Best Day Trips from Boston
Boston sits within easy reach of some of New England's most rewarding day trips — the witch trials of Salem, the beaches of Cape Cod, the islands of Martha's Vineyard, and the Pilgrim landing at Plymouth. Here is how to plan the best day trips from Boston, with the top-rated tours, ferries and guided excursions to book for each.
At a glance
- 1Salem witch trials & historic port
- 2Cape Cod & Provincetown by ferry
- 3Plymouth, Mayflower II & the Pilgrims
- 4Martha's Vineyard island escape
Salem and the witch trials
Just 30 minutes north of Boston, Salem trades on its dark 1692 legacy of witch trials, hangings and hysteria. Day trips from Boston pair the fast ferry or a coach with guided walks past the Witch Trials Memorial, the Old Burying Point and costumed storytellers who bring the panic to life. Many tours add nearby Marblehead or Hammond Castle, making Salem the most popular single-day escape from the city.
Cape Cod, Provincetown and the islands
For sand and sea, head south to Cape Cod. The high-speed ferry to Provincetown skims across the bay to a lively harbor town of dune tours, galleries and whale-watching, while coach trips loop the Cape's lighthouses and beaches. Ferries also run to Martha's Vineyard, where gingerbread cottages, cliffs and cycling trails fill an easy day. Book island day trips early in summer, when weekend sailings sell out fast.
Plymouth and the Pilgrim story
A short drive south of Boston brings you to Plymouth, where the Pilgrims stepped ashore in 1620. Day trips visit Plymouth Rock, the reconstructed Mayflower II and the living-history village of Plimoth Patuxet, where interpreters recreate colonial and Wampanoag life. Some tours combine Plymouth with Quincy's presidential sites or Cape Cod, so you can trace the founding of New England before returning to Boston for the evening.
Book the experiences in this itinerary
Top-rated tours for exactly what this plan recommends in Boston — prices per person.
