WHAT TO DO. WHEN TO DO IT.
Seasonal things to do in and around Boston, including day trips within 250 km (155 miles): explore activities, festivals and outings by season, distance and type, with sources and dates on Chronopin.
Oct 31 · Fall. Seasonal windows; check the organizer for opening hours and exact dates.
19 activities within 155 mi (250 km) of the city center · straight-line distances
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Boston waterfront· Outdoors· 0.4 mi / 0.6 km from Boston
Half-day cruises out to Stellwagen Bank to see humpback, fin and minke whales.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Boston Harbor Cruises, Long Wharf · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Waterfront· Outdoors· 0.4 mi / 0.7 km from Boston
Public ferries reach islands such as Spectacle, Georges and Peddocks for hiking, history and skyline views. Summer adds lighthouse cruises and evening programs.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Boston Harbor Islands (ferries from Long Wharf) · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Downtown· Family· 0.5 mi / 0.7 km from Boston
In warm months the Frog Pond becomes a splash area for kids, with a carousel nearby. In 2026 the spray pool ran daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Labor Day.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Frog Pond, Boston Common · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Fenway· Arts & culture· 2.3 mi / 3.7 km from Boston
One of the largest art museums in the US, with ancient to contemporary collections and rotating special exhibitions.
Suggested trip: 1 day
MFA Boston · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Saugus, 10 mi north· Family· 7.9 mi / 13 km from Boston
Reconstructed 1600s ironworks with a working waterwheel and museum on the site of the first integrated ironworks in North America.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Saugus Iron Works · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Lexington and Concord, 15 mi northwest· Family· 13 mi / 20 km from Boston
Walk the Battle Road and the North Bridge where the Revolutionary War began; Patriots Day in April brings reenactments.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Minute Man NHP · Mar – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Salem, 16 mi north· Festivals· 14 mi / 22 km from Boston
A month-long October celebration across the Witch City with parades, costume events, tours and themed shops that draw huge crowds.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Downtown Salem · Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Salem, 16 mi north· Arts & culture· 14 mi / 23 km from Boston
A stage-set presentation and exhibit on the 1692 witch trials, open year-round and busiest around Halloween.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Salem Witch Museum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Beverly, 20 mi north· Outdoors· 19 mi / 31 km from Boston
Historic estate gardens and woodland trails, with a seasonal bloom from spring bulbs to autumn color.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Long Hill (The Trustees) · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Lowell, 28 mi northwest· Family· 24 mi / 38 km from Boston
Tour restored textile mills and take canal boat rides through the city that drove the American Industrial Revolution.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Lowell mills and canals · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Ipswich, 30 mi north· Arts & culture· 27 mi / 43 km from Boston
Grand Roaring Twenties mansion and Grand Allee lawn, home to summer concerts, house tours and events.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Castle Hill (The Trustees) · Apr – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Ipswich, 30 mi north· Outdoors· 27 mi / 43 km from Boston
Four miles of white sand and dunes with trails through the Crane Wildlife Refuge, a favorite summer beach day trip.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Crane Beach (The Trustees) · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Plymouth, 40 mi south· Family· 37 mi / 59 km from Boston
Living-history museum with a re-created 1627 English village and a Wampanoag homesite staffed by interpreters.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Plimoth Patuxet Museums · Mar – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Providence RI, 50 mi south· Festivals· 41 mi / 66 km from Boston
Bonfires blaze on braziers down the downtown Providence rivers with music and performers on select evenings through the warm season.
Waterplace Park and downtown rivers · May – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Providence RI, 50 mi south· Sports· 41 mi / 67 km from Boston
AHL hockey, Boston Bruins affiliate, in a downtown arena with a 2026-27 season of themed nights.
Amica Mutual Pavilion · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Jaffrey NH, 65 mi northwest· Outdoors· 62 mi / 99 km from Boston
One of the most-climbed mountains in the world, with bare granite summit views and fall foliage on several well-marked trails.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Monadnock State Park · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWBoston· Eastham, 85 mi southeast· Outdoors· 66 mi / 107 km from Boston
Forty miles of protected dune, beach and bike trail on the outer Cape, with lifeguarded beaches in summer.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Salt Pond Visitor Center · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Hopewell Junction, Hudson Valley, 68 mi north· Food & drink· 154 mi / 247 km from Boston
A family farm with apple, peach and berry picking in season and a farm store. Picking is by reservation only.
Fishkill Farms · Aug – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Poughkeepsie, Hudson Valley, 75 mi north· Outdoors· 154 mi / 249 km from Boston
A converted railroad bridge 212 feet above the river, one of the longest elevated pedestrian bridges in the world. Fall foliage views are a draw.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Walkway Over the Hudson · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season