Best Day Trips from Boston

You don’t have to go far to find a weekend destination that will feel like a full-on vacation. New England is abundant with quaint charm and rich history, so take advantage of some great options that are just a short drive from Boston.

1. Get Away for a Day in Nearby Sharon or Danvers

Day trips from Boston can give you the feel of a far-away adventure without having to go far! Take a walk on the wild side at Mass Audubon Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon. Hike across a Colonial-era farmstead to the summit for sweeping views of the distant skyline or follow a boardwalk through a red maple swamp. Take a dip any time of year at CoCo Key’s indoor water park in Danvers—you’ll find both cities less than 45 miles north of the city. If seaside fun is on the list, head to the Cape Cod National Seashore to take your pick of six swimming beaches. You can get out and hike the nature trails and relish a view of the sunset over the water from one of the scenic overlooks..

2. Merriment in Merrimack and Londonberry

Head to Merrimack, New Hampshire, for a weekend filled with amusements and cocktails. Scream your way through roller coasters and water rides at Canobie Lake Park, or ride the two-story Venetian Carousel at FunWorld. If you want to indulge on beer and bratwurst, take a tour of the Budweiser Merrimack Brewery (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack)—you can also meet the famous Clydesdales. Then head to the Moonlight Meadery (23 Londonderry Road, Londonderry) for a tour and tasting of this honey-based adult beverage. Want to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air? Hike to Wildcat Falls—it’s dog-friendly and there’s even a dog beach.

3. History Lessons in Concord, Massachusetts

History buffs can spend the weekend in Concord. Best known for its role in the American Revolutionary War, Concord offers attractions like Minute Man National Historical Park and the Old Manse. Visit author David Thoreau’s simple setting for Walden Pond, or Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, the location for Little Women. Visit the authors’ graves in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, along with Ralph Waldo Emerson and veterans from the Revolutionary War. While you’re in town, dip into a colonial-age dessert that’s never fallen out of favor. Indian pudding combines cornmeal, milk, molasses and spices into taste bud-tantalizing goodness. Get it at the Colonial Inn (48 Monument Square, Concord).

4. Get Back to Nature in Marlborough, Massachusetts

Grab your mountain bike or a pair of hiking shoes and head out on trails running through the unique natural conservation areas surrounding Marlborough. Climb Mount Pisgah, the highest point in the state. It rises more than 3,000 feet above sea level. But don’t let the elevation intimidate you—it's only a 50-foot gain in elevation as you hike from the parking lot! At the Desert Natural Area, you won’t find cacti, but you’ll discover an abundance of trails running through its historic sand pits. Want to cool off in summer? Head to one of Ft. Meadow Reservoir’s beaches. Take a long walk on the sand and have a lakeside barbecue at World War II Memorial Beach or Centennial Beach. You can also rent a canoe and paddle the Ft. Meadow Reservoir from access points at the Grove Conservation Land.

5. Seaside Fun in Newport, Rhode Island

If your idea of the best weekend trip from Boston includes breathtaking sunsets over the water, head to Newport, Rhode Island. Take a ferry out to Rose Island Lighthouse and kick back on Adirondack chairs beneath the historic lighthouse while you watch the sun sink into Narragansett Bay. Take the Cliff Walk just off the beach to get a look at a few of the historic mansions and catch views from the rocky shoreline.

6. Listen to the Music in Woodstock, New Hampshire

Although it’s not the site of the famous 1969 music festival, Woodstock, New Hampshire is still a great place to groove to the beat. Head to Soldiers Park on a Saturday evening to listen to live music on the lawn, or hit the pubs and clubs in the north end of the city. If Mt. Moosilauke sounds like a likely place for moose watching, you’re right. Head west on Route 112 at dusk and you’re likely to catch a glimpse of at least one moose licking salt along the side of the road. Stop at the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves for an underground Lantern Tour, or experience a dogsled adventure any time of year at Muddy Paw and Raft NH.

Ready to travel? Find your hotel in Danvers, Merrimack, Concord, Newport, Woodstock.