20 Fun Weekend Getaways From Boston
One of the best things about New England is there are several states within driving distance for weekend getaways. Growing up, we would have many weekend getaways to beautiful towns around New England. I love how you can easily visit many states within a short drive.
New England is home to year-round activities, and no matter what season you want to plan a weekend trip from Boston, you’ll have endless activities to do. In the winter, you can spend a weekend skiing at one of its many resorts. In the spring, you can chase beautiful waterfalls. And in the summer and fall, you can enjoy hiking in the mountains.
This guide has everything you need to know about planning a weekend getaway from Boston, including the best places for your weekend trip!
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Best Time for Weekend Getaways From Boston
Winter
If you love skiing or snuggling up in a cozy cabin while watching the snow fall, winter is a perfect time for a weekend getaway from Boston! Winter is my favorite time to plan a weekend getaway, especially in the mountains.
New England has a lot of winter activities, including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, tubing, ice skating, and everything in between. Just make sure to pack warm clothes because winters are cold. If you don’t enjoy winter activities, there are plenty of places where you can cozy up in cute cabins!
Spring
Spring is a beautiful season to plan a weekend getaway from Boston. Once everything begins to bloom, New England becomes lush and green. It’s the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities, especially waterfall chasing. After the snow melts, the waterfalls have a high volume of water and are stunning.
Summer
Summer is one of the most popular times to plan a weekend getaway from Boston because the weather is warm, and the outdoor activities are endless! It’s the perfect time to explore a new city or hike in the mountains. You can also enjoy spending the weekend by the ocean and experiencing the beautiful coastline in New England.
Fall
Fall is the most popular time to plan a weekend getaway from Boston because the fall foliage is incredible throughout New England. Although Boston has foliage, there are places where you can experience more vibrant foliage, especially in the mountains. You will not be disappointed with anywhere you plan a weekend getaway in the fall!
The Best City Weekend Getaways From Boston
New York City, NY
Distance from Boston: 215 miles
Accommodations: New York City Hotels
If you are looking for a larger city for a weekend trip, New York City is perfect! It’s a long drive from Boston than most places on this list, but it’s well worth the extra time spent in the car! New York City is among the largest cities in the US and offers so much to do, including 270 skyscrapers and 6,000 high-rise buildings.
You could spend an entire week exploring everything the city offers, but you can see many of the must-see attractions in a few days. You can spend your weekend exploring its museums, experiencing the Statue of Liberty, or walking through Times Square. New York City will make you feel small in the best way possible!
Things to do in a weekend in New York City:
The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
One World Observatory
Empire State Building
Hudson Yards
Top of the Rock
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Portland, ME
Distance from Boston: 110 miles
Accommodations: Portland Hotels
Portland is a beautiful city along the coast of Maine and is a perfect place for a weekend getaway! It has many things to do, including delicious restaurants, cute shops, beautiful beaches, and stunning lighthouses. You can enjoy a stroll through Old Port, take a boat ride to a nearby island, or explore the iconic Portland Head Light. Portland is the perfect place to get away from the busy city and enjoy a smaller city.
Things to do in a weekend getaway in Portland:
Portland Head Light
Portland Museum of Art
Peaks Island
Bud Light
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Two Lights State Park
Portsmouth, NH
Distance from Boston: 60 miles
Accommodations: Portsmouth Hotels
If you are looking for an even smaller city for a weekend trip, Portsmouth is perfect! The beautiful city is along the New Hampshire coastline, and although it is a smaller city, it offers so much to do!
You can enjoy a walk through its downtown, explore the USS Albacore Museum, relax on a nearby beach, or hike in Odiorne Point State Park. Portsmouth also has many delicious restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food with ocean views.
Things to do in a weekend getaway in Portsmouth:
USS Albacore Museum
Prescott Park
Strawberry Banke Museum
Fort Stark State Historic Site
Odiorne Point State Park
Litchfield, CT
Distance from Boston: 130 miles
Accommodations: Litchfield Hotels
Although many people overlook Connecticut as a place to have a weekend getaway from Boston, there are many beautiful places to visit! Litchfield is one of the most beautiful residential areas in the US and is a great place to enjoy a weekend trip.
You can enjoy walking around the small downtown, skiing at Mohawk Mountain, seeing a play at Warner Theatre, or hiking nearby trails! The small, picturesque town will quickly become one of your favorite places for a weekend away!
Things to do in a weekend in Litchfield:
Mohawk Mountain
Mt Tom State Park
Topsmead State Forest
Black Rock State Park
Sunset Meadow Vineyards
Hartford, CT
Distance from Boston: 100 miles
Accommodations: Hartford Hotels
Although Hartford is much smaller than Boston, it doesn’t lack things to do, making it a great city for a weekend getaway! Similar to Boston, it’s one of America’s oldest and most historic cities, offering beautiful historic buildings to explore, including Connecticut’s Old State House, Henry Whitfield State Museum, and Connecticut State Capitol.
It also has a mix of stunning modern buildings! If you would rather spend your time outdoors, you can explore the Bushnell Park Foundation and Elizabeth Park Conservancy. Hartford is an underrated place for a weekend trip from Boston!
Things to do in a weekend in Harford:
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
The Mark Twain House & Museum
Connecticut Science Center
Connecticut’s Old State House
Elizabeth Park Conservancy
Great River Park
Newport, RI
Distance from Boston: 70 miles
Accommodations: Newport Hotels
Newport is a stunning city near the ocean, holds so much history, and isn’t too far from Boston for a weekend trip. One of the best things to do year-round is to explore the Newport Mansions and walk through the Gilded Age. Many of the mansions are museums that you can explore inside, too! If you want to enjoy a scenic walk near the Newport Mansions, you can walk the 3.5-mile cliff walk along the ocean.
If you are looking for a unique experience in the winter, you can get cozy in one of the igloos at Gurney’s, where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks! Newport is truly a beautiful place to visit year-round!
Things to do in a weekend in Newport:
The Breakers
Marble House
Rosecliff
Cliff Walk
Fort Adams State Park
Castle Hill Lighthouse
Brenton Point State Park
Burlington, VT
Distance from Boston: 210 miles
Accommodations: Burlington Hotels
Burlington is a beautiful city in Vermont on the shores of Lake Champlain and is perfect for a getaway year-round! Summer and fall are the most popular seasons to visit because the weather is warm, and the activities are endless. You can enjoy your weekend eating delicious food, exploring the Church Street Marketplace, boating on Lake Champlain, or hiking on nearby trails.
If you want to plan a winter weekend trip, Burlington is close to many ski resorts, offering many winter activities. Also, Vermont has the most breweries per capita in the United States, so if you are a beer-lover, Burlington has many breweries to visit! No matter what time of year you want to plan a weekend getaway, Burlington is the perfect place!
Things to do in a weekend in Burlington:
Church Street Marketplace
Waterfront Park
Red Rocks Park
Ben & Jerry’s Factory
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Spirit of Ethan Allen Lake Champlain Cruise
Providence, RI
Distance from Boston: 60 miles
Accommodations: Providence Hotels
Providence is another small city that holds a lot of history! Providence was one of the first places in the United States to industrialize, so you have the opportunity to walk through history in the city. There are also many museums and zoos to explore, including the RISD Museum, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Providence Children’s Museum!
If you would rather spend your time outdoors, you can spend your weekend exploring Roger Williams Park, Prospect Terrace, and Waterplace Park. Providence is an underrated city in New England for a getaway!
Things to do in a weekend in Providence:
Waterplace Park
Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park Zoo
WaterFire
RISD Museum
India Point Park
Mystic, CT
Distance from Boston: 100 miles
Accommodations: Mystic Hotels
If you are looking for a small city near the ocean for a weekend getaway, Mystic is perfect for you! Mystic was known as a shipbuilding center, and now it's known for being a scenic New England city. Because it is a small city, it tends to be less crowded than other cities, but it doesn’t lack things to do!
You can spend your weekend exploring the downtown area, walking in the Mystic Seaport, or visiting the Mystic Aquarium. Mystic is the perfect place for a weekend trip if you want to a city with quintessential New England charm!
Things to do in a weekend in Mystic:
Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic Aquarium
Mystic Museum of Art
Williams Beach Park
Mystic River Park
The Best Island Weekend Getaways From Boston
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Distance from Boston: 90 miles (includes ferry)
Accommodations: Martha's Vineyard Hotels
Are you looking for a weekend getaway from Boston on a beautiful island? Martha’s Vineyard is a stunning 20-mile-long island off the south coast of Cape Code and is the perfect place for a weekend trip, especially in the warmer months. The island is one of the most stunning places in Massachusetts, in my opinion, because of its beautiful beaches and cliffs. You will fall in love with the island as soon as you step foot on it! You can enjoy relaxing on its beaches, exploring Gay Head Light, or hiking to Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook.
Things to do in a weekend in Martha’s Vineyard:
Gay Head Light
Aquinnah Cliffs
Mytoi Japanese Garden
East Chop Lighthouse
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Long Point Beach
Nantucket, MA
Distance from Boston: 100 miles (includes ferry)
Accommodations: Nantucket Hotels
A great alternative to Martha’s Vineyard is Nantucket, a small island further off the southern coast of Cape Cod. The stunning 14-mile-long island is the perfect place for a weekend trip to explore beautiful beaches, go whale watching, eat delicious food, and explore lighthouses. The small island of Nantucket will quickly become one of your favorite places in New England!
Things to do in a weekend in Nantucket:
Brant Point Lighthouse
Sankaty Head Light
Great Point Lighthouse
Cisco Brewers
Whaling Museum
Madaket Beach
Block Island, RI
Distance from Boston: 100 miles (includes ferry)
Accommodations: Block Island Hotels
Are you looking for an island weekend getaway from Boston outside of Massachusetts? Block Island is 7-mile long island off the coast of Rhode Island that is perfect for a summer trip! The island has many beautiful beaches to relax on and offers outdoor activities, including hiking, sailing, fishing, and bicycling. Although it’s a small island, it will become a favorite spot of yours to visit!
Things to do in a weekend on Block Island:
South East Lighthouse
Mohegan Bluffs
Mansion Beach
Ballard’s Beach
Clayhead Nature Trail
The Best Nature Weekend Getaways From Boston
Cape Cod, MA
Distance from Boston: 70 to 110 miles
Accommodations: Cape Cod Hotels
If you are looking for a beach weekend trip from Boston, Cape Cod is perfect! Cape Cod is a stunning peninsula in Massachusetts with over 130 beaches, some of which are among the most beautiful beaches in the northeast!
There are plenty of areas to choose from, whether you want a quieter weekend getaway or a lively one. Provincetown is a lively part of Cape Cod and is perfect if you want a combination of beautiful beaches and fun nightlife. But no matter where you stay, you will be able to enjoy stunning beaches! You can also enjoy other non-beach things, like the Nauset Lighthouse, Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, and Heritage Museums & Gardens.
Things to do in a weekend getaway in Cape Cod:
Coast Guard Beach
Heritage Museums & Gardens
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
Race Point Lighthouse
Nauset Lighthouse
Race Point Beach
Nickerson State Park
North Conway, NH
Distance from Boston: 140 miles
Accommodations: North Conway Hotels
North Conway is one of the closest mountain towns near Boston, making it a great weekend getaway if you want to enjoy endless outdoor activities. North Conway is a stunning town in the White Mountains, offering year-round fun! You can enjoy skiing in the winter, waterfall chasing in the spring, hiking in the summer, and scenic foliage drives in the fall.
You cannot go wrong with visiting North Conway during any season because it has something for everyone year-round. And if you love hiking, North Conway is the perfect place for a weekend trip because it is near some of the most beautiful trails in New England!
Things to do in a weekend in North Conway:
Echo Lake State Park
Cathedral Ledge State Park
Kancamagush Highway
Mount Washington State Park
Conway Scenic Railroad
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Berkshires, MA
Distance from Boston: 130 miles
Accommodations: Berkshires Hotels
Did you know Massachusetts has mountains and waterfalls? Often people forget that Massachusetts is home to stunning outdoor areas, like the Berkshires! The Berkshires are in western Massachusetts and are the perfect place for a weekend trip from Boston if you want to escape the city and enjoy small towns. It offers many things to do year-round, including hiking trails, ski resorts, and museums. It’s the perfect place to escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful weekend in nature.
Things to do in a weekend in the Berkshires:
Mount Greylock
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
Wahconah Falls State Park
Bash Bish Falls State Park
Natural Bridge State Park
Normal Rockwell Museum
Bar Harbor, ME
Distance from Boston: 280 miles
Accommodations: Bar Harbor Hotels
Bar Harbor is home to the only national park in New England, Acadia National Park. Although you can spend a week exploring everything Acadia National Park offers, you can enjoy the must-see attractions in a few days. You can spend your weekend hiking, relaxing on a beach, or enjoying delicious seafood.
Acadia National Park is among the most-visited national parks in the US, and it is always crowded, especially during summer and fall. I recommend starting your days early to avoid most crowds and explore the must-see attractions before most people enter the park. No matter what, you will fall in love with everything Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park offer!
Things to do in a weekend in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park:
Cadillac Mountain
Schooner Head Overlook
Sand Beach
Otter Cliff
Jordan Pond
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Lincoln, NH
Distance from Boston: 130 miles
Accommodations: Lincoln Hotels
Lincoln is another stunning mountain town in New Hampshire and is a perfect place for a weekend getaway year-round! Whether you want to explore the outdoors or get cozy in a cabin, Lincoln has something for everyone.
Lincoln is in the western section of the White Mountains and offers some of the most beautiful hiking trails and scenic views in the state. You can enjoy a scenic aerial tramway ride on Cannon Mountain, ski at Loon Mountain, go waterfall chasing, or hike one of the many nearby trails.
Things to do in a weekend in Lincoln:
Ice Castles
Franconia Notch State Park
Cannon Mountain
Loon Mountain
Kancamagus Highway
Echo Lake
Stowe, VT
Distance from Boston: 200 miles
Accommodations: Stowe Hotels
If you want to enjoy a weekend trip from Boston to one of the most scenic places in New England, Stowe is perfect for you! Stowe is one of the most beautiful places in Vermont and offers so much to do!
You can enjoy your days hiking its many trails, waterfall chasing, skiing, or enjoying a cozy stay in a cabin. Even if you don’t want to hike or ski, you can still take in the stunning views from a scenic drive through Smugglers’ Notch. You will fall in love with this picturesque town!
Things to do in a weekend in Stowe:
Stowe Mountain Resort
Smuggerls’ Notch State Park
Mount Mansfield
Waterbury Center State Park
Gold Brook Covered Bridge
Ben & Jerry’s Factory
Meredith, NH
Distance from Boston: 110 miles
Accommodations: Meredith Hotels
Are you looking for a weekend getaway near lakes and mountains? The Lakes Region in New Hampshire is home to the most beautiful lakes in the state and is the perfect place for a weekend getaway! Meredith is a cute town near Lake Winnipesaukee and offers many things to do.
You can enjoy boating, hiking, or eating delicious food. And the best part? It’s a perfect place for a weekend trip year-round! The summer and fall are the busiest times in Meredith because it’s a boater's paradise. Winter is a quieter season but still offers many things to do! No matter what season you visit Meredith, you’ll love your time there!
Things to do in a weekend in Meredith:
Lake Winnipesaukee
Weirs Beach
Endicott Rock State Historic Site
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
M/S Mount Washington Scenic Tour Cruise
Manchester, VT
Distance from Boston: 150 miles
Accommodations: Manchester Hotels
And last but certainly not least, we have one of the most quaint and beautiful towns in Vermont, Manchester. Manchester is a quintessential New England town perfect for a weekend getaway from Boston. It’s a popular destination for many in the fall because of its vibrant fall foliage but offers many things to do year-round.
No matter what time of year you visit, you can spend your days exploring stunning churches, delicious restaurants, fun breweries, or nearby hiking trails! Manchester will quickly become one of your favorite little New England towns to visit.
Things to do in a weekend in Manchester:
Mount Equinox
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Equinox Valley Nursery
Lye Brook Falls
Southern Vermont Arts Center
If you are looking for the perfect place for a weekend trip from Boston, this guide is a great place to start! It has everything you need to know to plan your trip, including the 20 best places for a weekend getaway from Boston!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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