MASSACHUSETTS TRAVEL GUIDE
Welcome to the Bigroads ultimate travel guide to Massachusetts! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts offers incredible variety to travelers. The state is full of historical attractions, including Colonial/Pilgrim, Revolutionary War, and Salem Witch Trial museums and other sites. Boston is the capital of the state, and this city is one of the most walkable in the U.S. There are two upscale islands off of the southern coastline that cater to the wealthy: Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island. Massachusetts also has many fine beaches, including those found in Cape Cod and those situated north and south of Boston. The western part of the state is known as the Berkshires, and you can find excellent hiking and cultural attractions there.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Massachusetts? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Massachusetts, in no particular order:
✮ Tour the historic city of Boston, one of the most walkable cities in the U.S.
✮ Spend a week enjoying the beaches, towns, and other attractions of Cape Cod
✮ Take a ferry to visit the upscale islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
✮ Explore the museums, nature parks, and quaint small towns of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts
✮ Attend the Big E in Springfield, one of the largest country fairs in the U.S. (typically held in mid-to-late September)
✮ Try some fried claims and other great seafood in the towns of Ipswich and Essex
✮ Go antiquing at the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield (3x per year)
✮ Visit the outstanding Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
✮ Cycle the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail
✮ Catch a ballgame at Fenway Park in Boston
If I could select only one place to visit in Massachusetts, I would choose Boston. It is one of America's best cities to visit and explore. There are many historical sites and public parks. It's also one of the most walkable cities in the U.S.
Interested in discovering great attractions in other U.S. states? My 10 Great Attractions in Each U.S. State guide covers the best attractions from coast-to-coast. And here is a guide to the best One-Week Vacations in the U.S..
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Massachusetts. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Massachusetts bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Northwestern Massachusetts (including North Adams and Pittsfield)
✮ Ashuwillticook Rail Trail - the finest 100% paved rail trail in western MA; 12.7 miles through towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams
✮ ATV/ORV-ing in Pittsfield State Forest - one of the best places in the state to go ATV/ORV-ing
✮ Backcountry skiing on Mt. Greylock - arguably the best backcountry skiing in Massachusetts (e.g. Thunderbolt Ski Trail)
✮ Berkshire East Canopy Tours, Charlemont - an excellent aerial adventure park
✮ Clark Art Institute, Williamstown - one of the best art museums in New England
✮ Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield - one of several excellent living history museum in MA
✮ Mass MoCa, North Adams - one of the best contemporary art museums in the U.S.
✮ Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway (US-2) - the top scenic drive in Massachusetts; covers the area from Greenfield west to North Adams
✮ Mount Greylock State Reservation / Mt. Greylock - offers beautiful views and excellent hiking; you can drive to the MA highpoint in season
✮ Mountain biking the Thunder Mountain Bike Park, Charlemont - offers some of the best mountain biking in the state
✮ Natural Bridge State Park, North Adams - holds the only natural white marble arch in North America; also has a beautiful white marble dam
✮ Ramblewild, Lanesborough - an amazing aerial adventure park / high-ropes course
✮ Tannery Falls, Savoy Mountain State Forest, Savoy - a gorgeous towering waterfall when it's flowing well
✮ Whitewater rafting the Deerfield River - Crab Apple Whitewater is the premium guide company that runs this fun river
Southwestern Massachusetts (including Great Barrington, Lenox, and Stockbridge)
✮ Bash Bish Falls, Mt. Washington - the most dramatic waterfall in Massachusetts; hike to it from Taconic State Park in New York
✮ Bartholomew's Cobble Reservation, Sheffield - features hikes to scenic views and many types of native plants
✮ Campbell Falls, Campbell Falls State Park, New Marlborough - one of the best waterfalls in the state; located very close to the MA/CT line
✮ Downtown Lenox - upscale tourist area with plenty of boutique shops and restaurants
✮ Downtown Stockbridge / Red Lion Inn - one of the quaintest areas in the state; the famous Red Lion Inn has a long porch to relax on
✮ Great Barrington - a small town with boutique shops and good restaurants; access to the Appalachian Trail and close to Bash Bish Falls
✮ Jacob's Pillow, Becket - a beautiful outdoor performing arts theatre
✮ Lenox - a small town that is home to Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; has a tourist area with boutique shops
✮ Monument Mountain, Stockbridge - a nature preserve offering one of the best mountain hikes in western MA
✮ Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge - features 500-plus original Norman's paintings and drawings of everyday life
✮ Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox - a beautiful nature park with excellent hiking trails
✮ Race Brook Falls, Sheffield - take a moderately difficult hike to see five sets of impressive waterfalls; you can continue upward to scenic views
✮ Stockbridge - an exceptionally quaint small town with a famous inn (Red Lion Inn) and historic architecture; famous for Norman Rockwell
✮ Tanglewood, Lenox - a fantastic indoor and outdoor summer concert/orchestra venue
Central Massachusetts (including Springfield and Worcester)
✮ Big E, Springfield - one of the biggest and best country fairs in the U.S.; typically held in mid-to-late September
✮ Bridge of Flowers, Shelburne - a beautiful bridge loaded with flowers; several boutique shops and the Glacial Potholes are nearby
✮ Brimfield Antique Show, Brimfield - one of the best antique shows in the country; occurs 3x per year (May, July, September)
✮ Davis Farmland, Sterling - agricultural theme park with live animals, giant corn maze, and more
✮ Downtown Northampton - historic downtown area loaded with shops and great restaurants
✮ Indian Ranch, Webster - intimate outdoor lakeside music/concert venue
✮ Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield - museum focusing on men and women's professional basketball
✮ Nashua River Rail Trail - one of the best paved rail trails in Massachusetts; 12.5 miles each way with limited road crossings
✮ Northampton - a small city with a lively historic district with many shops and restaurants; access to two excellent rail trails nearby
✮ Norwottuck Rail Trail - an excellent paved rail trail that connects with other rail trails in the area (e.g. Manhan Rail Trail)
✮ Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge - one of several excellent living history museum in MA; costumed interpreters in rural New England
✮ Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sutton - geologic wonder with fun rock scrambling and small boulder caves to explore; kids love it!
✮ Six Flags New England, Agawam - the biggest and best roller coaster park in Massachusetts; also has a water park
✮ Springfield Armory National Historic Site - an excellent collection of historic military guns and other weapons
✮ Treehouse Brewery, Charlton - one of the most famous and top-rated breweries in the U.S.
Northeastern Massachusetts (including the North Shore and Cape Ann)
✮ Babson Boulders, Dogtown, Gloucester - take a hike to hunt for large boulders with inscribed words (e.g. "Never Try / Never Win")
✮ Bearskin Neck, Rockport - a tourist area with boutique shops, restaurants, and great seaside/fishing village photo ops (incl. Motif No. 1)
✮ Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, Salem - a monster-focused museum
✮ Crane Beach / Crane Estate, Ipswich - one of northern Massachusetts' best beaches; parking is limited and may require permits
✮ Downtown Newburyport - a historic waterfront area with many restaurants and shops; access to Clipper City Rail Trail (paved bike path)
✮ Downtown Salem - a historic area with shops, restaurants, and bars
✮ Encore Boston Harbor, Everett - an upscale casino that is one of the best in the U.S. outside of Las Vegas; easily the best casino in MA
✮ Fishermen's Memorial Monument, Gloucester - famous fisherman statue along the Gloucester coastline; walk to nearby Stage Fort Park
✮ Fried clam restaurants of Ipswich and Essex - the best place on earth to eat fried clams; there are several great fried clam shops in the area
✮ Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester - one of northern Massachusetts' best beaches; good surfing; parking is limited and may require permits
✮ Halibut Point State Park, Rockport - nice walking paths with ocean and quarry views; parking is limited
✮ Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester - beautiful castle with guided and self-guided tours
✮ House of Seven Gables, Salem - guided tours of a 1668 colonial mansion made famous by a Nathaniel Hawthorne novel
✮ Ipswich River, Ipswich - rent a canoe or kayak from Foote Brothers and take a one or two day river trip
✮ Jordan's Furniture, Reading - giant furniture store with several family-friendly attractions (IMAX theatre, ropes course, ice cream shop, etc.)
✮ Mountain biking the Lynn Woods Reservation - some of the best mountain biking in the state
✮ Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island - excellent birding and miles of undeveloped beaches (warning: rip currents)
✮ Peabody Essex Museum, Salem - an excellent American, Asian, and Maritime art museum
✮ Russell Farm, Ipswich - an excellent apple-picking farm with cider donuts and apple cider
✮ Stage Fort Park, Gloucester - a beautiful seaside park with rock scrambling, open fields, a small beach, and a children's playground
✮ Whale-watching tours from Gloucester - one of the top places on the East Coast to go whale-watching
✮ Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester - one of northern Massachusetts' best beaches; parking is limited and may require permits
Boston
✮ Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University - oldest public arboretum in North America; walking and cycling trails with lots of tree types
✮ Blue Man Group - one of several locations in the U.S. where you watch a blend of music and visual effects by blue-skinned performers
✮ Boston Children's Museum - one of the best children's museum in New England, and the #1 in Massachusetts
✮ Boston Duck Tours - excellent guided tours of Boston; drives on Boston's streets and floats as a boat in the Charles River
✮ Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area - take a ferry to visit one of the remote islands off the coast of Boston (e.g. George's Island)
✮ Boston National Historic Park - includes the U.S.S Constitution ("Old Ironsides") and the Bunker Hill Monument
✮ Boston Public Garden - Boston's most famous and beautiful public space; adjacent to Boston Common; Swan boat rides
✮ Boston Symphony Orchestra - world-famous symphony orchestra performances at Symphony Hall
✮ Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum - historical museum and site of famous British rebellion event
✮ Charles River Bike Path - a popular paved walking and cycling path along the Charles River; 22 miles long
✮ Embrace, The - a 22-foot bronze sculpture in Boston Common that is dedicated to racial equity; features a hug given by MLK, Jr.
✮ Fanueil Hall / Quincy Market - high-tourist area with tons of shops, restaurants, and street performers
✮ Fenway Park - cherished historic baseball park; home of the Boston Red Sox
✮ Freedom Trail - a 2.5 mile long walking path that visits more than a dozen historic sites and museums; an absolute Boston "must do"
✮ Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - a great art museum with a gorgeous courtyard garden
✮ John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library - a large museum covering topics related to the 35th president of the U.S.
✮ Museum of Fine Arts - one of the finest art museums in the U.S.
✮ Museum of Science - arguably the best science museum in New England
✮ Newbury Street & Back Bay - a famed shopping district with many chain and boutique stores; many restaurants and bars in the area
✮ North End - a famous Italian neighborhood with excellent food; one of the best Italian districts in the U.S.; try the cannolis!
✮ Samuel Adams Brewery - offers great brewery tours, plus a tasting room and gift shop
✮ Whale-watching tours from Boston - one of the top places on the East Coast to go whale-watching
Some might say that the New England Aquarium belongs on top Boston attractions list, but I personally just don't feel that it's a top-tier aquarium. There are many aquariums that are far more impressive in the U.S (e.g. Baltimore, Georgia/Atlanta, Monterey, etc.)
Boston suburbs & the Metro West region
✮ Adams National Historical Park, Quincy - visit the historic home of U.S. presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams
✮ Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown - 220-foot granite tower at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill; scenic views if you climb to the top
✮ deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln - outdoor sculpture park with hiking trails
✮ Gillette Stadium, Foxboro - home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution; also holds various summer concerts
✮ Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge - excellent natural history museum with art, fossils, gems, and more
✮ Harvard University, Cambridge - ivy league college with beautiful buildings and grounds
✮ Middlesex Fells Reservation - huge public park with over 100 miles of mixed-use trails (hiking, mountain biking, etc.); some views of Boston
✮ Minuteman Bikeway - extremely popular paved bike path that leads about 11-miles from Bedford to the Alewife T station in Cambridge
✮ Minute Man National Historical Park - various American Revolutionary War historical sites; historic walking trails
✮ Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge - the first landscaped cemetery in the U.S.; historical graves from the 1800s; views of Boston
✮ Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord - beautiful kettle hole pond; Henry David Thoreau historic sites; hiking trails encircle the pond
Southeastern Massachusetts (including Cape Cod)
✮ Art's Dune Tours, Provincetown - guided off-road driving experience on Cape Cod
✮ Battleship Cove, Fall River - self-guided tours of several historic military ships; one of the best military ship museums in the U.S.
✮ Blue Hills Reservation, Milton - a large nature park with 125 miles of hiking trails and good views of Boston
✮ Cape Cod National Seashore - series of beautiful beaches and towering sand dunes
✮ Cape Cod Canal Rail Trail - excellent paved rail trail on both sides of the Cape Cod Canal (7 and 6.5 miles)
✮ Cape Cod Rail Trail - the best rail trail in Massachusetts; 25-miles one way and 100% paved
✮ Commercial Street, Provincetown - gay-friendly pedestrian zone loaded with shops and restaurants
✮ Edaville Family Theme Park, Carver - the best young child theme park in Massachusetts; Thomas the Tank is the big star
✮ Mendon Drive-In, Mendon - one of few remaining drive-in movie theaters in New England
✮ Nickerson State Park - large state park with excellent fishing, hiking, biking, and camping; bike paths connect with the Cape Cod Rail Trail
✮ New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford - largest whaling-focused museum in the U.S.
✮ Nobska Point Lighthouse, Woods Hole - one of Massachusetts' most famous lighthouses
✮ Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum, Provincetown - climb a 252-foot monument for awesome views of Provincetown and Cape Cod
✮ Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth - one of several excellent living history museum in Massachusetts
✮ Province Lands Bike Trail in Provincetown - 6.6 mile paved loop at the northern tip of Cape Cod
✮ Race Point Beach, Provincetown - one of the best beaches on Cape Cod
✮ Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth - 10.7 mile paved path that ends in Woods Hole in Falmouth
✮ Water Wizz of Cape Cod, East Wareham - largest outdoor water park in southern New England
✮ Wellfleet Drive-In Theater, Wellfleet - one of last remaining drive-in movie theaters in New England
✮ Whale-watching tours from Provincetown - one of the top places on the East Coast to go whale-watching
The Islands
✮ Aquinnah Cliffs / Gay Head Cliffs, Martha's Vineyard - colorful clay cliffs; amazing sunsets
✮ Cisco Brewers, Nantucket - famous brewery on Nantucket Island
✮ Martha's Vineyard (island) - one of two upscale island destinations in Massachusetts; tons of boutique shops and restaurants, and fine lodging
✮ Nantucket (island) - one of two upscale island destinations in Massachusetts; tons of boutique shops and restaurants, and fine lodging
✮ Whaling Museum, Nantucket - exhibits on the history of the whaling industry
There are also several coastal towns and cities in Massachusetts that have deep-sea fishing guide companies. Some examples include Boston, Gloucester, and Truro. A quick Google search will reveal a number of boating/fishing charters. There are too many for me to attempt to list them here.
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Massachusetts? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
Discover 5-star attractions in neighboring states using these state guides:
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VT
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN MASSACHUSETTS
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These towns and cities in Massachusetts are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
Western Massachusetts (including the Berkshires)
✮ Great Barrington - a small town with boutique shops and good restaurants; access to the Appalachian Trail and close to Bash Bish Falls
✮ Lenox - a small town that is home to Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; has a tourist area with boutique shops
✮ Stockbridge - an exceptionally quaint small town with a famous inn (Red Lion Inn) and historic architecture; famous for Norman Rockwell
Central Massachusetts
✮ Northampton - a small city with a lively historic district with many shops and restaurants; access to two excellent rail trails nearby
Eastern Massachusetts (including Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket)
✮ Boston - a major city with exceptional historical sites (e.g. Colonial/Revolutionary War) and public parks; one of U.S.'s most walkable cities
✮ Cambridge - a medium-sized city with many boutique shops, art galleries, and ethnic restaurants; home of Harvard University and MIT
✮ Chatham - a small seaside town with beaches, boutique shops, and lighthouses; gateway to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
✮ Edgartown - a small and upscale island town on Martha's Vineyard; many white-clapboard colonial homes, boutique shops, and restaurants
✮ Falmouth - a coastal town with boutique shops, a rail trail, and the famous Nobska Lighthouse; gateway to Martha's Vineyard (island)
✮ Nantucket - a small and upscale town on Nantucket Island; has boutique shops, cobblestone streets, beaches, and interesting whaling history
✮ Newburyport - a small coastal city with an upscale historic district, great harbor views, and maritime history; cycle the Clipper City Rail Trail
✮ Oak Bluffs - a small and upscale coastal town on Martha's Vineyard (island); has boutique shops and the famous "gingerbread" houses
✮ Plymouth - a small coastal with boutique shops and strong colonial/pilgrim history (e.g. Plymouth Rock and the Plimoth Patuxet Museum)
✮ Provincetown - an extremely walkable, gay-friendly small town with boutique shops, restaurants, art galleries, boat tours, and nightlife
✮ Rockport - a small artist colony-type town with boutique shops and a scenic harbor; go hiking in Halibut Point State Park
✮ Salem - a small city with a lively downtown area; the city is famous for its witch history/museums and massive Halloween events in October
North Adams and Shelburne Falls are also worth a visit. North Adams can serve as a good base camp for exploring the northwestern Berkshires. Shelburne Falls is very small, with only a few shops and restaurants to compliment their famous flower bridge and glacial potholes.
My favorite city in Massachusetts is Boston - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 3-4 nights here
My favorite small town in Massachusetts is Provincetown - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 1-2 nights here
If you want to visit Boston for the first time and you have four days to spend, I would recommend visiting doing all of the following:
✮ Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park
✮ Walk the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail and visit the museums and historical sites along the way (e.g. USS Constitution Museum, Paul Revere House)
✮ Go shopping in Back Bay (e.g. Boylston Street, Newbury Street, Prudential Mall, etc.)
✮ Visit the Museum of Fine Arts for 1/2 of a day
✮ Stroll the West End and the Greenway
✮ Eat some Italian food in the North End (with dessert at Modern Pastry or Mike's Pastry)
✮ Consider taking a guided driving and boat tour of the city with Boston Duck Tours
✮ Take some photographs of the streets and alleyways of historic Beacon Hill
✮ Walk through the Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden
Both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard islands are worth at least 2-3 nights each for a first time visitor. There's plenty of things to do, see, and eat on those islands, especially from May through October. If you want to take your vehicle there, make reservations well in advance.
Visiting Salem during the Halloween madness that occurs there throughout October is fun, but it's an absolute zoo. There are people everywhere and getting in and out of the city can sometimes take hours.
Read my Favorite Places in the U.S. Guide to find new and interesting towns and cities across the country.
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WHAT IS MASSACHUSETTS FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that Massachusetts is famous or well-known for:
✮ art museums
✮ colonial history / pilgrims
✮ cranberries
✮ fishing
✮ gay rights
✮ healthcare institutions
✮ higher education (e.g. universities & colleges)
✮ islands
✮ living history museums
✮ national historic parks
✮ professional sports
✮ Revolutionary War history
✮ whale watching tours
✮ witches / witch trials
Visit my What is Each U.S. State Famous For? guide to explore the unique characteristics of other states.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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There are currently no national parks, national monuments, or national forests in Massachusetts. However, there are many other federally-managed parks and properties, including:
National Recreation Areas
✮ Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area - I highly recommend taking a boat trip to explore Fort Warren on George's Island
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks
✮ Adams National Historical Park
✮ Appalachian National Scenic Trail - 90 miles of this 2,200 mile trail is in MA
✮ Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
✮ Boston National Historical Park
✮ Boston African American National Historic Site
✮ Cape Cod National Seashore - has some of the best beaches in the northern U.S.
✮ Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
✮ John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
✮ Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
✮ Lowell National Historical Park
✮ Minute Man National Historical Park
✮ New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
✮ New England National Scenic Trail
✮ Salem Maritime National Historic Site
✮ Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
✮ Springfield Armory National Historic Site
✮ Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
For more information on Massachusetts's national parks, visit the Massachusetts page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all of America's national parks, explore my U.S. National Parks Guide.
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STATE PARKS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Massachusetts has more than 100 state parks. Many would agree that these represent Massachusetts's finest state parks:
Flagship / Premier State Parks:
✮ Bash Bish Falls State Park, Mt. Washington - hike to the most dramatic waterfall in Massachusetts; start your hike in Taconic State Park in NY
✮ Mount Greylock State Reservation - highpoint of Massachusetts; excellent hiking, backpacking, and backcountry skiing trails; lodge on top
✮ Natural Bridge State Park, North Adams - contains the only natural white marble arch in North America; beautiful white marble dam
✮ Nickerson State Park, Brewster - outstanding camping, fishing, and biking paths; connects to the finest rail trail in MA (Cape Cod Rail Trail)
✮ Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sutton - towering cliffs and small caves; children (6+ is recommended) will have an amazing time here
Other Notable State Parks:
✮ Halibut Point State Park, Rockport - views of quarries and a rocky coastline
✮ Middlesex Fells Reservation - huge nature park near Boston; over 100 miles of trails, several of which offer views of the city
✮ Mount Everett State Reservation - good hiking and backpacking in the Berkshires
✮ Mount Holyoke Range State Park - great hiking trails and scenic views in central Massachusetts
✮ Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation - great hiking trails and scenic views in central Massachusetts
✮ Wachusett Mountain State Reservation - great hiking trails and scenic views in central Massachusetts
My favorite state park in Massachusetts is Mount Greylock State Reservation. The park has the best hiking trails and scenic views in the state, including those from Mt. Greylock the state highpoint. You can drive to the summit in season, and there's a rustic lodge for overnight stays too. If you enjoy backpacking, there are several campsites and shelters you can use. The park also has the best backcountry ski trails in the state.
For camping, I don't think anything beats Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod. The state park has more than 400 campsites and also some yurts available for rental. There is 8-miles of paved biking trails, and they connect to the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail (the best rail trail in Massachusetts). The park also has extensive hiking trails, including hikes to remote ponds where you can fish. This is my favorite base camp for exploring Cape Cod (and a heck of a lot cheaper than any other lodging on the normally expensive Cape Cod. Make reservations for this state park as soon as they go on sale each year.
Find the best state parks across the country using my Top 100 State Parks in the U.S. guide.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Massachusetts has more than 75 natural waterfalls. Here are some of the best waterfalls in Massachusetts:
Western Massachusetts (including Great Barrington, Pittsfield, North Adams, and the rest of the Berkshires)
✮ Bash Bish Falls in Bash Bish Falls State Park, Mt. Washington
✮ Campbell Falls in Campbell Falls State Park, New Marlborough
✮ Chapel Falls in Chapel Brook Reservation, Ashfield
✮ Goldmine Brook Falls in Chester-Blandford State Forest, Chester
✮ Race Brook Falls in Mt. Everett State Reservation, Sheffield
✮ Tannery Falls in Savoy Mountain State Forest, Savoy
✮ The Cascade in North Adams
✮ Twin Cascades in Florida
✮ Wahconah Falls in Wahconah Falls State Park, Dalton
Central Massachusetts (including Springfield and Worcester)
✮ Doane's Falls in Doane's Falls Reservation in Royalston
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Massachusetts, visit the World Waterfall Database or the New England Waterfalls website.
Chase more waterfalls across the country with my Best Waterfalls in the U.S. guide.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Massachusetts:
✮ Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway / US-2 - a 35-mile paved route from Greenfield to North Adams in northwestern MA
✮ Mount Greylock Scenic Byway - a seasonal 16-mile paved route that drives to the summit of Mt. Greylock, which is the highpoint of MA
✮ Route 6 on Cape Cod - a 25-mile paved route from Orleans to Provincetown on the upper tip of Cape Cod
My favorite scenic drive in Massachusetts is the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway (US-2). There are great scenic views, a dramatic hairpin turn, and access to many attractions en route. This route starts in Greenfield and heads west to North Adams. The Mass MOCA museum in North Adams is a huge bonus.
Discover great scenic drives across the country with my Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. guide.
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Massachusetts:
Western Massachusetts (including the Berkshires)
✮ Ashuwillticook Rail Trail - the best paved rail trail in the Berkshires of western MA; 12.7 miles and 100% paved
Central Massachusetts
✮ Columbia Greenway Rail Trail & Southwick Rail Trail - you can connect this paved trail with the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in CT
✮ Nashua River Rail Trail - quiet and peaceful 12.5 mile paved ride with only a few road crossings
✮ Norwottuck Rail Trail - you can connect this paved trail with the paved Manhan Rail Trail
Eastern Massachusetts (including Boston and Cape Cod)
✮ Cape Cod Canal Rail Trail - paved bike paths on both sides of the Cape Cod Canal; one side is 7-miles each way and the other is 6.5 miles
✮ Cape Cod Rail Trail - outstanding 25-mile paved trail that cuts through a major portion of Cape Cod
✮ Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path - 17-miles of paved paths along the Charles River in and around Boston
✮ Minuteman Bikeway - ride 10.5 miles on a paved trail from Bedford to the Alewife Orange Line T-station in Cambridge
✮ Province Lands Bike Trail in Provincetown - 6.6 mile paved loop at the northern tip of Cape Cod
✮ Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth - 10.7 mile paved path that ends in Woods Hole in Falmouth
Of all the Massachusetts rail trails, the Cape Cod Rail Trail (25.0 miles one-way) is probably my favorite. I like extending this ride on its northern end by using local streets to access some of the best beaches on Cape Cod.
The quietest and most peaceful rail trail ride in Massachusetts is arguably the Nashua River Rail Trail. The trail is 12.5 miles one-way and is it 100% paved. I love this trail because it only has a few road crossings and it never seems crowded.
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Massachusetts, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS / THEME PARKS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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There are a few notable amusement parks in Massachusetts:
✮ Cape Cod Inflatable Park, West Yarmouth - one of the largest inflatable parks in the U.S.
✮ Davis Farmland, Sterling - agricultural theme park with live animals, giant corn maze, and more
✮ Edaville Family Theme Park, Carver - fantastic for young children!
✮ Six Flags New England, Agawam - largest theme park in Massachusetts
✮ Water Wizz of Cape Cod, East Wareham - largest water park in southern New England
Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH is also worth noting because it's a great theme park and it's only a few miles from the Massachusetts border.
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BEST EVENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Massachusetts hosts many special events each year, including:
✮ Big E, Springfield - one of the biggest and best country fairs in the U.S.; typically held in mid-to-late September
✮ Boston Marathon, Boston - one of the premier running events in the world
✮ Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, Boston
✮ Boston Pride Parade & Festival, Boston
✮ Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield - large and impressive drive-through holiday lights display (the best in Massachusetts in my opinion)
✮ Brimfield Antique Show, Brimfield - arguably the best major antique show in the country; occurs 3x per year (May, July, September)
✮ Haunted Happenings, Salem - Halloween type events all throughout October
✮ Head of the Charles Regatta, Boston/Cambridge
✮ King Richard's Faire, Carver - billed as the "largest, biggest, and best Renaissance festival in the six states of New England"
✮ Pan Mass Challenge - hugely popular annual charity bike rides
✮ St. Patrick's Day Parade, Boston
✮ Topsfield Fair, Topsfield - the second best country fair in Massachusetts (#1 = The Big E)
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BEST MUSEUMS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Massachusetts has many outstanding museums, including some of the finest art and historical museums in the country. The best museums in Massachusetts include:
Western Massachusetts (including the Berkshires)
✮ Amazing World of Dr. Suess Museum, Springfield
✮ Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield
✮ Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
✮ Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
✮ MASS MoCA, North Adams
✮ Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
✮ Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Springfield
Central Massachusetts
✮ Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
✮ Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
Eastern Massachusetts (including Boston, Cape Cod, and the Islands)
✮ Adams National Historical Park, Quincy
✮ Battleship Cove, Fall River
✮ Boston Children's Museum, Boston
✮ Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Boston
✮ Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester
✮ Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge
✮ House of the Seven Gables, Salem
✮ John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, Boston
✮ Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
✮ Museum of Science, Boston
✮ New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford
✮ Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
✮ Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth
✮ Whaling Museum, Nantucket
✮ Whydah Pirate Museum, West Yarmouth
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BEST DAY HIKES IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Massachusetts has hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and there is good hiking to be found all over the state. Here are some of the best day hikes in Massachusetts:
Western Massachusetts (including the Berkshires)
✮ Bash Bish Falls - relatively easy hike from Taconic State Park in New York to Massachusetts' most dramatic waterfall
✮ Monument Mountain - fun hike to scenic views in the southern Berkshires
✮ Mount Greylock State Park trails - the highpoint of Massachusetts; hike to the summit or to one or several of the parks waterfalls
✮ Mount Race & Race Brook Falls - hike uphill to five scenic waterfalls and also lovely views of the Berkshires
✮ Pleasant Valley Sanctuary trails - hiking trails to seasonal waterfalls and scenic views
Central Massachusetts
✮ Mount Holyoke Range State Park trails - some of the best trails and views in Central Massachusetts
✮ Mount Wachusett State Reservation - more than 15 miles of hiking trails; the Harrington Trail has some of the best views in Central MA
✮ Mount Watatic - moderately challenging mountain hike feature open scenic views; one of the best hikes within 90 minutes of Boston
✮ Purgatory Chasm State Reservation trails - fun rock scrambling and boulder caves; very popular with families
Eastern Massachusetts
✮ Blue Hills Reservation trails - close to Boston and offers good views of the city in the distance
✮ Freedom Trail, Boston - 2.5-mile walk within the city of Boston that passes more than a dozen historical sites; the best walking tour in Boston
✮ Great Island Trail - hike to wild and remote beaches on Cape Cod
✮ Halibut Point State Park trails - hike to rocky coastlines and old quarries
✮ Middlesex Fells Reservation trails - close to Boston and offers great views of the city; more than 100 miles of hiking trails
✮ Walden Pond State Reservation trails - walk around the beloved lake where Henry David Thoreau lived for 2+ years; parking lot fills up early!
✮ Ward Reservation - 10+ miles of hiking trails through forests and open fields; scenic views, including the Boston skyline in the distance
The highpoint of Massachusetts is Mt. Greylock (3,489'). You can hike or drive a seasonal road to the summit. The auto road is typically open from late May-late October. Hiking this peak is challenging if you hike from one of its lower hiking trailheads.
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Massachusetts offers several excellent backpacking opportunities. Some of premier backpacking routes in Massachusetts include:
✮ Appalachian Trail - 90 miles from the Connecticut border to the Vermont border; there are several overnight shelters on the trail
✮ Midstate Trail - 92 miles from the Rhode Island border to the New Hampshire border; there are several overnight shelters on the trail
✮ Monroe State Forest
✮ Mount Greylock State Reservation - climb to scenic views, including those at the MA highpoint; the park has several overnight shelters
✮ Mount Washington State Forest
✮ Tully Trail - 22-mile loop with overnight lodging at the Royalston Falls Shelter; route may be difficult to follow (maintenance is spotty)
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Massachusetts offers many excellent outdoor adventures, including these classics:
✮ ATV/ORV-ing Beartown State Forest
✮ ATV/ORV-ing Pittsfield State Forest
✮ Backcountry skiing Mount Greylock - e.g. Thunderbolt Trail
✮ Backcountry skiing Mount Watatic
✮ Backpacking the Appalachian Trail - 90 miles from the CT border to the VT border; several overnight shelters are available for use
✮ Backpacking the Midstate Trail - 92 miles from the RI border to the NH border; several overnight shelters are available for use
✮ Backpacking Mount Greylock State Reservation
✮ Backpacking Mount Washington State Forest
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Charles River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Concord River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Ipswich River
✮ Cycling the Ashuwillticook Trail Trail
✮ Cycling the Cape Cod Rail Trail
✮ Cycling the Mass Central Rail Trail
✮ Cycling the Minuteman Bikeway
✮ Cycling the Nashua River Rail Trail
✮ Cycling the Shining Sea Bikeway
✮ Day hiking the Bay Circuit Trail
✮ Day hiking Mt. Greylock
✮ Day hiking Mt. Race / Race Brook Falls
✮ Day hiking Mt. Watatic
✮ Hot air ballooning in Worthington
✮ Ice climbing at Auburn Ice Canyon
✮ Mountain biking Lynn Woods Reservation, Lynn
✮ Mountain biking Thunder Mountain Bike Park, Charlemont
✮ Rock climbing Crow Hill in Leominster State Forest, Leominster
✮ Rock climbing Quincy Quarries, Quincy - a top-roping style climbing hot spot
✮ Sailing the Charles River
✮ Sky diving in Marstons Mills, Orange, or Pepperell
✮ Surfing Cisco Beach on Nantucket Island
✮ Surfing Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester
✮ Whitewater rafting the Deerfield River
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SKI RESORTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
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There are roughly 10 actively-operating ski/snowboard resorts in Massachusetts, and all of them are small or medium in size when compared to other ski resorts nationally. The two best ski/snowboard resorts in Massachusetts are Berkshire East Mountain Resort and Jiminy Peak, both of which are in western Massachusetts:
✮ Berkshire East Mountain Resort - 45 trails; 1,180ft vertical drop; 1,840ft summit
✮ Jiminy Peak - 45 trails; 1,150ft vertical drop; 2,380ft summit
New York and the northern New England states (VT, NH, ME) all have significantly larger ski/snowboard resorts than Massachusetts does.
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MASSACHUSETTS TRAVEL TIPS
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For offbeat and unique Massachusetts attractions, visit one or both of these amazing websites: Atlas Obscura and Roadside America
Boston.com wrote a great article in 2017 that highlighted 200 things to do in Massachusetts.
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Massachusetts:
✮ beach pizza
✮ boston creme pie
✮ fried clams
✮ indian pudding
✮ lobster / lobster rolls
✮ new england clam chowder
✮ roast beef sandwiches
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Massachusetts (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each U.S. state, explore my Road Trip Food guide.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Massachusetts (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY MASSACHUSETTS INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Massachusetts:
State Capital:
Boston
Major Airports:
Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston; you can also fly into Hartford, CT, Manchester, NH or Providence, RI and then drive into Massachusetts
Largest Cities:
Boston (687,257), Worcester (211,612), Springfield (156,503), Cambridge (121,051), Lowell (117,362), Brockton (108,009), Quincy (103,508)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-84, I-90, I-91, I-93, I-95
State Highpoint:
Mount Greylock (3,489') in Mount Greylock State Reservation in western Massachusetts; you can hike (difficult) or drive a seasonal road to the summit
Professional Sports Teams:
MLB: Boston Red Sox
NBA: Boston Celtics
NFL: New England Patriots
NHL: Boston Bruins
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Mashpee and Sandwich
Disclaimer: Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts
Bash Bish Falls in the southwestern corner of Massachusetts
Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Hulbert's Hill within the Bartholomew's Cobble Reservation in Sheffield, Massachusetts
one of many fine beaches on the Cape Cod National Seashore
one of the Babson Boulders in Gloucester, Massachusetts
Mount Watatic summit, Massachusetts
Minute Man National Historical Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts
USS Constitution in Boston, Massachusetts
USS Constitution Museum in Boston, Massachusetts
bronze marker on the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts
North End district of Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Public Market in Boston, Massachusetts
Norwottuck Rail Trail in central Massachusetts
Bancroft Castle in Groton, Massachusetts
views from the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth, Massachusetts
Sankaty Head Light on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts
stone tower on top of Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts
views from the top of the Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation in South Deerfield, Massachusetts
stone tower in Lynn Woods Reservation in Lynn, Massachusetts
the Giant Slide at the Big E fair in Springfield, Massachusetts
MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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