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New Hampshire’s White Mountains in the fall. Photo courtesy of John A. Anderson via Shutterstock.
While Boston has much to offer visitors, sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Luckily, there are a variety of worthwhile getaways accessible from the city. To help you plan the perfect day trip, here are some suggestions.
Franconia, New Hampshire
Located about two and half hours outside Boston, you access the destination via car or AMTRAK. The town is a haven for those wanting to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and do something a little different from visiting Boston. Franconia Notch State Park is a popular attraction, as it’s home to lakes, hiking trails, bird and animal life, beaches, camping, high peaks and lush woodlands. Many visitors enjoy trekking the park’s Appalachian Trail section as well as riding the aerial tramway at Cannon Mountain for a bird’s-eye view of the park. Franconia is also home to the White Mountains, where you’ll find the highest peak in the northeastern United States at 6,288 feet. You can either make the ascent on foot or drive to the observation at the top where there is a museum, cog railway, weather monitoring tower and sweeping views of the surrounding nature. If you’re interested in poetry, Franconia is where you’ll find the old farmhouse of Robert Frost, which is now a museum.
Salem, Massachusetts
Located about 30 minutes outside of Boston, the city is accessible via car, MBTA Bus 450 and 459 or try taking Salem – The Witch City tour from Boston. Most people know Salem for the Salem Witch Trials, and a visit to the city will allow you to explore the Salem Witch Museum, Witch Dungeon Museum and Witch History Museum, as well as numerous magic and witchcraft shops. That being said, Salem has more to offer than just witch-related attractions. For example, the city also has a rich maritime history, and visitors can stop by the nine-acre Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which features historic buildings, wharfs and a reconstructed ship from 1805, or simply watch the boats sailing by from the waterfront Salem Willows Amusement Park. The House of Seven Gables is also worth the trip, as it’s the oldest surviving seventeenth century wooden mansion in New England.
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Newport, Rhode Island. Photo courtesy of Ramunas Bruzas via Shutterstock.
Newport, Rhode Island
Home to historic mansions, beautiful beaches, a rich sailing culture and charming shops lining cobblestone streets, Newport can be accessed by car, AMTRAK or by taking a Newport City and Mansions Day Trip Tour from Boston and is one of the best day trips from Boston. The 11 mansions are a popular attraction, as visitors can tour the inside of these grand buildings and learn about their history. Some of the most popular mansions to visit include The Breakers, once home to the wealthy Cornelius Vanderbilt II and the Marble House, built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. Another worthwhile activity in Newport is strolling the Cliff Walk, which allows views of both the shores and historical architecture of the mansions. Make sure to spend some time experiencing the boutiques and fresh seafood restaurants in the village, lounging on the beautiful beaches, and gallery and museum hopping.
