Go on a whale watching tour: Gloucester is one of the best places in Massachusetts to spot whales. Let us know in the comments! Boston, Massachusetts is one of the most family-friendly cities to visit in the Northeast of the United States. This bustling seaside town is a great place for families to spend a day. Here are a few places to visit in Massachusetts in winter that you should definitely check out; theyre some of the best winter day trips in Massachusetts! The 66 miles (1 hour drive) With over 60% of intermediate terrain, Wachusett may be small but it's a great family-friendly ski resort. Things to do in Massachusetts with kids Best Snow Tubing Spots The Friendly Toast is a great brunch place for families, with its eclectic, vintage interior and fun assortment of kid-friendly meals. This shop sells handcrafted wooden wands and is filled to the brim with mystical items and Harry Potter memorabilia. Winter activities in Boston give families a chance to make the most of the season. What is there to do in New England with a toddler? Which will you do first? Rob Wier/Flickr. Considered some of the finest cross-country ski trails in the Eastern U.S., at the main lodge facility youll find a retail shop, rental shop and waxing area. Once you make the 90-minute journey from Boston, you can make a day of itbut if you choose to stay over, try The, . Three of my favorite destinations from Boston are Newport, Rhode Island; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and Portland, Maine. Photograph: Courtesy Encore Boston Harbor, Theres one major reason to head to Everett, and thats the relatively new Encore Boston Harbor Casino. You also cant miss a stop by Americas most photographed lighthouse, Portland Head Light, only a few miles outside of Portland. Think you can handle it? Hike part of the Appalachian Trail: Located in Lee, October Mountain State Forest is Massachusetts largest state forest. Attleboro, MA, USA. Considered some of the finest cross-country ski trails in the Eastern U.S., at the main lodge facility youll find a retail shop, rental shop and waxing area. When you've found the perfect reading material, head on over to L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates for one of their famously rich cups of hot chocolate and warm those chilly fingers. The adjacent, separate tubing park has 18 lanes, making it New Englands largest such facility. Boston In Winter 396. Best price guaranteed, verified reviews, and secure online booking. The museum sometimes even hosts special activities for kids to enjoy during part of the day. Mount Tom has been a popular spot for getaways from Boston for over a century now, though the area has seen its share of challenges. Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Like hiking or skiing? Cape Cod is one of the most popular summer destinations in Massachusetts, and its easy to understand why with its many beaches and outdoor attractions. If youre visiting on a weekend, check to see if Puritan & Co.s Will Gilson is cooking up dinner at his family farm, the Herb Lyceum. Theres lots to do too, like Kennebunkports annual Paint the Town Red event that stretches Valentines Day into a month-long celebration. There are lots of interactive, themed exhibits, including dinosaurs, robotics, and New England wildlife. 92 Main St, New Hartford, CT 06057, USA. Indoor Water The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the largest park of its kind in New England. WikiCommons/Public Domain. Ive grouped these family day trips in Massachusetts into sections by seasons: summer/fall and winter/spring. Photo courtesy of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Book a tour with7 Seas Whale Watch, a family-run business that has been around for more than 70 years. Bretton Woods - New Hampshire. Similarly, the Wampanoag Homesite recreates a traditional Wampanoag village, where you can learn about the language, food, and clothing of Plymouths native inhabitants. Visit the Vermont Jazz Center or one of the many artisan breweries. The Berkshires. Try one of the four different escape rooms at Escape Games Worcester: Dreamscape, Fallout, Conspiracy, and Museum. 36. Go whale watching: Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises is one of the best whale watching companies on Cape Cod. For rates and additional details, be sure to check out the. 2. 2023. WebCambridge Things to do with Kids. 203-272-2357. This is a classic activity that hasn't lost any of its charm over the years. Newport is only 70 miles (about a 1.5-hour drive) from Boston and is one of New Englands biggest gems. It's the largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England, the summer home to Mountain Adventure Park, and the only mountain resort in North America to generate its own energy using alternative wind power. Even though you could spend a few days or longer on Nantucket, you could easily make a day trip out of it as well. Join once, enjoy forever. Here are my top recommendations for family day trips in the winter and spring: People rave about Boston in the fall, but my favorite time to see the city is actually in the spring when the trees are in full bloom and the town comes alive after a long, cold winter. The entrance to the park is easy to miss, but once you walk inside, youll be greeted by the most majestic ocean views. Boston. If you're getting cabin fever, we have recommendations for weekend getaways and day trips, like Providence, Rhode Island, The Berkshires or even ski day trips. A stroll along the lake is great on a sunny winter day in Vermont. Visit Carlsbad. The gaming tables and slots are one option, but you can also catch a comedy or music act. Kids can learn to ski so close to Boston. Here are some great family day trips for the summer and fall: My parents took me and my brother to Nantucket when we were teenagers and it was unforgettable. With a pre-purchased ticket, children can explore a different topic each day through games, interactive investigations, trail explorations, and more. Fun Kid-Friendly Activities in Western Mass 4. If there's a season when Bostonians are ready to get out and explore, it's spring: After a long, cold New England winter, it's liberating to pile the family in the car and discover someplace new, preferably one that showcases flora and fauna in kid-friendly spaces. Check out the days and hours and browse the online catalog on the official website of, Brattle Book Shop, 9 West St, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Island Alpaca Company, Martha's Vineyard Island Alpaca Company A trip to the Vineyard doesn't mean you have to spend all day at the beach. Try another? Massachusetts native. 6. 1. This would be a great place for your kids to try their first lobster roll. What are your favorite things to do in Massachusetts in winter? Bridge of Flowers and Highledges Wildlife Sanctuary in Shelburne Falls, MA. With educational museums and kid-approved attractions, Hartford is, no doubt, one of the best kid-friendly weekend getaways in Connecticut. Weve lived here for well over a year now and are still constantly finding new places to take our daughter. Stay warm and cozy 24 hours a day while you hit the tables, or enjoy a relaxing massage in the resort's luxurious spa (which is offering winter skin saving treatments, like the Skin Replenishing Ritual, all season long). Go sledding: There are several great places to go sledding in Worcester, including Quinsigamond State Park, Holy Cross College, and Green Hill Park. However, there are plenty of places to visit in winter in Massachusetts, particularly its picturesque towns. Massachusetts Explore the curiosities at Seed to Stem. There's no better way to ward off the winter chill than with a hot and gooey sandwich, and Roxy's Roxys Gourmet Grilled Cheese has you covered. Is Cape Cod worth the visit in the winter? Rockport, MA 01966. We have a complete guide to the best day trips for couples in MA. Its the perfect setting for the annual Woodstock Snow Sculpture Festival, held every February. Here are a few ideas: There are plenty of amazing beaches throughout New England. Indulge yourselves at Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe: I once saw an Instagram post asking for the best ice cream places in Massachusetts, and Holy Cow came up numerous times in the comments. First publishedDecember 2017; updatedDecember 2018, 2020, 2021, FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS, Make art together in the Eric Carle Museum's Art Studio. American Museum of Bird Art. And if you dont have time to head of Boston right now, stick stay closer to home and enjoy the citys best attractions,best free things to doandbest museums in Boston. You can tell its where the locals go for their seafood definitely a must-try! 11. Hikers and folks looking for some fresh air head to Mount Greylock, Massachusetts highest peak, but bring your snowshoes or a sturdy vehicle in the winter. Visit the Vermont Jazz Center or one of the many artisan breweries. Do in New England with Kids Our list of the best winter day trips in Massachusetts begins with a water park. Day Trips Dont Miss in Burlington: Lake Champlain. Best Ski Resorts in Massachusetts Tanglewood. The Inn at Hastings Park is a historic hotel located a few miles outside Boston. Castle tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 5-12 (free for kids 4 and under). Overall, the state averages about 47.3 inches of snowfall each year; some years, of course, can vary wildly, depending on how many snow and severe cold events occur. The plows are always at the ready to clear the roads for residents and visitors alike. Who says you can't have fun outdoors in the winter? is a winter wonderland spread across more than 2,000 acres, at the base of the tallest peak in the Northeast, Mount Washington. Watch the sunset at Chandler Hovey Park: This grassy park is known for its excellent sunsets and is a great way to finish off your day in Marblehead. Here's a If youre interested in cycling, check out one of Cape Cods biking trails. Enjoy lunch at Shubies Marketplace: After youve had your fix of rock climbing at Castle Rock Park, head over to Shubies for fresh sandwiches and cannolis. Farmington River Tubing offers one of the best day trips around with exciting three-mile adventures along gorgeous waters. Enjoy carnival and arcade games like the ring toss, then try puzzle rooms introduced in 2017. We rented a small cottage for a week and rode bikes all over the island and took The Wave shuttle bus to the best beaches. Go sledding at Hospital Hill:This popular hill has different levels of steepness for both beginner and experienced sledders. The over 600,000-square foot museum (founded in 1870) opened in its present Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood location in This coastal town is known for being the site of the first Pilgrim settlement and has several family-friendly places to check out. Given New England's relatively small footprint, you can mix and match these stops based on your liking. The Bug by Carol Boldt is licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0. Food. Later, you can create a DIY tour of all the local craft breweries . Canobie Lake Park is home to more than 85 rides, attractions and live shows, making it one of the more interactive day trips from Boston. Hopefully this post gives you a good picture of all there is to do with your family in this state. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. What's the snowiest town in Massachusetts? For a list of other family-friendly beaches in Massachusetts, check out 13 Best Beaches in Massachusetts for Families. While a day trip here is fun year-round, the holidays are when it becomes magical. While towns on Cape Cod are incredibly fun places to visit in the summer, they take on a whole new feel during the winter. Go kayaking: Billington Sea Kayak is on the shores of Billington Sea, a large inland lake in Plymouth. 17. Photo by Steve Rosenthal. Start your road trip in Lenox and work your way south through Lee, South Egremont, and Stockbridge before ending in Great Barrington. While you may think summer is the time to visit Newports glorious Gilded Age mansions, the annual Newport Winter Festival is among New Englands largest winter celebrations and takes place each February with ten days of events. 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This wintery boardwalk hike is located in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury. Photograph: Courtesy Kennebunkport Resort Collection, The Maine coastline is always beautiful, but its even more stunning to see those mighty waves crash on a snowy afternoon. Hike around Walden Pond: Visit the place that inspired author Henry David Thoreau to write his famous novel Walden. Other options include hiking Gibbet Hill Farm and exploring historic Bancroft Castle. Dj vu! It gets crowded in the summer but there are still plenty of parking spaces in the nearby lot. The Brattle Book Shop in downtown Boston lets you browse the stacks in a super cool outdoor setting. Discover the Concord of writers including Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Alcott on a private tour focused on literary history. WebA historical city that is the origin of the USA as a Republic. Between snowstorms and freezing winds, you might not feel like getting out and exploring. Get a place to stay in Marblehead, Salem, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, Newburyport, or Salisbury and make it your base of operations to explore all of the North Shore. Massachusetts 10 Best Beaches in Massachusetts An adventure for everyone in the family at this fun, challenging ropes course. Museums In Rhode Island. In Pembroke, theres the Tucker Preserve. They host special activities for kids and families, including the self-guided Love Letters to the Garden, Spring Story Walk, and Beats & Blooms: Spring Sing-A-Long.. Take the under two-hour drive to Dennis Port and head outside to cross-country ski, snowshoe or, if the ground is bare, just walk the Cape Cod Rail Trail for a breathtaking view of the seascape during the winter. WebSIX KID-FRIENDLY DAY TRIPS. Unique Winter Getaways in New Hampshire. READ MORE. In the summer, the water turns on, and Go on a Freedom Trail scavenger hunt: The Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to tour Boston by foot and see 16 key historic sites that played a role in the Revolutionary War. Another fun activity to do in Portland is ride the historicMaine Narrow Gauge Railroad. 4.5 /5 (732 reviews) During your trip, find out what's happening at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, a top convention center in Boston. Affordability: 3/5. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Families can enjoy holiday light displays, hot cocoa, and other festivities through the gardens 15 acres until December 30, 2021. I love to share tips and recommendations to help you have amazing travels, too! 8 Unforgettable Places In Massachusetts That Everyone Must Visit This Winter 1. Enjoy a beach day: There are lots of awesome beaches on Cape Cod. Greater Merrimack Valley. Share and let us know in the comments below wed love to hear from you! Bike or kayak around Cape Ann: If you want to keep things active, rent bikes or kayaks from North Shore Kayak & Bike Adventures to explore Cape Ann on land or sea. Youll also want to check to make sure other destinations are open and to confirm their hours, too. Day trips from Massachusetts include several quaint historical towns with structures and history dating back to the early 17th century when European settlers first arrived on the states eastern shore. I mentioned Great Barrington as a stop during a mini road trip through the Berkshires in the Summer/Fall list, but its worth spending an entire day here in the winter for some fun in the snow. If you like uncrowded beaches, hiking and getting creative with activitiesplus, not sitting in summer trafficthen the answer is yes. Massachusetts Worcester BONUS: Day Trips From Boston Newport, Rhode Island Portsmouth, New Hampshire February 11, 2021 by Jamie Italiane. Massachusetts Day Trips Note that the museum is operating at a reduced capacity, and everyone over age 2 must wear a mask. For Tweens and Teens. Chatham. Webvia properties of Trustees of Reservations Milllis, Medfield, Needham, MA Phone: 508-785-0339. 12. WebAnyone can join and everyone belongs. The 25 Best Day Trips from Boston near me today according to local experts are: 1. Go ride the slopes at Wachusett Mountain. You can explore more lighthouses on Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket Island if you take an island day trip. Its one of the best places in New England to see the beautiful fall foliage! Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA (1 hour) For history lovers, this is one of the top day trips in Massachusetts, hands down. 8. The menu features seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, although it's typically open only for dinner, an indulgent brunch menu is available on Sunday mornings. When the temperature drops and Boston's winter doldrums set in, winter day trips with the kids can be just the thing to raise everyone's spirits. We went to Gloucester for a summer beach day and had an amazing time. Tour a medieval castle: Did you know Massachusetts has its own castle? So you don't even need a car! Mystic, CT Jodi from Family Travel Magazine recommends Mystic, CT. Photo courtesy of Paragon Carousel. Both restaurants are on Congress Street, one of Portsmouths main streets that is filled with boutiques and restaurants. Massachusetts native. Learn about life as a whaler: Older kids might appreciate touring the Whaling Museum and learning what life was like for whalers living on Nantucket over the centuries. Enjoy the calm and quiet of the colder months with a visit to Chatham. Massachusetts If you are looking for winter day trips from Boston, Bostons prime location makes it easy for ski trips to New Hampshire and Vermont in the winter. Bostonians take winter fun seriously, we have to. Play at Salem Willows Park: This seaside park has great picnic areas and ocean views, but the biggest draw for kids is likely the video arcade and popcorn on site. It takes on a certain magic when theres snow on the ground! A les- crowded alternative to iconic Southern California beach cities, Carlsbad is only 30 minutes north of the hustle and bustle of San Diego. Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Westford Nashoba Valley Ski Area/Facebook Spend an entire day outdoors at Nashoba Valley Ski Area. Thank you! Take the whole family or just that special someone for an afternoon you'll never forget. One of the best ways to avoid cabin fever this time of year is to get out of the city. Where are the best places for snow tubing in Massachusetts? From Louisa May Alcotts Orchard House to Walden Pond, youll find the real-world places behind stories you love. However, there are some places that are actually so much more fun in the winter. This preserve contains a 1.6-mile loop trail thats scenic and wonderful during the coldest months of the year. 14. 4. Do you have some go-to places to visit in Massachusetts in winter? But there is a silver lining to all the frosty weather: snowy outdoor adventures, like ice skating outside , cozy traditions like at-home crafts, and fun winter family events to go to. Best Winter Getaways in New England You are reading "25 Best Day Trips from Connecticut" Back to Top. And if you get hungry, fuel up at The Outlook Restaurant located right on site. If youre based in or visiting Boston, there are lots of amazing family day trip options within a short driving distance, even outside of Massachusetts. Winter Activities Guide for Boston Kids Best Day Trips from Boston Here are some of the best museums for kids in New England: There are lots of great parks in New England for toddlers to enjoy. The best time to visit may actually be during the holiday season, as the park transforms into a magical railway experience that rivals The Polar Express. In winter, the Seaport transforms into Snowportan outdoor winter wonderland of fun. Web50 under $50. - include amazing trails like the Mohawk Trail State Forest, near Charlemont. Winters in New England can sometimes feel dark and dreary. 26 Massachusetts Ave, Worcester, MA 01602, USA. The Small Town In Massachusetts Boasting World-Famous Pie Is The Sweetest Day Trip Destination. Eat authentic Italian food in North End: North End is known as Bostons Little Italy and is the perfect place to stop for lunch or dinner.