Best Day Trips Around Massachusetts
Take In Most of The State In Day Trips Around Massachusetts
What Massachusetts lacks in size (it’s the sixth-smallest state), it makes up for in its immense wealth of history, culture and a surprising amount of geographic diversity. The storied streets of Boston have an entirely different vibe to picturesque Provincetown on the curly tip of Cape Cod. Far different still are the Berkshires, the unspoiled forested mountains at the western edge of Massachusetts.
If you’re trying to decide which region of Massachusetts is the best destination for your road trip or day trip around Massachusetts, we have some good news. The state’s compact size is actually a major boon when you have an RV rental. From Boston to the Berkshires is less than 150 miles, and you could drive in the other direction to reach Cape Cod in under 3 hours, too. High gas prices make it a really good idea to focus on day trips in Massachusetts, allowing you to plan a cheap getaway with no shortage of fun.
Rent an RV, find one or a few fantastic RV sites, and get ready for a series of unforgettable day trips in Massachusetts. Here are some of our top suggestions.
Tour Boston’s Historical Sites
As the biggest city in Massachusetts and one of the most history-rich places in the nation, Boston is a must-see when you cruise America in an RV rental. Now, you might be wondering if it’s a good idea to drive your RV into Boston for that essential day trip of historical sightseeing. It’s not!
We repeat: Don’t drive your RV into Boston! The city has excellent public transit, so drive or get a ride to the subway station closest to your campground and use the MBTA Trip Planner tool to find your way downtown.
Once you get there, prioritize a tour of the Freedom Trail. You could book a guided tour or take a self-guided tour with a map. The 2.5-mile red-brick trail is lined with landmarks from the story of the American Revolution. Walk the trail from Boston Common to the USS Constitution and see such monuments as the Paul Revere House, Bunker Hill Monument, Faneuil Hall and the Old State House.
Had enough history? The story of the United States is embedded in Boston, but the city has plenty of other attractions. Consider a harbor tour, a stroll through the Museum of Fine Arts or New England Aquarium, or a tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery. Sports fans might want to schedule a trip to Fenway Park.
Explore the Coastal Treasures of Cape Cod
Here’s a challenge: See if you can take a day trip to Massachusetts’ most popular coastal destination, Cape Cod, without using the word “quaint.” You can’t do it; it’s impossible! Pick any of the cape’s 15 towns and immerse yourself in nostalgic charm. Main Street in Hyannis is an excellent choice for maximum quaintness, with its cheery ice cream parlors, boutique shopping and amazing seafood.
Cape Cod’s towns are just one reason to take a road trip there. Others include beautiful beaches, including 40 miles of unspoiled sand along the Cape Cod National Seashore. Mayflower Beach in Dennis and Bank Street Beach are popular too. You might arrange a tour of an oyster farm or cranberry bog, visit a lighthouse, go surfing or birdwatching, or bike along the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Are you wondering how to take a day trip to Massachusetts’s famous island destinations, such as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard? Leave your RV rental behind and book a ticket on a ferry as a foot passenger. Public transport is available once you get there. Other ways to hit the water include whale-watching tours, fishing charters and kayak rentals.
Get Spooky in Salem
Salem is synonymous with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, a fascinating historical incident attributed to mass hysteria. The accused might not have really been witches, but Salem has certainly embraced the witchy theme with aplomb.
If you were perhaps concerned that you might not be able to find a place to get your tarot cards read or pick up a new crystal when you go RVing, then Salem is the place for you. The town is packed with witchy stores, and there are all kinds of supernatural-themed tours available.
Learn about the real-life events of the Salem witch hunt and trials at the Salem Witch Museum, which also has an exhibit about evolving perceptions of the witch across history and into the present day. The town also has a Salem Witch Trials Memorial and numerous historic houses with an appropriately spooky aesthetic.
Is there any non-witchy stuff in Salem? Well yes! Enjoy some old-fashioned family fun at the Salem Willows, a seaside promenade and amusement park (with RV parking). Another top attraction is the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which features a dozen historic structures along the waterfront and preserves 600 years of maritime history.
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Rock On in Plymouth
You almost certainly know Plymouth from your history books, so it should be no surprise that the present-day place is a major destination for day trips in Massachusetts. Immerse yourself in history at the multiple sites of Plimoth Patuxet, a museum complex telling the stories of both Pilgrim settlers and the Native peoples of the region. Must-sees include the Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower berthed at State Pier, the full replica English Village and Wampanoag Homesite, and the Plymouth Grist Mill on Town Brook. Oh, and don’t forget to look at Plymouth Rock.
Hit the Mohawk Trail in the Berkshires
Sometimes when you go RVing, you want to, you know… go RVing. Here’s a delightful day trip in Massachusetts that you can do with your RV. Take a driving tour of the Mohawk Trail and take in the beautiful scenery and small towns of the Berkshires.
Numerous routes are possible, with potential highlights including the Western Summit and Whitcomb Summit, both observation points with views as far as Vermont and New Hampshire. Covered bridges, waterfalls, the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum and Natural Bridge State Park are all accessible from the Mohawk Trail, as are many top-notch hiking trails.
Places to Stay in Massachusetts
If you’re excited to go RVing for a day trip around Massachusetts, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many excellent RV campgrounds all over the state. Here are just a few for you to consider:
Winter Island Park
Run by the City of Salem, Winter Island Park is ideally located for road-trippers who would love to have historic attractions just outside their RV. The park is even a stop on the Salem Trolley Tour. It’s right on the waterfront and offers close access to a public beach and the historic Fort Pickering Lighthouse. There are 28 RV sites available, all with electrical and water hookups. Amenities include a bathhouse, camping store and gift shop.
Normandy Farms
Normandy Farms, between Boston and Cape Cod, is spacious and family-friendly with a scenic woodland setting. It’s just 30 miles from Boston, 40 miles from Salem and 50 miles from Cape Cod, making it an excellent home base for day trips across Massachusetts. There’s also plenty to do on-site, with a full activity schedule, swimming pools, playgrounds, fitness center, creative arts center and sports facilities.
Atlantic Oaks RV Resort
One of the largest RV campgrounds on Cape Cod, Atlantic Oaks RV Resort has large pull-through sites with full hookups and cable TV. Amenities include hot showers, a dog park, laundry, playground and dog park. There’s also free Wi-Fi. The RV resort is in the town of Eastham, just half a mile from the National Seashore visitor center with beach access steps from the campsites.
Boston/Cape Cod KOA Holiday
Just 15 miles west of Plymouth and 40 miles south of downtown Boston, Boston/Cape Cod KOA Holiday has an ideal location for a Massachusetts RV road trip. Its RV sites have full hookups, and spots are available for big rigs. This campground is a great choice for families, with ample amenities including a heated swimming pool, jump pillow, outdoor movies, playground and activity park, plus arts and crafts activities.
Nickerson State Park Offers Scenery And Camping
Nickerson State Park in the heart of Cape Cod offers more than 400 campsites within beautiful pine and oak forests. The park grounds include eight freshwater ponds, hiking and biking trails, trout ponds, and canoe and kayak rentals. RV campers have access to a dump station, restrooms, camp store and comfort station.
Tips for Making the Most of Day Trips Around Massachusetts
- Massachusetts has a distinct four-season climate with cold winters. Summer is peak camping season, while spring and fall can be very pleasant times to camp as well. Many tourist attractions and campgrounds are open seasonally or have limited hours in the off-season. Check in advance.
- Massachusetts takes its holidays seriously! If you want to go RVing around Boston or Cape Cod over the fourth of July, be sure to book early and expect huge crowds. Boston is also packed during the Boston Marathon and around St. Patrick’s Day. Halloween is prime tourist season in Salem, and fall foliage draws many road-trippers to the Berkshires around September and October.
- Toll roads are common in Massachusetts. It’s smart to figure out ways to pay before you hit the road.
P.S. Make It More Relaxing With An RV Rental!
These destinations are perfect day trips around Massachusetts, and while you’ll be pushed to enjoy all of their spoils in a single day, there’s no limit to how many day trips you can take, right?
Search a wide range of luxury RVs, Campervans and even towable travel trailers perfect for a day trip around Massachusetts for an unforgettable weekend. We can’t wait to help get you on your way.
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today and rent an RV through RVnGO.
Be sure to read our Road Trip Packing Check List and Great Meals For Road Trips.
Not sure what to rent? Read this article on choosing between a Class A or a Class C. Did you know that the average Guest saves 30% when renting through RVnGO? Read more about them in the article – Who Is RVnGO?
Are you still wondering if RVing is cheaper than a hotel stay? Even with the price of gas per gallon still rising, the answer may shock you.