Skip the crowds of Martha's Vineyard to visit a smaller seaside town near Boston. It's less expensive and just as beautiful.

The article argues that travelers can avoid the crowds of Martha’s Vineyard by visiting Rockport, Massachusetts, a smaller seaside town near Boston that the writer says delivers a similar coastal feel at lower cost. It describes experiences accumulated over more than two decades, comparing high-season demand on the Vineyard—long restaurant waits, expensive ride shares, and costly lodging—to Rockport’s more accessible pace. Rockport is about 40 miles northeast of Boston and just over a two-hour drive from Newport, Rhode Island. The piece highlights Motif No. 1, a landmark red fishing shack, along with nearby waterfront dining and walkable areas such as Bearskin Neck and Dock Square. It also notes Rockport can be reached by driving or via commuter rail from Boston, with the rail trip taking about an hour and dropping passengers close to downtown.