Family-Friendly Fall Getaways in New England

Crisp air, colorful foliage, cozy sweaters, and weekend adventures — fall in New England is pure magic. Whether you’re craving apple cider, pumpkin patches, or scenic hikes with golden leaves overhead, these day trips and mini-getaways (all within about two hours) will help your family soak up the season.

Scenic Fall Beaches & Coastal Walks

Even when the weather cools, the coast has its own magic. Bundle up, bring a thermos of cider, and enjoy the fresh ocean breeze.

• Gloucester – Good Harbor & Wingaersheek Beach
• Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
• Nantasket Beach, Hull – just a quick drive from Needham, Wellesley & Dedham
• Cape Cod Beaches – Sandy Neck & Old Silver Beach are especially beautiful in autumn light
• Martha’s Vineyard Beaches – South Beach & State Beach are peaceful in fall
• Nantucket Beaches – Surfside & Children’s Beach are perfect for a seaside picnic
• Provincetown Fast Ferry – a fun day trip option from Boston
• Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket from Woods Hole & New Bedford, or fly Cape Air/JetBlue for a quick getaway

Museum Days

When crisp air turns chilly, step indoors and spark your family’s curiosity.

• Discovery Museum, Acton
• Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst
• Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
• Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Boston
• Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston
• Davis Museum, Wellesley College, Wellesley
• Forbes House Museum, Milton – explore maritime and local history
• Fairbanks House, Dedham – the oldest surviving timber-frame house in North America
• Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton
• New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford

Outdoor Autumn Adventures

Cooler days make it the perfect season to get outside and explore nature trails, orchards, and historic landscapes.

• Blue Hills Reservation, Milton – panoramic foliage views and family-friendly hikes
• Cutler Park Reservation, Needham/Dedham – wetlands, boardwalks, and birdwatching
• Elm Bank / Mass Horticulture, Wellesley – gardens and open fields to explore in fall color
• Nickerson State Park, Brewster – trails and kettle ponds on Cape Cod
• Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME – a breathtaking fall foliage road trip and hikes with ocean views
• Apple Orchards & Pumpkin Patches – farms in Sherborn, Stow, Natick, and across New England

Autumn Fun & Festivals

• Six Flags New England, Agawam – Don’t miss Fright Fest!
• Local Fall Festivals – From harvest fairs to Oktoberfests, check out towns across MA & southern New England.

Wildlife & Farm Fun

• Franklin Park Zoo, Boston
• Island Alpaca, Martha’s Vineyard
• Mass Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton
• Wolf Hollow, Ipswich
• Drumlin Farm, Lincoln

History with a Seasonal Backdrop

• Freedom Trail, Boston
• Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord
• Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
• Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH

Destination Cities & Towns

• Gloucester & Rockport, MA – coastal walks & fresh seafood
• Kennebunkport, York & Ogunquit, ME – classic seaside charm and fall views
• Block Island, RI – bike, beach & explore
• The Berkshires  – art, theater, and mountain foliage
• Hyannis & Chatham, Cape Cod – perfect for a shoulder-season getaway
• Edgartown & Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard – harbor views & classic carousel rides
• Nantucket Town, Nantucket – cobblestone streets and cozy cafés

From orchard strolls and art-filled afternoons to maritime history, coastal beauty in Maine, and island escapes on Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket — New England is bursting with fall magic. Grab a cozy sweater, pour some cider, and set out for a family getaway close to home.