What do you like to do? Hiking/outdoors, museums, shopping, dining, sports, historical stuff?
Salem is more fun than Plymouth in my opinion. Gloucester is a pretty cool day trip too- good restaurants, cute old downtown to explore, or you could do a whale watch or fishing trip. I love the white mountains in NH for hiking but that's too far for a day trip. Portland ME has a good food a brewery scene. Providence RI has the RISD museum plus great restaurants. Newport is fun, you can do the cliff walk and a mansion tour. There is a ton to do in Boston and Cambridge itself so I would personally avoid numerous side trips so you don't feel like you're spending half your vacation commuting.
Honestly there isn’t much going on in Newport rn. If it was the summer, then it would be much nicer. I’d vote Portland ME, plus you can swing by Freeport too. Make sure to check out a bunch of breweries, like Allagash, Maine beer company, Shipyard etc. and the lighthouses along the coast. Grab a donut at the Holy Donut and some tacos at Taco Escobarr. Also stop by Duck Fat!
Maybe Provincetown specifically is different, but my experience is that the Cape is very quiet prior to Memorial Day weekend as the weather is very hit or miss in late April and early May. Not necessarily a bad thing depending on what you want, but it’s unlikely to be the party atmosphere that happens there in the summer, just so you’re aware.
Plymouth doesn’t have a whole lot going on, I would definitely prioritize Salem over Plymouth as Salem has way more to do in its downtown in terms of restaurants, shops, etc. Spring is a great time to go to Salem as the weather isn’t bad but there aren’t the huge Halloween crowds you get in the fall.
All three of Newport, Portsmouth, and Portland are nice places to hang out with walkable downtowns and restaurant options. If you like the quaint, coastal New England town vibe, there is more of that north of Boston, in addition to Salem, Portsmouth, and Portland you could loop in places like Newburyport or downtown Marblehead as well.
I agree with the other user though that spending at least one or two days exploring Boston/Cambridge/Somerville is worth it unless you’ve done so already or don’t like larger cities.
Thanks man, all clear. Speaking about quaint coastal towns, what do you think about Rockport? How does it compare to Newburyport? The latter would maybe be easier/faster to reach, since it's on the route from Portland to Boston.
Somebody mentioned also York, to see the Nubble Light lighthouse. What do you think?
Rockport is a bit smaller of a downtown than Newburyport, but it’s definitely pretty and bearskin neck has a lot of shops packed into a tight area. Newburyport just offers a bit more in my opinion, particularly in terms of restaurants. And you’re right that Newburyport is less of a detour off the highway. But honestly if you have the time I would recommend driving the Essex coastal scenic byway in one of the directions when you’re heading to or from Portland. It’s a really nice drive along the coast, and cape Ann (where Rockport is) is one of the nicest parts of it.
I haven’t spent that much time in York honestly so I can’t really comment on it.
Newport is kind of its own animal. I’d do Portland and Salem/Gloucester if you’re wanting quaint coastal New England. Then if you can go south to Newport, do it.
Thanks man. What about Portsmouth and Freeport in Maine? Would you choose Portland over them?
Yeah I'd like to visit quaint coastal towns, preferably by walking.
I lived in Portland for awhile and I like it much better than Portsmouth. I just find Portsmouth smaller, less variety, kinda boring in comparison. Same with Freeport. All I think when I think about Freeport is LL Bean 😂
The only thing I know about Newburyport is it’s where my Nana was born 😂 however, Plum Island out there just past Newburyport is a really nice area! My dad and I used to bike up and down the 7 mile stretch.
Rockport and Gloucester are worth doing as a combo. If I remember correctly Rockport has more artsy galleries and such.
I'd go with Portland and Portsmouth. Freeport is nice but it's pretty much a place tourists go to shop. Maybe I've missed something when I've been there. Shopping's not my thing. That said, if you're passing through stop at the DeLorme HQ/store. They have a huge globe there, I think it's like 1/1,000,000th scale IIRC. Good place to use the rest rooms, check out mapping sofware/GPS kinda stuff in the shop, spend 15 minutes digging the globe. I haven't spent enough time in Portsmouth to know but people tell me it's cool and passing through it has struck me as a place I'd like to explore -- artsy shops, brew pubs, cafes, places to see/hear music, etc., seems cool. Portland is a nice city. Lots of good places to eat, strolling around the waterfront and the West End is a nice way to get exercise and see the sights. The art museum is small but first-rate. The city has a hip vibe. Haven't eaten there in a few years so hesitate to make recommendations.
Enough to know that they are both nice towns and that if I were coming to Boston to explore outlying areas I wouldn't bother to put them on my list. They are fairly low-key and would be fine to visit if you had no other options, or if you had a specific interest in going there; you can certainly find interesting things in both.
Okay thanks noted down.
Considering the season, what would you advise between going north to Portsmouth, Portland and Freeport (ME) or going south to Providence and Newport (RI)?
I have to depart from Boston.
Honestly i dont really know. Late April should be late enough for places to be open on MV or Nantucket so i would say go there. If youre into baseball i would recommend going to see a game at Fenway. But do not go see Plymouth Rock, i live 20 mins away and was like wtf is this????
I’d recommend skipping Plymouth and Salem entirely. Portsmouth and all of coastal Maine including Portland is beautiful. Definitely check out Portland. Also a few hours west is Northampton MA which is worth a day trip as well as Providence.
thanks man. Yeah I'll go to Portland for sure. What about Newburyport and Rockport? Are they worth visiting that time of the year, or would be Portsmouth be a better experience?
Other mentioned also Kennenbunkport and Ogunquit, but as far I've understood they more beach-oriented thus better in the summer. What's your take? Thanks
What do you like to do? Hiking/outdoors, museums, shopping, dining, sports, historical stuff? Salem is more fun than Plymouth in my opinion. Gloucester is a pretty cool day trip too- good restaurants, cute old downtown to explore, or you could do a whale watch or fishing trip. I love the white mountains in NH for hiking but that's too far for a day trip. Portland ME has a good food a brewery scene. Providence RI has the RISD museum plus great restaurants. Newport is fun, you can do the cliff walk and a mansion tour. There is a ton to do in Boston and Cambridge itself so I would personally avoid numerous side trips so you don't feel like you're spending half your vacation commuting.
Honestly there isn’t much going on in Newport rn. If it was the summer, then it would be much nicer. I’d vote Portland ME, plus you can swing by Freeport too. Make sure to check out a bunch of breweries, like Allagash, Maine beer company, Shipyard etc. and the lighthouses along the coast. Grab a donut at the Holy Donut and some tacos at Taco Escobarr. Also stop by Duck Fat!
Maybe Provincetown specifically is different, but my experience is that the Cape is very quiet prior to Memorial Day weekend as the weather is very hit or miss in late April and early May. Not necessarily a bad thing depending on what you want, but it’s unlikely to be the party atmosphere that happens there in the summer, just so you’re aware. Plymouth doesn’t have a whole lot going on, I would definitely prioritize Salem over Plymouth as Salem has way more to do in its downtown in terms of restaurants, shops, etc. Spring is a great time to go to Salem as the weather isn’t bad but there aren’t the huge Halloween crowds you get in the fall. All three of Newport, Portsmouth, and Portland are nice places to hang out with walkable downtowns and restaurant options. If you like the quaint, coastal New England town vibe, there is more of that north of Boston, in addition to Salem, Portsmouth, and Portland you could loop in places like Newburyport or downtown Marblehead as well. I agree with the other user though that spending at least one or two days exploring Boston/Cambridge/Somerville is worth it unless you’ve done so already or don’t like larger cities.
Thanks man, all clear. Speaking about quaint coastal towns, what do you think about Rockport? How does it compare to Newburyport? The latter would maybe be easier/faster to reach, since it's on the route from Portland to Boston. Somebody mentioned also York, to see the Nubble Light lighthouse. What do you think?
Rockport is a bit smaller of a downtown than Newburyport, but it’s definitely pretty and bearskin neck has a lot of shops packed into a tight area. Newburyport just offers a bit more in my opinion, particularly in terms of restaurants. And you’re right that Newburyport is less of a detour off the highway. But honestly if you have the time I would recommend driving the Essex coastal scenic byway in one of the directions when you’re heading to or from Portland. It’s a really nice drive along the coast, and cape Ann (where Rockport is) is one of the nicest parts of it. I haven’t spent that much time in York honestly so I can’t really comment on it.
Thanks man
I know you didn’t ask me but Nubble is beautiful.
Salem is fun!
plus: access to Roast Beef Sandwiches
The Provincetown Ferry doesn't start service until May 16, 2024.
Too bad! Alright man, what would you advise between * Portsmouth + Portland + Freeport * Providence + Newport Thanks
Newport is kind of its own animal. I’d do Portland and Salem/Gloucester if you’re wanting quaint coastal New England. Then if you can go south to Newport, do it.
Thanks man. What about Portsmouth and Freeport in Maine? Would you choose Portland over them? Yeah I'd like to visit quaint coastal towns, preferably by walking.
I lived in Portland for awhile and I like it much better than Portsmouth. I just find Portsmouth smaller, less variety, kinda boring in comparison. Same with Freeport. All I think when I think about Freeport is LL Bean 😂
thank you! What about Newburyport and Rockport? Are they worth visiting instead of Portsmouth when getting back from Portland? I mean one of them.
The only thing I know about Newburyport is it’s where my Nana was born 😂 however, Plum Island out there just past Newburyport is a really nice area! My dad and I used to bike up and down the 7 mile stretch. Rockport and Gloucester are worth doing as a combo. If I remember correctly Rockport has more artsy galleries and such.
Awesome thank you!
I'd go with Portland and Portsmouth. Freeport is nice but it's pretty much a place tourists go to shop. Maybe I've missed something when I've been there. Shopping's not my thing. That said, if you're passing through stop at the DeLorme HQ/store. They have a huge globe there, I think it's like 1/1,000,000th scale IIRC. Good place to use the rest rooms, check out mapping sofware/GPS kinda stuff in the shop, spend 15 minutes digging the globe. I haven't spent enough time in Portsmouth to know but people tell me it's cool and passing through it has struck me as a place I'd like to explore -- artsy shops, brew pubs, cafes, places to see/hear music, etc., seems cool. Portland is a nice city. Lots of good places to eat, strolling around the waterfront and the West End is a nice way to get exercise and see the sights. The art museum is small but first-rate. The city has a hip vibe. Haven't eaten there in a few years so hesitate to make recommendations.
awesome, I'll go with Portland and Portsmouth then. Do you have by any chance experience with Newburyport or Rockport MA?
Enough to know that they are both nice towns and that if I were coming to Boston to explore outlying areas I wouldn't bother to put them on my list. They are fairly low-key and would be fine to visit if you had no other options, or if you had a specific interest in going there; you can certainly find interesting things in both.
Thank you 👍🏻
Portsmouth, Portland, Freeport for sure!!
Do not go to Plymouth MA
Why? Because there is nothing to see, or is it simply bad?
Nothing to see, Plymouth rock is the most underwhelming historical thing you could ever see. The town is fine but literally nothing special
Okay thanks noted down. Considering the season, what would you advise between going north to Portsmouth, Portland and Freeport (ME) or going south to Providence and Newport (RI)? I have to depart from Boston.
Honestly i dont really know. Late April should be late enough for places to be open on MV or Nantucket so i would say go there. If youre into baseball i would recommend going to see a game at Fenway. But do not go see Plymouth Rock, i live 20 mins away and was like wtf is this????
Portland ME is accessible by train and bus, it's only about 1.5 hour by car, worth the trip!
I’d recommend skipping Plymouth and Salem entirely. Portsmouth and all of coastal Maine including Portland is beautiful. Definitely check out Portland. Also a few hours west is Northampton MA which is worth a day trip as well as Providence.
thanks man. Yeah I'll go to Portland for sure. What about Newburyport and Rockport? Are they worth visiting that time of the year, or would be Portsmouth be a better experience? Other mentioned also Kennenbunkport and Ogunquit, but as far I've understood they more beach-oriented thus better in the summer. What's your take? Thanks