Boston is endlessly fun on its own, but one of the city’s best-kept secrets is how many amazing little towns and coastal gems sit just outside the city limits. From quaint beachside strolls to chocolate-tasting in Connecticut to a road trip up the New England coast, you can easily tack on a day or two beyond Boston to get a richer feel for the region. If you’re looking for easy day trips from Boston, these four destinations are some of my personal favorites — complete with exactly what to see, eat, and do.
If you’re planning a longer trip, check out my full Boston & Salem itinerary for an easy way to see both cities in one trip.
Just 30 minutes north of Boston, Swampscott feels like a small-town breather from city crowds. It’s one of the easiest day trips from Boston for anyone who loves ocean views and quiet coastal charm.
Stroll the beach: Take a walk along Swampscott’s sandy shoreline. It’s not flashy, but it’s peaceful, and the ocean air is exactly what you need after a few busy Boston days.
Explore local shops: The town center has boutique shops and cafés with a cozy, New England neighborhood feel.
Why go: It’s not about major attractions here—it’s about slowing down, browsing local stores, and watching the waves.
Swampscott is the perfect stop if you’re already driving up the North Shore. Pair it with a Salem visit for a relaxed, balanced day. You can pair this stop with a day exploring Salem — see my full Salem travel guide for ideas on what to do, eat, and see nearby.
About 45 minutes from Boston, Salem is world-famous for its 1692 witch trials, but these days it’s just as well-known for quirky shops, colonial charm, and a surprisingly good dining scene. This is one of the most popular day trips from Boston in the fall — but honestly, it’s fun year-round.
Witchy stops: Visit the Salem Witch Museum (even just for the exterior), the Witch House, or browse shops like Wynott Wands and Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe.
History + film buffs: Stop at Allison’s House from Hocus Pocus, or stroll Salem Common where scenes were filmed.
Lunch: Gulu-Gulu Café — get the Philly sandwich, mac and cheese, or a mocktail (the Autumn with cranberry, lemon, cinnamon, and ginger beer tastes like fall in a glass).
Sweet stop: Kakawa Chocolate House — order the sipping chocolate flight and don’t skip the sea salt caramel fudge.
Dinner: Settler — one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Order the whipped ricotta, the famous carrots with hazelnuts and raisins, and the pistachio gelato affogato. You can read my full review of Settler and see why it’s one of the best restaurants in Salem, and make your reservation here.
Pro tip: Salem gets packed in October. For lighter crowds, go in August or early September.
If you’re up for a 2.5-hour drive from Boston, Olde Mystic Village in Connecticut is worth the road trip. It’s a storybook-style outdoor shopping village with quirky stores, great food, and a duck pond right in the middle.
Shops & Stops I Loved:
Plants in the Village: A lush plant shop with fun souvenirs (the crochet cactus was my favorite).
Sofia’s Mystical Christmas: A year-round ornament shop, perfect for holiday hunters.
Sticky Situations: Sample endless honeys and syrups (apple syrup came home with me). In the same building, you’ll find truffle oils, cheeses, and more.
Munson’s Chocolates: Salted caramels and peanut butter cups — sit by the duck pond and snack.
The Cloak & Wand: Harry Potter-style cloaks, wands, and potions.
Alice in the Village: A whimsical tea shop with bubble teas, macarons, and décor straight out of Wonderland.
Modern Heritage Collective: Native jewelry, earthy gifts, cozy clothes (yes, I bought a sweater).
Food:
Toast + Tonic: Lemon blueberry crêpes + blue cheese & bacon grilled toast with tomato soup = perfect fall lunch.
Seven Birds Ice Cream: Small-batch flavors like sea salt stracciatella with house-made fudge.
It’s a little touristy, yes, but in the best way. Think of it as a mini vacation inside your vacation. For a deeper dive into everything Olde Mystic Village offers, check out my full Olde Mystic Village Connecticut guide for more food and shopping tips.
If you love a road trip, this coastal drive from Boston to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a perfect day of beaches, farms, and seafood.
Stop 1: Beverly – Nick’s Pizza, Subs & Roast Beef
Start your trip with a junior roast beef sandwich at Nick’s. Fresh, saucy, and legendary on the North Shore.
Stop 2: Ipswich – Russell Orchards & Crane Estate
Grab cider doughnuts at Russell Orchards, then explore the Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. Between the grand mansion, sweeping lawn, and ocean views, it feels like you’ve wandered onto a movie set.
Stop 3: Salisbury Beach
Stretch your legs on the boardwalk, grab a quick snack, or just soak up the small-town seaside vibe.
Stop 4: Amesbury – Friend Street & Cider Hill Farm
Pop into M. Cacao for artisan chocolate, then swing by Cider Hill Farm for local goods and a quintessential New England farm feel.
Final Stop: Portsmouth, NH
End your day in Portsmouth with a harbor stroll and dinner at Cure (their braised short ribs are outstanding). It’s a lively little city with a historic harbor and plenty of dining options.
One of the best parts of a Boston trip is how many side adventures you can fit in. Want something quick and breezy? Head to Swampscott. Looking for witchy history and amazing food? Salem’s your town. In the mood for a whimsical shopping day? Road trip to Mystic, Connecticut. And if you want a little of everything—beaches, farms, and lobster rolls—make the coastal drive up to Portsmouth.
Boston is fantastic, but its neighbors give you even more reasons to come back. If you prefer to stay local, see my Top 5 Things to Do in Boston.
Here’s the thing about Curaçao that nobody talks about enough there’s really no bad time to go. 🌤️ Outside the hurricane belt. Mid-80s nearly every day of the year. Colorful buildings no matter what month it is.
But there IS a difference between going in peak season vs. shoulder season, and it shows up in your wallet, your beach chair availability, and how long you’re waiting for a table at dinner.
Full breakdown of every season, what to expect, and when I’d personally go linked in bio.
I wasn’t expecting much. I just needed dinner. 🍽️ Kome ended up being one of the best meals of the entire trip.
Wood-fired everything. A menu that actually makes you read it twice. A vibe in Pietermaai that feels nothing like a tourist restaurant and everything like somewhere locals actually go. I didn’t rush. I didn’t check my phone. I just ate, start to finish, and enjoyed every single second of it.
If you’re in Curaçao and you only have one nice dinner make it this one.
#curaçao #travelling #travelvlog #musttryrestaurant #visitcuracao
Renting a golf cart in Bimini was genuinely one of the best decisions we made the entire cruise, and if you have a stop there, I cannot recommend it enough.
✨ Off the ship and behind the wheel within minutes
✨ Multiple beaches, food stops, and random pull-offs
✨ Zero tour schedules, zero waiting on strangers
✨ Just the island, at your own pace
Honest caveat: if you prefer a guided experience with everything planned out, a tour might suit you better. But if you like doing your own thing? This is it.
Everything you need to know about renting, where to go, what to budget, and our favorite stops, is linked in bio. 🔗
50 miles from Miami. Feels like a different planet. 🌴
One day in Bimini looks like: golf cart before 9am, Bimini bread still warm from the oven, water so clear it looks fake, and a conch stand where the guy knows everyone’s name.
No itinerary needed. But I made one anyway because that’s just who I am. Linked in bio
#bimini #biminibahamas #travel #travelblogger #visitbahamas
If you go to Bimini and don’t get conch salad… what are you even doing? 🐚
I’m not exaggerating when I say this ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. It’s a local staple, and after talking to enough people on the island, I realized fast, Bahamians have very strong opinions about where to get the best one.
So we made it a mission.
We tracked down the three spots that kept coming up over and over again, and I tried them all so you don’t have to guess.
Full breakdown is linked in bio. 🔗
#travel #travelblogger #bimini #bahamas #conchsalad
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