a year Brimfield, which is 65 miles or a little over an hour from Boston, transforms into a shopper’s paradise. You can find antiques and collectibles galore here! Whether you’re seeking furniture or a miniature Statue of Liberty for your living room, Brimfield can deliver! You'll have one of the exciting day trips near Boston at the Brimfield Antique Flea Market. It's the best place to hunt for treasures in the state!
5. Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport
Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport, MA 02790, USA
LEONARDO DASILVA/Wikimedia Commons
One of the top beaches in the state is less than an hour and a half from Boston. If you fancy swimming, fishing, birding, or boating on a gorgeous two-mile-long beach, then head to 5 John Reed Road in Westport. You may love Horseneck Beach State Reservation so much you don’t want to leave… and that’s okay for a few nights, anyway, because camping is allowed.
6. Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, NH, USA
Flickr/PSNH
When Bay Staters head to New Hampshire, we tend to gravitate towards the beach. But if you’re looking for a day trip destination that’s a winner year-round, try hitting Manchester instead. After making the 55-mile journey (it takes an hour in light traffic), wander through the Currier Art Museum, a cultural gem that is very manageable in terms of size. With Manchester's burgeoning foodie scene and natural beauty – check out Lake Massabesic or Livingston Park – there are plenty of entertainment options. It's one of the best getaway spots near Boston.
7. Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01566, USA
Facebook/Old Sturbridge Village
You may only have to drive a little over an hour to reach Sturbridge, but a trip to this living history museum transports you to the 1830s. Period costumes, 40 original buildings, and stagecoach rides make this a day trip to remember. The Old Sturbridge Village museum is located at 29 Stallion Hill Road in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
8. Newport Mansions, Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, RI, USA
Flickr/Harshil Shah
Mansions lifted right out of a fairytale await a 68-mile (or hour and a half) ride away in Newport, Rhode Island. Admire the exteriors as you make your way along the cliff walk, then take a tour of the one that most appeals to you. The Breakers, the Elms, the Marble House… they’re all impressive. Newport happens to be one of the most historic and most memorable getaway sports near Boston.
9. Hudson
Hudson, MA, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger)
Seaside villages often spring to mind when we’re thinking of places with small-town charm. However, don’t rule out a trip inland. Hudson lies 40 miles west of Boston, and this cute town is slowly being discovered. Its population hovers at around 19,000, yet you’ll find an unexpectedly diverse assortment of restaurants along with attractive architecture here. Embrace a slower pace of life as you browse stores, stop into the Hudson Creamery for ice cream, wander through the Silas Felton Historic District, and have a frosty beverage at the Medusa Brewing Company.
10. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA 01002, USA
Tripadvisor/management
Show of hands: who wants a break from adulting? Next time life feels overwhelming, escape to Amherst which is only two hours or 95 miles away to see the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Actual kids, and kids at heart, will love this whimsical spot. The museum can be found at 125 West Bay Road in Amherst. It's one of the most family-friendly day trips near Boston.

Clearly, Boston lives up to its reputation as the gateway to New England. Have you been on any of these best day trips near Boston or taken any other unique day trips lately? Let us know in the comments!

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Best Day Trips Near Boston

Melissa M. | July 06, 2022

Do you have any themed road trips I can take from Boston?

While Boston is arguably the best city in the country filled with history, attractions, incredible restaurants, scenery, and more, sometimes we want to explore other parts of the state. If you enjoy lighthouses, we have the road trip for you! From Cape Cod up the coast to Cape Ann, you’ll discover some of the most stunning beacons in the state. For those of you who enjoy history, there are some fascinating spots along this road trip to the best historical sites in Massachusetts. Of course, there’s one stop in Boston along the way,

What are some of the most beautiful places near Boston?

While there’s plenty of scenery in the city itself, take a day and venture to Hull where you’ll find the World’s End. Take a hike along the trail on the peninsula and you’ll get a different view of Boston from across the water. Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is reachable by ferry and you will feel as though you’re in another world by visiting these islands that are so close to the city. You’ll enjoy the natural scenery, peace, and quiet here.

What are some of the most relaxing getaway spots near Boston?

Take a weekend getaway near Boston to rest and relax. Take in the scenery at Mount Greylock State Reservation, take a ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket and stay at a bed and breakfast, or perhaps head to the Berkshires and rent a cabin. You can’t go wrong with all the choices there are around the Bay State.

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