A Day Trip from Boston: 6 Spots for Nature-Loving Families
Finding the perfect outdoor spot for a day trip near Boston can be tricky—not because there aren’t enough beautiful places, but because so many of them are overrun with crowds, especially on weekends, or if they’re within 30 miles of Fenway Park. Whether it’s a packed state park in peak foliage season or a beach swarming with Dunkin’-guzzling Tom Brady devotees, some locations feel less like a relaxing getaway and more like a game of “find a parking spot before everyone in the car has a nuclear meltdown.”
That’s why I’ve rounded up six incredible places for a day trip from Boston that are as peaceful as they are photogenic. These spots aren’t just great for taking family photos—they’re perfect for families who love nature, wildlife, and quiet outdoor adventures…without some guy in a Red Sox jersey and cargo shorts photobombing you.
I know because I started out as a bird and wildlife photographer, and these were some of my favorite places to shoot. Whether you’re looking for serene ponds, towering trees, winding boardwalks, or wide-open coastal views, these hidden gems offer something special in every season.
As a side note, you’ll notice for some locations I only have pictures of birds, and that’s because I’ve only ever taken pictures of birds in those locations and don’t like using other people’s photos. Even if I can’t endorse these spots for a professional portrait session, I still think they’re fantastic spots for a family day trip.
Each of these are an easy day trip from Boston (only one takes more than half an hour to drive there on a weekend,) making them perfect for a weekend adventure, a nature walk with the kids, or a spontaneous road trip to escape the city and soak in some fresh air.
1. Mount Auburn Cemetery (Cambridge, MA)
🚗 Drive from Boston: 20 minutes
🌤️ Best time of Year to Visit: May-June if you don’t mind some crowds, or October if you do
🍴 Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: My Other Kitchen
Don’t let the word cemetery fool you—Mount Auburn is a beautifully landscaped sanctuary that feels more like an arboretum. With winding paths, lush gardens, and tranquil ponds, it’s an oasis of calm that makes an easy day trip from Boston. Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful places you can visit while technically being surrounded by dead people.
In addition to its peaceful setting, Mount Auburn is a prime birdwatching location, particularly in May, when migratory warblers fill the trees. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a screech owl peeking out from a tree hole. The cemetery also offers educational programming that shares fascinating stories about the historic figures buried here, as well as the natural history of its trees. It’s a great place for kids who love learning about the past—or just want to hunt for cool birds. That being said, it is still a cemetery, so if you’re not sure if your kids can resist climbing on tombstones or screaming at the top of their lungs for no reason, other options on this list can offer a lower risk of committing some kind of desecration.
⚠ Crowd Warning: While it’s typically a quiet retreat, May can be especially busy due to peak bird migration, drawing birdwatchers from all over. If you don’t mind sharing the space with binocular-wielding enthusiasts dressed in 50 shades of beige, it can be a fun opportunity to teach kids about bird migration—or turn it into a scavenger hunt for colorful warblers.
Beyond its wildlife and history, Mount Auburn’s landscape is thoughtfully designed with winding paths, stunning water features, and an array of trees from around the world. The careful landscaping creates a space that feels both wild and intentional, making it an incredible location for peaceful exploration.
⛲️ Why it’s great: Stunning gardens, sculptures, and serene settings that feel like a step back in time.
👦 Kid-friendly features: Quiet paths for wandering, historical and nature-based programming for older kids.
⚠️ Caution: People’s loved ones are buried here, so following rules and guidelines is especially important here. There are better options for families with kids that might struggle with this.
📸 Photo tip: Visit during golden hour for soft light filtering through the trees. Spring and fall bring vibrant blossoms and colorful foliage for a seasonal pop, and using pond reflections can add a unique depth to your photos.
2. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Concord, MA)
🚗 Drive from Boston: 30 minutes
🌤️ Best Time of Year to Visit: August during lotus bloom
🍴 Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: Woods Hill Table
If you’re looking for a peaceful escape surrounded by wetlands, boardwalks, and scenic trails, Great Meadows is the perfect spot for a day trip from Boston. Unlike busy parks, this wildlife refuge offers wide-open views and a quiet, natural setting, making it a hidden gem for families who love nature. Though it is mostly a wetland, so meadow-lovers who got excited about the name of this place might be disappointed.
It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to species like great blue herons, red-winged blackbirds, and marsh wrens. If you’re lucky, you might even spot muskrats, beavers, or a river otter gliding through the water. Spring and summer bring even more beauty when lotus flowers bloom across the wetlands—though, fun fact, both they and the giant carp lurking beneath the surface are invasive species (try not to get too hung up on that part.)
Beyond birds and aquatic wildlife, kids can have fun spotting frogs, water snakes, and dragonflies along the trails. The boardwalks provide a unique perspective, letting you walk right over the marsh without disturbing the ecosystem. There’s also a lookout tower in the parking lot where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the marsh.
Since this is a wetland, bug spray is essential, especially if you’re visiting during golden hour to take advantage of the stunning light reflecting off the water.
🪷 Why it’s great: Expansive wetlands, scenic trails, and fantastic wildlife spotting.
👦 Kid-friendly features: Boardwalks, trails, and plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and nature discovery.
⚠️ Caution: If you have a kid that’s like I was, they’ll try to catch the water snakes. Water snakes aren’t venomous, but will release a horrible smelling musk and can leave a nasty bite, which will put a damper on an otherwise relaxing family outing.
📸 Photo tip: Use the boardwalk paths as leading lines to draw the eye through the image, or frame a shot with tall cattails in the foreground for a natural border. If you time it right, you might even capture a flock of geese flying across the sky for an extra dynamic backdrop.
3. Flint Farm (Lincoln, MA)
🚗 Drive from Boston: 30 minutes
🌤️ Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall is the most popular time for photo shoots, so Corey is more available for visits/tours any other time of the year.
🍴 Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: Twisted Tree Cafe
If you’re looking for a truly unique and private experience, Flint Farm is a must-visit. This 12th-generation (yes, 12th, we’re talking off the Mayflower old) working farm is one of the oldest in the area, offering a mix of rural charm and natural beauty that’s less than a 30 minute day trip from Boston. Full Disclosure: This is where I live and work, so there’s a chance I’m a smidge biased.
One of the best things about Flint Farm is that you’ll have the entire space to yourselves. Families can explore the open fields, visit the alpacas (yes, you can feed them!), and climb onto the farm’s vintage tractors (I’d let you drive them but our liability insurance underwriter is a total square.) The landscape is full of classic New England scenery, from stone walls to rustic barn siding, all perfect for capturing warm, timeless images. Ponds, wildflower meadows, and groves of trees add even more variety to the landscape, making it a dream day trip from Boston for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Wildlife lovers might spot killdeer (a type of bird, not a hunter’s manifesto) darting through the fields, red-tailed hawks soaring overhead, or hear the chorus of spring peepers in the warmer months. It’s a place where kids can run free and explore without worrying about crowds—cow patties on the other hand…
And here’s the cherry on top: your host is a professional photographer! After your visit, you can arrange an unforgettable family photo session right on the farm. With exclusive access to the property, no stares from strangers to make you self-conscious, and an absolutely gorgeous backdrop for photos, it’s an incredible opportunity to create lasting memories—both on and off camera.
🚜 Why it’s great: A mix of history, charm, and natural beauty in a completely private setting.
🦙 Kid-friendly features: Alpacas to feed, tractors to climb, and plenty of space to roam.
⚠️ Caution: Alpacas can sometimes spit, though it’s almost always directed at me because they mostly spit at each other and they’ve accepted me as one of their own.
📸 Photo tip: Capture your kids’ genuine joy as they feed the alpacas or perch on one of the farm’s vintage tractors—it’s the kind of moment that tells a story all on its own.
4. Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain, MA)
🚗 Drive from Boston: 25 minutes
🍁 Best Time of Year to Visit: Late Spring and Early Fall
🍴 Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: Soup Shack
This 281-acre hidden gem offers all the beauty of Boston’s best parks without the overwhelming crowds—most of the time. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also helped design Mount Auburn Cemetery and Central Park), the Arboretum is one of the country’s oldest public green spaces and was built with both beauty and education in mind. Plus, it’s probably the easiest day trip from Boston on this list since it’s both T-Accessible and a short drive from downtown.
The Arboretum is divided into sections based on species and origin, so you can find entire groves dedicated to maples, conifers, oaks, lilacs, and more, each showcasing a stunning variety of trees from around the world. This thoughtful layout makes it an especially interesting place to explore, as different areas bloom and change throughout the seasons.
It’s also a fantastic spot for wildlife lovers. In the spring, you can hear (and hopefully see) migratory warblers flitting between the trees. Beyond its natural beauty, the Arboretum is a great place for kids to learn—many of the trees are labeled with their species and origin, making it an outdoor classroom as much as a scenic escape.
Scattered throughout the park, you’ll find ponds and water fountains, which add to the peaceful atmosphere and can be a fun place for kids to stop and observe wildlife. The main path spirals upward toward the top of a beautiful hill that offers a great view of the city skyline as well. Dogs must be on a leash at all times in the main park, but there’s an off leash area on nearby Peter’s Hill.
Crowd Warning: The Arboretum is usually a quiet, peaceful spot, but certain times of the year—especially Mother’s Day weekend—can get extremely crowded, as visitors flock to see the spring blooms. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, it’s best to visit early in the morning or on a weekday.
🚗 Parking Tip: Free street parking is available along Arborway and Bussey Street, but it can fill up quickly during peak times. If you want a guaranteed spot, the small visitor lot on Arborway near the main entrance is your best bet—but arrive early!
🌸 Why it’s great: Seasonal blooms like spring cherry blossoms and fiery autumn foliage provide vibrant, ever-changing scenery.
👦 Kid-friendly features: Stroller-friendly trails, tree labels for nature-loving kids, and plenty of space to explore.
⚠️ Caution: As fun as climbing trees can be, it is prohibited at the Arboretum, so if it’s going to be too much of a temptation for your husband maybe pick another spot on the list.
📸 Photo tip: Use the long pathways as natural leading lines to add depth to your photos, or frame your shot beneath the arching branches of a tree for a whimsical, storybook effect.
5. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Newburyport, MA)
🚗 Drive from Boston: 50 minutes
🌊 Best Time of Year to Visit: The last 2 weeks of August you can catch the swallow migration and beaches are all open, but really any time other than mid-July to early August is great.
🍴 Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: Metzy’s
Coastal beauty meets quiet serenity at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, a stunning stretch of protected land featuring sandy dunes, salt marshes, and winding boardwalk trails. Unlike many popular beach spots, Parker River remains relatively quiet, thanks to limited parking and seasonal beach closures to protect nesting shorebirds. While this makes it harder to snag a spot, it also means the refuge never feels overrun with crowds. Generally speaking, your best bet is to visit close to sunrise and sunset, so if you’re making a day trip from Boston, late afternoon/early evening is your best bet (traffic should be friendlier this time of day as well, but it is Boston so who knows.)
Wildlife enthusiasts will love this location, as it’s a prime spot for spotting shorebirds, egrets, herons, osprey, and bald eagles. (Side note: I think osprey are better than bald eagles because they are amazing hunters and bald eagles are mostly thieves and scavengers. Whether that makes bald eagles an appropriate mascot for the United States or not is a matter of personal perspective.)
One recent addition that I’ve really appreciated since my mom lost her ability to walk is that one of their best trails is now 100% handicap accessible. This boardwalk loops through both a marsh filled with cattails, as well as a beautiful sand dune overlooking the ocean.
The most popular time of year to visit the beach in New England is actually the worst time to visit Parker River. Between mid-July to early August, the entire refuge becomes swarmed with horrible winged demons: greenheads. These relentless biting flies, forged in the bowels of Mordor, will stop at nothing to descend upon you with the speed of a Nazgûl and rip into your flesh, which will quickly turn an otherwise peaceful visit into a legitimate nightmare. If you must visit in midsummer, go on a breezy day (greenheads aren’t strong fliers) and wear light-colored clothing—they’re attracted to dark colors.
If you visit in late summer, you’ll witness the spectacular swallow staging, when millions of migrating swallows gather and swirl in mesmerizing patterns over the marshes before heading south. In winter, you might even spot snowy owls out in the marsh or perched on a piece of driftwood, though if you start looking for snowy owls there’s a good chance you’ll end up spending half an hour looking at a plastic bag from a great distance.
Much of the beach is closed from April to August to protect nesting piping plovers and other endangered shorebirds, but after Labor Day, when the restrictions lift and the summer crowds have disappeared, the beach is pure bliss. The water is still warm, the air crisp but comfortable, and the sunsets over the dunes feel like something out of a painting.
🏖️ Why it’s great: Sweeping coastal views, diverse wildlife, and peaceful trails make this a one-of-a-kind nature escape.
👦 Kid-friendly features: Beaches, boardwalks, trails, and plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and nature discovery.
⚠️ Caution: In addition to the above greenhead fly warning, make sure your car keys are secure when going out on the beach. Don’t be like me and have your keys fall out of your pocket while the tide is coming in. And discover that they’re missing when the sun is almost down and the gate is closed. And you can’t even get a tow truck and have to get a fisherman to drive you out of the park to get a $100 Uber. Then use all your AAA towing miles the next day to get your car home, only to find out you lost your spare key too. And that it will cost over $1000 and take three weeks to make a new key for your car, and when you go to rent a car you realize your license expired. Suddenly your day trip from Boston turned into a huge kick in the wallet and weeks long ordeal. Don’t do that.
📸 Photo tip: Experiment with reflections in the wet sand at low tide or capture the shimmering colors in the tide pools for a unique perspective on this stunning coastal landscape.
6. Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary (Belmont, MA)
Drive from Boston: 25 minutes
🌊 Best Time of Year to Visit: Camps run throughout the summer, so Spring, Fall, and Winter are generally quieter
🍴 Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: My Other Kitchen (I know it’s a repeat but this place is that good.)
For families who love a peaceful, intimate setting, Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden gem and an easy day trip from Boston. Nestled in Belmont, this 90-acre sanctuary features beautifully maintained gardens, gentle forest trails, meadows, and historic stone walls—all within a compact, easy-to-navigate space. Unlike sprawling parks that require long treks, Habitat’s layout allows for a variety of scenery within a short walking distance, making it perfect for little legs that tire easily. It’s cute, beautiful, and small, just like my wife, Sue.
Wildlife lovers will appreciate the abundant birdlife, including chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers flitting through the trees. In March and April, keep an eye out for great horned owlets roosting high in the trees. If you’ve never seen a great horned owlet, just look for a football-sized pile of dryer lint with googly eyes. In warmer months, you might spot painted turtles sunning themselves on logs in the pond or hear the distinctive calls of bullfrogs. The meadows burst with wildflowers in summer, attracting butterflies and bees, while fall transforms the forests into a golden retreat.
Beyond its natural beauty, Habitat offers a variety of educational programs for kids and families, including guided nature walks, wildlife tracking, and hands-on activities focused on conservation. It’s also a sought-after wedding venue, which speaks to its photo-worthiness—if couples choose this spot for one of the most important days of their lives, you can be sure it’s a picture-perfect location.
🌳 Why it’s great: A mix of gardens, forest trails, open meadows, and historic stone features within an easily walkable area.
👦 Kid-friendly features: Mostly flat trails, stroller-friendly paths, and a calm environment that’s ideal for younger kids.
⚠️ Caution: You want to get there via Fletcher and Clifton St., NOT Somerset Street, unless you drive a Jeep or some other off road vehicle. Somerset is one of those roads that residents must have gotten sick of people speeding on, so they just stopped fixing potholes a long time ago and now it’s a legit risk for low-clearance cars to get stuck.
📸 Photo tip: Take advantage of the diverse landscapes within a small area—capture kids exploring the gardens, sitting on beautiful stone benches, or walking along leafy trails without needing to trek far.
Have a favorite day trip from Boston that’s not on this list?
I’d love to hear about it! We’re always looking for new places to explore, and I’d love to both expand this guide and create a few more that are focused on specific regions around New England. So, if you read this list and didn’t see your favorite spot on it, let me know in the comments!
