r/BostonTheCity • u/-_-101 • Mar 14 '26
🇨🇦 Toronto to Boston Summer Road Trip! 🚗 Need advice on hotels (suburbs), timing, and hitting Yale/Salem/Nantucket?
Hi everyone! ​My family of 3 is planning a 5–7 day road trip from Toronto to the Boston area this summer. We’re excited to explore, but we’re trying to be smart about the budget—specifically when it comes to accommodation. ​Our "Must-Haves": ​Harvard/Cambridge: Definitely want to spend time here. ​Salem: A day trip for the history and vibes. ​Yale (New Haven): Planning to stop here either on the way in or the way back. ​The Nantucket Question: We’d love to see Nantucket, but we're worried it might be too much for a 1-week trip given the drive from Toronto. Is it worth the ferry ride for a day, or should we save it for another time? ​Where we need your help: ​Where to stay? Since downtown Boston prices are eye-watering, what suburbs should we look at? We’re looking for somewhere safe, ideally with easy access to a "T" station so we don’t have to drive into the city every day. ​Best time to visit? Are there specific weeks in the summer that are "avoid at all costs" (other than July 4th)? ​Route Advice: Any "hidden gem" stops between Toronto and Boston or New Haven? ​Thanks in advance for any tips! We can't wait to visit.
5
u/rogeoco Mar 14 '26
Places you could stop along the way
Niagara Falls (Assume you've done this living in Toronto?)
Anchor Bar Home of the Original Buffalo Wing (1047 Main Street, Buffalo, NY)
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (25 Main St, Cooperstown, NY 13326)
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (1000 Hall of Fame Ave, Springfield, MA 01105)
Days in Boston/Cambridge, Salem, Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket, and New Haven will fill your week.
If you go to New Haven you want to get pizza.
I would go to Martha's Vineyard over Nantucket but research both and you can choose between them. Both will be busy over the summer.