Best Day Trips From Boston To Take This Summer

Boston is pretty cool even if it is large — and boasts a metropolitan area that is the sixth largest on Earth. Plus, Boston is delightfully walkable. As a matter of fact, it is considered to be the largest walkable city in the United States. Then again, known as the Athens of America, Boston is relatively clean, especially by other big city standards. Boasting numberless attractions, there is never a dull hour in Boston. Yet, once in a while, one will just want to get out of it all—even for an hour. Change, as is often mentioned, is as good as rest. Hence, this article discloses some fascinating day trips from Boston that you can take this summer to get out of routine and have some fun.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is about 72 miles from Boston, a drive that should take about an hour and twenty minutes. There are several reasons a Bostonian will want to make a quick dash for Newport, especially in summer. Above all other Newport attractions, none has received the world's attention as much as the Newport Mansions. Many will appreciate the chance to steal a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of New England's elite through a guided tour of several historic summer cottages. Taste and style meet with wealth and extravagance on a stretch that often leaves first-time visitors in a daze. And if you just want to stroll through the town, ensure you explore Newport's Cliff Walk, a popular 3-and-a-half-mile scenic path along the coast that features heart-ravishing views on every side.

The Blue Hills Reservation, Massachusetts

For a Bostonian, there is really no excuse for not day-tripping to the Blue Hills Reservation, a green-space gem conveniently located just minutes from downtown Boston. While there are not many lookouts and viewpoints within the approximately 7,000 acres this state park sprawls on, the chance to just wander through the woods, and explore the park's different trail options, will make the drive worthwhile. The Ponkapoag loop, for instance, is a picturesque route that also features peaceful views of the pond. Whether you're looking for flat, easy trails, those slightly rougher and made of gravel, or those that will set fire to your calf muscles, the Blue Hills Reservation has you covered. And in summer, whether you'll want to sunbathe or forest-bathe, this underrated gem still comes in handy. 

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Massachusetts

If you want to try out something completely different, and not on land but water, you should consider making the trip to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Even though its name is about an underwater sandbar, there is more to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary than just the 24-mile sandbar. For starters, there are not many; this is New England's only national marine sanctuary. Then again, fun and adventure options are delightfully impressive. The star attraction, however, is to get up and close with whales, dolphins, and several sea birds. For whale-watching, summer is just the perfect time—with May to October being spot-on. And besides the whales and the area's rich maritime heritage, there will be a lot you'll learn on this trip, including shipwrecks such as that of SS Portland, one of the largest vessels to ever float on New England waters.

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Boasting a population of about 18,000 and striking the sweet spot between authentic charm and upscale elegance, Newburyport is ideal for a Bostonian who must escape the Hub's bustle for two or three hours. One of the things that makes Newburyport such a tempting destination is its location. You only need 45 minutes, and you'll be strolling through Newburyport Historic District. Featuring well-preserved, Federal-style architecture, a first-time visitor will appreciate why Newburyport Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And if you'll need to gorge on some tasty seafood in a casual summer-shack atmosphere., Plum Island Grille, located 5 minutes from downtown Newburyport, should be somewhere on your to-do list.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is also conveniently close to Boston, just about 15 miles away. In less than 30 minutes, you'll be strolling through a city known for the infamous Witchcraft Trials of 1692. While the Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour is a hot cake, and you will enjoy the history that will make your hair stand on end, today, Salem is a charmer that features several attractions. Granted, it does not have witches, that is, if it ever had. However, Salem will still haunt first-time visitors with its longstanding circuit of museums, its delightful array of restaurants, and its heart-melting, oceanside views. Art enthusiasts will want to steal an hour at the Peabody Essex Museum, one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States. For outdoor lovers, however, Salem Woods Highland Park is nature at its most tranquil.

Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts

Just 60 miles southwest of Boston, and therefore about 75 minutes, is Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated rural New England Village complete with buildings that date back to the period. If the glass and glitter of Boston's skyscrapers prove too much, you may enjoy stepping back into history and be enthused by the simplicity and charm of early 19th-century rural New England life. As your eyes run over 40 historical buildings, and your legs wander through more than 200 acres of beautiful greenery, you will get the chance to sit down with a blacksmith here, a potter there, and sometimes a cabinetmaker—as you savor the aroma of delicacies cooked over a hearth. If this looks like a nice temptation, from July 21 to July 23, 2023, the facility showcases all the favorite New England summertime traditions you've only been hearing about.

Ogunquit, Maine

We'll cut to the chase here. Should you get the chance to make a brief dash to Ogunquit, located about 80 minutes from Boston on I-95 N, you may not get the time to experience the ninth-best beach in the country fully. This may be a fine piece of advice: Instead of the soft-sand Ogunquit Beach, with hardly a piece of seaweed, you may want to opt for Marginal Way. Forget the designation; Marginal Way is anything but marginal. Your heart will melt as you stroll through a slender cliff walk that spans slightly more than a mile. The heights, the views, the beauty—are better experienced than described. That is not to mention the sound of thundering seawater as it rushes and retreats, smashing rocks and assailing surfers.

Lexington, Massachusetts

Filled with charming shops and inviting restaurants, Lexington is a history lover's dream town. Once a timorous colonial farming village, Lexington (together with Concord) would stage the first official engagement between Britain and the Colonies — and set off the American Revolutionary War. Ralph Waldo Emerson would immortalize that event in his heartwarming poem: "Concord Hymn." Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired the shot heard round the world" — is a line that has been sung with patriotic fervor — and subsequently adopted in different settings. A Bostonian with the barest interest in history has no excuse for not setting foot in Lexington. Then again, Lexington is just about 20 minutes from the Hub. It can't get any better than that.

Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, Massachusetts

Do not set foot at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, especially if you are carrying your credit card with you. If you ignore this piece of well-intentioned advice, you may end up swiping your credit cards every minute — since almost everything you'll see is on discount — many of which dance between 50% and 60% of the retail price. But again, it will feel like an achievement to finally set foot on the largest outdoor shopping center in New England. Granted, on a bad day, it will be hits and misses. However, by and large, the shopping experience is top-level. And that is whether one is speaking of variety or price points. The icing, however, is that Wrentham Village is less than an hour from downtown Boston.

The Takeaway

Here is the truth. The Hub is pretty cool, clean, and beautiful. And for the number of attractions, dull moments can be rare — or far between. Yet many cannot endure the boredom of sameness. Take this to heart when considering the quick getaways mentioned above and welcome the pleasant change they have to offer.