A family day at the beach or sightseeing in historic towns around Boston doesn’t have to involve the hassles of traffic and parking a car. Local residents or travelers who want to spend a day outside the city can hop on a train or boat for daytrips to some of the area’s most popular attractions.
Revere Beach
The long sands of Revere Beach are a two-minute walk from either the Wonderland or Revere Beach T station. Take the Blue Line from State Street in downtown Boston. Or you can get off at Orient Heights station for one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Constitution Beach is a wide crescent of sand with lifeguards, a bathhouse, food concessions and a large playground.
Historic Salem
Kids will love hearing about the famed Salem witches and walking through the fully reconstructed, 200-year-old Chinese house at Peabody-Essex Museum. Salem’s lively waterfront area and streets lined with beautiful Colonial and Federal period homes are added attractions, and you get a bonus cruise of the harbor and north shore. The Salem Ferry leaves from Long Wharf.
Provincetown
Towns don’t get much livelier than Provincetown, located at the tip of Cape Cod. Known for its colorful and eccentric vibe, the town also boasts many art galleries and boutiques. Rent a kayak from Coyote Kayaks, near the ferry pier, and explore the shore. Take a picnic and stop for lunch and a swim at one of Provincetown’s beaches. Or just spend the day browsing and shopping on Commercial Street, a beehive of activity on any summer day.
Travelers planning a trip to the city should know Boston Park Plaza Hotel, a few steps from the Public Garden and downtown sights, often offers specials with free parking, so you can leave your car safely in their garage while you explore Boston’s surroundings.
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