Where the Old and Odd Collide
Massachusetts doesn’t always feel like one place. College towns run on coffee and politics while coastal villages lean into weathered shingles and sea fog. Cities stretch upward, but tucked between them are towns that haven’t changed their rhythm in decades.
Visitors looking for things to do in Massachusetts won’t have trouble filling the hours. What stands out isn’t just the sheer number of sites, but how close they sit to each other. Ivy-covered campuses edge up against colonial-era meetinghouses.
Former mill towns now house galleries. Wealth reshuffles itself quietly, leaving behind grand homes that now hold museums or nothing at all. There’s no one version of this state, and that’s exactly the point.
10 best places to visit in Massachusetts for your next vacation
- The Boston Athenaeum
- The USS Constitution
- Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum
- Boston Harbor Islands National Park
- Plum Island
- Salem Witch Museum
- Minuteman National Park
- Cape Cod
- Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
- MIT Museum
In some ways, Massachusetts plays the same game as other tourist-heavy states. There’s plenty that’s easy to find and easy to enjoy, but now and then, something a little stranger or quieter pulls you in deeper. That’s where it gets interesting.
The best places aren’t always the ones with long lines or brochure racks. They’re tucked into neighborhoods that haven’t been sanded down for visitors.
A small museum in a house no one has moved out of. A walking trail that starts behind a library. These are the spots where you’re less likely to take a photo, and more likely to remember where you were.
Boston
If you’re going to Boston, you might as well get the most out of it.
You can walk up onto the Washington Bridge in downtown Boston and then four or five miles across the Seaport to Logan Airport. It takes about an hour and a half, but that’s not bad for cross-country touring.
There are other possibilities as well: to see America’s only operating steam locomotive at Penn Station or visit the first house that novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne ever lived in; to admire Boston’s oldest public park, Franklin Park; to ride the subway through one of its most beautiful stations, Park Street.
Cambridge
In Cambridge, south of Harvard Square, there are few attractions as in Boston proper.
There are some: Harvard University, MIT, Charles River Boat Tours, and the Museum of Science. If you’re ambitious, you can take a guided tour of Harvard Yard.
The Freedom Trail
A 2.5-mile walking tour, the Freedom Trail weaves its way through 16 of Boston’s most historic sites, including Paul Revere’s home and the Bunker Hill Monument.
Start at Boston Common and pick up a Freedom Trail brochure (free), which maps out all the stops along the way.
Fenway Park
Home to the Red Sox since 1912, Fenway is one of the most beloved ballparks in baseball history. The 37-foot-tall “Green Monster” left-field wall has been part of the park since 1912 and was initially covered in a tin instead of ivy; it now features a manual scoreboard and seats at its peak.
The park sits atop an urban neighborhood where you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants to stop by before or after a game.
Bay State
Coastal Massachusetts isn’t called the Bay State for nothing. From Cape Cod and Nantucket to Plymouth and Salem, the shoreline defines the area. Bostonians head east to the beaches of Cape Ann or north to Plum Island to swim, fish, and sunbathe.
The beach towns of Cape Cod are a favorite summer destination: The kids love the arcades, mini-golf courses, and ice cream stands; everyone loves the clam shacks and seafood restaurants.
Check out Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, two islands that attract a steady stream of celebrities and politicians seeking privacy for an even more laid-back atmosphere.
Cape Cod National Seashore
This area of sandy beaches, ponds, and marshes has been protected since 1961 by the National Park Service.
Provincetown is the park’s central visitor hub, but there are also great spots to explore along six miles of the Atlantic Ocean coastline at Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro.
The visitor center at Salt Pond has a wealth of information about local history, culture, and wildlife.
Nantucket
The island of Nantucket is a summer haven for vacationers looking for a peaceful retreat with great beaches, beautiful scenery, and plenty of walking trails.
The most popular attraction on Nantucket is the Whaling Museum, which explores the island’s whaling history with exhibits including scrimshaw paintings and whaleboats.
Other interests on Nantucket include historic buildings such as Old Mill or Old Gaol, lighthouse tours, art galleries, and craft shops.
Summary
Massachusetts is a top-rated tourist destination. Visitors can explore the fantastic beaches, hike in the parks, marvel at the architecture, and visit some of the finest museums in the country.
One of the best places to start your tour is in Boston, a city steeped in American history. Some highlights are the scenic harbor, museums, restaurants, and shops.
You’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Massachusetts, from historic sites and art museums to whale watching and sports.
Admire the masterpieces of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; see the Red Sox play at Fenway Park; or stroll through Harvard Yard, the heart of Harvard University.
Cruise along the Charles River and enjoy panoramic views of Boston on an authentic Duck Tour; sail out into Boston Harbor past impressive sights like Long Wharf and Georges Island; or take a ferry out to Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod, for great beaches.
