Daytrips From Boston Worth the Price of Gas
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the United States, and one of the best things about it is that it's located near plenty of great destinations that you can reach with a short drive.
If you're looking to get out of the city and see what else New England has to offer, these are some of your best options.
01 Basketball Hall of Fame
Natural it's not, but it's definitely historic. The Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, Mass., just 90 minutes away from Boston. Here, you can discover over 100 years' worth of basketball history and check out artifacts from some of the legends of the game. If you've got any interest in basketball, this is one of the best options available in western Massachusetts.
02 Newport, Rhode Island
If you want to see some of the most impressive mansions in the United States, Newport is worth a visit. You'll be able to look at some incredible homes, such as the Breakers and Taylor Swift's home of Holiday House. You can also see exactly why Rhode Island is called the Ocean State, as Cliff Walk provides fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Newport is also home to the White House Tavern, which bills itself as America's oldest restaurant.
03 Portland, Maine
Maine's largest city is well-known for its lobster rolls, but there's much more to Portland than just New England's famous crustacean. The Portland Museum of Art dates back to 1911 and is home to more than 22,000 works of art. The Old Port section of Portland feels like stepping into the past, as it's filled with cobblestone streets and older warehouses, plus some of the best restaurants in the city. And, of course, no visit to Portland is complete without seeing a lighthouse.
04 Salem, Mass.
It's hard to get much more historic than Salem, home to the infamous witch trials of 1692. You'll be able to tour the home of the judge of these trials, Judge Corwin, as his house has become known as the Witch House. If you're a fan of the romanticism style of literature, you can visit the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of the "Scarlet Letter" and other historic works. As you might have guessed, the best time to come here is Halloween, but it's a great visit at any time of year.
05 Provincetown, Mass.
If you're a seafood lover, you pretty much have to visit Provincetown. The Lobster Pot is one of the most well-known seafood restaurants in New England, and you'll enjoy some of the best delights the coastal area has to offer. If you'd like to get a bird's eye view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Pilgrim Monument offers views from more than 200 feet above the ocean, allowing you to see a little of everything.
06 Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth Rock is the beginning of American civilization, but it's far from the only reason to visit Plymouth. Pilgrim Hall Museum is one of the best ways for history buffs to picture themselves in the times of the Pilgrims, as you'll see items that date back to the appearance of the Mayflower. Plymouth is a slower-paced town full of natural beauty and incredible views, so when the weather is good, this place is worth a getaway day.
07 Halibut Point State Park
If you'd like to take a look at the beautiful cliffs of New England up close, this is your kind of place. Halibut Point State Park sits in Rockport, Mass., and offers some of Massachusetts's best bird watching and hiking options. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Maine over the granite cliffs of the park, as Maine sits just a short ride over the Atlantic from Halibut Point.
08 Portsmouth, N.H.
Located near some of the best beaches in New England and the University of New Hampshire, Portsmouth is a town with plenty to offer all ages of visitors. New Hampshire doesn't have a lot in the way of coastline, but it makes the most of what it does have, as Portsmouth offers plenty of small shops and excellent eateries that make it very much worth a detour. Throw in a relaxing day on the beach, and there are more than enough reasons to take a trip here.
09 Providence, R.I.
Rhode Island's capital city is known as one of the best foodie destinations in New England because of an abundance of quality chefs in the area. Providence is also home to some of the most creative art in the city, including the bonfires on the city's rivers known as WaterFire. Whether you're interested in viewing some of the creative works of Providence residents or getting outside and taking a look at the animals of the Roger Williams Park Zoo, you're sure to find something to enjoy about Providence.
10 Concord, Mass.
Wars and literature intersect here, as the Battle of Concord was one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Yet Concord was also the home of legendary authors Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, as it's the home to Thoreau's famous Walden Pond. History buffs will enjoy taking a look at the Battle Road Trail and the Old North Bridge, while literature fans can discover Orchard House, home to Little Women author Louisa May Alcott.
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