Travel Best Small Towns in Massachusetts for an Easy Weekend Getaway

Summer getaways are nice and all, but we actually love traveling this time of year. And don’t people even know it: Despite the cooler months, traffic, crowds, and high hotel rates endure. Which is why we prefer to go small -- small-town, that is. Our state is teeming with teeny spots that manage to dodge (some of) the masses yet still offer architectural charms, fine dining, water views, and, of course, plenty of picturesque vistas. Plan your Massachusetts road trip right now.

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Best Picturesque Getaway: Rockport, Massachusetts Why it’s so great: As the Bohemian sibling to Gloucester, Rockport is arguably the most photogenic town in Massachusetts. Halibut Point State Park offers waterside trails and epic views into New Hampshire and Maine. Bearskin Neck is a lot less risqué than it sounds: The town’s main drag juts out into Rockport Harbor and overflows with galleries, cute (not schlocky) gift stores, and small cafes -- most housed within antique homes and staffed by absurdly friendly folks. And don’t leave without photographing Motif No. 1, a replica of the town’s iconic red fishing shack (the original was destroyed in the Blizzard of ‘78). Fun, if hard to verify, fact: The shack is called the most painted building in the world.

Where to eat:Feather and Wedge for your cocktail needs, My Place by the Sea for high-end seafood served oceanside, and The Lobster Pool for hot boiled lobsters, outdoor seating (bring a blanket!), and the classic clam-shack experience -- BYOB and all.

Distance from Boston: An hour-and-a-half

Best Artsy Getaway: North Adams Why it’s so great: First, a bit of trivia: North Adams is technically a city -- but it’s the smallest city in Massachusetts. As to what makes it so great? MASS MoCA, of course, is what started this city’s renaissance, but its reputation has justifiably only grown as people have rediscovered North Adams’ long-standing charms. Hikes include the Appalachian Trail and Natural Bridge State Park; additional art awaits you in Williamstown at The Clark; and a drive to the top of Mount Greylock (through October) earns you incredible foliage vistas. Plus, the city how has two divine boutique hotels to choose from: the cheeky retro Porches, complete with a year-round outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, and the riverside Tourists, which offers walking trails galore and incredible deck views.

Where to eat: Bright Ideas Brewing for local beers, barbecue, and art; The Airport Rooms for cocktails and sophisticated bar snacks; Jack’s Hot Dog Stand for a grilled dog and a shot of history; Gramercy for the requisite farm-to-table fare (but they were doing it long before it was cool).

Distance from Boston: Three hours, 15 minutes

Best Historic Getaway: Deerfield, Massachusetts Why it’s so great: Feeling a hankering for small-town living? Head west of Boston for two hours, and soon enough you’ll be daydreaming/day-drooling over a Main Street so picturesque that it puts Norman Rockwell paintings to shame. The historic district is actually an outdoor museum populated by 18th-century homes, many hosting live art and cooking demonstrations. Foodies can poke around the Cooks’ Garden, which grows veggies and herbs used in on-site culinary classes. The renowned Deerfield Inn, built in 1881, was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Irene back in 2011, but a full restoration beckons you back to the renowned B&B. Yes, the town plays host to a couple of private boarding schools, but you can suffer a few privileged teens for a setting this picturesque.

Where to eat: Champney’s for beer-braised short ribs and, if it’s a cold evening, a fireside drink; Berkshire Brewing for taproom drafts.

Distance from Boston: Two-and-a-half hours

Best Outdoor Getaway: Ipswich, Massachusetts Why it’s so great: You have to start with Crane Beach. The crown jewel of the The Trustees of Reservations holdings is a miles-long shoreline where you can also hike in the dunes and let your dog off-leash in designated areas. And ever notice how many mountain bikers populate the streets of Ipswich? It’s basically a cycler’s nirvana, with many a recreational club hitting the town on weekends. It’s also a terrific place to literally get back on that horse, as stables and horseback riding lessons abound throughout the bucolic and stone-walled area (and in the fall, you can actually ride horses on Crane Beach). Then there’s Wolf Hollow, a North American wolf sanctuary that aims to correct the narrative surrounding these maligned creatures. No, you still can’t pet them.

Where to eat: 1640 Hart House for prime rib, Ithaki for authentic Greek, True North Ale Company for local IPAs, Russell Orchards for dandelion wine and cider donuts, and Ipswich River Provisions for any one of the many great sandwiches. Oh, and did you know the Clam Box is technically in Ipswich? Yes, that Clam Box. Queue up now. (Head across the Essex border to JT Farnham’s and Woodman’s if you feel like doing a local fried-clam taste test, both of which also stay open year-round.)

Distance from Boston: One hour

Best Surprise Getaway: Salem, Massachusetts Why it’s so great: Salem's reputation as Halloween-only locale is a pity given its ever-burgeoning hotel and restaurant scene. The Merchant is an upscale boutique hotel in a historic building by the water, while The Hotel Salem boasts the only rooftop bar in town (get up there quick; it’s a seasonal spot). Bit Bar, a restaurant/throwback arcade, is alone worth a day up north. And then there are the evergreen attractions: the pedestrian mall, the floating maritime museum, harbor cruises, and plenty of sailing opportunities, including sunset cruises through mid-October. Itching for some sand between your toes before the snows come? Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea is just a few minutes away.

Where to eat: Bit Bar, duh. Ledger for wood-fired cuisine in a former bank, Counter for handmade pasta inside a former department store, Adriatic for Mediterranean-inspired seafood dishes, Finz for incredible water views and lobsters.

Distance from Boston: One hour

Best Waterfront Getaway: Woods Hole, Massachusetts Why it’s so great: Yes, it’s home to an oceanographic institute, and yes, it’s the launching pad for the Vineyard, but Woods Hole is a hipster destination in its own right. Proof? Longtime Brooklyn comedian and Bob’s Burgers star Eugene Mirman up and moved there in 2017. There are a couple of small beaches, several museums, a lighthouse, enviable shingled real estate, and enough dining and drinking options that you’ll wonder why all those whale belts are scurrying for the day’s last ferry. Those itching to go a little farther afield can meander up the road to Falmouth, an under-sung Cape destination; the year-round Coonamessett is an overnight treat.

Where to eat: Morning java and a bread pudding made with Gosling’s rum from Pie in the Sky, grilled cod burritos at Quick Holes Taqueria (open until late September), ferry-side margaritas at Landfall, and the oysters and short-rib burger with a view at Water Street Kitchen.

Distance from Boston: Two hours

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