Those visiting the Boston area will find there are many exciting and adventurous things to do outside the city limits. From Cape Cod, Salem and Sturbridge to Rhode Island and Western Massachusetts, there are wonderful activities that will keep tourists entertained and amused. These day trips are perfect for all ages as each has a broad array of activities to enjoy. Each listing includes information for the local tourist center and chamber of commerce so that you may find detailed information of popular activities, transportation, places to eat and tours of each city.
Here are five great day trips from Boston that are sure to make your trip one to remember.
1. Cape Cod
Cape Cod is flourishing with American history as it was there in 1620 that the Pilgrims steered the Mayflower into the Cape’s port. Plymouth Rock is one of the most visited tourist spots and Cape Cod is well revered for its laid back lifestyle. You’ll find plenty of things to do including visiting the beaches, enjoying the art colonies and touring its many villages. Cape Cod is geared for tourists and you’ll find that there are many ways to get to the Cape. The drive is approximately 60 miles from downtown Boston and motorists can take route MA-3 the entire way. You can also reach the Cape by bus. Contact the Plymouth and Brocton Street Railway Company for schedules and route information.
Those who’d like to find more information about Cape Cod can reach the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce at You may contact the chamber by phone at: 1-508-362-3225 or 1-888-33CAPECOD.
2. Salem
Best known for its witch trials, Salem was founded in 1626 and is a popular day trip from Boston. Approximately 20 miles from Boston, you can get to Salem easily by car, train and boat. The MBTA Rockport/Ipswich line will take you from North Station to Salem in about thirty minutes. You can visit the MBTA online for schedules at: MBTA. You may also contact them by phone at 1-617-722-3200 or 1-800-392-6100.
You can take a ferry from the Long Wharf in Boston to Salem during specific times of the year. Check with Boston Harbor Cruises for schedules online at: Boston Harbor Cruises or by phone at 1-617-227-4321.
Those who take a train or ferry from Boston to Salem will find they can easily enjoy the city by foot or by use of the Salem Trolley. You can even take a tour of the city on the Moby Duck which will show you the sites by water in about 25 minutes. Contact the Salem Trolley online at Trolley Depot or by phone at 1-978-744-5469. You may contact the Moby Duck online at Moby Duck or by phone at 1-978-741-4386.
Visit Destination Salem for a free guide, history of Salem, information on group tours and events. While in Salem be sure to visit Federal Street, the House of Seven Gables, the New England Pirate Museum, the Witch House and more.
Check with the Salem Mass Chamber of Commerce for more information at: Salem Chamber of Commerce.
3. Sturbridge Village
Every tourist must visit Sturbridge Village at least once in their lifetime, and should dedicate a full day for enjoying the activities. Located approximately 60 miles southwest from Boston, Old Sturbridge Village was founded in 1938 and is a tourist city that features a recreation of life in an 1830 Colonial village. Visitors can take part in witnessing firsthand what life was like on what is nearly 150 acres of land dedicated to creating an authentic experience.
You can reach Sturbridge Village by car by taking I-90 from Boston to Exit 9, then following I-84 south to Exit 3. Once on the exit take Main Street (MA-20) west until you reach Old Sturbridge Village. You may also reach Old Sturbridge Village by bus line as Peter Pan bus lines will take you there. You can access the bus line at Peter Pan Bus Line for schedules.
For times and schedules, as Old Sturbridge Village offers various events based upon season, visit the official website at Old Sturbridge Village for more information. Old Sturbridge Village offers activities for children and adults of all ages.
4. Newport, Rhode Island
A day trip to Newport, Rhode Island is well worth the effort as this historic city has plenty to offer. Located approximately 75 miles south of Boston, you can access Newport via car or bus. By car take MA-24 from Boston to Rhode Island than continue on RI-114 to Newport. Once in Newport, you may park your vehicle at the Gateway Center parking lot located at the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau which is the official tourist welcome center. You may access the Newport Visitors Bureau here: Go Newport.
To reach Newport by bus take the Peter Pan bus line from Boston. The bus will travel from Boston to Newport’s Gateway Center. Once at Gateway you can take another bus to visit the local sites or access them by foot, bicycle or cab. You may visit the bus line here: Peter Pan Bus Line. For full access on Newport’s historical sites, mansions, beaches and tourist spots, visit the Visitor’s Bureau.
5. Northern and Southern Berkshires
The Northern and Southern Berkshires are located approximately 125 miles west of Boston and are full of activities perfect for tourists to enjoy. Rich with cultural activities, exquisite scenic beauty and plenty of arts, museums and theaters to attend, it’s quite possible that you’ll want to spend more than a day in the Berkshires.
You can access the Berkshires by car and you’ll want to travel from Boston to Stockbridge. Attractions in the Southern Berkshires include The Norman Rockwell Museum, Chesterwood, the Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Naumkeag, Bash Bish Falls and the Gingerbread House. For more information and activities to enjoy n the Southern Berkshires, visit the official tourist site at the Southern Berkshires Chamber of Commerce.
The Northern Berkshires offer just as many beautiful activities to enjoy and you may find more information at the Berkshires Visitors Bureau online. Some of the most popular activities for tourists include the Mount- the Edith Wharton Restoration, the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Lenox Village, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Arrowhead, The Berkshire Museum, Hancock Shaker Village, the Crane Museum, Mount Greylock State Reservation and the Williams College Museum of Art.
Charisse Van Horn was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and grew up in one of Boston’s many suburbs: Newton, Massachusetts. She considers herself a true Bostonian at heart.
Sources
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Salem Chamber of Commerce
Old Sturbridge Village
Go Newport
Southern Berkshires Chamber of Commerce
Berkshires Visitors Bureau
