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Newport or Cape Cod?
Posted on 9/20/23 at 6:02 pm
Posted on 9/20/23 at 6:02 pm
Going to Boston in a couple of weeks and we were thinking of taking a day trip to either Newport RI to see the mansions or to Cape Cod to sight see (not really sure what's to do in Cape Cod, but know it's nice). Looking for recommendations on which one to do. Or is there a better day trip to take within 2 hours of Boston? Planning to rent a car for the day.
Posted on 9/20/23 at 6:09 pm to jfw3535
If you want to see the mansions in Newport, the best way to do it is to walk the oceanfront trail that runs behind the mansions. That was a nice walk.
Posted on 9/20/23 at 6:22 pm to jfw3535
quote:
Or is there a better day trip to take within 2 hours of Boston?
The Cape really isn’t a day trip unless you take the ferry to P-Town. Rental car wouldn’t be needed. The exception being if you’re beer people, in which case there’s the Treehouse in Sandwich. But I’d send you to the one in Charlton anyway.
What time of year? What are you looking to do?
Edit: sorry just saw in a couple weeks so ignore the when question. But the what is still relevant.
This post was edited on 9/20/23 at 6:32 pm
Posted on 9/20/23 at 6:38 pm to AbitaFan08
Yeah, we'll be there the first week of October. Not sure I understand you're what question. What are we doing in Boston in general or what do we plan to do on our day trip?
The Boston trip was a last minute vacay we planned. Just going to chill, sight see, etc. We went for the first time in 2019, but I got food poisoning, so spent most of the time praying to the porcelain god.
As for the day trip, I just figured 5 full days in Boston a bit too long, so a day trip to see something else might be fun. We just want to go somewhere for the day to sight see. I went to Newport with my family when I was a small child and remember the mansions being pretty awesome. Wife has never been, so I gravitate toward Newport. The wife said something about Cape Cod b/c it's supposed to be really nice, but I don't know anything about Cape Cod or what there might be to see or do there for a day.
I don't drink, so breweries or other alcohol related stops not needed. Thanks Abita. I know you're the foremost authority on all thing Boston.
The Boston trip was a last minute vacay we planned. Just going to chill, sight see, etc. We went for the first time in 2019, but I got food poisoning, so spent most of the time praying to the porcelain god.
As for the day trip, I just figured 5 full days in Boston a bit too long, so a day trip to see something else might be fun. We just want to go somewhere for the day to sight see. I went to Newport with my family when I was a small child and remember the mansions being pretty awesome. Wife has never been, so I gravitate toward Newport. The wife said something about Cape Cod b/c it's supposed to be really nice, but I don't know anything about Cape Cod or what there might be to see or do there for a day.
I don't drink, so breweries or other alcohol related stops not needed. Thanks Abita. I know you're the foremost authority on all thing Boston.
Posted on 9/20/23 at 6:58 pm to jfw3535
Yes sorry I was asking what you were hoping to get out of your day trip.
I have to be honest, the Cape after Labor Day is pretty dead. There wouldn’t be a whole lot to do or see. In Newport you at least have the option of touring the mansions, which is interesting.
I do agree that 5 days in Boston is a lot and it would be worth it to explore a little. Have you considered Portland, ME? It’s about a 2.5 hour drive and there are tons of amazing restaurants.
Between the Cape and Newport though, I would advise Newport given the time of year.
I like to think I know a thing or two, but let’s not push it.
I have to be honest, the Cape after Labor Day is pretty dead. There wouldn’t be a whole lot to do or see. In Newport you at least have the option of touring the mansions, which is interesting.
I do agree that 5 days in Boston is a lot and it would be worth it to explore a little. Have you considered Portland, ME? It’s about a 2.5 hour drive and there are tons of amazing restaurants.
Between the Cape and Newport though, I would advise Newport given the time of year.
quote:
I know you're the foremost authority on all thing Boston.
I like to think I know a thing or two, but let’s not push it.

This post was edited on 9/20/23 at 7:00 pm
Posted on 9/20/23 at 8:21 pm to jfw3535
My rec is Newport. The Breakers is pretty cool; and the Cliff Walk is beautiful. Downtown offers a good selection of restaurants and bars.
Posted on 9/20/23 at 9:02 pm to jfw3535
Newport, definitely. You can just park once and then do everything on foot. As mentioned previously, do the Cliff Walk and then Thames St for shopping, food and drinks. Tennis Hall of Fame is also there if you are into tennis.
Posted on 9/21/23 at 8:38 am to jfw3535
Yeah, not sure the Cape is worth just a one day trip. With the ferry schedule into P-Town and how long the ride takes plus getting to/from the port in Boston you will end up spending more time in transit than actually on the Cape.
ETA, I didn't even think about the schedule change. Once Mid/late October hits the fast ferries into P-Town don't run as much so not even sure a day trip would be possible unless you went up on a weekend.
ETA, I didn't even think about the schedule change. Once Mid/late October hits the fast ferries into P-Town don't run as much so not even sure a day trip would be possible unless you went up on a weekend.
This post was edited on 9/21/23 at 8:41 am
Posted on 9/21/23 at 8:53 am to LSUfan4444
If he has a car he could still drive to the Cape and experience parts of it without going all the way to Provincetown - the ferries from Boston go to Provincetown
You could go to Newport and spend some time and then hit a few of the Cape Cod towns if you wanted to with Falmouth being the closest, about an hour or so away
You could go to Newport and spend some time and then hit a few of the Cape Cod towns if you wanted to with Falmouth being the closest, about an hour or so away
Posted on 9/22/23 at 9:12 am to jfw3535
Newport for me, any time of the year for a day trip. I would also put Maine ahead of the Cape. Kennebunkport is about the same distance as Newport.
If you are leaving in a couple of weeks and are going to see the peak foliage, you may be better off going more North than South. I believe southeastern Maine will be in peak foliage season in early to mid October, whereas Boston/Newport is more mid to late October.
If Fall foliage is a significant reason for going, maybe you can make your decision when you get there. If Boston still hasn't peaked, go North into Maine. If Boston is in full color, go to Newport. Just my two cents.
Overall, I love Newport, because once you get there, it's all relatively close. Maine may require some driving around.
If you are leaving in a couple of weeks and are going to see the peak foliage, you may be better off going more North than South. I believe southeastern Maine will be in peak foliage season in early to mid October, whereas Boston/Newport is more mid to late October.
If Fall foliage is a significant reason for going, maybe you can make your decision when you get there. If Boston still hasn't peaked, go North into Maine. If Boston is in full color, go to Newport. Just my two cents.
Overall, I love Newport, because once you get there, it's all relatively close. Maine may require some driving around.
Posted on 9/22/23 at 11:34 am to AbitaFan08
Treehouse is only 20 mins from the ferry in Plymouth tho.. could take the P&B down there and head to the cape from Plymouth, which is a cool town worth visiting too.
This post was edited on 9/22/23 at 11:37 am
Posted on 9/22/23 at 11:35 am to Clint Torres
Agree with the above advice… I would do a couple days in Boston and then hit Portsmouth for a day and Portland for another 1-2.
Posted on 9/22/23 at 12:38 pm to jfw3535
Cool whale watch out of Hyannis (Cape Cod) - great time of year. Toward the end of when they're hanging around...
Posted on 9/22/23 at 6:46 pm to jfw3535
My wife and I went a few years ago and went both directions from Boston. Spent a day in Newport and also a day in Portland, Maine. They were both great spots to us.
Posted on 9/22/23 at 8:14 pm to JonTheTigerFan
If you go to Portland (I agree it's a great town) and your wife likes to shop you gotta check out Freeport, Maine. It's not far and you could nail down all your Christmas shopping in an hour or two!!
I would love to be in Maine when the leaves change.

I would love to be in Maine when the leaves change.
Posted on 9/22/23 at 11:00 pm to Crow Pie
quote:
I would love to be in Maine when the leaves change.
We are going to Vermont in a couple of weeks and hopefully will get the full leaves changing experience
Posted on 9/23/23 at 8:07 pm to jfw3535
We took a day tour from Boston to Newport. It’s an all day deal but fun. We did 3 houses and walked the ocean walk. Had lunch down on the docks.
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