Single-day road trip ideas for friends near Boston
Get amazing travel deals when you sign up for Boston Traveler. Find the perfect getaway, grab special fares for local and international trips, and much more.
Summer is the season for road trips in the Northeast. Check out three awesome itineraries for friends looking to get out of the city for a day.
TO THE NORTH
The basic idea: Bond with friends in the Granite State with a weekend of fun, games and a trip down memory lane.
Morning: Head north on Interstate 93 towards New Hampshire. Pull off in Pelham, which is about an hour north of Boston. Stop at the Pinball Wizard Arcade for a time warp back to a simpler time from childhood. The old-school arcade features plenty of classic pinball and arcade games including Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and many more. Bond with your friends over who can rack up the highest score and re-live memories of playing arcade games as a kid.
If the arcade isn’t your idea of a good time, swing by Snow Pond Farm, an alpaca farm in Windham, New Hampshire about 10 minutes north of Pelham. Visitors can walk the alpacas, participate in feedings and help with some barn chores. The farm’s store also offers several hand-made alpaca products including hats, scarves and gloves.
Lunch: Grab lunch at a nearby Pelham restaurant. Some of the better-reviewed options include Dimitriou’s, Suppa’s Pizza and Subs or Ruby China Chinese Restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue the fun and head west towards Nashua. Book a session with Key to Escape, an escape room adventure that requires participants to solve puzzles and challenges in order to get out of a simulated trap. Remember to show up 15 minutes early or you won’t be allowed to participate.
Alternatively, you can also book a session with Graffiti Paint Bar, a paint bar and wine studio that invites groups of guests to replicate a selected painting while enjoying some spirits.
Dinner: Grab dinner at one of Nashua’s well-respected establishments like Stella Blu, Shira Kiku, the Peddler’s Daughter or Crane Restaurant.
After dinner get on Route 3 heading south. You’ll be back in Boston in about an hour.
TO THE WEST
Book a skydiving outing with Jumptown and create a memory that you and your crew will never forget.
The basic idea: Adventurous groups can get a bird’s eye view of Western Massachusetts. Plus, explore the natural scenery of New Salem and West Brookfield.
Morning: Be warned that this activity is not for the faint of heart. Head west on Route 2 towards Orange, Massachusetts, roughly two hours from Boston. Book a skydiving outing with Jumptown and create a memory that you and your crew will never forget. Jumptown offers discounts on group jumps and lessons for inexperienced skydivers. Book your session in advance.
Of course, there’s a good chance that skydiving is not for everyone. If that’s the case, head to New Salem instead, about 10 minutes south of Orange. Explore Bear’s Den, a six-acre nature reserve located close to the Quabbin Reservoir that has a hiking trail and a waterfall.
Lunch: Grab lunch at a well-respected restaurant like Millers River Café, Tea House or Fireside Bar and Grill.
Afternoon: Swing south on Route 32A to West Brookfield, about 45 minutes away from your morning activities. Explore the Rock House Reservation, a natural rock shelter once used as a Native American camp. The Reservation includes three miles of hiking trails, a butterfly garden and scenic vistas. Carter Pond lies in the center of the reservation and is surrounded by boulders.
Dinner: West Brookfield offers several highly-recommended restaurants to grab dinner including the Salem Cross Inn, Ye Olde Tavern and Wok Inn.
After dinner, head east back to Boston. You’ll be home in about an hour and a half.
TO THE SOUTH
The Sandwich Glass Museum features glassblowing works by local artists.
The basic idea: Head down to Cape Cod Bay and make the most of a coastal town.
Morning: Head south on Route 3 towards Sandwich, a little more than an hour away from Boston. However, the trip is likely to take longer due to traffic.
Stop at Scusset Beach State Reservation, a popular beach located on Cape Cod Bay. The reservation has something for everyone to enjoy so you and your friends can spend the day swimming, hiking, fishing or exploring the local scenery.
Lunch: If you didn’t pack a lunch there are plenty of top restaurants nearby to grab a bite. Some beloved Sandwich establishments include Beth’s Bakery & Café, Dan’l Webster Main Restaurant, Seafood Sam’s or the Deli.
Afternoon: Continue to enjoy Sandwich by taking in some of the town’s cultural offerings. Pay a visit the Sandwich Glass Museum, an artistic establishment dedicated to the craft of glassblowing by local artists. Another option is Heritage Museums & Gardens, a public garden with an extensive collection of plant life, classic American cars and folk art.
Dinner: When you get hungry, grab dinner at one of several well-reviewed restaurants including Captain Scott’s Seafood Restaurant, British Beer Company or Tomatoes Italian Grille & Bar.
When you’ve finished your meal, get back on Route 3 heading north. You should be home in just over an hour.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com