Side Trips from Boston
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Side Trips from Boston - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
BeachCrane Beach, one of New England's most stunning beaches, is a sandy, 4-mile-long stretch backed by dunes and a nature trail about an hour from...
Crane Beach, one of New England's most stunning beaches, is a sandy, 4-mile-long stretch backed by dunes and a nature trail about an hour from Boston. Public parking is available, but on a nice summer weekend it's usually full before lunch. There are lifeguards, a snack bar, and changing rooms. Check ahead before visiting mid-July to early August, when greenhead flies terrorize sunbathers. The Ipswich Essex Explorer bus runs between the Ipswich train station and Crane Beach weekends and holidays from June to September; the $5 pass includes round-trip bus fare and beach admission. Contact the Ipswich Visitor Information Center for information. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets; showers. Best for: swimming; walking.
310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich, Massachusetts, 01938, USA978-356–4354Sight Details
Rate Includes: In summer, from $25/car -
2. Peabody Essex Museum
Museum/GallerySalem's world-class museum celebrates superlative works from around the globe and across time, including American art and architecture, Asian...
Salem's world-class museum celebrates superlative works from around the globe and across time, including American art and architecture, Asian export art, photography, maritime art and history, as well as Native American, Oceanic, and African art. Its 30 galleries, housed in a contemplative blend of modern design, represent a diverse range of styles; exhibits include pieces ranging from American decorative and seamen's art to an interactive Art & Nature Center and photography. While there be sure to tour the Yin Yu Tang house. This fabulous 200-year-old house dates to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) of China. The museum brought it over from China in sections and reassembled it here.
View Tours and ActivitiesEast India Sq., Salem, Massachusetts, 01970, USA978-745–9500Sight Details
Rate Includes: $20, Closed Mon. -
3. Plimoth Plantation
Museum VillageAgainst the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, and 3 miles south of downtown Plymouth, this living museum shares the rich, interwoven story of...
Against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, and 3 miles south of downtown Plymouth, this living museum shares the rich, interwoven story of the Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag homeland through engaging daily programs and special events. A 1620s Pilgrim village has been carefully re-created, from the thatch roofs, cramped quarters, and open fireplaces to the long-horned livestock. Throw away your preconception of white collars and funny hats; through ongoing research, the Plimoth staff has developed a portrait of the Pilgrims that's more complex than the dour folk in school textbooks. Listen to the accents of the "residents," who never break out of character. Feel free to engage them in conversation about their life. Don't worry, 21st-century museum educators are on hand to help answer any questions you have as well. On the Wampanoag homesite meet native people speaking from a modern perspective of the traditions, lifeways, and culture of Eastern Woodlands Indigenous people. Note that there's not a lot of shade here in summer.
View Tours and Activities137 Warren Ave. (Rte. 3A), Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, USA508-746–1622Sight Details
Rate Includes: $28, Closed late-Nov.–mid-Mar. -
4. Salisbury Beach State Reservation
BeachRelax at the long sandy beach, launch a boat, or just enjoy the water. From Newburyport center, follow Bridge Road north, take a right on Beach...
Relax at the long sandy beach, launch a boat, or just enjoy the water. From Newburyport center, follow Bridge Road north, take a right on Beach Road, and follow it until you reach State Reservation Road. The park is popular with campers; reservations in summer are made many months ahead to ensure a spot.
Rte. 1A, 5 miles northeast of Newburyport, Beach Rd., Rte. 1A, Salisbury, Massachusetts, 01952, USA978-462–4481Sight Details
Rate Includes: Beach free, parking $9 -
5. Walden Pond
Park (National/State/Provincial)For lovers of Early American literature, a trip to Concord isn't complete without a pilgrimage to Henry David Thoreau's most famous residence...
For lovers of Early American literature, a trip to Concord isn't complete without a pilgrimage to Henry David Thoreau's most famous residence. Here, in 1845, at age 28, Thoreau moved into a one-room cabin—built for $28.12—on the shore of this 100-foot-deep kettle hole formed by the retreat of an ancient glacier. Living alone for the next two years, Thoreau discovered the benefits of solitude and the beauties of nature. Walden, published in 1854, is a mixture of philosophy, nature writing, and proto-ecology. The site of the original house is staked out in stone. A full-size, authentically furnished replica of the cabin stands about ½ mile from the original site, near the Walden Pond State Reservation parking lot. During the summer, don't be shocked if you aren't allowed entrance: Walden Pond has a visitor capacity.
915 Walden St. (Rte. 126), Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, USA978-369–3254Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, but parking is $8 for vehicles with Massachusetts plates, $15 for vehicles with non-Massachusetts plates, No dogs allowed -
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6. Wingaersheek Beach
BeachWith white sand and dunes, Wingaersheek Beach is a well-protected cove with both a beach side and a boat side. The white Annisquam lighthouse...
With white sand and dunes, Wingaersheek Beach is a well-protected cove with both a beach side and a boat side. The white Annisquam lighthouse is in the bay. The beach is known for its miles of white sand and calm waters. On weekends arrive early. The parking lot generally fills up by midmorning. It's handicap accessible and beach wheelchairs are available on request. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.
232 Atlantic St., Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930, USASight Details
Rate Includes: Limited parking, from $30 per car -
7. Abbot Hall
Museum/GalleryThe town's Victorian-era municipal building, built in 1876, displays Archibald Willard's painting The Spirit of '76. Many visitors, familiar...
The town's Victorian-era municipal building, built in 1876, displays Archibald Willard's painting The Spirit of '76. Many visitors, familiar since childhood with this image of the three Revolutionary veterans with fife, drum, and flag, are surprised to find the original in an otherwise unassuming town hall. Also on-site is a small naval museum exploring Marblehead's maritime past.
188 Washington St., Marblehead, Massachusetts, 01945, USA781-631–0000Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
8. Adams National Historic Park
Memorial/Monument/TombTake a guided tour of the birthplace and homes of Presidents John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, as well as the Stone Library and Adams...
Take a guided tour of the birthplace and homes of Presidents John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, as well as the Stone Library and Adams Crypt, where the Adams presidents and their wives are buried in Quincy's Church of the Presidents. Tours begin at the NPS Visitor Center and Bookstore at 1250 Hancock Street, with trolley transportation to all sites. Get your parking validated adjacent to the visitor center on Saville Road.
135 Adams St., Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, USA617-770–1175Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Dec.–Mar. -
9. Buckman Tavern
Historic District/SiteWhile waiting for the arrival of the British on the morning of April 19, 1775, the Minutemen gathered at this 1690 tavern. A half-hour tour...
While waiting for the arrival of the British on the morning of April 19, 1775, the Minutemen gathered at this 1690 tavern. A half-hour tour takes in the tavern's seven rooms, which have been restored to the way they looked in the 1770s. Among the items on display is an old front door with a hole made by a British musket ball.
1 Bedford St., Lexington, Massachusetts, 02420, USA781-862–1703Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Oct. 31–Apr. -
10. Cape Ann Museum
Museum/GalleryThe Cape Ann Museum celebrates the art, history, and culture of Cape Ann. The museum’s collections include fine art from the 19th century to...
The Cape Ann Museum celebrates the art, history, and culture of Cape Ann. The museum’s collections include fine art from the 19th century to the present, artifacts from the fishing, maritime, and granite-quarrying industries, as well as textiles, furniture, a library-archives, and two historic houses.
27 Pleasant St., Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930, USA978-283–0455Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12, Closed Mon. -
11. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Historic HomeThis 59-room Stuart-style mansion, built in 1927 for Richard Crane—of the Crane plumbing company—and his family, is part of the Crane Estate...
This 59-room Stuart-style mansion, built in 1927 for Richard Crane—of the Crane plumbing company—and his family, is part of the Crane Estate, a stretch of more than 2,100 acres along the Essex and Ipswich rivers, encompassing Castle Hill, Crane Beach, and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, all of which are now owned and operated by the nonprofit Trustees of Reservations. Although the original furnishings were sold at auction, the mansion has been elaborately refurnished in period style; photographs in most of the rooms show their original appearance. The Great House is open for guided and self-guided tours and also hosts concerts and other events. Inquire about seasonal programs like fly-fishing or kayaking. If you're looking for an opulent and exquisite overnight stay, book a room at the on-site Inn at Castle Hill.
290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich, Massachusetts, 01938, USA978-356–4351Sight Details
Rate Includes: Grounds: $15 per car; $2 per bicycle; $5 per motorcycle. Tours: prices vary, House closed Jan.–mid-Apr. Grounds open yr-round -
12. Concord Museum
Museum/GalleryThe original contents of Emerson's private study, as well as the world's largest collection of Thoreau artifacts, reside in this 1930 Colonial...
The original contents of Emerson's private study, as well as the world's largest collection of Thoreau artifacts, reside in this 1930 Colonial Revival building just east of the town center. The museum provides a good overview of the town's history, from its original American Indian settlement to the present. Highlights include American Indian artifacts, furnishings from Thoreau's Walden Pond cabin (there's a replica of the cabin itself on the museum's lawn), and one of the two lanterns hung at Boston's Old North Church to signal that the British were coming by sea. If you've brought children, ask for a free family activity pack.
200 Lexington Rd., GPS address is 53 Cambridge Tpke., Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, USA978-369–9763Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10 -
13. Custom House Maritime Museum
Museum/GalleryBuilt in 1835 in Greek Revival style, this museum contains exhibits on maritime history, ship models, tools, and paintings. ...
Built in 1835 in Greek Revival style, this museum contains exhibits on maritime history, ship models, tools, and paintings.
25 Water St., Newburyport, Massachusetts, 01950, USA978-462–8681Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7 -
14. Essex Shipbuilding Museum
Museum/GalleryAt what is still an active shipyard, this museum chronicles over 300 years of wooden shipbuilding. Essex launched approximately 4,000 vessels...
At what is still an active shipyard, this museum chronicles over 300 years of wooden shipbuilding. Essex launched approximately 4,000 vessels, most of them two-masted fishing schooners for the Gloucester fleet. The museum offers shipbuilding demonstrations, events, and self- and fully guided tours. The collection includes ship models on loan from the Smithsonian, as well as the 83-foot Evelina M. Goulart—one of only seven remaining Essex-built schooners.
66 Main St. (Rte. 133), Essex, Massachusetts, 01929, USA978-768–7541Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tours from $7, Closed Mon. and Tues. -
15. Fort Sewall
City ParkMagnificent views of Marblehead, of the harbor, the Misery Islands, and the Atlantic are best enjoyed from this fort built in 1644 atop the...
Magnificent views of Marblehead, of the harbor, the Misery Islands, and the Atlantic are best enjoyed from this fort built in 1644 atop the rocky cliffs of the harbor. Used as a defense against the French in 1742 as well as during the War of 1812, Ft. Sewall is today open to the public as community parkland. Barracks and underground quarters can still be seen, and Revolutionary War reenactments by members of the modern-day Glover's Marblehead Regiment are staged at the fort annually.
End of Front St., Marblehead, Massachusetts, 01945, USA781-631–1000Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
16. Good Harbor Beach
BeachThis beach has calm, waveless waters and soft sand, and is surrounded by grassy dunes, making it perfect any time of year. In summer (June,...
This beach has calm, waveless waters and soft sand, and is surrounded by grassy dunes, making it perfect any time of year. In summer (June, July, and August), it is lifeguard patrolled, handicap accessible, and there is a snack bar if you don't feel like packing in food. The restrooms and showers are wheelchair accessible, and you can pick up beach toys at the concessions. On weekdays parking is plentiful, but the lot fills by 10 am on weekends. In June, green flies can be bothersome. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.
Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930, USASight Details
Rate Includes: Parking $25 per car; $30 on weekends and holidays -
17. Hammond Castle Museum
Museum/GalleryInventor John Hays Hammond Jr., credited with more than 500 patents, including remote control via radio waves, built this structure in 1926...
Inventor John Hays Hammond Jr., credited with more than 500 patents, including remote control via radio waves, built this structure in 1926 to resemble a "medieval" stone castle. The museum contains medieval-style furnishings and paintings, and the Great Hall houses an impressive 8,200-pipe organ. From the castle you can see Norman's Woe Rock, made famous by Longfellow in his poem "The Wreck of the Hesperus." In July and August, unique "Spiritualism Tours" are an additional option on Thursday nights (for an extra fee), with discussion of topics like the Ouija board, spirit photography, séances, and the science behind Spiritualism.
80 Hesperus Ave., south side of Gloucester off Rte. 127, Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930, USA978-283–2080Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Mon. and Jan.–early Apr. -
18. Hancock-Clarke House
Historic District/SiteOn April 18, 1775, Paul Revere came here to warn patriots John Hancock and Sam Adams (who were staying at the house while attending the Provincial...
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere came here to warn patriots John Hancock and Sam Adams (who were staying at the house while attending the Provincial Congress in nearby Concord) of the advance of British troops. Hancock and Adams, on whose heads the British king had put a price, fled to avoid capture. The house, a parsonage built in 1698, is a 10-minute walk from Lexington Common. Inside is the Treasures of the Revolution exhibit, and outside, a Colonial herb garden.
36 Hancock St., Lexington, Massachusetts, 02420, USA781-862–1703Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Oct. 31–Apr. -
19. House of the Seven Gables
Historic HomeImmortalized in Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel, this site is itself a historic treasure. Built in 1668 and also known as the Turner-Ingersoll...
Immortalized in Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel, this site is itself a historic treasure. Built in 1668 and also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, the house includes the famous secret staircase, a re-creation of Hepzibah's cent shop from The House of Seven Gables, and some of the finest Georgian interiors in the country. Also on the property is the small house where Hawthorne was born in 1804; built in 1750, it was moved from its original location a few blocks away.
115 Derby St., Salem, Massachusetts, 01970, USA978-744–0991Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15 -
20. Lexington Common National Historic Site
Military SightIt was on this 2-acre triangle of land, commonly referred to as simply the "Battle Green," on April 19, 1775, that the first confrontation between...
It was on this 2-acre triangle of land, commonly referred to as simply the "Battle Green," on April 19, 1775, that the first confrontation between British soldiers, who were marching from Boston toward Concord, and the Colonial militia known as the Minutemen took place. The Minutemen—so called because they were able to prepare themselves at a moment's notice—were led by Captain John Parker, whose role in the American Revolution is commemorated in Henry Hudson Kitson's renowned 1900 Minuteman statue. Facing downtown Lexington at the tip of Battle Green, the statue's in a traffic island, and therefore makes for a difficult photo op.
Junction of Massachusetts Ave. and Bedford St., Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, USASight Details
Rate Includes: Free
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