1 week-10 days Massachusetts without a car where to go?

Question

We don’t drive (from the UK) and will be visiting the region for a week - 10 days. Where can we go easily with public transport/the Amtrak? Where should we base ourselves? Keen to see Boston and Salem but open to other ideas. Should we travel up to Maine? Any nature we can see would be amazing too.

Answer

It’s absolutely possible to spend a very satisfying 7–10 day trip in Massachusetts and nearby New England without a car — combining public-transport-friendly cities, a few historic/seaside towns, and a bit of coastal/nature time. Below I sketch a sample itinerary + ideas for basing yourself and getting around by train, bus, ferry or walk/bike.

Why this kind of trip works in Massachusetts / New England without a car

The Boston area is very well served by public transport (subway, commuter rail, buses), and there are good intercity buses and trains linking Boston to coastal towns, historic destinations, and into Maine. Once you’re in a town, many places are compact and walkable, or offer local transit, ferries, or taxis.

Where to base yourself (good hub cities)

Boston — A perfect “home base” for the first part of your visit: excellent transit, lots of history, museums, neighborhoods to wander, and easy day-trips out to nearby towns.
Salem, MA — If you want a smaller-town feel and easy access to Boston but less bustle. Salem is reachable by commuter rail or bus from Boston, making it a convenient second base.
Portland, ME — If you’d like to venture a bit further north into coastal New England for scenery, seafood, and a relaxed pace, Portland is reachable from Boston by bus or train — viable as a final 2–3 day stop before you fly home.

Suggested 7–10 day “no-car” itinerary

Days 1–4: Boston — Explore the city’s historic neighborhoods, Freedom Trail, museums, markets, and perhaps a day trip by ferry or commuter rail to coastal towns nearby. Boston is compact and very walkable, and the local transit network (subways, buses, ferries, bike-share) makes it easy to get around without driving.
Days 4–6: Salem — Take the commuter rail or a bus from Boston to Salem (about 30–40 minutes by train) and stay for 2–3 nights. Salem offers a charming small-town atmosphere, coastal views, colonial history, and easy access to Boston if needed.
Days 6–8/9: Portland, Maine (or coastal Maine stop) — From Boston catch a bus or the Amtrak Downeaster (or coach) up to Portland, which takes around 2–3 hours. In Portland you can enjoy seafood, the harbor, waterfront walks, and coastal charm — a pleasant contrast to the urban-history focus of Boston and Salem.
Optional extra: Explore Maine coast or side-trips from Portland — Even without a car, Portland offers local transit and ferry/tour options; so you could choose a 1-day coastal outing or a relaxing final day before heading home.

Why these destinations match what you like (history + some nature, car-free, and “old-world / coastal New England” feel)

Boston gives you rich U.S. colonial history, historic architecture, diverse neighborhoods, museums, and urban culture — without needing a car at all.
Salem combines historic New England charm, seaside ambiance, and a compact layout pretty near Boston, ideal for light sightseeing and peaceful evenings in a smaller town.
Portland, Maine (or more of coastal Maine) adds scenic coastal landscapes, seafood, harbour walks, and relaxed pace — a nice nature-and-sea complement to the city and history elsewhere.

Some practical travel and transport tips for travelling without a car

Use the transit network in Boston (subway, buses, ferries) plus regional buses/trains for longer hops — you don’t need a car at all.
When heading north (e.g. to Portland, Maine), trains and bus lines run regularly between Boston and the Maine coast — for example the “Downeaster” train or buses by companies such as Concord Coach Lines or Greyhound.
When booking accommodation, try to stay near public-transport hubs (train station, major bus terminal, or downtown) so you’re not dependent on taxis or rideshares — easier when you don’t have a car.
If you enjoy some nature or seaside time, the coast of Maine or coastal New England towns offer nice, walkable towns, harbourfront walks, and ferry or boat-tour options without a car.

Alternate ideas if you want different flavors (history, small towns, New England vibe)

Stay in Boston, then take a day-trip or overnight to coastal towns north of Boston (e.g. along the North Shore or small harbor/town villages reachable by commuter rail + bus/ferry). Many such towns retain old-New England charm and are accessible by public transport.
Mix Boston + Salem + a weekend in coastal Maine or Portland, then return — a loop that gets you historic city, colonial-town charm, and seaside calm.
If time permits and you don’t mind a longer ride: you could travel further up into Maine via rail or bus for deeper coastal or woodland scenery, then return south for your departure — though this means more travel days and planning.

My recommendation

If you have 7–10 days and don’t drive, I’d recommend a base-switch itinerary: start in Boston for 3–4 days, then 2–3 days in Salem (historic small-town feel + seaside), then 2–3 days up in Portland, Maine (or another Maine coastal hub). That blends history, city culture, coastal scenery, and a peaceful pace — all reachable by public transit.