Daytrips outside of Boston
 

Hi!

I'm planning a vacation in Boston around May. I've done the downtown/Freedom Trail and Cambridge thing over 10 years ago when I was there. This time around, I would like to see more of Boston and MA--maybe take daytrips to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and maybe Nantucket. How feasible is it without a car? (If necessary, I can rent one, but would prefer not to.) Thanks.

Lilley

Consider the North Shore-Rockport, Salem, Gloucester. A good combination of history, culture and food.

You can take the commuter rail MBTA.com.

The areas south of Boston you mentioned may also have commuter access, I just don't know that area as well.

Many who visit Boston do not take advantage of the arts/architecture/food of Boston's South End. Try to get it in if you get a chance.

The PEM, peabody-essex museum in Salem is a must!!! IMHO

P.S. TKT is right, some of our favorite restaurants are in the South Eend.

You can get to Cape Cod, MV and Nantucket by plane from Logan airport in Boston.

To get to MV or Nantucket by ferry you should first get to Cape Cod island departure points - Hyannis or Falmouth-Woods Hole...this can be done by bus.

There is also a fast ferry from Boston to Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod.

There are shuttle boats that go to various Boston Harbor Islands - you can make a day of this, bring a picnic, see some history and some nature - not really daytrip outside of Boston, but not something that most people do.

there is a boat that goes to P-Town.

The high-speed Provincetown Express boat takes 1 1/2 hours and makes three round-trips daily from mid-May to late September. It leaves Boston's Commonwealth Pier at 8am, 1pm, and 5:30pm. On the return trip, it leaves Provincetown at 10am, 3pm, and 7:30pm. Tickets on the high-speed boat cost $35 one-way, $55 round-trip for adults. Seniors are $30 one-way and $50 round-trip. Children 4 to 11 are $20 one-way, $45 round-trip. Reservations are recommended

The 90 minute boat trip to Provincetown was very fast and enjoyable. Provincetown is very clean and there is a tower that you can climb up to the top of near the harbor. It is a nice little harbor town. It is very popular with the gay and lesbian community. My wife and I were definitely in the minority when we went to Provincetown.

If you want to go to an island, Martha's Vineyard is quite doable--and in some ways easier--w/o a car. The Bonanza bus goes straight to the ferry dock at Wood's Hole, where you board the boat. About 2 hrs on the bus and then 45 min on the ferry. Woods Hole is a tiny, picturesque village, so any time you have to pass there is also part of the whole Cape/Island experience. I believe the buses go from Logan, South Station and *maybe* Riverside station--altho not sure. Check out the Bonanza Bus website for accurate info. The long days in May are in your favor, as a quite lengthy daytrip can actually be done in daylight!!:)