My husband and I are flying into Boston and would like to spend about 4 days somewhere within a 2hr. drive of Boston.
What we're looking for is a beautiful area, picturesque, with the feel of the holidays. Maybe lights, decorations.....
Any ideas?

Although all the shops and stores are geared up for the day after Thanksgiving, the true holiday celebrations don't seem to start until the first week of December...tree lightings on the Commons throughout the state, pageants and street fairs. I recommend going north, to Salem, Gloucester and Rockport (or forge on to Newburport, Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME, then another day out to Concord and Lexington.. For a Thanksgiving feel, choose Sturbridge or Plimouth Plantation but Plymouth is otherwise boring...

or how about Newport, RI? The mansions have wonderful holiday decorations, but i am unsure how early they start the season. Newport, not in the summer, is breathtaking,( no tourists and beautiful ocean front restaurants, drives, and shops ).

Using a bread and breakfast in Boston and traveling to Newport or Portsmouth makes sense.. Many places close this time of the year and there is so much going on in Boston and I'm sure the lights and decorations will be up.. The Boston Common is gorgeous with all the lit trees

your replies don't seem to be showing in the post.....maybe this one will encourage them to report the rest (which are available to read when you go to "post a reply" . good luck

Sharon,

I grew up in the Berkshires, far western MA, and frankly mid November was my least favorite time of the year. The leaves had fallen, but the snow had not. All was dormant, waiting for winter, and the landscape just seemed so gray. Halloween was past, Thanksgiving not yet on us. Do you have an option for visiting a bit later? Decorations pick up after Thanksgiving and when the snow begins to fly, it can be absolutely beautiful once again.

I've posted this twice, but here goes again: we were in Newport, Rhode Island, the weekend before Thanksgiving last year and stayed at the Francis Malbone House--which I highly recommend it. Preparations were underway for the beginning of the holiday season which starts Thanksgiving weekend, and many homes and shops were already decorated. It was sunny and cold, but we enjoyed ourselves.

This probably won't cover 4 days but could be part of your itinerary: Plymouth.

it's about an hour's drive from Boston. At that time of year, they'll do a lot of stuff about Thanksgiving, and you can tour a replica of the Mayflower. Again, I'm not sure you'll want to spend the whole time there, so maybe you could just drive to Cape Cod, or someplace like that, from Plymouth.

I have planned a "Holiday" vacation for you that meets all your criteria and will knock your socks off.

Make reservations (now) to stay in Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod for your 4 day sidetrip and make Wednesday, November 21 one of the days. That night is the lighting of the Pilgrim Monument. More than 5,00 lights are draped up and down the granite structure making it the country's tallest christmas tree.

Try to get a room at the Land's End Inn situated high on a hill overlooking the town, monument and Cape Cod Bay. This place is aglow with lights and artifacts all year long but really goes all out during the Holiday season including their own Christmas tree in the Great Hall.

Plan your drive from Boston to Provincetown so that you arrive at the canal in the evening when it is just getting dark. Then take route 6A (Old king's Highway) from the canal to Provincetown. You will just love the holiday lighting and displays along the way.

Enjoy!

I agree that November rivals March with being my least favorite month here. Everything is barren and dreary. You will not have much luck finding anything picturesque in November especially before Christmas decorations go up at Thanksgiving. On the other hand, one month earlier (beginning to mid October) is my very favorite time of year. The weather is gorgeous (60''s) and the leaves are breathtaking. Any chance of rethinking your timing?

Mid November is a bit early for Christmas decorations, especially in rural New England. This is also a raw, stark time of the year. This being said, there are many beautiful villages within a few hours of Boston. One of the most beautiful (and expensive) is Litchfield Connecticut; a town of very old rambling homes with immaculate grounds and very scenic countryside. Another very nice town is New London New Hampshire, which is somewhat like Litchfield on a smaller scale. There are dozens of others in the Berkshires (eg: Stockbridge) and New Hampshire, not to mention Vermont!