7 easy must-do weekend trips from Boston
If you're looking for great weekend getaways from Boston, you're in luck. Drop off your bags at a luggage storage facility in Boston, and you can start planning the perfect weekend trip to see what else this region of the United States has to offer. Whether you're looking for a romantic weekend getaway or a fun-filled adventure in nature, Massachusetts and the region beyond have plenty for anyone looking for weekend getaways in Boston.
If you have access to a car, the best of this region is yours to explore. If not, Boston also has some great public transportation options, with trains leaving from North Station and South Station to take you wherever you want to go.
With your bags safely stored, you'll be able to travel light on the perfect weekend getaway. Try one of these weekend getaways from Boston to kick your New England visit up a notch.
Rhode Island
Part of New England, the state of Rhode Island is an ideal weekend getaway, and it offers you the best of both worlds - several large cities, like Newport and Providence, as well as charming Colonial towns perched on the sandy shores of Narragansett, Greenwich, and Mt. Hope Bays.
Distance from Boston:
You can reach Rhode Island in just over an hour by car from Boston. At just under a hundred miles in distance between the two places, it's also possible to take a train, which will take around two and a half hours.
Our activity recommendations:
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the US, but that doesn't mean it lacks things to do. The Breakers, the former home of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, is a fascinating place to explore the New England aristocracy. Rhode Island School of Design in Providence has an impressive collection of more than 90,000 works of art, making it one of the most important art galleries in New England. The Providence Performing Arts Center is also a great place to visit to take in a show or a play.
The National Museum of American Illustration in Newport is a must-visit for art lovers. The Roger Williams Park Zoo is a great place to visit with families on a weekend getaway. And Fort Adams State Park is ideal for history buffs wanting to learn more about the warfare that shaped this area in the mid-19th century. Additionally, this park is the home of the legendary Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival, so if you can time your visit to coincide with these world-leading festivals, you have a weekend getaway from Boston that will live long in your memory after you've gone home.
Best season to visit:
Rhode Island has enough to do that you can visit any time of year. Indoor attractions like the Rhode Island School of Design and The Breakers are great options for cold winter weather, while Fort Adams is ideal in the sunny months. If you want to catch the major festivals held here, they both take place in July.
Block Island
Located south of the land-based part of Rhode Island, this scenic treasure deserves a mention of its own. Rocky beaches, a picturesque lighthouse, and the chance to see migratory birds make this a top weekend destination from Boston.
Distance from Boston:
It's just over a hundred miles from Boston to Block Island, and the scenic drive should take around three hours.
Our activity recommendations:
Although part of Rhode Island, Block Island often feels much further away. Reachable only by means of the Block Island ferry, almost half of this ocean island is protected, so it's a perfect place to enjoy the incredible natural surroundings of New England. There are tons of hiking and biking trails that you can explore, and since this island isn't as well-known as other comparable islands like Martha's Vineyard, it's a great place to go if you want to get away from it all and enjoy nature that's virtually unspoiled.
The ferry ride to the island is all part of the fun and will give you magnificent views of the coastline and the ocean. No wonder this is one of the top weekend getaways from Boston you can take. If you're a fan of hiking, mountain biking, ocean views, and great restaurants, Block Island is the perfect place to recharge your batteries amid nature.
Best season to visit:
Block Island is all about outdoor fun, so it's best visited during the warmer summer months. With that said, the winter does bring some spectacular storms to the coast, so if you're interested in storm watching, that may be a better option for you.
Cape Cod
While still part of Massachusetts, Cape Cod's hook-shaped peninsula couldn't feel further away. It's home to the popular weekend getaway islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, which are just a ferry ride away.
Distance from Boston:
Around 70 miles from the center of Boston, Cape Cod can be reached with a relatively short drive of under two hours.
Our activity recommendations:
The Cape Cod National Seashore is probably the best-known attraction on this weekend trip. Cape Cod is famous for its incredible views, both of Cape Cod Bay and the wider Atlantic Ocean. There are almost endless hiking and biking trails to explore here, making this one of the best weekend getaways from Boston for nature lovers.
Cape Cod is also known for its quaint fishing towns that are as quintessentially East Coast as it gets. Take a driving tour along the Cape, and you'll encounter one picturesque town after another. Almost all of them make great places to stop for a hearty seafood lunch or dinner.
Best season to visit:
Again, this is mainly a summer destination, with dazzling views and hiking trails just perfect for a weekend trip in July or August.
Martha's Vineyard
South of Cape Cod is the ultra-popular resort island of Martha's Vineyard. Accessible exclusively by water (or air, if you can afford it), The Vineyard features lovely sandy beaches, lighthouses, and quaint harbor towns that await you when you take a weekend trip from Boston here.
Distance from Boston:
It's just under a hundred miles from Boston to Martha's Vineyard. You'll need to take a ferry from Woods Hole, so expect that journey to take around three hours.
Our activity recommendations:
This island is known for its beautiful beaches, walking trails, lovely homes, and excellent restaurants. The laid-back atmosphere of this small island makes it the perfect antidote to the sometimes chaotic but always vibrant Boston. And with its amazing beaches and quaint charm, it's also a great place for a romantic trip.
When it comes to things to do, you shouldn't plan too much. Hit the beach, have an excellent meal, or do some shopping. In fact, you'll find plenty of activities to do here, but really, the vineyard is all about relaxing and taking it easy. Bring everything you need for a beach vacation and leave the rest of your bags in Boston, and you'll have a great time exploring this iconic East Coast destination.
Best season to visit:
Generally, summer provides the best weather for visiting the islands off the coast of Massachusetts. However, Martha's Vineyard is a victim of its own popularity in some ways, and you'll find the island quite crowded in the height of summer. A better option might be to visit during the spring or fall when the temperatures are still very bearable, but the crowds are much smaller. September is also peak whale watching season, so this is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard if you want to encounter some marine giants in the wild.
Salem
You've probably already heard of Salem for a couple of reasons. The first is that it's the capital of the state, and the second is that it's the site of the famous 1692 witch trials. Do you need any more reasons to visit than that?
Distance from Boston:
Only 22 miles from Boston itself, Salem is a very easy weekend getaway from Boston to take, reachable by car in less than an hour. It's also possible to reach Salem by public transit, taking the Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station to this legendary town.
Our activity recommendations:
If you're a history buff, you'll want to stop by the Witch House, a well-preserved house that dates back to the time of the trials, where you can learn more about the history behind them. But for less academic and more exciting fun, you can also take a trip to the Witch Dungeon Museum, where you can participate in a witch trial yourself.
In keeping with the spooky theme, there's also Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, a quirky museum that collects movie monsters from the silver screen and pays homage to horror movies through the ages.
But there is more to Salem than just the witch trials that took place here. The historic graveyard known as the Burying Point holds the graves of many of the famous figures from the trials and is a very atmospheric place to get a sense of what life was like for the very first European settlers in North America. There's also the Peabody Essex Museum, a fascinating place to admire American and Asian artwork by a diverse array of artists. And Salem Willows Park, which is within walking distance of the center of town, is the perfect place for coastal views and to get some fresh air on your weekend getaway.
Best season to visit:
Summer is a great time to visit Salem, with the warmer weather and longer days letting you spend more time outside. But thanks to its spooky history, the town really comes into its own in October and the runup to Halloween. If you want to really delve into the history of the belief in witchcraft, October is the perfect time to visit Salem and enjoy the sometimes kitschy but always enjoyable festivities here.
White Mountain National Forest
This heaven for wilderness lovers spans two states - New Hampshire and Maine. Established in 1918, White Mountain National Forest covers more than 750,000 acres, making it one of the most significant parks in the Boston area. Home to mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests, this is the perfect place to explore the wilderness without straying too far from the city.
Distance from Boston:
At a distance of 130 miles from the city, White Mountain National Forest makes a great weekend getaway from the city, reachable in around two hours by car. However, there's no public transport out here, so driving is about the only way to reach the National Forest.
Our activity recommendations:
You'll find soaring alpine peaks and dense forest that looks as though no human being ever discovered it before. You'll also find some great recreational activities in the park, such as camping, biking, hiking, boating, and fishing.
The National Forest is an endlessly popular weekend getaway for Bostonians because it's so close to the city, but it feels like a long way away. If you want a weekend trip to let you encounter unspoiled wilderness, do some camping, or catch fish in a high alpine stream, this is the place to do it.
Best season to visit:
White Mountain National Forest offers something different in every season. In spring, the alpine meadows burst with wildflowers, while the warm summer months are the perfect time for camping and hiking. The forest also gets plenty of snowfall, making it a great location for cross-country skiing in the winter. Whenever you visit, you'll find plenty to keep you busy here.
Brenton Point State Park
This state park is considered more of a recreation area and covers 89 acres in Newport, Rhode Island. You'll find this gem on Aquidneck Island's southwestern edge.
Distance from Boston:
78 miles north of Boston, this State Park can be reached by car in just over an hour and a half.
Our activity recommendations:
If you're looking for spectacular views of the East Coast, Brenton Point State Park is where you'll find them. Located in Rhode Island, Brenton Point offers great views of Narragansett Bay and the ocean beyond. It's also a great place to take a walk, play some sports on the grass, have a picnic, or do some bird watching. If you just want to do some relaxing on your weekend getaway from Boston, this small but interesting park is a great place to do it.
Best season to visit:
Summer is the best time to take advantage of all the park has to offer. Although it often gets busy, it's not too hard to escape the crowds on one of the many hiking trails and enjoy the view as you explore.
Conclusion
The best weekend getaways from Boston, like the best day trips from the city, offer a great variety of things to see and do. Whether you're looking for pristine nature, fascinating history, or just a nice view, you'll find it all here.
If you're pressed for time, check out our guide on how to spend three days in Boston. Then, once you've seen the main attractions of the city, consider widening your net to take advantage of these excellent weekend getaways.
