It’s a small state, but my home state of Massachusetts is filled with family-friendly activities. From the historic attractions in Boston and Plymouth to the beaches on Cape Cod and the Islands, there’s so much to do. Whether you are visiting Massachusetts on its own, or as a part of a larger New England vacation, here are great day trips in Massachusetts with kids.
Boston
You can’t talk about places to visit in Massachusetts without leading off with the capital city of Boston. Boston is filled with family activities and is one of the best places to visit if you hope to see historical sites. You can even choose to stay in Boston and take various day trips from Boston and explore the city.
Boston: Museum of Science
Our favorite of these things to do in Boston is the Museum of Science because there are so many different hands-on things for kids. Stay for an IMAX or planetarium show, and you’ll be there for most of the day. Other museums in Boston include the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Children’s Museum, the Boston Children’s Museum, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Boston: Theater
For theater and culture, you can see a show from the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall or a play/musical in the theater district. Several theaters rotate touring productions of national shows. Local productions, including the Blue Man Group, are also available. There’s also the A.R.T. in Cambridge which offers shows (sometimes pre-Broadway) regularly. There are also several live music venues.
Salem
Salem, which is famous for the Salem witch trials from the 1600s, is located about 40 minutes outside of Boston on the North Shore and is one of the best day trips from Boston. This city offers waterfront views, shops, restaurants, and historic buildings among the Salem Witch attractions. If you’d like to learn more about the trials, the Salem Witch Museum has staged exhibits. Read more things to do in Salem here.
Rockport
Rockport is one of my favorite small towns. The entire Cape Ann area is a beautiful spot for a scenic drive, and it’s just a short drive from Boston. If you visit the Rockport area, you’ll want to go to Bearskin Neck. This neighborhood features shops and restaurants (lots and lots of seafood spots) in a quaint setting. You can park in one of the municipal lots or find on-street parking.
Plymouth
Known as America’s Birthplace, Plymouth is a must-visit for anyone who wants to explore US colonial history. Plymouth is located about 75-90 minutes outside of Boston, towards Cape Cod. It’s a great place to stop for a day trip as part of a road trip down to Cape Cod. Once you are there, you’ll want to visit the Plimoth Patuxet Museum. This living history museum features several sections, including the Wampanoag Homesite and the 17th-century English village.
Cape Cod
Best visited in the summer (or early fall), Cape Cod is filled with quaint shops, clam shacks, and other restaurants, family activities, beaches, and great hotels. One popular attraction is the Cape Cod National Seashore, which is part of the National Park Service.
Nantucket
Take a ferry from the mainland (or fly in) for a getaway to Nantucket. This island is located about 30 miles from the mainland in Hyannis but feels almost like another country. It’s relatively small, about 47 miles total, but there’s lots to do.
Martha’s Vineyard
Located about 4 miles from the coast of Cape Cod is Martha’s Vineyard. This island, larger than Nantucket, has several different towns to visit. It has more activities than Nantucket and is a shorter ferry ride. While you are there, you can visit beaches, shop, eat delicious food, bike, take nature walks, and more. There are several towns on the island, all with different things to offer. These include Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.
Other Massachusetts Options
There are other great places in Massachusetts to visit. This includes Fitchburg (home of the Great Wolf Lodge New England), Springfield (Dr. Seuss Museum and Basketball Hall of Fame), the Berkshires, Concord, and Sturbridge. Read more Massachusetts things to do/day trips here.