4 Best Day Trips From Boston to Salem, Newburyport, and Provincetown | Condé Nast Traveler

"This is by no means a high-gloss affair, but the guys at Newburyport Whale Watch know exactly what they're doing. With all the ease and élan of well-seasoned seamen, they bring groups of whale watchers just a few miles up the coastline to the Gulf of Maine, a hub of whale activity from May through October. The multi-level boat is spacious and never gets so crowded that you'll be clambering over each other to get a good view. The crew is exceedingly aware of safety and sustainability precautions—they'll never bait the wildlife and they always take care to keep a good distance. This delightfully lo-fi boat ride feels like an experience that's been passed down for generations." - Todd Plummer