Waterfront Weekend Getaways from Boston
A short break from your routine can work wonders
4 Min Read
4 Min ReadIf you’re a city-dweller, a stay or getaway at a waterfront location can do wonders for your well-being. A tonic for urban life, being by the water can have a mildly meditative effect on the mind. In turn, this can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increase feel-good hormones like serotonin.
The benefits of a weekend getaway
Taking a break from your regular routine has a ton of benefits. First of all, you can take more of them. Plus you don’t have to use up too many vacation days if any at all. With 52 weekends in the year, there’s a lot of weekend getaways to potentially pack in.
For starters, a weekend getaway can be more affordable than a full-fledged vacation. Traveling closer to home offers cheaper transportation and travel expenses. Not to mention the flexibility to opt for only one or two nights away. They can be taken spontaneously as they are easier to plan, and don’t even require time booked off – the most time-consuming aspect can actually be picking from the myriad of options of where to go for weekend getaways from Boston. 
Also, taking a vacation or small-cation between ending an old job and starting a new one is a great way to reset before a fresh start. If you’re moving to a new city and looking for a place to stay to bridge the gap between apartments, consider staying with Blueground. With flexible leases for one month or more, you can take your time resettling. They have apartments from studios to three bedrooms all around the Boston area whether you prefer a walkable location or something close to green space.
Whether it’s inland, close to a serene lake or by the coast, or a hiking trip, we’ve selected the perfect waterside destinations for a weekend getaway from Boston.
Provincetown
Peaceful Provincetown is located at the tip of Cape Cod and can be reached in two hours from Boston. Stay in a rustic guest house overlooking the harbor and enjoy the beautiful beaches, fresh seafood and nature trails that set the slower pace here. Herring Cove is the area’s longest stretch of beach, complete with lifeguards and restrooms. Plus, enjoy perfect picnicking food like cod-cake sliders. For breathtaking vistas, head to Race Point Beach. At this unprotected bay area, you can also snack on lobster rolls. Off-beach activities are rooted in culture. If you love literature, the town’s one-of-a-kind independent bookstores are not to be missed. Plus the Friday evening ‘art walks’ around the late-night gallery openings in the artist-friendly East End community.
Peaks Island
Pretty Peaks Island in Maine offers the perfect New England style city escape for laid-back living. Biking is the best way to explore the island’s charm. Enjoy coastal bike paths, quiet roads, and panoramic views. Further, there are also some quirky attractions like the Umbrella Museum, exhibiting umbrella covers from 65 countries. Plus the International Cryptozoology Museum, showcasing hidden or unknown animals such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. If that’s a little too left-field, there’s a contemporary culture at the Portland Museum of Art. By night you can enjoy casual dining with ocean-facing views and retire to a comfy inn by the seawater.
Connecticut River Valley
The picturesque Connecticut River Valley offers unique explorations. From riverboat rides, a castle, a Tony Award-winning theatre and more. This waterside retreat is a destination for all seasons in a rural New England setting. Enjoy gourmet dining by the river and hiking in the local state parks. With world-class shopping and antique specialists, it has all the sophisticated trappings you’d expect to find in the affluent areas of a big city. However, there’s lots of shoreline inns and bed and breakfasts to make sure you feel on an escape from the city.
Providence
Around an hour away from Boston, you’ll find pretty Providence in Rhode Island, with a riverfront modeled after Venice, Italy. Along the charming bridges and walkways along the water, you can even take a gondola boat rides. Visitors can’t leave without engaging with this up-and-coming destination’s vibrant arts scene. Unique cultural traditions include the celebrated legendary WaterFire festival, where over eighty sparkling bonfires are lit along the paths of Waterplace Park. There are lots of upscale colonial-style hotels to stay in, plus a high-end dining scene that offers a perfect combination for a classy weekend away.
Portsmouth
This quaint harbor town at the outermost tip of the Piscataqua River is an elegant destination with throwbacks to the colonial era. Modern-day Portsmouth, New Hampshire has been rediscovered by a new generation who visit for the local farm-to-table restaurants, local breweries, and burgeoning art scene. Notably, much of the action centers around Market Square. By day visitors can explore the city on the Portsmouth Harbour Trail and Heritage Tours, or find some sanctuary in one of the squares spas. By night, the area is known for its live music venues like The Music Hall, and comfy pubs with a romantic candlelit glow. As many of the town’s traditional inn-style accommodation is located here, it’s a stone’s throw from a cozy night in.
