5 Day Trips to Take Before Summer’s End

Need a break from city life, but limited on vacation time? These five amazing destinations will give you a much-needed change of scenery, and are all within a three-hour radius of Southie. All you need is a free Saturday. Take a peek.

1. Glendale Falls (2 hours and 10 minutes)
   This summer, don’t heed the advice of TLC. Instead, fill up the tank and head west to Middlefield where the Glendale Brook plunges over steep rock ledges into the Westfield River. One of the state’s highest and longest waterfall runs, it’s well-worth the two-hour drive.
2. Colby Farm (45-minutes)
   Peak blooming season for sunflowers, late summer is the perfect time to make the short trek to Colby Farm’s never-ending sunflower field. Frolic through the sunny petals, then snap a photo that’s sure to rake in the “likes” on Instagram.
3. Battleship Cove (1 hour and 10 minutes)
   If you didn’t get your fill of maritime history with Boston’s Tall Ships Regatta, take a trip to Fall River’s Battle Ship Cove, home to the world’s largest collection of World War II naval vessels and the highly decorated battleship USS Massachusetts.
4. The Butterfly Place (50 minutes)
   When the rain clouds roll in, get your outdoor fix inside The Butterfly Place’s 3,100-square-foot atrium where you’ll find over 500 butterflies fluttering among flowers, Koi fish, quail, and 80-degree temperatures.
5. Castle Hill on Crane Estate (1 hour)
   Once the summer estate of one America’s wealthiest families, this stunning seaside property is now open to the public—and with a must-see Stuart-style mansion, gorgeous sea views, and wildlife-laden trails, you should take advantage.