New England is compact enough that Boston reaches beaches, real mountains and three other states inside two hours.
The Cape and islands
Provincetown, at the tip — a fast ferry runs seasonally from Boston in about 90 minutes, which avoids the bridges entirely and is the best way to get there in summer. Walkable and bike-friendly once you arrive, with dunes and the Province Lands trails.
The outer Cape — Wellfleet, Truro — for the National Seashore beaches.
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, by ferry from Woods Hole and Hyannis. Both need a booked ferry in summer, especially with a car.
The traffic is the defining problem: the Sagamore and Bourne bridges queue badly on summer Friday and Sunday afternoons, sometimes adding two hours. Cross before noon Friday or after 8pm.
North: Maine and New Hampshire
Portland, two hours by car or on the Downeaster train — a working waterfront, a food scene well out of proportion to the city's size, the Portland Museum of Art, and Portland Head Light just outside town.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, an hour — a small colonial port town, and an easy overnight.
The White Mountains, two and a half hours — the Kancamagus Highway, Franconia Notch, and Mount Washington, which holds records for recorded wind speed and where weather above the treeline changes fast in any season.
Acadia National Park, four and a half hours, which needs a long weekend and repays it.
West and south
The Berkshires, two and a half hours — Mass MoCA in a converted mill complex in North Adams, the largest contemporary art museum in the country, plus Tanglewood in summer.
Newport, Rhode Island, 90 minutes — Gilded Age mansions, the Cliff Walk along the shore, and a sailing history.
Providence, an hour — RISD's museum, Federal Hill, and WaterFire on summer evenings.
Salem, 30 minutes by commuter rail or ferry — the witch trial history, the Peabody Essex Museum, and complete chaos through October.
Without a car
Better than most American cities.
Amtrak Downeaster to Portland. Commuter rail to Salem, Rockport and Newburyport. Seasonal ferries to Provincetown and Salem.
Seasons
| Season | Where |
|---|---|
| Summer | Cape, islands, coast, mountains |
| Sep–mid Oct | Foliage — mountains and Berkshires, very busy |
| Late autumn | Coastal towns, quiet and cheap |
| Winter | Skiing in NH and VT; coastal towns largely shut |
Practical
Book summer Cape and island accommodation months ahead, along with car ferries.
Foliage weekends in the mountains book out similarly far in advance.
Many coastal towns close from November to April — check that things are open before driving out in winter.