The 7 Best Day Trips from Boston

1.Boston to Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,162 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $129Our pick

Take an early minibus from Boston to Falmouth, then ride the Island Queen ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. Explore independently or add a narrated island tour with stops in Edgartown and Aquinnah. Guides such as Johnny Boston, Elaine, Tom, and Jonathan are praised for making the long road journey lively and useful.

“This was a very fun, informative, and interesting trip. Our driver, Jonathan, was very knowledgeable about the history of Massachusetts and was very accommodating to everyone. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to go from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard and back.”

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2.Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 573 reviews · 13 hours · from $129

Travel from a Boston hotel to Martha’s Vineyard by minibus and ferry, then choose three hours with a local guide or explore independently. Expect Oak Bluffs cottages, Edgartown shops, Gay Head Cliffs, Aquinnah Lighthouse, snacks, bottled water, and about six hours on the island. Guides such as Jonathan, Tom, and Anthony are known for lively local stories.

“Prompt pick up. Lovely driver (Bart) to ferry and another driver for island tour (Anthony) very funny and knowledgeable. Free water and breakfast biscuit on bus to ferry. Great places to see and make memories. Weather bit cloudy but it didn’t impact our day. Book online.”

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3.Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour from Boston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 407 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $130

Leave Boston early for a full day on Martha’s Vineyard. New England Excursions handles hotel pickup, the ride to Woods Hole, round-trip ferry tickets, and the return trip. You can explore Oak Bluffs independently for about six hours or add a three-hour island tour with a local guide. Guides such as Keith, Rory, Matt, and Paul are known for lively commentary.

“Great day. Definitely recommend it to everyone. Martha’s Vineyard is somewhere every visitor should see.”

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4.Boston to Plymouth Day-Trip including Quincy, Plimoth Patuxet and Mayflower II

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $165Top rated

Travel from Boston to Plymouth in a small air-conditioned coach with a guide such as Chris Fisher. Visit Plimoth Patuxet, Plymouth Rock, the Forefathers Monument, Quincy, Scituate Lighthouse, and Mayflower II. The $165 price includes transport, two major admissions, snacks, and bottled water, but not lunch.

“Excellent and knowledgeable tour guide! The sites visited were breathtaking taking and memorable especially for a first time trip to the ocean for my teen. Loved the monument to our forefathers and history lessons along the way! Highly recommend!!!”

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5.Boston to Newport Small-Group Day Trip with Breakers & Marble House Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 266 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $155

Travel from downtown Boston to Newport in a small group of up to 24 people. Your day includes narrated sightseeing, admission to The Breakers and Marble House, coastal views, and about two to three hours to explore Newport on your own. Guides such as Tim, Chris, or Lucia may lead the trip.

“Fabulous tour! Tim was our guide and did such a fabulous job hosting us. It was raining upon our return back and he graciously offered to drop us off at our hotel rather than just the few listed as options! Tim has such great love and knowledge of these cities and was so kind and patient! He was a very safe and responsible driver too. It was a beautiful day in Newport, RI!”

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6.Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 123 reviews · from $120Best value

Travel from Boston to Woods Hole, cross by ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, then choose free time or a three-hour guided island tour. Guides such as Keith, Matt, Rory, Harry, and Matthew have led portions of the trip. Expect island scenery, handsome homes, photo stops, shopping, beaches, and a full day away from Boston.

“I had a wonderful time on this day trip to Martha's Vineyard. The tour company was very accommodating. The tour guides were pleasant, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Everything went smoothly. I would definitely recommend New England Excursions.”

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7.Quincy, Plymouth, and Mayflower II Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 102 reviews · 11 hours · from $165

Spend 11 hours tracing Massachusetts history from Boston to Quincy, Scituate, and Plymouth. Visit the Adams birthplaces, Scituate Lighthouse, Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, and Plimoth Patuxet. A professional guide, often David, provides lively historical commentary, while snacks, water, and downtown Boston pickup keep the day simple.

“David was a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. We loved seeing the historical sites and hearing David's commentary and stories.”

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