On the road from Boston

Looking for picture-perfect New England scenery? Drive due west to the Berkshires, a particularly bucolic corner of Massachusetts that was once a warm weather haven for elite Bostonians. Today, the Berkshires are peppered with cosy B&Bs, Gilded Age mansions, and some of the prettiest scenery around. Pro-tip: time your visit for the autumn months to take in the spectacularly vibrant fall foliage.

Rhode Island is officially the smallest state in the union, making it ideal day trip territory. And it doesn’t hurt that Newport – one of the state’s highlight destinations – is only an hour’s drive from Boston. Best known for its stately, historic mansions, Newport offers visitors a glimpse of more than 250 years of American history.

The temperatures certainly are chilly, but one upside of winter in New England? The top-notch skiing conditions. For some of the best on the East Coast, it’s worth planning a side-trip to Vermont’s ski country. Winter resorts like Killington, Okemo, and Sugarbush promise powder and adrenaline-pumping thrills. After exerting yourself on the slopes, you might be happy to know that Vermont is also known for its craft beer breweries and artisan cheese makers.

This destination’s for lovers of all things macabre. Just a quick drive outside of Boston, spooky Salem was famously the site of a series of Witch Trials in the 17^th century (since immortalised in The Crucible by Arthur Miller). Today, sightseers can visit the Salem Witch Museum, visit the (haunted) House of the Seven Gables, and otherwise investigate this darkly captivating moment in American history.

There are plenty of reasons to head north from Boston and up to Maine, from the Atlantic views to its stunning Acadia National Park. But our favourite thing of all about the Pine Tree State? Its obsession with all things lobster. Motor up during the summer months to attend the Maine Lobster Festival, go on a lobster boat tour, and, yes, eat your body weight in buttery, delectable lobster rolls. 

If you pick one single destination to explore from Boston, make it Cape Cod. For many East Coasters, Cape Cod epitomises the summer getaway, with its pretty villages, fresh seafood, and incredible beaches. And then there’s Martha’s Vineyard: just off the coast of the Cape Cod peninsula, this tiny island has hosted numerous American presidents during their summer holidays, as well as other famous visitors.