<p>There are some lovely coastal towns on the South Shore of Boston that do not take you too far out of your way. Here are a few suggestions:</p>
<p>Scituate, Ma: [Boston</a> Massachusetts Area Hotels | Inn At Scituate Harbor, Scituate, Massachusetts, MA](<a href=“http://www.innatscituate.com/index.cfm]Boston”>http://www.innatscituate.com/index.cfm)
Cohasset, Ma:[Cohasset</a> Harbor Resort](<a href=“http://www.cohassetharborresort.com%5DCohasset”>http://www.cohassetharborresort.com)</p>
<p>If you decide to go to North Adams and MASS MOCA, I recommend the Porches Inn. It is right across from the musuem and quite lovely. They are renovated row houses that have been turned into an inn that has sort of a hip vibe. There are several nice restaurants right in walking distance and MASS MOCA is awesome in itself, plus not too far from Williamstown and the Clark Museum.</p>
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<p>Lots of historic sites in Concord, but not much in the way of good restaurants, unless you are there for dinner. In that case, this restaurant is wonderful:
[80</a> Thoreau | Progressive fine-dining restaurant in historic Concord MA](<a href=“http://www.80thoreau.com%5D80”>http://www.80thoreau.com)</p>
<p>^ Not sure if it will be in time for this OP but Jason Bond, James Beard semi-finalist and chef of Bondir in Cambridge, is opening a new location in Concord Center in October. 80 Thoreau is wonderful but it can be tough to get a weekend reservation. The Main Street Market works well for a casual lunch or dinner. </p>
<p>[Bondir</a> Concord restaurant plans fall opening - Concord, MA - The Concord Journal](<a href=“http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news/x273437121/Bondir-Concord-restaurant-plans-fall-opening?zc_p=0]Bondir”>http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news/x273437121/Bondir-Concord-restaurant-plans-fall-opening?zc_p=0)</p>
<p>It’s not on your way, but Gloucester is a working class fishing community. You can see the [Paper</a> House Rockport Massachusetts | Rockport MA Attractions, Rockport, Massachusetts, Rockport Things To Do, Rockport Museums, The Paper House, Rockport, Massachusetts](<a href=“http://www.paperhouserockport.com/]Paper”>http://www.paperhouserockport.com/) which is more upscale - artist’s colony - lots of galleries. Salem is also near by. There’s tons to do there: [Official</a> Salem MA Guide - Restaurants, Attractions, Hotels, Shopping, Tours](<a href=“http://www.salem.org/]Official”>http://www.salem.org/) It’s a pretty easy drive from the Gloucester area via 128 to get to Vermont.</p>
<p>Otherwise (more on the way) Peterborough (near Mt. Monadnock) is a cute town, nice Arts Center <a href=“http://www.sharonarts.org/[/url]”>http://www.sharonarts.org/</a> which generally has good shows, a couple of pretty good places to eat. The Jack Daniels Inn is servicable, but my sister-in-law says there’s now a nice bed and breakfast, probably this one: [Little</a> River Bed and Breakfast Peterborough, NH](<a href=“http://www.littleriverbedandbreakfast.com/]Little”>http://www.littleriverbedandbreakfast.com/) though this one which is not in Peterborough itself seems to get good reviews [Three</a> Maples Bed & Breakfast in Peterborough, New Hampshire | B&B Rental](<a href=“http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/new-hampshire-peterborough-threemaplesbedbreakfast.html]Three”>http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/new-hampshire-peterborough-threemaplesbedbreakfast.html) .</p>