Budget-friendly day trips/ideas for Massachusetts/New England

[kelleigh1]

I live in MA and have lived here pretty much my whole life. (Those first 8 months in Texas aren't even a memory.) And like most people, there is so much of my own area that I've never visited or may not even know about.

A friend is coming to visit in July and I want to make it a great trip and find time to do some of the things I've never done. So I'm looking for ideas. She's going to be here just short of a week, arriving on a Friday afternoon in July and flying out the following Thursday morning. So that gives us 5 full days.

One of those days (Sunday), we are going to a Red Sox game, and she wants to catch Patriots training camp one day (but since I live around the corner from the stadium, that won't eat a full day).

Anyone have any ideas on places we should go or things we should see? And as I mentioned in the title, we are on a fairly tight budget.

TIA!!

Oh, and she has been to Boston before and I do work in the city, so that's not really at the top of my list of places to visit on my vacation...although, I'd consider it if we could find some fun and free things to do.

 

[mtemm]

my first recommendation is to check your local library for passes. ours has passes for so many area attractions! definitely could help keep your budget on track.

second, what kind of things is your friend interested in? history? art? nature? shopping?

one of my favorite daytrips is heading up to southern maine for a day. will head to ogunquit and walk marginal way, go to nubble light for a bit, maybe head to long sands at york and walk the beach. also love portsmouth, nh. very cute small cith with tons to see/do...just shopping the small shops is fun, having a drink (or two) on one of the outside docks, or heading over to prescott park to watch a live performance. very fun.

 

[Darsa]

I grew up in Plymouth MA; there's lots of historical stuff to do there, and the oceanfront was WONDERFUL (not sure if it still is, it's been years).

Maine and New Hampshire both have wonderful places to visit, but if you want to stay in MA I would definitely recommend the coast!

 

[kelleigh1]

It's funny you mention Maine and walking Marginal Way. My husband and I just did that on Friday for our 5th anniversary. We couldn't really afford to do anything this year (he's one of those laidoff), and he'd never been to Maine, so we decided to take a drive up. It was great. I was thinking she might like to do that.

My friend is open to doing just about anything. I don't think there is anything that she doesn't like.

I can't remember if I took her to Plymouth last time she was here. I think I did because I think we stopped at the winery that is right down by the waterfront. I vaguely remember that.

 

[Disney Doll]

It's funny you mention Maine and walking Marginal Way. My husband and I just did that on Friday for our 5th anniversary. We couldn't really afford to do anything this year (he's one of those laidoff), and he'd never been to Maine, so we decided to take a drive up. It was great. I was thinking she might like to do that.

My friend is open to doing just about anything. I don't think there is anything that she doesn't like.

I can't remember if I took her to Plymouth last time she was here. I think I did because I think we stopped at the winery that is right down by the waterfront. I vaguely remember that.

If you do this, there is a wonderful Italian restaurant in York called Massimino's. We were just up there in April...stayed in Ogunquit, did the Marginal Way, Kittery, Freeport, Massiminos.

 

[Hoodie]

Cape and/or P-town for the day.

I've heard the Norman Rockwell museum is nice but I've never been there.

 

[kelleigh1]

Cape and/or P-town for the day.

My only hesitation with the Cape is that July is peak tourist season, so everything will be overrun with tourists.

 

[Ppufi]

Salem, MA would be fun if she's into magick and such.