fly drive break in boston (Plymouth, Salem: rent, live in, shops)

[festive1]

We arriving in Boston 24th October staying 2 days and hiring car (hubby wants to drive) can anyone recommend anywhere we should try. Have heard Cape Cod / Martha's Vineyard nice this time of year can you drive there. We're looking at staying in B&BS or small inns any suggestions welcome

[Beachcomber4]

So much to do this time of year. Even staying near Boston out on Route 2 would be terrific. I live on the Cape so I will suggest what I know well. October is glorious on the Cape and Islands. Honestly for just 2 days I would skip the Vineyard. More travel time than it would be worth. I live in Sandwich which is the upper Cape. In the village are a number of inns that are lovely. Shops to walk to, the boardwalk to enjoy an an easy ride to many places that you might enjoy seeing- both down Cape and north such as Plymouth. If you are an outdoors person it's a great place as you can rent kayaks or even do a tour and there are lots of walking trails. There should still be some cranberry harvesting going on which is beyond description. At one time you could call Ocean Spray and ask where harvesting is happening and they would oblige. I am not sure if that is still the case. I love Chatham as well,which is further down Cape but very quaint. I love to go to the fish pier and watch the seals wait for a snack from the fishermen. We did a harbor tour this year which was very informative.
Sandwich, MA Visitors Service Board - Cape Cod Vacation Business Directory
Sandwich Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce | Sandwich, MA | Visitor and Tourist Sites | Sandwich Chamber

[wmass]

You sound British.

It appears you don't want to tour Boston (probably would be easier without a car) and instead venture out. You have a few options, depending which direction you choose.

South toward the Cape, as the previous post. You can take a car to the Vineyard, but most people leave their cars on the mainland. I agree that with only two days, you can get a similar experience on the Cape. I sometimes feel "trapped" on the islands.

North toward Salem, Rockport, Newburyport- even Porstmouth, NH. Salem will be a very busy place this time of year (Halloween festivities)

West to the Berkshires. The are lots of B&Bs/Inns here. Stockbridge, Norman Rockwell Museum, Bash Bish Falls, Great Barrington. Howvere, I think fall foliage will be past-peak color. Stop in Northampton along the way for lunch or dinner and a stroll along Main Street.