National Best Friends Day (June 8th) is the perfect excuse to plan an unforgettable day with your bestie. Whether you’re craving nature, culture, or something totally unexpected, the communities surrounding Boston offer incredible things to do for National Best Friends Day, and they’re accessible by Commuter Rail! Grab your bestie and get ready for a day well-spent making memories you’ll talk about for years to come!
Embark on a Culinary & Historical Journey in New Bedford
Departure Station: South Station
Arrival Station: New Bedford – Private shuttle from New Bedford MBTA Station to the New Bedford Whaling Museum included when you book your visit with Keolis massAdventures.
New Bedford Whaling Museum & Foodie Adventure
Foodies & besties who love history will enjoy this day trip to New Bedford. Your first stop, the world-renowned New Bedford Whaling Museum, will take you on a journey into the regions’ history. Through art, artifacts, a half-size replica of a whaling ship and even real whale skeletons, you’ll get to explore every aspect of the whaling industry. Whaling was not just a profession in New Bedford, but the major economic driver that built up the area and brought together different cultures.
All that exploring will work up an appetite and you’ll next embark upon a diverse food tour through the city. Stop at local restaurants for regional delicacies, including Portuguese, Brazilian, and Haitian-Creole bites. Along the way, learn more about the rich history of New Bedford, and check out statues and stunning art installations. Your stroll through historic downtown will allow you to truly soak in the maritime heritage. Explore New Bedford: Whaling Museum & Foodie Tour is available to book with Keolis massAdventures, for an easy and fun day trip from Boston by train. Your tour with Keolis massAdventures includes your round-trip transportation from Boston, ticket to the New Bedford Whaling Museum, ticket to food tour & all food tour-related gratuities – it’s an all-inclusive day trip perfect for besties who love to try new things together!
Be Royal for a Day at Hammond Castle Museum
Departure Station: North Station
Arrival Station: Gloucester – Private shuttle from Gloucester MBTA Station to the museum included when you book your visit with Keolis massAdventures.
Day Trip to Hammond Castle Museum
Embrace your inner royale when you visit the seaside at a medieval European-style castle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Wander through the castle observing the unique architecture, stunning galleries, and learn about eccentric inventor John Hays Hammond Jr., the man who built Hammond Castle Museum. Tell your bestie to bring drinks & you’ll pack the snacks for a relaxing picnic outdoors after you’ve finished exploring inside the castle. Live your best royal life with an easy and convenient afternoon at Hammond Castle Museum booked with Keolis massAdventures: all your transportation is taken care of, so you won’t have to lift a finger!
Get Lost in the Gardens at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
Departure Station: South Station
Arrival Station: Grafton – Private shuttle from the Grafton MBTA Station to the gardens included when you book your visit with Keolis massAdventures.
Self-Guided Tour of New England Botanic Garden
Do you love flowers, trees, nature and art? Immerse yourselves in the vibrant blooms and serene landscapes of New England Botanic Garden. With over 171 acres, including 18 gardens, 2 conservatories and trails, scenic views, it’s the perfect spot for relaxation and heartfelt conversations. Capture Instagram-worthy photos and relax amidst the blossoms. Art lovers will enjoy the new, limited-time Art in Motion, 25 Years of Sculpture by George Sherwood. Art in Motion features 17 kinetic sculptures that draw inspiration from real life, such as ripples on water or birds in flight. Find the Art in Motion exhibits across the gardens. To make it a stress-free day, book your trip to the New England Botanic Garden with Keolis massAdventures.
Explore the Enchanting Crane Estate
Departure Station: North Station
Arrival Station: Ipswich – Private shuttle from Ipswich MBTA Station to the Crane Estate included when you book your visit with Keolis massAdventures.
Guest of the Cranes Guided Tour at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Grab your bestie for a grand day! If you love sprawling mansions (like the Newport Mansions) and are interested in the lives of the wealthy aristocrats of the early 1900s, visit Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. Built in 1928, this historic estate sits atop the Grand Allee, offering sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and popular Crane Beach below. You and your bestie can embark upon a guided tour of the home as a Guest of the Cranes. You’ll tour the family’s private rooms: from bedrooms and guest rooms to the bathrooms that made them famous.
Enchanting gardens await; with blooming flowers and bubbling fountains, it’s the perfect spot for you and your bestie to relax. New this year: after your tour purchase lunch from the Great House kitchen and enjoy it outside! Take in the ocean views on Castle Hill’s patio or bring a blanket for a dreamy picnic in the gardens. You and your bestie will want to stay there for hours just drinking in the majestic gardens around you! Plan your visit to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate with Keolis massAdventures for a Guest of the Cranes tour; with free time to explore the gardens and grounds included.
See Where Little Women Was Filmed on the Crane Estate
Those who love Crane Estate and Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” will be interested in our brand-new Lights, Camera, Castle Hill: A Hollywood & History Tour. This one-of-a-kind tour takes you to Hollywood – while staying right here in Massachusetts! See the breathtaking locations where Louisa May Alcott’s novel was brought to life in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (2019). Walk in the footsteps of Meryl Streep, recreate the scene with Timothée Chalamet and Florence Pugh in the gardens and hear behind-the-scenes stories from the production team.
Kayak Castle Neck River on the Crane Estate
If paddling through serene waters is on your bucket list this summer – this is the tour for you! Expert guides will start off with a quick demonstration, perfectly helpful for beginner kayakers. Your adventure then paddles into Castle Neck River. On the serene water, surrounded by nature and wildlife, you’ll feel totally peaceful. Along your trip, your guides will talk about the history and diversity of the area, including what wildlife can be found in New England’s largest salt marsh. This guided kayaking tour is perfect for a day out with your bestie where you can have adventure, tranquility and chit-chat time all in one. Reserve your Castle Neck Kayaking Adventure with Keolis massAdventures today!
Discover Salem’s Spooky Charm
Departure Station: North Station
Arrival Station: Salem MBTA Station
Invite your bestie out for a wicked good time exploring Salem. You use your Commuter Rail Weekend Pass to make it a train trip from Boston! This is the perfect time of year to explore Salem, when it’s not quite so crowded. A quick 0.5 mile walk from the Salem Commuter Rail Station will get you to the heart of downtown. Dive into the rich history of Salem with a visit to the Salem Witch Museum, see breathtaking art at the Peabody Essex Museum, and learn about pirates at the New England Pirates Museum. Grab lunch at a local restaurant; the outdoor patio and expansive menu make Longboards Restaurant & Bar a top summertime pick! For stunning waterfront views and mouth watering seafood, check out Finz Salem.
See Salem’s Bakers Island Lighthouse
For besties who want to get out on a boat this summer, we recommend our brand-new Baker Island Boat & Lighthouse Tour in Salem. This exciting day trip from Boston makes it easy to not only escape the city, but enjoy a peaceful boat ride and explore one of Massachusetts’ iconic lighthouses! You’ll to meet the resident lighthouse keeper who will share the history of the light and stories of Bakers Island. When you book this unique coastal adventure with Keolis massAdventures your round-trip transportation from Boston is included, plus the Commuter Rail Weekend Pass.
Gloucester Harbor & Annisquam River Kayak Tour
Departure Station: North Station
Arrival Station: Gloucester – Private shuttle from Gloucester MBTA Station to the museum included when you book your visit with Keolis massAdventures.
Kayaking Adventure through Gloucester Harbor
Adventurous best friends, this is the day trip for you! Embark upon an exhilarating guided kayaking tour in Gloucester Harbor and the Annisquam River. You’ll paddle through the harbor and past historic landmarks, seeing them from a unique point of view. You may even see the famous Wicked Tuna boats, as seen on the show. Do you and your bestie love collecting seaglass? This kayaking adventure will even take you to one of the best sea glass collecting beaches on the North Shore. This is one of the most unique experiences in Massachusetts!
Spend a Day in Concord
Departure Station: North Station
Arrival Station: Concord MBTA Station
Concord, Massachusetts is full of charm and brimming with history. Founded in 1635, there are many historic sites to explore, each offering a small piece of the larger picture that is Concord. From battle sites to museums, famous author’s homes and an inn that was once a hospital, this is one of the most unique places to visit in Massachusetts. It is the perfect day trip for besties who love history and exploring new towns.
Just over a mile walk from the Concord Commuter Rail Station is the Concord Museum. Concord Museum is a must-visit for those who enjoy learning about history! With the Massachusetts 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution being celebrated this year it is the perfect time to visit Concord, where some of the first battles of the American Revolution happened. Learn more about the Battles of Lexington and Concord in our blog post. Don’t miss out on walking to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where you visit Author’s Ridge to pay respects to famous authors Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Nathanial Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Grab lunch at the Colonial Inn, a charming and historic inn which was the home of the town doctor during the American Revolution, and is rumored to be haunted.
Tour inside Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House
Delve into the world of “Little Women” with a guided tour of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. Enter the world of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, at the place that inspired Alcott to write the novel. Based on herself and her sisters, the novel has stood the test of time. Themes of coming-of-age, sisterhood, and complexities in women’s lives are still relatable to women today. Louisa May Alcott wrote “Little Women” at the Orchard House, on your tour you’ll see the desk she sat at! Invite your book-loving bestie and make the time to talk about what the novel means to each of you. Book your day trip to Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House with Keolis massAdventures to enjoy a seamless adventure from Boston.
Hear the History of Concord
The town of Concord is full of a rich history. Gear up for a walking tour through Concord that takes you on a journey through history. Learn all about the area, the events that shaped the town and its people, and cemented its place in history. You’ll visit famous landmarks on your tour and have the opportunity to ask questions as you learn more. Sign up for this educational tour with Keolis massAdventures! You’ll get exclusive access into Wright Tavern, walk across the North Bridge, march the Path of Revolution, and more!
Uncover Hidden Histories at The Fruitlands Museum
Departure Station: North Station
Arrival Station: Ayer – Private shuttle from Ayer MBTA Station to the museum included when you book your visit with Keolis massAdventures.
Spend a Day Exploring The Fruitlands Museum
If you and your bestie are looking for a peaceful retreat you can explore at your own pace, this is it. This scenic hilltop retreat has multiple museums and exhibitions, blending utopian dreams, Shaker heritage, Native American culture, and American art. Delve into the diverse histories and enjoy serene landscapes perfect for spending one-on-one time with your bestie. Stroll the tranquil trails and soak in the breathtaking views,you can even grab lunch at the on-site café. Reserve your visit to the Fruitlands Museum with Keolis massAdventures for an easy and convenient day trip.
Make This National Best Friends Day Unforgettable
National Best Friends Day is a celebration of your friendship. With Keolis massAdventures, planning your perfect National Best Friends Day trip from Boston is a breeze. Each adventure includes round-trip Commuter Rail tickets, private shuttle, and curated experiences to cater to every interest. Whether you’re seeking thrills, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, there’s something for every duo. Book your adventure today for memories that’ll last a lifetime.
