13 Best Day Trips from Boston

Last Updated on October 10, 2023

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Boston is a great city to visit, with plenty to do and see, but if you are looking for a change of scenery, there are many amazing day trips to take. Boston’s incredible location makes it a great base for exploring the region and trust me when I tell you, there’s a lot to see. Whether you are looking for a cute New England town, a beach getaway, a mountainous region or a place steeped in history, you can find it with a two hour drive from Boston. So no matter what you’d like to experience, this list of day trips from Boston definitely has something for you.

Having lived in the Boston area for more than two decades, I’ve taken a lot of trips in New England, both weekend getaways and day trips. This Boston day trips list includes all the towns I visited personally, some more than once and think they are worth your time.

All of the places on this list are under 2 hours or less drive one way. Anything longer than that might be good for a weekend getaway, but not a day trip. Driving will take up a good chunk of your day, not leaving enough time for enjoying your day trip.

The best and easiest way to reach all these destinations is by car, so my recommendation would be to rent one. Some of these Boston day trips can be done by using public transportation, others not so much. Few can be done with an organized tour, if that is your only option.

If you need to rent a car for your Boston day trips, search Discover Cars for the best rates. Itโ€™s a price comparison website, which means it searches all the big rental companies to find the best prices.

one of the best views of Boston from the Longfellow Bridge

Best day trips from Boston, MA

Rockport, Massachusetts

If you’d like to experience a picture perfect coastal town in New England, Rockport is a perfect choice. Located on Cape Ann, Rockport is one of the best and easiest day trips from Boston to take, with or without a car.

There isn’t a ton to do in Rockport. This quaint, small town is perfect for just strolling around, checking out all the cool galleries and stores, walking around the harbor, enjoying the ocean breeze and the best seafood.

One of the most famous sites in Rockport is Motif #1, the bright red shack, that stands right in the harbor. It’s known as one of the most photographed and painted buildings in the world. What you see today though, is a replica of the original building from 1800s, that got destroyed in the Blizzard of ’78.

On a nice summer day, you can relax on one of Rockport beaches. Right around the corner from the stores and galleries you have a beautiful sandy Front beach.

One of the top things to do in the Boston area from late spring to early fall is taking a whale watching excursion. Right next to Rockport, is another coastal town Gloucester, which is one of the prime spots to take that tour. It’s just a quick ride over and both town can easily be combined in one day. You can book your Whale watching Tour in Gloucester here.

Distance: 43 miles

How to get from Boston to Rockport: You can easily get to Rockport by car in under one hour. Be warned though, that parking on summer weekends can be tough. You could also take the train from North Station in Boston ( Newburyport/Rockport line ), which takes about 1 hour 20 min. Once in Rockport, it’s a 10 minute walk from the train station to downtown.

Motif #1 builduing in Rockport, MA one of the best day trips from Boston
Motif #1

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Newburyport is another quintessential New England coastal town, that makes for a perfect day trip from Boston. It’s an easy 45 minute drive or one hour train ride from the city.

The town is perfect for those who are looking for a getaway, that is not jam packed with activities. Newburyport is best enjoyed by just strolling around the beautiful downtown, popping into a few of the fun shops and taking a leisurely walk along the waterfront, which is my personal favorite thing to do. Oldies Marketplace, steps away from the waterfront, is a fun, warehouse like store to visit, full of antiques and unusual items. Whether you want to buy something or just look around, be sure to check it out.

For more time on the water, you can hop on the scenic boat ride offered by. They have several boat rides to choose from and the season runs through October.

There are plenty of great dining options in Newburyport, both waterfront and downtown. The Grog, Loretta and Michael’s Harborside are some of the favorite restaurants. Or if you’d like to sample several different local places, you might enjoy this 2.5-3 hour Taste of Newburyport food tour. Beer lovers will be happy to know, Newburyport is home to a few breweries ( RiverWalk Brewing Co, Newburyport Brewing Company and House Bear Brewing ).

Newburyport was once an important fishing and trading port, also known for shipbuilding. If you are interested to learn more about its maritime history it, be sure to visit Custom House Maritime Museum, which is right in downtown.

If you’d like to get your nature fix, Plum Island is just a short drive away. It’s a 11 mile long barrier island, that is “shared” with several nearby towns ( Ipswich being one of them ). Plum Island is especially popular among bird lovers, as Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, is an excellent spot to spot many species of birds, as well as other wildlife.

Another fun place to visit while in Newburyport is the sunflower field at Colby Farms. Although you do have to be there at the right time, some time at the end of August/beginning of September. The opening time is weather dependent and sadly doesn’t last long. BUT, if you are lucky to be there at the right time, it’s absolutely worth a visit. The sunflower field is located a few minute drive from downtown Newburyport, it’s free to visit, but the parking costs $10.

Distance from Boston: 42 miles

How to get from Boston to Newburyport: Newburyport is one of those Boston day trips, that can easily be done by both by a car and public transportation. If you drive, it will take you about 45 minutes. Once in Newburyport, there’s plenty of public parking downtown ( both lots and a garage ) for $1/hour. If you’d like to take the train, head to North Station in Boston and hop on the Newburyport/Rockport line for a one hour train ride. Keep in mind though, that if you’d like to visit Plum Island, you’ll need a car to get there.

boats in Newburyport, Massachusetts harbor
Oldies marketplace in Newburyport, Ma, one of the places to visit on your day trip from Boston

Ipswich, Massachusetts

If you are visiting Boston in the summer and are looking for a beach getaway, you want to head to Ipswich. This coastal town north of Boston is home to Crane beach, which has been voted one of the best beaches in New England. And it’s hard to argue with that. The beach is large, with white sand and beautiful dunes.

If you don’t want to spend an entire day at the beach, Ipswich has several other attractions. Not far from Crane beach is Crane Estates, a stunning property with a hilltop mansion overlooking the ocean. Between May and September, the ground floor of the Great House is open to public and you can get a peak of it. The house is quite impressive, but so is the rest of the property. Set aside some time to walk through the beautiful gardens and the rolling hills. While you do not have to book tickets in advance, I would recommend doing so, if you are there during summer weekends.

When in town center, be sure to stop 1634 Meadery. Open from Thursday – Sunday, this small craft-winery makes mead, which is honey wine, with fruits and spices. You can sample several different meads in their small tasting room and also take a look at how mead is made. And if you like it, they have bottles for sale, so you can bring one or two home.

But possibly one of my favorite places in Ipswich is Wolf Hollow. It’s a non-profit wolf sanctuary, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of wolves in our ecosystem. During the one hour guided tour, you’ll get to know all the resident wolves ( there are seven of them at the moment ) and see them interact with the staff. Wolf Hollow is open for tours on a limited schedule, so do book in advance and keep checking for new dates.

When it comes to food, The Clam Box of Ipswich is an iconic place for fried seafood. If you like craft beer, Ipswich Ale Brewery is a great stop and has a full menu as well.

Distance from Boston: 30 miles

How to get from Boston to Ipswich: getting to Ipswich by car is much easier than using public transportation. There is a direct train, that runs from North Station in Boston to Ipswich ( Newburyport/Rockport line ) and the journey takes 50 minutes. However, you arrive at the train station in downtown Ipswich, so you will need a taxi to get to Crane beach.

Wolf Hollow in Newburyport, MA
Pink House seen on the way from Newburyport, Ma to Plum Island

Concord, Massachusetts

If you are a history buff, a visit to Concord will be right up your alley. Concord and the nearby Lexington was where the American Revolution War began in 1775. Located just 20 miles away, it’s one of the easiest and closest day trips from Boston to take.

To retrace the steps of the battle, head to Minute Man National Historic Park. There’s a 5 mile Battle Road Trail, that runs through the park, and the scenic walk takes you past a lot of historical homes and monuments. One of the highlights of the walk is right at the start, the Old North Bridge. That was the sight of the very first battle.

Concord was also home to many American writers like Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne or Henry David Thoreau, and their homes are open for tours.

Just a short drive away from Minute Man Park is Walden Pond. Made famous by Henry David Thoreau, who lived in a cabin by the Pond while writing his novel Walden, Walden Pond is a popular recreational spot. You can take a scenic hike around the pond on one of the trails ( it’s a 1.7 m loop ), enjoy some beach time or kayak. Walden Pond is a popular spot in the summer and parking fills up, especially on the weekends.

Distance: 20 miles

How to get from Boston to Concord: Concord is one of the Boston day trips, that is best done by car. You could take the train from North Station ( Fitchburg line ) and arrive in Concord in 40 minutes or so. While downtown is a 15 minute walk from the train station, all the other places to mentioned above are a bit spread out, so it will be hard to visit without a car.

Old North Bridge in Concord, MA - one of the perfect day trips from Boston for history buffs
Old North Bridge in Concord, MA
Walden Pond in Concord, MA
Walden Pond in Concord

Salem, Massachusetts

If there’s one place from this Boston day trips list you’ve heard of before, it’s Salem. This coastal city, north of Boston, is best known for the infamous Witch Trials, which took place in 1692. It’s also one of the top Halloween destinations in the world.

As expected a lot of the things do in Salem revolve around those events, with some being better than others. Salem Witch Museum, which usually tops the list of best things to do in Salem, is just OK, and I’d personally save your time and money. Visit one of the historical houses instead. The Witch House, The House of Seven Gables, The Ropes Mansion and The Pickering House are all great and open to public.

You cannot go to Salem without going on a ghost tour. History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Tour is a fantastic 2 hour walking tour, which is a perfect blend of history of the Witch City and spooky stories. It’s one of the highest rated walking tours in Salem, MA and makes for a perfect introduction to the Witch City.

Take a picture with the Bewitched Statue, then walk down Essex Street and visit some of the fun stores. Peabody Essex Museum is excellent and one of the top museums in the country. Besides the permanent collections, there are also temporary exhibits.

Be sure to stop at the Old Burying Cemetery and the adjacent Salem Witch Trial Memorial. Continue down Derby Street towards the harbor and visit Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Great place to not only learn about Salem’s maritime heritage, but also to take a walk away from the most touristy downtown area.

Either at the end of the day or to take a break from sightseeing, head to The Salem Hotel for a drink at their rooftop bar, the only one in the city.

As far as restaurants go, there are a lot of great places to eat in Salem. Red’s for breakfast, Rockafellas for lunch, Flying Saucer for pizza, Howling Wolf Taqueria for Mexican, Village Tavern, Turner’s Seafood or Ledger for dinner. And that’s just a few of many great restaurants in Salem, MA.

Even though Salem is a year round destination ( well maybe except for the dead of winter ), it’s the fall when it’s truly the most fun and festive. The entire month of October, Haunted Happenings takes place, which is a series of fun events and celebration. If you don’t mind the massive crowds, Halloween night in Salem is crazy fun.

Distance: 25 miles

How to get from Boston to Salem: Salem is one of those day trips from Boston, that is easily done by car, as well as public transportation. I would actually encourage you to take the train, especially if you plan on visiting during the fall and Halloween season. Direct trains depart frequently from North Station in Boston ( Newbury/Rockport line ) and arrive in Salem in just 30 minutes. Salem’s train station is just a short walk to downtown. If you do drive, the MBTA garage is one of your top options for parking. Between May – October, you can also get from Boston to Salem by ferry run by Boston Harbor Cruises.

the Bewitched Statue in Salem, MA
Bewitched Statue in Salem – one of the easiest day trips from Boston without a car
Aga in Salem, MA for Halloween
Halloween in Salem
The Witch house in Salem, MA
The Witch House – one of the historic houses to visit on your day trip to Salem

Plymouth, Massachusetts

There are many reasons why Plymouth is one of my absolute favorite day trips from Boston. The coastal town is the perfect combination of history and the quintessential New England town.

Plymouth is best know as the site of the first colony settlement in the early 1600s and Plymouth Rock is said to be the landing place. Even though you will most likely find the Plymouth Rock underwhelming and much smaller than you imagined, you can’t miss it. You can find it within Pilgrim Memorial State Park, a waterfront park, which is also where you can see the reproduction of the original Mayflower II.

Just across the street from the Park and Plymouth Rock is the Cole’s Hill, where many of the first settlers are buried. Also, you can get beautiful views of the harbor from up there.

Continuing with the historical theme, make sure to visit Plimouth Patuxet ( known before as Plimouth Plantation ), one of the town’s biggest attractions. This outdoor museum is a replica of the original Plymouth settlement with actors in costumes acting like people from that time, never breaking out of the character. Plimouth Patuxet is a seasonal attractions ( March – November ) and you can book your Plimouth Patuxet tickets here.

Aside from all the historical sites, Plymouth has a vibrant and downtown and picturesque waterfront. You can find a lot of cute shops along the main road, as well as plenty of outdoor and waterfront restaurants. Perfect place to grab a lunch mid day and take a break from exploring the town.

Distance: 40 miles

How to get from Boston to Plymouth: Plymouth is about a 45-50 minute drive from Boston, which the the easiest way of getting there. There is a train you can take from Boston’s South Station ( Kingston/Plymouth line ), but the Plymouth train station is a little over 2 miles away from the waterfront and Plymouth Rock, so you’ll need a taxi/Uber.

Boston to Plymouth Tour: if you don’t have a car and don’t want to deal with figuring out public transportation, there is a very highly group tour from Boston which visits Plymouth along with Quincy and Scituate. You can book the Quincy, Plymouth, and Mayflower II Day Trip here.

Plymouth harbor seen from the Cole's Hill in Plymouth, MA
Plymouth Rock in Pymouth, MA
Plymouth Rock

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Provincetown is a great day trip from Boston, but ONLY if you get there by the high speed ferry. P-town as it’s often referred to, sits at the very tip of Cape Cod, which is known for very heavy traffic in the summer. Do not even attempt to drive there for a day on the weekends. You’ll spend more time in your car, then exploring Provincetown.

Instead, hop on the very first ferry from Boston’s Long Wharf at 8.30 am for 90 minute boat ride, which makes getting there fun. Enjoy beautiful views of Boston’s skyline as you leave.

Provincetown is a bit different from other Cape Code towns. It’s a great mix of a coastal New England town with a fun, quirky side. It’s a favorite LGBTQ destination, but all are welcome, dogs included. Drag queens strolling up and down the street is a common sight, and you are guaranteed some great people watching in P-town.

Once you are in town, there are plenty of fun things to do to fill your day. Take a stroll down Commercial Street, which is lined with many cute and unique stores, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. Climb the Pilgrim Monument for amazing views from the top. Standing at 252 feet tall, this is the tallest all-granite structure in the US.

One of my favorite things to do in Provincetown is to rent a bike and follow the Province Lands Bike Trail for a fun ride through the dunes. You will find several bike store rentals in town. If you’d like to get out on the water, there is a great 2 hour sailing trip on Bay Lady II. I’ve done it on every Provincetown trip and highly recommend it. Bring a cold drink and enjoy the ocean breeze and the views.

If you are looking for a beach day, Provincetown is home to Herring Cove Beach and Race Point Beach. Keep your eyes out for seals swimming in the water.

At the end of the day, take the last ferry back to Boston and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Distance: 116

How to get from Boston to Provincetown: The drive to Provincetown takes 2.5 hours, without any traffic, which is almost never the case in the summer. That’s why I do not recommend driving to P-town for a day trip. The only way to do it is by taking the fast 90 minute ferry, which leaves from Long Wharf in Boston and runs between May and early October 7 days a week.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport in Rhode Island is yet another seaside New England town, but a little more fancy. It was once called “the playground for rich and famous”. Back in the Gilded Age, a lot wealthy people built their summer homes there, which are now one of Newport’s biggest attraction.

So as far as best things to do in Newport, RI go, you can’t leave without visiting at least one of the Newport mansions. There are 11 of them in town, with the most impressive and visited ones being The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House.

Cliff Walk is another must do on your day trip to Newport, Rhode Island. It’s a 3.5 mile walk along the coast line, with spectacular ocean views. If you don’t want to do the entire walk, there are several entry/exit points.

IF you’d like to do some shopping, Thames Street is where you want to go. It’s the main street in Newport, lined with many boutique stores, but also bars and restaurants.

If you arrive in Newport by car, you have take a ride down Ocean Drive, which is one of the most scenic drives in New England. The 10 mile drive takes you past beautiful ocean views, with several opportunities to pull over and spend some time taking in the scenery.

At the end of the day you can either take a sunset cruise or head to the Castle Hill Inn for a drink with a view. This is one of the best hotels in Newport, but you don’t need to be a guest to enjoy a drink on the Lawn with some of the best ocean views in town.

Distance: 70 miles

How to get from Boston to Newport: It will take about 1.5 hour if you drive from Boston to Newport, which is the easiest way. Or you can take a bus from Boston’s South Station, but will take closer to 2.5 hours one way.

Boston to Newport, RI Tour: There is a Full day Newport tour from Boston, that combines all the best Newport has to offer. The tour includes a visit to 2 of Newport mansions, Cliff Walk, a ride through Newport’s historical landmarks, as well as free time to enjoy some shopping or one of the restaurants. You can book your Boston to Newport Day Tour here.

The Breakers mansion seen from the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI
The Breakers seen from the Cliff Walk
Cliff Walk is a must on your day trip to Newport, Rhode Island
views along Ocean Drive in Newport, Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

Out of the Boston day trips, the Capital of Rhode Island might not be the most popular one, but it’s definitely worth a visit. Even though it’s the 3rd largest city in New England, it’s pretty compact and very walkable.

A great way to explore the downtown of Providence is the Providence Independence Trail, which is a 2.5 mile self guided walking tour, passing by many important sites. Find a green line on the sidewalk and follow in either direction. It’s a loop, so there’s no start or finish and you’ll always get back to where you started.

Providence is home to Rhode Island School of Design ( RISD ), a well known art school, and there is a museum associated with it, you can visit Tuesday – Sunday.

If you happen to visit Providence in the summer, you get a chance to catch the WaterFire, one of the biggest events in the city. It’s a fun night of art and music with many vendors and great people watching.

October brings another fun attraction in Providence, Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. It’s an amazing display of more than 6,000 carved and illuminated pumpkins, each year with a different theme. It’s held at the Roger Williams Zoo every night in October and usually sells out, so be sure to get your tickets in advance.

The restaurant and craft brewery scene in very impressive, and there are many great places to choose from.

Distance: 51 miles

How to get from Boston to Providence: Providence is an easy, 1 hour ride from Boston. If you are in Boston without a car, there’s a direct train, that runs from the South Station throughout the day and takes just 40 minutes to get there.

Photo by Michael Denning on Unsplash

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

One of the best day trips from Boston is a small seaside city Portsmouth in New Hampshire, right over the border with Massachusetts. Portsmouth is just the right size, not too big nor too small, with just enough to do and see in a day. It’s also very walkable and it’s best explored on foot.

Portsmouth has a great, charming downtown, with Market Square being the center of it. That’s where you will find many great shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. It’s the place to get your shopping done and there is no sales tax in New Hampshire!

One of Portsmouth’s biggest attractions is Strawbery Banke Museum, an outdoor, living museum spread over 10 acres of land. There you can tour 39 historic buildings, gardens and learn about the history of the early settlers in Portsmouth. Strawbery Banke is a seasonal attraction and it’s open from May through the end of October.

If you are up for a more active way of exploring, you could join one of the bike tours. You can choose from the 2 hour Historic City Bike Tour or a scenic 2 hour Islands & Harbor Guided Bike Tour. Both go at a nice pace and are not too strenuous.

Portsmouth sits right on the Piscataqua River and there are several fun boat trips you can take. You can choose from a harbor tour aboard a sail boat with Gundalow Company or a Harbor & Isles of Shoals cruise along the islands with Isles of Shoals Steamboat Company.

Prescott Park is a great waterfront park, that is especially pretty during spring when everything is in bloom. Perfect place to stroll through or take a rest from exploring.

One of the fun things you can do in Portsmouth is walk across Memorial Bridge right into Maine. The bridge connects Portsmouth with Kittery, Maine and has a walking path, so you can say you walked to another state on foot.

If you love craft beer, you will enjoy visiting some of the breweries in Portsmouth. Right in downtown you have Portsmouth Brewery and Great Rhythm Brewery and Loaded Question Brewing Company just a short drive away.

Distance: 61 miles

How to get from Boston to Portsmouth: The easiest and quickest way to get to Portsmouth is by car, which is a solid 1 hour drive. Once in Portsmouth, there are plenty of parking options. The second best option is taking a C&J bus from South Station. It runs every couple of hours and gets to Portsmouth in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Memorial bridge in Portsmouth, NH

White Mountains, New Hampshire

Out of all the day trips from Boston on this list, this is the only one that exceeds the 2 hour drive. Normally, I would not suggest heading to White Mountains just for the day, as there’s just so much to do there. Unless you are visiting Boston in the fall, then making the drive up it’s totally worth it. New England in the fall is spectacular, and White Mountains are one of the top places to visit in the fall.

Keep in mind though, that being further up north, leaves start to change colors earlier than in Boston, so be sure to time it right. The peak is usually around the end of September – first week of October, but it does shift a bit depending on weather. You can use the NH Foliage tracker.

To make the most out of your day in the White Mountains, get an early start. This way you’ll be able to hit some of the top attractions in the area. Flume Gorge in Lincoln is a must visit. It’s a 2 mile loop hike with covered bridges, waterfalls and a beautiful gorge. It’s beautiful year round, but even more special in the Fall. That’s when it’s also most crowded, so get there right after it opens and book your tickets in advance.

After Flume Gorge, take a short drive up North and hike up to Artist Bluff, which takes you to a great lookout with amazing views of Echo Lake and foliage. It’s an easy and short hike.

Driving the 56 mile Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains National Forest is another must. With waterfalls, lookouts, hikes and gorgeous fall foliage along the way make this drive one of the most scenic drives in the country.

Your drive will end in North Conway, which is a cute town worth exploring. And honestly, you’ll see a lot of beauty just by driving around. That’s New Hampshire in the Fall.

Distance: 130 miles

How to get from Boston to White Mountains: This is one of the Boston day trips, that can be done pretty much by car only.

Organized Tour: If car is out of the question, your only other option is booking this Fall Foliage tour. It leaves from Boston ( includes hotel pick up ) and takes you on a long day of exploring the White Mountain region during the single most beautiful time of the year. If you are in Boston in the Fall and have never experienced New England Fall, this is a must.

view of Echo Lake from Artist Bluff in the White Mountains, NH in the Fall
view from Artist Bluff

Ogunquit, Maine

Ogunquit is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in Maine. Located right over the Massachusetts border, it makes for perfect day trip from Boston. Like most New England coastal towns, Ogunquit is a popular summer destination, but it’s just as great to visit off season. If you don’t mind colder temperatures and limited dining options, you might enjoy Ogunquit even in the winter months.

The town is also popular with the LGBTQ community, a lot like Provincetown, just a smaller version.

There are a few things to do in Ogunquit to keep your busy, but one you absolutely can’t miss, is taking a stroll on Marginal Way. It’s an insanely scenic 1 1/4 mile walk along the coastline with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The walk is not too hard and there are plenty of benches along the way to rest, people watch and take in the scenery. Marginal Way starts at the Ogunquit Beach and ends at Perkins Cove, a picturesque little village. There, you can pop into one of the many galleries and artisan shops.

If you are visiting in the summer and are looking for a beach day, Ogunquit is one of the best day trips from Boston to take. You have two beaches to choose from, the main, the usually more crowded Ogunquit Beach or the more quieter Footbridge Bridge.

Ogunquit Village is a hopping spot in the summer, although I do not recommend driving there. Leave your car behind and take a walk. If you are looking for lunch, Cornerstone Pizza is a great spot, with lots of great beer, that will satisfy any craft beer lover. Front Porch, right across the street from it, is a staple in town and a fantastic place for a drink. Barnacle Billy’s in Perkins Cove is a fun spot for lunch or just a drink ( try their rum punch ) on the deck with great water views.

A visit to Ogunquit can easily be paired with a stop in the nearby Kennebunkport. The town is less than 30 minutes from Ogunquit and it’s best known as the location of the summer compound of the Bush family.

Distance: 72 miles

How to get from Boston to Ogunquit: Ogunquit is one of the Boston day trips, that’s best done by car. You could take the Amtrak Downeaster train from the North Station to Wells, ME, which is the closest stop ( about 7 miles away and a 12 minute taxi ride to Ogunquit ).

Boston to Ogunquit Tour: If you are in Boston without a car, but would like to check out the south coast of Maine, this Coastal Maine Small Group Day Trip also includes a stop in Ogunquit.

views along the Marginal Way in Ogunquit
Footbridge Beach

Portland, Maine

Portland in Maine is perfect for a weekend getaway, but can make for a fun day trip as well. It’s an about 2 hour drive from Boston, so if you get an early start, you’ll have time to see quite a bit and do some of the best things in Portland, Maine.

One of the must do’s on your Portland day trip is strolling around Old Port, which is a really charming part of the city, with cobblestone streets, many fun bars, restaurants and galleries. There is a fun speakeasy bar on Market Street called Lincoln’s with $5 drinks ( cash only ). I won’t give away the details on how to get in, as finding the entrance is half the fun.

If you are a foodie, Portland won’t disappoint. There are countless amazing restaurants in the city, fun bars and great breweries for craft beer lovers. Be sure so stop at Duck Fat for the best Belgian-style fries fried in duck fat.

There are several fun boat trips to take around Casco Bay. Both Schooner Tall Ship Cruise and The Lighthouse Scenic Cruise are a great way to spend a couple of hours on the water. You can also hop on the Mailboat Run, which is a true working boat, that delivers mail and passengers to Casco Bay islands. The boat makes 5 stops and you are welcome to get off at any of them and explore. Keep in mind though, that just the round trip ride takes almost 3 hours.

Your day in Portland is not complete until you visit the Portland Head Light, the oldest and also most photographed lighthouse in Maine. With the rocky cliffs and endless ocean views, it looks almost like a painting. The lighthouse is located within the park, just a short drive from Portland’s downtown. There is no entrance fee, but you do have to pay for parking.

Distance: 112 miles

How to get from Boston to Portland: The easiest way to get to Portland from Boston is to drive, which should take under 2 hours. You can also take the Amtrak Downeaster train from North Station in Boston , as well as a bus from the South Station ( bus will take a bit longer, about 2.5 hours )

Aga with Portland Head Light in Portland, Maine
Portland Head Light is a must on your day trip to Portland, Maine
Old Port in Portland, Maine

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