14 Boston Day Trips for Kids & Families to Explore

DayTrips for Boston Kids & Families

Discover the Best Boston Daytrips for Families

Looking for the perfect family adventure without the hassle of a long trip? Our guide to the best Boston daytrips has you covered! Whether you're craving coastal charm, historical exploration, or outdoor fun, these daytrips from Boston offer something for everyone.

From the quaint streets of Rockport to the interactive exhibits at the EcoTarium in Worcester, these destinations are ideal for creating memorable experiences with your loved ones.

Dive into our expertly curated list of daytrips north, south, and west of Boston to find your next family outing. Explore stunning beaches, vibrant small towns, engaging museums, and scenic parks—all just a short drive from the city. Each destination is packed with activities and attractions perfect for kids and parents alike, ensuring a fun and enriching day out.

Whether you're planning a spontaneous getaway or a well-thought-out excursion, our guide is your ultimate resource for Boston daytrips. Read on to discover the best spots to visit, delicious places to eat, and exciting activities that will make your daytrips from Boston unforgettable.

Daytrips North of Boston

Rockport, MA
Enjoy a leisurely day in this quaint shoreline town. Stroll along Main Street and Bearskin Neck to explore unique stores. At the end of Bearskin Neck, walk out on the rock jetty, relax, and decide where to eat.

Try seafood at Roy Moore’s, a gourmet smash burger at Little Sister, followed by gelato or Italian ice at Robin’s Nest. There's a small beach with full restrooms, and don’t forget to stop at the Country Store for penny candy Tuck's for salt water taffy for the ride home.

photo credit: BostonCentral

York, ME
Less than two hours from Boston, York offers a variety of family activities. Visit York’s Wild Animal Kingdom for a day at the zoo or amusement park. Stroll down Main Street, grab a bite, and visit the candy stores before heading to the beach, which features invigorating water, decent waves, an arcade, and a playground.

photo credit: BostonCentral

North Shore Beaches
Favorites include Crane Beach in Ipswich, Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester (great waves for boogie boarding), and Wingaersheek Beach (few waves and wonderful tidepools during low tide). Salisbury Beach State Reservation also offers ample parking and excellent beach facilities.

Portsmouth, NH
Explore the gardens and live entertainment in Prescott Park, splash at Water Country, or enjoy a historic adventure in this seacoast town, just over the New Hampshire border.

Daytrips South of Boston

Providence, RI
Visit the Providence Children’s Museum or the Roger Williams Zoo & Park. For an unforgettable evening, check the Waterfire Providence schedule.

South Shore Beaches
At Nantasket Beach in Hull, ride the Paragon Carousel and visit the Paragon Park Museum. After a day at Duxbury Beach, enjoy ice cream at Farfar’s Danish Ice Cream or Scoops.

Spectacle Island
Take a ferry to Spectacle Island, where you can hike, enjoy panoramic views of Boston, and relax on the small beach. The ferry ride offers refreshing breezes, perfect for a hot day. Tickets are easy to book in advance or purchase same-day at the ticket booth.  Tip: Pack a picnic lunch and take a daytrip out to Spectacle Island.

Plimoth Plantation
This historical village of Plimoth Plantation brings the 17th-century Plimoth Colony to life with costumed interpreters and engaging exhibits about Native Wampanoag people and Colonial English Pilgrims.

photo courtesy of Plimoth Plantation

Battleship Cove, Fall River
Explore a submarine, battleship, and destroyer at Battleship Cove; see the exhibits at the National PT Boat Museum or the National Destroyermen's Museum. Consider starting your day of deliciously at Alice's Diner for top-notch diner food.

Daytrips West of Boston

Purgatory Chasm
This unique state park features rock formations created by ancient glaciers that are perfect for climbing. In addition to special landmarks and sites along the Purgatory Chasm trail, enjoy picnic tables, grills, bathrooms, and a playground for younger kids.

EcoTarium, Worcester
The EcoTarium offers indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a digital planetarium, nature trails, a narrow-gauge railroad, and hands-on activities.

deCordova Museum & Sculpture Park, Lincoln MA
The deCordova Museum & Sculpture Park features rotating contemporary art exhibits, beautifully landscaped grounds, and picnic spots along the shore of Flint’s Pond.

The Museum grounds are a pleasure to wander.  Beautifully landscaped lawns, forests, fields, gardens, and terraces dwell on a rolling site along the shore of Flint’s Pond. 

Old Sturbridge Village
Experience early New England life with costumed historians, antique buildings, water-powered mills, and a working farm at this living history museum.  The living history museum at Old Sturbridge Village depicts early New England life from 1790-1840.  Enjoy a day of exploring the beautiful grounds. 

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is a bright and colorful museum that celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world.

The Museum has a robust schedule of events and programs for families, including opportunities for kids to meet their favorite authors.  Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the lawn, or try one of the excellent restaurants in downtown Amherst.

Southwick’s Wild Animal Zoo
Privately owned and maintained, Southwick's Zoo has the largest collection of animals and endangered species in the region. Enjoy bird and animal shows, a petting zoo, and a 35-acre deer forest where you can feed the animals.

Springfield, MA - This western gem is home to some excellent museums, a zoo, the Yankee Candle Flagship store, and the Basketball Hall of Fame. Springfield is also the birthplace of Dr. Seuss, and there is a fun sculpture park that you can visit for memorable photo-ops. Of course for the thrill seeker, Six Flags New England (and splashy Hurricane Harbor) is right there in nearby Agawam.

Mass State Parks
Download a free kids’ Park Passport and visit any of the 76 participating Massachusetts State Parks, including Bradley Palmer, Walden Pond, Carson Beach, Horseneck Beach and Breakheart Reservation.

For more ideas, check out our comprehensive Boston Daytrips guide. Explore World’s End in Hingham, Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Castle Island in South Boston, and Tower Hill Botanical in Boylston.

In addition, you can find lots of family-friendly Boston events each week on the BostonCentral calendar and our popular things to do this week newsletter.

 

~~~
Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for well over 20 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.