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Best Family-Friendly Getaways Near Boston

While there are plenty of family-friendly attractions in Boston, it is often nice to get away. Thankfully, families do not have to go very far to get a small vacation. There are many locations near the city that have good accommodations, sites, parks and more to entertain families. Whether the idea is to escape city life or to do something meaningful together, the answer is waiting within an hour drive of Boston.
Expedition Whydah
(Image Credit: Expedition Whydah)

Provincetown
Whydah Pirate Museum
16 MacMillan Pier
Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-8899
www.whydah.com

Provincetown is known for many things, such as gorgeous beaches, seaside restaurants and great shopping. There are plenty of places to stay when coming in for a visit and one place families with children must see when they drive to the tip of Cape Cod. The Whydah Pirate Museum is located in a wooden building right on a pier over the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to the collections recovered from the Whydah, a pirate ship wrecked off the Cape in 1717 and recovered only recently by underwater explorers. Pieces include canons, coins and gold jewelry.

Related: Best Long Weekend Getaways Near Boston

Nantasket Beach
Nantasket Beach. (Image Credit: Hull Chamber of Commerce)

Nantasket Beach
Hull, MA 02045
www.hullchamber.com

Nantasket Beach is a long beach located on a peninsula in Hull. The beach faces one side while a strip of shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors and even an antique carousel still in working condition run down the center. The opposite side of the peninsula hosts a wharf for local boats. A family could spend days enjoying the beach and staying at a local hotel or camping just five minutes away at Wompatuck State Park. They can even explore Fort Revere, which is a very short drive further down the peninsula, from which the Boston skyline is visible.

Castle Hill On The Crane Estate
(Image Credit: Castle Hill On The Crane Estate)

Ipswich
Castle Hill On Crane Estate
290 Argilla Rd.
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-4351
www.thetrustees.org

Ipswich is an impressive town north of Boston that is home to an even more impressive estate. There is an inn right on the property where families can stay. It dates back to the mid-19th century. Families can visit the huge mansion on the hill, ride bikes around the grounds, tour the landscaped gardens, snowshoe in the winter, go bird watching and even enjoy Crane Beach. There is a museum and restaurants in town to help fill in a weekend getaway nicely.

King Richards Faire
(Image Credit: King Richard's Faire)

Carver
King Richard's Faire
235 Main St.
Carver, MA 02330
(508) 866-5391
www.kingrichardsfaire.net

Carver, MA is a gem of a rural town south of Boston. Its proximity to visit-worthy places, its annual Renaissance fair and its state park make it a suitable getaway for families of all sorts. When weather permits, there is tent, yurt and RV camping at Myles Standish, where activities include bicycling, hiking, swimming and photographing wildlife. In the fall, King Richard's Faire opens up and provides entertainment for people of all ages. Of course, Carver is also a short drive from Cape Cod and Plymouth.

Related: Boston's Best Fall Family Getaways

Salem Witch Museum
(Image Credit: Salem Witch Museum)

Salem
Salem Witch Museum
19 1/2 North Washington Square
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-1692
www.salemwitchmuseum.com

Apart from the assortment of hotels, restaurants and shops in Salem, a few museums make it an interesting getaway for families. One of these is the famous Salem Witch Museum, dedicated to the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th century. The museum can accommodate children, so do not be afraid if there is a skittish child in the bunch. They can have an educational experience without anything spooky. There is also another pirate museum in town, so filling a few days with family-friendly fun is no problem in Salem.

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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