Summer Day Trips Near Boston
The flowers are blooming and the sun is shining (well most of the time - rain, rain go away!), that can only mean one thing, summer is here! For us northerners, summer is sacred. The dreams of lazy days at the beach, afternoon ice cream treats, and those precious extra hours of sunlight are what get us through the long, cold, dark winter.
Here in New England, there is no shortage of summer fun to be had. And if you live in the Boston area or are visiting for an extended period of time, there are so many amazing places for a day trip! I’ve found that New Englanders are not fans of driving very far, unlike those of us from the Midwest who will literally say a 10 hour drive is “not that bad.” But don’t worry, all of these places are less than an hour from the City and most are accessible by the Commuter Rail, so no excuses, get out there and enjoy this fleeting summer!
Rockport
If you haven’t made a trip to Rockport, MA already - what are you waiting for? It’s such a quintessential New England coastal town. Rockport is lovely for an entire weekend, but it’s equally enjoyable for a day trip. Drive up, or take the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail. Once you arrive, choose your own adventure. Enjoy a lazy beach day at Front Beach and shopping on Bearskin Neck. Or drive a few miles north to hike at Halibut Point and grab lobster rolls at the Lobster Pool for lunch. If you’re staying for dinner, I cannot recommend Feather & Wedge enough and ice cream at the Ice Cream Store of course!
Hingham
While we generally stick to the North Shore, we happened upon Hingham while looking for a new hiking spot a few years ago. There is plenty to do in and around Hingham which boasts cute shops and delicious food. And you must check out the nearby World’s End park for a hike. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (you may recognize the name because he also was the landscape architect for New York City’s Central Park), the 251 acre park is filled with rolling hills, grand trees, and picturesque views. And if you are a Trustees member - a carload is free! And if you live in Massachusetts and love the outdoors, why would you not be a Trustees member? After a hike, visit the Bloomy Rind for some fuel - I’d recommend the roast beef sandwich, so yummy! Then explore downtown Hingham, I’d recommend checking out Acquire Good, an adorable gift shop. Before heading home, If you’re in the mood for ice cream, Nona’s Homemade is your spot.
Crane Beach
If you’re looking for a scenic drive and one of the best beaches around, a trip to Crane Beach is the perfect day trip for you. Ask anyone in the North Shore and you’ll hear great things about Crane Beach. Weekend tickets go on sale Thursdays at noon and they go fast, so you need to be online right at noon to grab your spot. With its hard-to-get, pricy admission, and all the hype, I thought I might be disappointed with the experience, but it was just as good as everyone says. Even my husband had a wonderful time, despite having his sandwich savagely stolen by one of the enormous seagulls that inhabit the beach - seriously, watch out! The amenities are great - large, well-kept changing rooms and a spot to buy lunch, drinks, and treats. And the views are spectacular with lots of beach front to post up on for the day. As a pre-beach day bonus (or for an off-season visit), I would highly recommend checking out their dune trails to enjoy a hike. To round out the day before your drive home stop by DownRiver Ice Cream for a refreshing treat. Tips: bring bug spray if you plan to hike the dunes and don’t forget that you can get discounted parking with a Trustees membership!
