14 Best Weekend Trips From Boston (Day Trips From Boston)

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In this article, read about ultimate day trips from Boston or best weekend trips from Boston with things to do, distance, must-do activities, and other helpful information. 

ALSO READ: Perfect East Coast Road Trip Planner USA

weekend trips from Boston - day trips from Boston

Best Weekend Trips From Boston (Day Trips From Boston Within 2 to 3 Hours)

Plan your weekend getaways from Boston with any of the below-mentioned options with things to do as they are some of the favorite day trips from Boston hence plan amazing weekend trips from Boston.

Salem, MA (24 Miles)

Salem is famous for its history of witchcraft, and visitors can explore the town’s many museums and attractions related to this infamous period. Salem is one of the best spooky weekend getaways from Boston.

weekend getaways from Boston

Must-do activities 

  • Salem Witch Museum, 
  • Salem Maritime National Historic Site,
  • House of the Seven Gables tour.

Newport, RI (72 Miles)

Newport is a beautiful coastal town known for its historic mansions, charming downtown area, and stunning beaches. Newport is one of the best natural road trips from Boston.

day trips from boston - weekend getaways from boston

Must-do activities

  • A tour of The Breakers (a Vanderbilt mansion).
  • A visit to the Newport Cliff Walk.
  • A stroll through the Newport Art Museum.

Portsmouth, NH (60 Miles)

Portsmouth is a charming seaside town with a rich history. It has many things to do, so it is a perfect weekend getaway from Boston for nature and history lovers. 

weekend trips from Boston - road trips from Boston

Must-do activities 

  • A visit to the Strawbery Banke Museum (a living history museum).
  • A tour of the USS Albacore Museum and Park (a retired submarine).
  • A stroll through Market Square.

Cape Cod, MA (75 Miles)

Cape Cod is a popular vacation destination with beautiful beaches, quaint towns, and plenty of outdoor activities. 

Road trips from Boston - weekend getaways from Boston

Must-do activities

  • Visit to the Cape Cod National Seashore.
  • Walk along the historic Cape Cod Canal. 
  • Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown.

Providence, RI (51 Miles)

Providence is a vibrant city with a thriving arts scene, delicious food, and many historic sites. 

Day trips from Boston - weekend getaways from boston

Must-do activities

  • A visit to the RISD Museum (a renowned art museum).
  • A stroll through Waterplace Park.
  • A tour of the Rhode Island State House.

Concord, MA (20 Miles)

Concord is a charming town with a rich history and many literary connections. History lovers will love Concord, so a perfect weekend trip from Boston.

Day trips from boston - road trips from boston within 2 to 3 hours by car

Must-do activities

  • A visit to the Minute Man National Historical Park (site of the first battle of the American Revolution).
  • A tour of the Louisa May Alcott House (author of Little Women).
  • A stroll through Walden Pond (the inspiration for Henry David Thoreau’s Walden).

Martha’s Vineyard, MA (100 Miles)

Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful island with stunning beaches, picturesque towns, and plenty of outdoor activities. 

Day trips from boston - weekend getaways from boston

Must-do activities 

  • Aquinnah Cliffs.
  • Edgartown Lighthouse.
  • Stroll through the charming town of Oak Bluffs.

Gloucester, MA (34 Miles)

Gloucester is a historic fishing town with a vibrant arts scene and many outdoor activities. 

Boston to Gloucester, MA road trip

Must-do activities 

  • Cape Ann Museum, 
  • a stroll along the scenic Rocky Neck Art Colony, 
  • Tour of the Hammond Castle Museum.

Plymouth, MA (40 Miles)

Plymouth is a historic town famous for being the site of the first Pilgrim settlement in America. 

Boston to Plymouth, MA road trips

Must-do activities

  • Visit Plymouth Rock, 
  • a tour of the Mayflower II (a replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America), 
  • stroll through the Plimoth Plantation (a living history museum).

Rockport, MA (39 Miles)

Rockport is a charming coastal town known for its picturesque harbor and scenic beaches. 

weekend trips from boston - day trips from boston

Must-do activities 

  • Visit Bearskin Neck (a historic area filled with shops and galleries).
  • A stroll along the Rockport Breakwater.
  • A tour of the Paper House (a house made entirely out of newspaper).

Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA (23 Miles)

Manchester-by-the-Sea is a quaint coastal town with beautiful beaches, charming shops, and historic architecture. 

road trips from boston by car within 2 to 3 hours

Must-do activities

  • Visit Singing Beach (a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing).
  • A tour of the historic Trask House.
  • A stroll through the town’s many art galleries.

Portsmouth, RI (77 Miles)

Portsmouth, RI, is a small town on Aquidneck Island, just off the coast of Rhode Island. 

best places to visit near Boston - road trips

Must-do activities 

  • Visit the Newport Vineyards, 
  • Green Animals Topiary Garden tour, 
  • Stroll through the town’s many historical sites.

Nantucket, MA (105 Miles)

Nantucket is a beautiful island known for its sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, and charming downtown area.

best places to visit near boston

Must-do activities 

  • Nantucket Whaling Museum, 
  • Tour of the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, 
  • Stroll through the town’s cobblestone streets.

Newburyport, MA (35 Miles)

Newburyport is a historic town located on the banks of the Merrimack River. 

best places to visit near Boston - boston weekend getaways

Must-do activities 

  • Custom House Maritime Museum, 
  • a landmark Firehouse Center for the Arts tour, 
  • And a stroll through the town’s many antique shops and boutiques.

I hope you loved reading about the best weekend trips from Boston or some of the best day trips from Boston within 2 to 3 hours by car. 

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