Day Trips from Boston in Dec
 

So far, all I have planned for our week in Boston is that we have our air flights and hotel booked. Originally it was just my 16 yr old and myself, but now another daughter has decided she wants to go also and they want to go on a day trip from Boston. Can anyone recommend a day trip the week of Dec 27th? We are staying in Back Bay. I have looked at Berkshires and Marthas Vineyard but I don't know which would be better at that time of the year.
Thanks!!

The Berkshires are doable as a day trip if you have a specific place to see but it's a long day, and could be a longer drive depending on the weather. The Vineyard is also a long day and somewhat weather dependent. December is not the best time for a day trip there.

How about Newport, RI? A few of the mansions are decorated for Christmas and I would think the decorations would still be up. But you can check their website. Usually the Breakers is the one that has the lavish decorations.

What are you and your daughters interested in? Museums, shopping, history?

Closer to Boston, Salem is an easy day trip and wouldn't require a car.

The weather is variable at that time of the year.

I wouldn't pick either the Berkshires or Martha'a Vineyard. Both are very long days and not great in December.

The Berkshires is a 2 hour drive just to get out the Mass Pike, and then more driving to get to whatever you want to do out there. Plus there is the possibility of bad winter weather to contend with, and rush hour traffic and so on. I would not do it without an overnight.

I echo cw's question....what are you interested in doing? What made you pick those 2 places in the first place?

Also, how do you plan to make the day trip? renting a car is obviously best, but since you don't mention...

Remember that it will be dark by 4:30 in December.

I agree with cw about Salem. You can go by train from North Station and walk or take a cab to the historic district. There are Federal houses, narrow streets with 19th century cottages, the House of the Seven Gables, the Customs House where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked, and the fantastic Peabody-Essex Museum. The PEM is not just paintings but include a lot of cultural artifacts including a real Chinese house and three historic US houses. It even has a good cafeteria.

There is of course a lot of witch stuff in Salem, most of it utterly fraudulent and meretricious.

As I recall, OP is from the South. How about a day-trip to go skiing?

If you haven't skied before, there are a couple of easily-drivable ski areas where you can rent equipment and take a beginner's lesson. Nashoba Valley in Westford is about 45 mins away by car and a good choice.

Thanks for replying yall. We will def go to Salem for one of the days. Another day we will do the Freedom Trail. But we will be there from Sat nite till the following sat morning. And I don't know what will be open on New Years day to do. I am sure the girls would love a skiing lesson. Does the T go to the Nashoba Valley or would we take a cab? And I will look up the PEM, sounds awesome. I keep forgetting that it gets dark sooo early there!! I think the girls are really hoping to see the pretty white snow!!

Westford is out in the suburbs...too far for the T or a cab. You could take the commuter rail to Littleton, and get a taxi at the station, but you probably know that suburban taxis anywhere are expensive. A rental car would probably be cheaper.

Blue Hills reservation also has ski lessons, and might be closer, but still involves commuter rail and taxi. But it's a bit more urban so the taxi might be easier or a little cheaper. You could call a local taxi company and find out.

You have the proper clothing for a day of skiing?

I like the Newport mansions idea.

no ski clothes, no skiing in Louisiana!! Does the T go to Newport??
I plan on having hand warmer packets in our gloves. We were all planning on jeans and sweatshirts, hoping that will be warm enough. And they want to get some Boston sweats while we are there. It's been 95-100 down here so it's hard to find any winter clothes now!!!
They ( age 16 and 23) both agreed to going to one museum one afternoon as long as we go shopping one afternoon!

I would suggest finding a good thrift shop and getting warm coats. You will not be warm enough in sweatshirts. Downtown Boston can be very windy so I suggest warm hats as well. I think it's a warm day if I can go from the car to a store/mall in December just wearing a fleece vest or jacket. If it's slushy, you'll also want waterproof shoes. But the bad news is that it rarely snows before January. Of course, we can also have a blizzard for Thanksgiving and once recently we had snow for Halloween which is extremely unusual but can happen.

I vote for Newport RI and Salem MA. You can also find skiing in NH but it would also require renting a car. I93 from Boston takes you to NH's White Mountains. Once your trip gets closer, you can see which ski areas have snow. They'll start making it as soon as it's cold enough. Some ski areas also offer tubing.

The temperatures at the end of December range from the 20s-40s usually. You'll need warm coats to wear over your sweatshirts, sturdy shoes, warm socks, hats, gloves, and scarves. The wind can make it seem even colder.

For shopping you can visit the outlets at Asssembly Row, easily reached on the Orange Line. Www.assemblyrow.com

To get to Newport, you can take a train and a bus but it's much more practical to rent a car. It's about a 1 hour, 45 minute, drive from Boston.

To check public transportation, the "T", look at maps on www.mbta.com. There is also a route planner.

Have you ever driven in snow? The weather would be one of my considerations before renting a car.
We were in Boston for a week at Christmas a few years ago. It was bitter cold, and even with thermal underwear and outerwear appropriate for skiing, we Had to find more "indoor activities" to alternate with the typical outside tours. That said, one of our favorite things was ice skating on Frog Pond, I think in the public gardens.

Do get warm shoes and coats before you go. It's no fun when you are cold!

<Do get warm shoes and coats before you go. It's no fun when you are cold!>
I agree 100%!

If you wait to shop until you get to Boston you may be running around freezing, trying to find something that fits you and your budget and that would be miserable.

Keep in mind that as a tourist, you will be out and about more than you would be at home on a cold day.

<They ( age 16 and 23) both agreed to going to one museum one afternoon>
I vote for the Isabella Stewart Gardiner. The collection is housed in a beautiful mansion she had built in order for the public to enjoy it. The MFA(which is huge!) is basically next door, so if you find you want another museum, there you are.

Oh, btw, we loved Newport, but you really should drive there. Lots of mansions to tour--and they should look so great at Christmas!--and a pretty town and harbor.

I have only driven in light snow flurries that we had about 10 years ago!! So I really don't want to rent a car. And am too old to learn to I think!! ha!
We all have Ugg boots but idk if they can get wet. I wore mine once last year! What type shoes do yall wear?? We live in sandles down here!!
We may need one suitcase just for scarves, hats etc!! The weather guy said we are having a cold front this week, it's getting down to 91 later this week!!
Thanks for the advice everyone!!
And cw for the mall website!

I spray my Ugg's with water proof spray and they do fine in snow. I avoid puddles though. If the weather is not good just change plans. Don't drive if the forecast is bad.

I have different boots--but wear short boots or hiking sneakers when it's cold.

By Dec most everyone is wearing boots every day - if it's snowing or not. (Students may still be wearing sneakers but they MUST be waterproofed.)

Agree that you will need winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots with non-skid soles.

Obviously no one knows in advance but the Farmer's Almanac is saying this will be another severe winter in the northeast - so you may have to deal with substantial snow in the city. (I've been stuck overnight at Logan due to a sleet storm - in the second half of April.)

They want to see beautiful white snow!!! And I do too!!
Do yall know if anything (restaurants) will be open on New Years Day?

many restaurants will be open. Particularly hotel restaurants. New Years day brunch is a big deal. Some recommendations from last year here:
http://boston.eater.com/maps/brunch-...somerville-map

Thanks China cat!!

Sadly beautiful white snow lasts a day followed by dirty plowed snow.

The Uggs will be fine if you waterproof them as cw suggests.

It gets chilly in NOLA in winter--surely people have coats.

If there is snow, and you have warm enough clothes to enjoy it, you might consider visiting one of the parks, such as the Arnold Arboreteum, or Blue Hills reservation. These would be really pretty in the snow.

Another thing to consider if the girls can handle a non-art museum, is the JFK library. You can get there by public transit, and the exhibits really are pretty interesting. It was such a fascinating period....there's stuff about the space program, the Bay of Pigs, and of course Jackie and her clothes, and the redecorating of the White House. I actually think your daughters I might like It. And the building, designed by IM Pei is gorgeous,

Lol Newbe, we have coats, just not warm enough for skiing!
I will def Google the ideas you mentioned China, thanks. I have 3 girls that love fashion.
I told them we could go to Colarado and def see snow but they have always wanted to see Boston. The youngest already wants us to move to Boston! I am not sure Boston is ready for that!!

I had a colleague from Arkansas who didn't own a winter coat at all when she moved to NYC - said they just aren't necessary there. She had a raincoat with a liner and said if this is not warm enough it's "too cold to go out". She got a big shock her first winter in NYC - when she found out you have to go to work despite the snow - as long as the subway is running.

<"too cold to go out".>
Very true, lol. That's how some people are here in Florida. This why I pointed out that tourists won't have that luxury!

I have a short leather jacket that I plan on wearing there. The schools close here if there is sleet! I usually just hop in the car and put the heat on! Have never worn gloves down here!

From Boston, we once day-tripped to Provincetown, via ferry:

https://ticketing.bostonharborcruise...?CG=EXCR&C=BRT

It's a fast ferry, and the little town is walkable. Lots of shops and restaurants.

And Annapolis is a good day-trip, if you have a car.

Annapolis, Maryland?

There are no ferry's to P'town in December Tabernashty2

And there is no Annapolis day trips from Boston anytime of year.

Sheesh-- I was thinking Baltimore, not Boston! Never mind!

And the ferry doesn't run in December?

I'm a big help, aren't I??