For a small state, Massachusetts punches far above its weight for its place in American history and culture.
Given the state’s outsize contributions to the arts, science, technology, sports, and politics, it’s jam-packed with memorable sites, top-tier educational institutions, and world-class museums. It’s also beautiful, from the wave-pounded Atlantic coast to the forest-covered Berkshires to vibrant cities and charming small towns.
Massachusetts’ compact nature makes it easy to explore, yet it would be impossible to see everything the state has to offer. Depending on your time and interests, you could make a grand sweep through the state, sampling its diverse regions or pick a hub to explore in depth. However you proceed, these are the best places to visit in Massachusetts.
Start in Boston: Museums, Sports, and Urban Nature
From the Freedom Trail to Fenway Park, the Italian food of the North End to the Venetian palazzo–style Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston’s attractions are legendary.
A hub of American history infused with a passion for sports and the arts, Boston brims with character. Next to the city’s iconic sites, diverse neighborhoods, and artistic and architectural treasures are lesser-known attractions like the Boston Harbor Islands, a mix of history and nature, and the Black Heritage Trail, which provides insight into Boston’s 19th-century Black community.
Enjoy Intellectual Pursuits and Diverse Dining in Cambridge
A multicultural city with an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, Cambridge is home to two of the country’s most prestigious institutions of higher education, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University.
Though you can’t “pahk ya cah in Hahvahd Yahd,” you can stroll across its leafy quads, explore the excellent campus museums, and soak in the intellectual atmosphere.
Further west, Mt Auburn Cemetery contains the graves of dozens of famous figures such as Clement Morgan (founder of the NAACP), Eleanor Porter (author of Pollyanna), and Joyce Chen (restaurateur and TV personality). This cemetery is also a magnet for bird-watchers, especially during the spring migration.
Get Witchy with It in Salem
Best known for the infamous 1692 witch trials, Salem draws crowds with its witch-related attractions. Yet this small and charming city has much more to offer.
Visit the Salem Maritime National Historical Park to learn about its past as a leading 18th- and 19th-century seaport. Additionally, the outstanding Peabody Essex Museum is filled with treasures seafarers brought back from far corners of the world.
Don’t miss the House of the Seven Gables, which dates from 1668 and inspired one of Salem-born author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s best-known novels. For more historic architecture, wander through the McIntire District, home to well-preserved properties spanning 400 years of building styles.
Admire the Scenic Coastline of Cape Ann
Located in the northeastern part of the state, Cape Ann is intimately tied to the sea: think beautiful beaches, seafood (the fried clam was invented in Essex), scenic harbors, lighthouses, and coastal parks. Founded in 1623, the city of Gloucester is the oldest fishing port in the United States and a top whale-watching destination, with tours operating from April to October.
Along the harbor, the gripping Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial and Fishermen’s Wives Memorial honors those lost to the sea over the centuries, as well as the strong women who kept families and the community going.
Seek Out Revolutionary and Literary Landmarks in Historic Middlesex County
The peaceful suburbs northwest of Boston may not look like hotbeds of revolution now, but they played an integral role in shaping the USA. Dozens of sites in Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord commemorate the dramatic events of April 19, 1775, when armed clashes between British regulars and Colonial militiamen sparked the American Revolutionary War. Concord was also home to several prominent 19th-century American authors, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau.
Further north, Lowell’s textile mills and factories were at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. A host of significant locations are preserved in Lowell National Historical Park, including the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, where visitors can experience working in a weave room as it was in the 1920s.
Plymouth: The Heart of Early Colonial History
The city of Plymouth is a haven for US history buffs. Climb aboard the Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the original ship that brought the first English colonists to Massachusetts’ shores in 1620.
Don’t forget Plymouth Rock, the famous boulder that the Pilgrims allegedly landed upon. The Pilgrim Hall Museum houses original artifacts from the early settlement, including personal possessions like a cradle and old furnishings.
At the Plimouth Patuxet Museums, costumed interpreters bring the past to life at various sites, including a 17th-century English village and a Wampanoag Native American home site.
Find Glorious Beaches and Classic Summer Fun in Cape Cod
Cape Cod conjures images of sandy dunes, extending beaches, picturesque lighthouses, cranberry bogs, and kettle ponds.
Much of the outer Cape is protected as the Cape Cod National Seashore and offers a treasure trove of recreational opportunities and wildlife spotting. Nature lovers will appreciate the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary with its trails through woodlands and salt marshes, as well as Nickerson State Park, which offers campgrounds and swimming areas.
Make a Preppy Getaway to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket
South of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are islands featuring quaint towns, gingerbread-style houses, intriguing museums, lovely beaches, lighthouses, and wildlife refuges. It’s no wonder many well-known artists, authors, and even a few US presidents have sought solace among the sprawling dunes on these islands.
Their permanent populations swell significantly in summer (the high season) with an influx of seasonal residents and short-term visitors.
Feast on Seafood and Seafaring History in New Bedford
Located along Buzzards Bay, New Bedford is known as “the city that lit the world” due to its critical role in the 19th-century whaling industry. The New Bedford Whaling Museum and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park explore this significant history, alongside topics like natural history, conservation, immigration, and cultural diversity.
If whaling’s not of interest, New Bedford is home to the well-presented Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum, a vibrant arts community, and hosts the largest Portuguese-speaking population in the USA. The city is brimming with seafood eateries and celebrates the world’s largest Portuguese cultural festival, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.
Worcester: A Family-Friendly Destination
Worcester is New England’s second-largest city, boasting attractions such as the excellent Worcester Art Museum, the family-friendly EcoTarium, and the minor-league Worcester Red Sox baseball team.
West of the city is the Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830s New England town featuring more than 40 restored buildings spread across 200 acres. Re-enactors provide insights into the history of the village and roles of everyday folks within it. Moore State Park, located in Paxon and northwest of Worcester, encompasses an 18th-century mill village on 400 acres filled with trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and hunting.
The Berkshires: An Outdoor Wonderland
In westernmost Massachusetts, The Berkshires captivate with a delightful mix of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and year-round outdoor recreation.
The region hosts prestigious performing arts events during warmer months, such as the Tanglewood Music Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and Williamstown Theatre Festival. Art lovers should not miss the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Clark Art Institute, or Mass MoCA.
This region’s historic houses include birthplaces of activists Susan B. Anthony and W.E.B. DuBois, as well as homes of authors Edith Wharton and Herman Melville. Additionally, Naumkeag showcases a Gilded Age mansion and gardens.
With autumn’s arrival, a vibrant tapestry of fall foliage cloaks the hills and mountains, attracting leaf peepers galore, followed swiftly by winter sports enthusiasts once the snow arrives.
Soak in the College-Town Vibe of the Pioneer Valley
A creative spirit flourishes along the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts, marked by a multitude of top-notch educational institutions nestled in beautiful scenery. In Amherst, highlights include the home of poet Emily Dickinson and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
In Springfield, The Amazing World of Dr Seuss celebrates the city’s most famous native son, while the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is essential for fans of the sport birthed here in 1891.
Stop in Historic Deerfield Village for a glimpse into 18th-century life or visit Dinosaur Footprints for a trip much farther back in time. Stroll across the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, then explore one of the region’s many hiking trails showcasing panoramic views of verdant mountains, farmland, and the winding river.
