Massachusetts

Full of Wonder in Boston: Where Old Meets New

A gateway city to Massachusetts and New England, state capital Boston is known as “America’s walking city.” The Freedom Trail traces sites that played a key role in the American Revolution, and the Black Heritage Trail features places important to the 19th-century Black community. The Museum of African American History, with sites in Boston and Nantucket, is New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving Black Americans’ contributions. Ride the Swan Boats in the Public Garden, the first public botanical garden in the USA, and marvel at major exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art. See art installations in the Seaport District, a trendy and innovative neighborhood by the Fan Pier and Fort Point Channel. Marquees light up the Theater District, and Newbury Street bustles with galleries, sidewalk cafes and boutiques. Funky Cambridge is just across the Charles River, home to MIT, Harvard University and Harvard Square’s restaurants, shops and bookstores.

Historic Places and Authentic Cuisine near Boston

North of Boston, Lowell National Historical Park showcases the city’s textile industry heritage. Salem is the site of the 17th-century witch trials, and its Peabody Essex Museum includes extraordinary art collections and landmarks. Delve into maritime traditions in Newburyport, Rockport, Marblehead and Gloucester, the USA’s oldest seaport. Drive the 144-kilometer Essex Coastal Scenic Byway for its ocean views and 12 lighthouses. Check out film locations of big-screen movies such as “Little Women” and “Manchester by the Sea.” Waterfront restaurants serve lobster rolls, fried clams and daily fresh catches. South of Boston, Plimoth Patuxet is one of Massachusetts’ four living history museums. Learn about the arrival of the pilgrims and the native Wampanoag people and other indigenous communities. New Bedford, an international whaling center, inspired Herman Melville to write “Moby-Dick.” It's home to the New Bedford Whaling Museum, dedicated to the science and behavior of whales. Westport Rivers Vineyard is a top stop on the region’s wine and cheese trail. Any trip south of Boston must include a cranberry bog tour, especially during fall harvest. Massachusetts is the oldest cranberry growing region in the USA, and the cranberry is the official state berry.

Coastal Escapes: Stunning Beaches and Charming Islands

Cape Cod National Seashore offers nearly 18,000 hectares of coastline with dunes, forests, marshes and ponds to explore via bike paths, swimming and surfing. At the tip of Cape Cod is Provincetown, a creative, welcoming community. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum reflects the town’s roots as the USA’s oldest continuous art colony. Ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard leave from several Cape ports. Nantucket features distinctive architecture, whaling history and magnificent beaches. Martha’s Vineyard’s Wampanoag history, clay cliffs, lighthouses and charming communities provide much to enjoy on foot and by bicycle.

Central and Western Massachusetts: Arts, Entertainment and Nature

In central Massachusetts, Old Sturbridge Village depicts life in New England in the early 19th century via programs, activities and celebrations. In mountainous western Massachusetts, go on thrilling white-water rafting trips and soar through the treetops on zip lines. Take a drive along the Mohawk Trail, one of the first scenic roads in New England. For culture, attend concerts at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and international dance performances at Jacob’s Pillow. See large-scale art in North Adams at MASS MoCA, the USA’s largest contemporary art museum.