by Eileen Thai

Created on: July 25, 2008   Last Updated: December 09, 2008

Boston is a lovely city with much to offer. But if you feel the need to get away from the hustle and bustle, the choices are endless. The mountains in New Hampshire or the coastal towns and beaches of New England? Ahh, so many places to visit, so little time. The following are five of my favorite getaways, all within a three-hour drive:

Cape Cod
A summer in Boston would not be the same without a trip to the Cape. At the tip of the Cape is Provincetown, an artist's enclave. It can be a zoo between Memorial and Columbus days, but if people watching is your thing, this colorful town will not disappoint. There are plenty of galleries, shops and restaurants to keep the tourists busy. Any town south of Provincetown will offer you some solitude. Take the opportunity to bike along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 28-miles trail that winds through towns from Dennis to Wellfleet, offering natural landscapes and scenery. Just want to relax, read a book or work on your tan? Welcome to the Cape Cod National Seashore, forty miles of pristine sandy beaches. Thanks to the protection of the national seashore, this area remains wild and unspoiled. Whatever you choose to do, never leave the Cape without savoring any of the fresh-off-the-docks seafood - steamers, fried clams, oysters, scallops, cod, bluefish, you name it.

Ipswich
Forty-five minutes north of Boston is Ipswich, where you can rent a canoe at Foote Brothers and spend an entire day on the Ipswich River. The river meanders through protected and undeveloped forests, meadows and wetlands. In the fall, the scenery is quite spectacular. After a strenuous day of paddling on the river, replenish your energy by digging into some scrumptious fried clams at the famous Clam Box on High St, about ten minutes away from the canoe rental place. They serve up some awesome stuff!

Plymouth
Looking to soak up some history? Plymouth is your answer. Step aboard the Mayflower to learn about the Pilgrims and their perilous voyage across the Atlantic in the 17th century. View life in the 1620s at Plimouth Plantation, a re-creation of the original settlement, where the first Thanksgiving was held. Discover the history of the cranberry, an indigenous American fruit, at the Cranberry World Visitor Center and Museum. Before you leave town, sample some delightful cranberry wine at Plymouth Bay Winery.

Portsmouth, NH
I am enthralled by all the charming towns along the New England coastline. Portsmouth, is one of my favorites. It is rich in culture with art galleries, artisan's boutiques, and great restaurants. Take a leisurely walk along Prescott Park, the popular waterfront park, graced with beautiful flowers in the summer. Musicians and theater groups perform here for the Prescott Park Arts Festival in July and August. Just across Memorial Bridge is Kittery, Maine. Enjoy a New England clambake at Warren's Lobster House, and then walk off those calories by shopping at the outlets nearby.

Franconia, NH
If the mountain beckons, Franconia Notch State Park is a perfect choice. Located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, it offers spectacular scenery, and activities that include biking, boating, fishing, swimming, camping, rock climbing, and hiking. Highly recommended is a visit to The Flume Gorge Visitor Center, where you start your hike to The Flume Gorge. It is a fairly easy 2-miles hike. You'll be awed by the towering granite walls, cascading waterfalls, and covered bridges. At nearby Cannon Mountain, you can ride the aerial tramway to the summit and take in the breathtaking vista of the mountains.

There are many more places to visit, but that would be another story.

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