Boston’s suburbs offer skiing and quiet elegances just outside the city

This swath of handsome suburban towns on the edge of Boston is perfect for a lovely autumn or winter drive, particular with seasonal decorations or snow brighten the lawns and tree-lined town commons. Two colleges, Wellesley College in Wellesley and Brandeis University in Waltham, offer opportunities for interesting speakers and performances. Blue Hills Ski Area, in Canton, is wonderfully close to Boston for a short trip to a day of skiing; the adjacent Blue Hills Observatory is open to the public for weekend tours and occasional special events like group kite flying. In the town of Quincy, be sure to visit Adams National Historical Park, which tells the story of four generations of the Adams family (from 1720 to 1927). The park has several attractions: the birthplaces of John Adams, the second president of the United States; John Quincy Adams, the sixth president; Peacefield, including the “Old House,” which was home to four generations of the Adams family; and the Stone Library, which contains more than 14,000 historic volumes. Here’s a tip, while you are in Quincy, if you want to try pass as a native, call the town Quin-Zee rather than Quin-See. Works like a charm.