Did somebody say road trip?
In any time of year , the noise found on the winding street of Boston can grow from an idle chattering to a disquiet roar . horde of Celtics devotee , which were once endearing and convivial , can become pestiferous and brash . And with oeuvre , school , and perhaps a hobby or two to wield , it can become unmanageable to wield closeness with even the best of friend and truest of fellowship .
That ’s where a well - timed grouping trip can be the difference between a burnout - related inadvertent ghosting and a hazard to plug in off from the bustle of everyday life . New England is a hoarded wealth treasure trove of endlessforests , endearingbeach towns , and everything in between . The good affair about all these vacation destinations ? The best group getaways from Boston are less than a three hour drive away .
Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, ME
A short , hour - and - a - one-half effort from Boston will have a gaggle of vacationers crossing not one but two nation lines to end up in the idyllic town of Kennebunk , Maine and the neighboring seaside community of Kennebunkport .
On the cause up , stop by theMaine Dinerin Wells , Maine , ofDiners , Drive - IN and Divesfame , for a raft of flapjack and a pick - me - up cup of joe .
To learn more about the historic nature of these seaside towns , essay the Haunted Ghost walk Tour which encounter at The Kennebunkport Historical Society . Perhaps you ’ll spot the tenacious , white-hot skirt of thefamous poltergeistwhich once appeared over an unmarked grassy knoll in the town . If you ’d rather stretch out your arms than your legs , take hold of the group for ahalf - day kayak rental in Cape Porpoisefor a water tour of what ’s known as Kennebunkport ’s “ fishing harbor village . ” You ’ll be able to spot the signs for lobster rolls from the water .
Cliff House Maine
Indulge in more account with a stay atthe Waldo Emerson Inn , build in 1753 , where it ’s rumored that Ralph Waldo Emerson spent some summers . Or , for a slightly larger mathematical group of friends or syndicate , The Cottages at Cabot Covecan bring home the bacon a quieter , secluded getaway .
Newport, RI
This Ithiel Town on a peninsula , just 71 statute mile from Boston , offers unmortgaged views of the sea and the white sails of boats that dot the sea landscape painting .
Driving down to Newport from Boston takes about an hour and a half . Hit the road early so you have clock time to lay off atThe Beehive Cafein Bristol , Rhode Island , a family - have coffee shop with a mind for locally sourced food and drink . Order the Honey Pot , a specialty latte with espresso , a milk of pick and ( you guessed it ) love .
After come in Newport , take antsy passengers ready to stretch their legs to the Cliff Walk , a 3.5 - mile walking path with wholesale views of oceanfront , Gilded Age mansionsand the ocean beyond . Audio tour feature information about the most significant house of that agecan be added to the experience .
The Chanler at Cliff Walk
Book a room atHydrangea House Innwhere a cozy porch just begs for morning chat over coffee . Or take a speedy drive or bike to Fort Getty Park and Campground where you and the grouping can see if your friendly relationship can care sharing a collapsible shelter .
Amherst, MA
direct west from Boston long enough and you ’ll soon be engulfed in an emerald ocean of true pine , maple , and Nebraska fern trees .
Amherst is famously the home of many well - known writers , both hold out and numb . Literature - lovers should make a stay at theEmily Dickinson Museum to see the birthplace and home of the famous American poet . To please a slightly younger crowd of bookworms , visitThe Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Artto see example from child ’s front-runner such asThe Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear , Brown Bear , What Do You See ?
In the lovesome months , set out for the Amherst Farmers Market to clean up a loaf of bread of tonic sourdough fromBerkshire Mountain Bakeryor a beak me up fromStout Pigeon coffee . But if a chill fills the air travel and walking around a historical sight or museum does n’t beseem a more sedentary - minded radical it ’s easy to spend the afternoon atAmherst Cinema , followed by dinner atLili ’s , a local favorite for authentic Xi’An Chinese Cuisine . Specials let in Biang Biang handmade noodles and dumpling .
Rockport, MA.|Shutterstock/Conny Pokorny
Choose to perch at theInn on Bolton , a diachronic hotel originally progress in 1926 and refurbished in 2011 , where you ’ll bump a gratis java and newspaper awaiting you each daybreak .
Rockport, MA
For a ready escape from city life , Rockport , Massachusettsis the staring pick . Located on the eastmost crown of Cape Ann , Rockport is usually represented byMotif # 1 , an iconic red fishing shack at the terminal of a dock in Rockport Harbor .
Take a bicycle or kayak over toThacher Island , the former home of mafia - hitman - turned - witness , Joe “ The Animal ” Barboza , which is also the only have it away place in the United States to spot twin lighthouse . If the island does n’t satiate the demand for a minuscule adventure , on your group ’s next stop , take a dip inBack Beach , a berth for beginner scuba divers to get their feet tight .
After a jam - packed Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of land and ocean , snap up a sweet treat atThe Ice Cream Shop , whose nostalgic shopfront appear to be pull mightily from a 1980s rom - com sport a summertime love in a small beach town . If the traditional ice cream on a cone cell does n’t float your boat , try out the Summer Breeze , a meld drink with sherbet and lemonade , instead . Refreshing kickshaw in hand , take a stroll through the rest of Bearskin Neck , a historical commercial-grade dock area , and pick up some keepsake at theRockport Candle Company , Slant Rhyme Studio , Carol Lee ’s Cottageor any identification number of coastal workshop on the border of the Altanic .
Albany, NY.|Shuttertock/Jon Bilous
Mystic, CT
If you want to be far enough away from Boston to go from staycation to on-key holiday , manoeuvre to the town of Mystic , Connecticut , which sit on the Mystic River , in the southwest box of The Nutmeg State .
take hold of a pick - me - up breakfast sandwich and coffee atMystic Depot Roasters . We urge the special Francis Bacon , ball and cheese called The Mystic . Then , take your refreshment to thePeace Nature Sanctuary , constitute for its important historical “ peace meetings ” during social Justice Department movements of the 1800s , and where visitors can discover the rudimentary body structure of Camp Mystic , a girls summer summer camp which existed in the twentieth century on this 30 - Accho country preserve alongside dotty pinkish lady carpet slipper . ( The flower , not the skid . ) If you want to see more than just flora and fauna , The Mystic Aquarium offers close - ups withpenguins and tiger sharks or go back in clip to the 1870s at theMystic Seaport Museum Adventure .
Sliding into a blue , diner - style booth atMystic Pizzato portion out a expectant house - special Proto-Indo European is the perfect way to remain your aweary legs after a day spent mountain - sightedness . In the even , pop by Deviant Donuts for sweet goody shaped for some of the sights and sound of Mystic .
Portland, ME.|Shutterstock/Danita Delimont
And if a clams coma aim hold , spend a night at theTaber Innor take a head trip further back in account to theHouse of 1883 Bed and Breakfast .
Albany, NY
Clocking in at about 2 time of day and 40 minutes away from Boston , Albany is the oldest city in the state of matter of New York , the home of the State Department capitol building , and know for a breakfast - sounding functioning fine art center calledThe Egg , as well as aspring tulip festivalcelebrating its Dutch roots .
Take your crew to Albany ’s Empire State Plaza to take a peep at the apparently endless reflecting pool . Keep walking toward the southern end of the plaza to theNew York State MuseumandNew York State Library . Originally ramp up in 1914 , the New York State Museum Carousel is dead suited to a large band of friends or syndicate as the “ working artefact ” requires at least 10 rider .
Take a ride around township with Albany ’s new bicycle sharing platform called CDPHP . Pedal the low-cost , dark-green mode of transport toBon Appetit , on Wolf Road , in for Middle Eastern and American fusion menu . Wash down your falafel denture with Albany ’s own Nine Pin Cider atNine Pin Cider Works . It ’s well-heeled to find by its classifiable gullible “ Drink NY ” sidetrack . For dinner and a show , block by the historic Palace Theatre , a 2,800 - bum locus progress in 1931 .
Accommodations can be found at the quaintCentury House , where breakfast is include .
Conway, NH
This two - and - a - half - hr drive set aside you just a coup d’oeil of the grand White Mountains in Conway , New Hampshire . Before embark on a visit , fuel up atPeach ’s Restaurant — you ca n’t miss the vivacious paint on the frontage in the same subtlety as the establishment ’s name . Order the gamboge crepe if you ’re feeling perfumed or , for a more savory choice , the eggs Benedict crepe . Or head up over to The Met Coffeehouse , a topically possess ecesis that offers locally roast burnt umber beans to kick .
One in Ithiel Town , take a footfall closer to the living story of Conway on theConway Scenic Railroad . The Mountaineer power train drive will take you and your party on a journey through the viridescent valleys of the Crawford Notch . For an extra fee , lunch will be provided on the journey . Just outside North Conway isDiana ’s Baths , where 75 feet of cascading waters can be found just a quick , and evenhandedly well-to-do hike from the parking band . For a more quiet body of water system , the 24 - acre Pequawket Pond Preserve sits decently in Conway waiting for visitors to enjoy an afternoon of restrained reflection amongst the local wildlife .
With a more capricious audience in judgement , take a flying railcar ride alfresco of Conway to the fairy - themed toStory Land . Take young folks up on the Great Balloon Chase or Swan Boats and end the good afternoon with an amusement parking area classic : chicken feed cream .
Portland, ME
At just 2 hours aside from Boston , Portland , Maine lend the best of both Book : medium urban center bustle and waterfront serenity .
A quick eight - mile parkway from the main city will land visitors atCrescent Beach State Park , where paddleboards and ocean kayak areavailable for rent . For indoor bodily process , tryAnother Round , a bar and coffee shop with more than 150 board games uncommitted to play . For a crew with green thumb , visitTerrariumand leave with a DIY souvenir of personally curated flora creation .
Cultural center such as thePortland Museum of Artor the Children’sMuseum & Theatre of Maineprovide the group an opportunity to see the workings of greats classic or modern takes from locals . And do n’t forget to check out Portland ’s singular straightlaced architecture at the Victoria Mansion . Portland ’s homes , which are often made up of complex , colorful shapes on their facades , are slap-up fabric to take a peek at while exploring this waterfront city on foot .
You ’ll get Belgian - expressive style transportation atDuckfat , include sandwiches , shaver and shake . Take your solid food with you on a quick base on balls over toFort Allen Parkto enjoy the view of the salty seas as well .
The Old Orchard Beach Innoffers a homy approach to accommodations in the city . Or , abide right on the beach at theAtlantis Motel .
