10 Best Day Trips from Boston by Train 2024 (Using the MBTA Weekend Pass)

Looking for day trips from Boston by train? Here are 10 amazing options to explore!

One of the best things about Boston and its surrounding areas is that you don’t really need a car to get around, which was made possible by the MBTA and its commuter rail. 

For adventurers like us, the MBTA weekend pass opens up options for numerous day trips from Boston to many towns and cities without needing to own or rent a car. 

I partnered with my friends Daphne and Larry from Our French Travels who have lived in Boston for over 3 years and have deep knowledge of the city to share about their favorite getaways from Boston by train! 

Let’s jump in! 

In 2018 the MBTA unveiled a $10 unlimited commuter rail pass. It was initially a pilot program for the summer, but it was so successful the MBTA made it a permanent weekend offering. Now we can all take advantage of inexpensive day trips from Boston by train.

After living several years in Boston and exploring its many neighborhoods, we decided to take on some exploring of the local areas. These day trips vary from cities to coastal towns to the countryside. 

✅ Download the MBTA Weekend Pass to Your Phone.

1. Salem

Salem is known for its 17th-century witch trials. Nowadays the whole town likes to lean into the witchy vibes, which is why October is the most fun time to visit Salem! 

The whole town is dressed up and they have a month-long festival, which is hosted in the town center. 

There are many museums that will teach you about the very real witch history of Salem, especially the Salem Witch Museum. Salem has more to offer than just witches, though!

Situated on the water, you can take a stroll along the shore. About 1.5 miles off the peninsula there’s a fun arcade.

Salem Willows Park is a great place to spend time. You’ll find many vendors selling comfort food walking around and it’s perfect for a picnic by the water. 

The town center is about 3 blocks from the Commuter Rail Station with the most stores, restaurants, and cafes. You’ll also find many guided walking tours like this History and Hauntings of Salem one!

>> Check availability for the History and Hauntings of Salem Walking Tour! <<

• Best times to visit: October is the best time of year to visit Salem. The whole town dresses up for Halloween. Every weekend there is a festival and many different spooky tours.
• How to get there: take the Newburyport/Rockport line towards Newburyport or Rockport
• Train station in Boston: North Station
• Distance: 30 minutes

2. Providence (RI)

The capital city of Rhode Island is a quick train ride over from Boston. The Commuter Rail station drops you off in the middle of downtown and has extensive public bus transportation though the city is very walkable. Just be prepared for some hills.

There is a river that runs through the middle of Providence. For a quick day trip from Boston by train, Providence has a lot going on to spend the whole day.

A fun thing to do in Providence is a narrated boat tour. This is a great way to learn more about the history and architecture of Providence.

>> Check availability for the Providence Narrated Boat Tour! <<

In the river, you’ll see the metal containers that are used for the WaterFire event.

WaterFire is probably one of the most famous things about Providence. This event generally kicks off in April. The “braziers” or metal containers with wood are lit up. 

Music is played in the background and a group of people in black cloaks light up each brazier. It is a little creepy, but a beautiful sight of the river. These events bring together the community with vendors, locals, and tourists. 

Some other favorite things we enjoy in Providence are the 10,000 Suns sunflower field in the summer, walking up to Brown University, and wandering through Providence Athenaeum, which is free for visitors.

Like Boston, Providence has many great places to eat. Some of our favorite places to eat are New Rivers, Dune Brothers, Al Forno (a great romantic place), and Hot Club. 

• Best time to visit: Spring or Fall. Since you’ll be walking around a lot I’d avoid going when the weather is too hot or too cold.
• How to get there: take the Providence/Stoughton line towards Wickford Junction; get off at Providence
• Train station in Boston: South Station, Back Bay, Ruggles
• Distance: 1 hour

3. Concord

This is my second favorite town near Boston. The number one thing to do once you exit the train is to go to Bedford Farms Ice Cream for a nice large ice cream before walking into town. 

Concord offers a lot of history. Many famous writers spent time here and are buried here. 

Once you’ve hit up Bedford Farms ice cream, there are great options for things to do in Concord. 

• Walden Pond: Walden Pond is a great place to spend a hot summer day. 

• Minute Man National Historical Park: The first battles of the American Revolution were fought in Lexington and Concord. Minute Man National Historical Park preserves this history.

>> Be sure to check out the most immersive self-guided walking tour of America’s history! <<

• Old North Bridge: Old North Bridge is part of the route followed by British Troops to Boston.

• Historic Houses: Many famous writers called Concord their homes such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Louisa May Alcott. You can visit these! 

• Sleepy Hollow Cemetery: Not only did many famous literary people live in Concord, but many of them are also buried here as well. You can visit their graves at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. 

Check out the free Concord Trolley that can work as your “Hop on Hop off” bus while you’re in Concord. It will take you through the famous sites, houses, and Walden Pond. You can also explore concord by wheels with this bike share service.

Concord has many different walking tours. My personal favorite is the “Chocolate with a History Twist”. Given all of Concord’s historical ties to the American Revolution and many literary writers there truly is something for everyone. 

Honestly, one day is not nearly enough time to experience everything Concord has to offer.

• Best time to visit: Spring, Summer, or Fall. Since you’ll be walking around a lot I’d avoid going when the weather is too hot or too cold. But definitely visit Bedford Farms Ice cream.
• How to get there: take the Fitchburg line towards Wachusetts; get off at the Concord station
• Train station in Boston: North Station
• Distance: 40 minutes

4. Rockport 

Rockport is my favorite town to visit on a day trip from Boston. Every time my friends and family came over to visit us in Boston, we’d bring them to Rockport. 

This small town found at the end of the Rockport Line is situated right on the water. When you get off the train there is a map right near the exit of the station that shows different painted paths on the sidewalk to downtown. 

The paths are very easy to follow and drop you right downtown, then you can take them back to the commuter rail station when you’re ready to leave. 

Wait until you make it downtown to grab a coffee or a snack. Once you’re on Main St. head to Brother’s Brew Coffee or Beans & Leave Cafe. From here we like to take our coffee to the beaches to enjoy our breakfast. 

Next, explore downtown and see all there is to offer. There are cute candy shops, fresh lobster stands, and an incredible ice cream store on Bearskin Neck. Once you reach the end of the downtown peninsula you can walk on the beach and water break. 

Rockport is not known for its beaches which means that they are generally a lot less crowded than Glouscter or Maine. The beaches are also a little rockier. 

There are lots of kayak, canoe, or sailboat rentals if you prefer to be on the water.

• Best time to visit: Spring or Summer. Being on the coast the fall and winter get very cold and gray plus the majority of restaurants and stores are closed in the off-season.
• How to get there: take the Newburyport/Rockport line towards Rockport
• Train station in Boston: North Station
• Distance: 1 hour 30 minutes

5. Worcester

Worcester is the second biggest city in Massachusetts and is well known for its arts and sciences. It’s home to 8 universities and colleges, including UMass Medical School and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Places to visit include the Worcester Art Museum, with more than 35,000 works of art. The Hanover Theatre and Mechanics Hall both have regular shows worth visiting. 

For history lovers like us, the Worcester History Museum is all about the history of the area. There’s also the EcoTarium which is a mixture of a museum and a zoo. 

Since it’s a big city, Worcester has a great transportation network so you don’t need a car to get around. The MBTA commuter rail station is right in the middle of the city with a bus station across the street.

• Best time to visit: Any time really. Stuff to do indoors all year round, and a great transportation network will get you there without a lot of walking outside
• How to get there: take the Worcester line toward Worcester
• Train station in Boston: North Station
• Distance: 1 hour 30 minutes

6. Wachusett

Wachusett is a perfect place to visit in winter. You get to go to the mountains in just under 2 hours as a day trip from Boston by train. If you like skiing, then this is the trip you want to take. Wachusett is one of the many skiing options available in New England.

In winter there are “ski trains” that head out to Wachusett on the MBTA that has slots for your skis. In summer there’s one that has a slot for bikes.

Wachusett offers a free round-trip winter shuttle from the commuter rail station to the mountain. You get to go skiing without exerting energy to drive. 

In the summer Wachusett has some festivals and food truck roundups. The main problem is in the summer they don’t have a shuttle from the station to the mountain so you’re left needing to get an uber. I would not recommend walking because it is far and steep. 

Not far from the commuter rail station is Great Wolf Lodge. As a fun activity, they allow people to purchase day passes or ½ day passes to enjoy the indoor water park and adventure games.

• Best time to visit: Winter for skiing, fall for leaf peeping, and Summer for hiking
• How to get there: take the Fitchburg line towards Wachusett. This requires a 10-ish minute Uber ride to the mountain. During the Winter there is a shuttle on Saturdays.
• Train station in Boston: North Station
• Distance: 1 hour 40 minutes

7. Plymouth

Plymouth most famously is known for Plymouth Rock where the pilgrims arrived at the “New World.” I will say it is a rock and not really interesting.

But since you’re in Plymouth, take a quick photo of it then move on to see the rest that this wonderful town has to offer! 

If you’re particularly interested in the Pilgrims’ history and settlement in Plymouth, head to Plimoth Plantation, a live museum that brings the Pilgrims’ daily life to life.

>> Check availability for Plimoth Plantation! <<

The main street is a little ways away from the commuter rail station. We took an uber because we did not feel up for the walk. On Main street, you’ll find many wonderful local shops, amazing ice cream, and a scenic walk along the bay. 

For such a small town Plymouth is bustling! You’ll find festivals or a museum on seemingly every corner. There are many lovely parks to walk through and stores with boatloads of locally made saltwater taffy. 

One of the things on my bucket list when we moved to Massachusetts was to go to a Cranberry Bog. Plymouth is the place for that! 

The Cranberry Bog Tours picks the group up, brings everyone to the farm, and teaches everyone about cranberries. Wading in a cranberry bog is such a unique opportunity! 

Try it for yourself. 

• Best time to visit: Spring for fewer crowds
• How to get there: Take the Kingston/Plymouth line towards Kingston then take an uber the final way to Plymouth
• Train station in Boston: South Station
• Distance: 1 hour 30 minutes

8. Lawrence

Located just below the New Hampshire border, Lawrence is a growing city with lots of fun activities. 

The first stop should be Heav’ly Donut for some incredible donuts. After you’ve gotten your fill of incredible sweets, head to the Canal Street Antique Mall for some exploring. You could spend hours wandering the aisles of all the incredible treasures there. 

The city is also known for its incredible building-sized murals, ranging from the music legends mural to the Food for the World mural. Primarily you’ll find these on Essex Street, but you’ll be surprised to find them all over the city. 

Lawrence is definitely a city you can spend a few hours exploring, from restaurants to the arts and culture scene. 

The city is pretty spread out, but there is a bus system that will help you get around the city. The MBTA Station is centrally located, so there is a lot that you can get to just by walking as well. 

• Best time to visit: A good town to visit year-round
• How to get there: Take the Haverhill line
• Train station in Boston: North Station
• Distance: 1 hour

9. Newburyport

The MBTA Commuter rail station is situated right on the Clipper City Trail. This 1.1-mile trail connects from the Merrimack River to downtown. Newburyport is located on the water.

Massachusetts is known for having whale migrations between May through October. 

There are at least 3 kinds of whales and a variety of different sea animals. This whale-watching tour takes you from downtown Newburyport through the Merrimack river into the Gulf of Maine on a 149-passenger ship. 

Joppa Flats Education Center teaches students all about wildlife in Massachusetts. This center offers summer activities for adults and children alike. It has helped band, research, and aid over 36,000 birds. 

My favorite festival in Newburyport is the Old Christmas Tree Bonfire. After Christmas is over the Newburyport firefighters will collect Christmas trees. The trees are piled high and then set on fire. 

There are vendors selling hot chocolate and marshmallows. It is cold before the fire is set, but then quickly warms up. This is a fundraiser for the Volunteer Fire Department so there is a small fee to enter.

• Best time to visit: Fall for the whale watching
• How to get there: Take the Newbury/Rockport line towards Newburyport
• Train station in Boston: North Station
• Distance: 1 hour

10. Hyannis

While this stop is not on the Weekend Commuter Rail pass it is definitely a must-visit. From Memorial day through Labor day, you can head to Cape Cod on the CapeFlyer. On weekends a round-trip ticket can be $20. 

The mile-long Main street in Hyannis has 120 shops and restaurants, 3 museums, and some lovely beaches. One of the main attractions is to take a tour of the local glass factory, Sandwich Glass Museum. 

Though you may have taken many MBTA train rides from Boston, check out the scenic historic train ride in Hyannis. Cape Train has many themed rides with stunning views.

The day trip from Boston by train to Hyannis is longer than other trips, but it is by far one of the most scenic. Cape Cod is what Massachusetts is known for and is where many people spend their summer. Expect it to be busy in the summer and mostly closed in winter. 

Hyannis is the “beginning” of the Cape which is formally known to include Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. For a longer trip onto the Cape, you can take a ferry from Hyannis to the islands. 

• Best time to visit: Summer
• How to get there: Take the CapeFlyer
• Train station in Boston: South Station, Braintree, or Brockton
• Distance: 2 hours 20 minutes

What is the MBTA Weekend Pass?

Back in the summer of 2018, the commuter rail of Boston launched a pilot weekend pass program. This meant that for $10 you had unlimited rides on the commuter rail on Saturday and Sunday. This was a game-changer.

Typically the commuter rail fares are between $4.60-$26.50 round trip depending on the zone. Each leg of the trip has its own variable cost which makes exploring towns along the route very expensive.

After such a successful pilot, the MBTA decided to make weekend passes a permanent option! Now you can purchase the ticket on the mTicket app and enjoy a weekend of hop-on hop-off train exploration!

How Much Does the MBTA Weekend Pass Cost?

The MBTA Commuter weekend pass costs $10. Keep in mind that this is only for the commuter rail. 

The regular MBTA system does not have a discounted weekend price and those will remain the same. If you need to take the train from your local station to North or South Station that is additional to the $10 unlimited pass.

The local subway is $2.40 one way and the bus is $1.70 one way. There is a free transfer from the subway to the bus.

How to Use the MBTA Weekend Pass

Using the ticket is very simple! You can either download the mTicket app to get your ticket or purchase your ticket at the North and South train stations. 

If you’re not leaving from Boston’s North or South Station, you can purchase the ticket on the train.

Note: Each person in your party will need to download the app to their phone, you cannot have multiple tickets in one app.

After you’re on board and settled, the train conductors will start making their rounds to check the tickets. Activate and show your ticket on the mTicket app or have your physical ticket marked off–don’t worry it’s still for unlimited use.

Personally, we found the app to be the easiest way to travel with the weekend pass. It’s easy to activate, easy to show the conductor, and hard to lose. 

✅ Download the MBTA Weekend Pass to Your Phone.

When is the best time to take a day trip from Boston by train?

Larry and I like to leave on an early commuter train out to our selected location. Since the trains leave Boston and come back on the same track there is a 1-2 hour lag between each time the train leaves Boston. 

By leaving on the first train of the morning, we get to make the most out of the commuter rail’s weekend pass. 

I recommend heading to North or South Station for the 8 AM train out to your destination. If you time it right, you can go to 2-3 places in a day.

Do I need to rent a car when taking a day trip from Boston?

Definitely not! All these towns and cities are very walkable. You can explore easily and let the MBTA Commuter Rail do the transportation while you enjoy the scenery. 

If you have more time, take a 10-day road trip from Boston to Portland, Maine!

Is the train ride from Boston scenic?

Absolutely! The routes can take you along the bay for some beautiful ocean views. Some other routes take you through Massachusetts through forests and peaceful rolling hills. Not only do you get to spend your day trip from Boston in a new place but you get to go by train.

Boston is a fun city, but the fact that it is centrally located in New England means that there are lots of places easily accessible to visitors. Not only are there many road trips to take, but Boston makes it easy to visit the area by train. 

Massachusetts is dotted with wonderful small towns and cities that are worth visiting. You can really explore so much of Massachusetts when you use the MBTA commuter pass for $10 on unlimited trips for 48 hours.

Ready to get started on your day trip? Check out these travel essentials to make your day trip smooth!

About the Authors: Daphne & Larry French are the married couple writing for Our French Travels. They lived in Boston for over 3 years and share a love of travel. They have collectively traveled to over 70 cities.

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