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Massachusetts travel guide by mail.

Are you planning a trip to Massachusetts? Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, beach bum, or nature lover, the Bay State has something to offer for everyone. But with so many attractions, events, and destinations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to plan a trip on your own.

Thankfully, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) offers a free travel guide by mail to help you discover the best of the state. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan a memorable and stress-free trip to Massachusetts.

What’s Included in the Massachusetts Travel Guide?

The Massachusetts Travel Guide is a comprehensive resource that covers all regions of the state, from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. Here are some of the topics covered in the guide:

Each section includes detailed information on the best attractions, events, and activities to experience in Massachusetts. You’ll also find recommendations for restaurants, hotels, and other accommodations to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

How to Request the Massachusetts Travel Guide

Requesting the Massachusetts Travel Guide is easy and free. Simply visit the MOTT website and fill out the online request form with your name, address, and email. You can also choose to receive a digital version of the guide if you prefer.

Once you’ve submitted your request, you can expect to receive the guide in the mail within 7-10 business days. The guide is available in English, Spanish, German, Chinese, and Japanese, so you can choose the language that works best for you.

How to Use the Massachusetts Travel Guide

Now that you have your Massachusetts Travel Guide in hand, it’s time to start planning your trip. Here are some tips for using the guide effectively:

• Read through the entire guide to get a sense of the different regions and attractions in Massachusetts.
• Use the index at the back of the guide to quickly find specific topics or destinations.
• Bookmark pages, make notes, or use sticky tabs to keep track of the attractions and activities that interest you.
• Print out any maps or pages that you’ll need during your trip.
• Use the accommodation section to book hotels or other lodging that fit your budget and needs.

By using the Massachusetts Travel Guide as your main resource, you’ll be able to create a customized itinerary that fits your interests and preferences.

The Massachusetts Travel Guide is an essential tool for anyone planning a trip to the Bay State. With its comprehensive coverage of attractions, accommodations, and activities, you’ll be able to create a memorable and stress-free vacation. To request your free guide by mail, simply visit the MOTT website and fill out the online form. Happy travels!

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2024 massachusetts visitors guide.

Massachusetts is a great location to enjoy some of the most diverse and beautiful scenery in New England . Boston is a historical city, home to the Freedom Trail, and the U.S.S. Constitution. Plymouth allows a look back at the Pilgrim’s voyage to America on the Mayflower.

A visit to the Springfield Armory National Historic Site reveals one of the world’s largest firearms collections. Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley also contains a wealth of historical attractions, including the Dickinson Homestead, where American poetess Emily Dickinson wrote many of her poems. Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord preserves several sites that relate to the battles of the American Revolution.

The Berkshires (or the Berkshire Hills) region in western Massachusetts is a favored resort destination with several attractive villages and attractions such as the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket are filled with many classic seaside towns whose architecture has been emulated worldwide.

This is a beautiful state with a great history behind it; after all, the Pilgrims landed in this place in 1620. Massachusetts also known as the “Bay State”, boasts a vibrant cultural scene, due to its written and performing art. This state is also known for its amazing nature. You can enjoy several hiking trails, bird watching or beach activities in this area. Here is a list of the places that you can visit in Massachusetts.

Central Massachusetts Visitors Guide

Dubbed the Heart of New England, Central Massachusetts offers a myriad of attractions, recreation, lodging, and shopping to satisfy a range of tastes. Take advantage of the fruit orchards dotted around the countryside, or pay a visit to Old Sturbridge Village, a historical attraction that re-creates life in a 19th-century village. The coming of fall is an impressive experience in north-central Massachusetts, where mild weather and vibrant colors abound. For the sports fan, check out Worcester’s American Hockey League team, the Sharks. Hockey games are played in the Centrum Centre, a popular venue for various events and exhibitions. A few other attractions that warrant a visit include the Lucky Dog Music Hall in Worcester, the Willard House & Clock Museum in North Grafton, and Davis Farmland and Mega Maze in Sterling. Skiers and snowboarders enjoy a visit to Pine Ridge Snow Park in Barre, which features seven trails and two lifts.

Boston Visitors Guide

Greater Boston is a metropolitan center and one of the oldest and most historically significant areas in the United States—features an eclectic mix of old and new, from historic attractions, such as the Freedom Trail, the USS Constitution, and the Boston National Historical Park, to cutting edge restaurants and nightclubs.

Located across the river from downtown Boston, Cambridge is home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), two icons in American post-secondary education. John F. Kennedy, one of the most influential presidents in the history of the United States, was born in nearby Brookline. His boyhood home is preserved as the John F. Kennedy National Historic Site, with rangers offering guided tours.

From September through December the New England Patriots play football in the NFL at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, from October through April both the Boston Bruins play NHL hockey and the Boston Celtics play NBA Basketball at the TD Banknorth Garden, while March through September sees the Boston Red Sox play Major League Baseball at historic Fenway Park.

Other cities to visit while in the Greater Boston area include Newton, Quincy, Waltham, and Brockton.

Boston is certainly among the top destinations anywhere; its place in American history alone makes it worth a visit. To get a good perspective of the city’s layout and history, take a walking tour along the Freedom Trail . Then, try a memorable trip to the U.S.S. Constitution, see Bunker Hill Monument in nearby Charlestown—which memorializes the efforts of American colonists during the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775—and visit the Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum. Boston is more than history though.

The shopping is phenomenal, and visitors should be sure to visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which has a history dating back 250 years.

A host of Boston museums warrant a visit, including the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library and Museum, the Cahoon Museum of American Art, and the Museum of Afro-American History.

For an escape to nature, take to Boston Common, one of the oldest public parks in the United States.

Cape Cod Visitors Guide

This region of Massachusetts is known for its scenic marine setting, fine beaches, country inns, and outstanding seafood establishments. The main town in Cape Cod is Hyannis, which is home to the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Cape Cod also offers a jumping-off point to reach the nearby islands of Martha’s Vineyard, with an interesting whaling heritage and sandy beaches, and Nantucket, with quaint cobblestone streets and Quaker architecture.

Local history is waiting to be discovered at several venues in the area, including Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum, The Old Atwood House Museum, and Falmouth Historical Society Museum.

The arts are also well represented in Cape Cod, and local galleries display everything from glass art to paintings and sculptures.

Guided whale-watching adventures, a major draw to the area, are offered by a number of local tour companies.

This beautiful place is an arm-shaped peninsula situated in the easternmost part of Massachusetts. Cape Cod has turned into one of the most popular places to visit in Massachusetts in the summer. This peninsula offers cranberry bogs, lighthouses, biking trails to the Cape Cod National Seashore, and also swimming beaches.

The most famous resort in town is Provincetown, which is the site of the first landing of the Pilgrims. Cape Cod is highly known for its odd villages and colonies. To be mentioned that Cape Cod is the summer home of the Kennedy family.

Northampton

Northampton is a lovely college town, situated in the Pioneer Valley. This beautiful place is a picturesque and vibrant downtown, featuring several restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops, and performing arts venues. In Northampton, you will also find Smith College, a prestigious and famous women’s college. Northampton is home to a variety of cultural activities, such as annual film festivals and vibrant music scenes.

Plymouth, MA Visitors Guide

American history as it is known today began in Plymouth in December of 1620 with the landing of 102 pilgrims. Although Plymouth Rock is only a symbol of where the pilgrims landed and has not yet been confirmed as the actual location, it is one of the town’s most popular historic sites.

Due to its long history, Plymouth is bursting with historic sites and museums, including Plimoth Plantation, which is a re-created 1637 pilgrim village with a replica of the Mayflower ship and plenty of costumed characters. A plethora of historic mansions and buildings line the streets of Plymouth, such as the 1749 Courthouse—the oldest wooden courthouse in the United States.

Besides historic attractions, Plymouth offers outdoor recreation at Ellisville Harbor State Park, where birdwatching, beachcombing, hiking, and fishing are popular pastimes.

Those seeking a relaxing seaside getaway appreciate Plymouth’s array of charming accommodations and its cornucopia of seafood restaurants.

Pioneer Valley Visitors Guide

Located in western Massachusetts, the Pioneer Valley is home to a number of contiguous municipalities, each providing ample activities for visitors. Hampshire County is often referred to as the Five College Area, since the region is home to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as Hampshire, Amherst, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges. In Amherst, tour the homestead of famous American author Emily Dickinson at the Emily Dickinson Museum. Outdoor recreation abounds in the Pioneer Valley and Charlemont boasts whitewater rafting, kayaking, and hiking opportunities, as well as downhill skiing at the Berkshire East Ski Resort. J.A. Skinner State Park in Hadley also attracts the adventurous as it is located atop Mount Holyoke and is an ideal place to picnic and hike. The largest center in the area and the birthplace of basketball, Springfield hosts attractions such as the Hatikvah Holocaust Education Center, the Springfield Science Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Berkshires Visitors Guide

Rivers, lakes, and hills abound in this region that borders New York State. The Berkshire Hills, or simply The Berkshires, is an idyllic destination with dozens of unique townships and recreation areas. Williamstown—a terminus for the scenic Mohawk Trail—proudly bears the nickname Village Beautiful. Stockbridge was the scene for many Norman Rockwell paintings, and the Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge is dedicated to this famous artist. Every summer the trendy town of Lenox comes alive with the sounds of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which performs its summer series at Tanglewood. Herman Melville, the celebrated author of Moby Dick, once made Pittsfield his home, and tours of his historic mansion are offered. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy skiing at one of the several hills found throughout the area, including Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. The famed Appalachian Trail—the longest continuous mountain trail in the United States—also extends through The Berkshires, drawing hikers wishing to challenge their physical endurance.

Stockbridge, MA Visitors Guide

Referred to by the area’s Mahican Indians as W-nahk-ta-kook, meaning the great meadow, Stockbridge was incorporated as a city in 1739. Located within The Berkshires, this center is commonly recognized for long-time resident Norman Rockwell. In fact, Main Street is immortalized in Rockwell’s famous painting titled Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. As part of the city’s Christmas holiday celebrations, Main Street is transformed to re-create the setting that inspired this painting. Exhibiting the unique history and residents of Stockbridge are the Chesterwood Estate and Museum, the Merwin House, and The Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy perusing the gardens at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, cross-country skiing at the Notchview Reservation, and exploring the walking trails at Bartholomew’s Cobble. Every summer Stockbridge comes alive during the Berkshire Theatre Festival, a three-month celebration of American performing arts.

Martha’s Vineyard Visitors Guide

Located just 7 mi (11 km) south of Cape Cod lies the year-round island destination of Martha’s Vineyard. Each town on the island offers an individual charm and makes an ideal home base when seeking a relaxing or recreation-filled vacation. Vineyard Haven is the island’s major entry point, receiving ferries from Woods Hole and New Bedford, Massachusetts. As the name suggests, Martha’s Vineyard is home to numerous wineries, including the popular Chicama Vineyard located in West Tisbury. The town of Oak Bluffs is a trendy destination that is host to the Oak Bluffs Harbor Festival, a family-friendly event that occurs in June. Located on the southeastern side of the island, Edgartown boasts numerous homes built in the Greek Revival style that is reminiscent of the once-prosperous whaling industry. The Aquinnah Cliff and Lighthouse, located on the southwesternmost tip of the island, is a popular attraction that has great historical significance.

Nantucket Island Visitors Guide

The maritime town of Nantucket was once the whaling capital of the world. Almost as if frozen in time when the industry declined in the 17th century, the town continues to boast many original structures. In fact, Nantucket has more historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places than the larger, mainland city of Boston. Visitors enjoy exploring the Nantucket Whaling Museum, which boasts a collection of unique artifacts, many of which inspired Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick. Adults and children alike enjoy learning about the area’s aquatic life at the Nantucket Aquarium, where hands-on activities keep everyone entertained. Outdoor activities are also prevalent in Nantucket, ranging from relaxing on one of the area’s many beaches to embarking on a seal cruise around Nantucket Harbor. Nantucket also hosts a number of events throughout the year that draw crowds, including the Harvest Fair, the Nantucket Arts Festival, and the esteemed Nantucket Wine Festival.

Somewhere in the 1600s, this island was a refuge for Native Americans who intended to escape the European settlements on mainland Massachusetts. The name “Nantucket” is derived from an Algonquin word. These days, Nantucket Island is used as a playground mainly for the wealthy, featuring one of the highest home property values in America. Also, this island is a major tourist destination with a population that kicks from 11,000 residents to 55,000 in the summer. Nantucket Islands have to offer dramatic cliffs, quiet harbors, lighthouses, sandy beaches, gardens, and wonderful old mansions.

Located just 30 mi (48 km) off the coast of mainland Massachusetts, this pristine island has long been a desired vacation destination. With an abundance of fascinating attractions, beautiful beaches, and annual festivals, it is easy to see why. Getting to the island is simple, with ferries departing from Hyannis and arriving in the village of Nantucket on a regular basis. Most visitors make Nantucket their home base while on the island, as this town offers a wide range of charming accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. Nearly half of Nantucket Island is a conservation land that aims to protect the many plant and animal species that are unique to the area. One such sanctuary, located near Wauwinet, is the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, which spans 1,117 acres (452 ha) and is home to a variety of birds and seals. With Nantucket Sound to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, water sports activities are popular on Nantucket Island.

Massachusetts Travel Guide

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The state of MASSACHUSETTS was established with a lofty aim: to become, in the words of seventeenth-century governor John Winthrop, a utopian “City upon a hill”. This Puritan clarity of thought and forcefulness of purpose can be traced from the foundation of Harvard College in 1636, through the intellectual impetus behind the Revolutionary War and the crusade against slavery, to the nineteenth-century achievements of writers such as Melville, Emerson, Hawthorne and Thoreau.

The Berkshires

Martha’s vineyard.

Spending a few days in Boston is strongly recommended. Perhaps America’s most historic city, and certainly one of its most elegant, it offers a great deal of modern life as well, thanks in part to the presence of Cambridge, the home of Harvard University and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), just across the river. Several historic towns are within easy reach – Salem to the north, known for its “witch” sights, Concord and Lexington, just inland, richly imbued with Revolutionary War history, and Plymouth, to the south, the site of the Pilgrims’ first settlement (1620).

One of the most celebrated slices of real estate in America, Cape Cod boasts a dazzling, three-hundred-mile coastline with some of the best beaches in New England. A slender, crooked peninsula, it’s easily accessed from the region’s snug villages, many of which have been preserved as they were a hundred or more years ago. Today, much of the land on the Cape, from its salt marshes to its ever-eroding dunes, is considered a fragile and endangered ecosystem, and once you head north to the Outer Cape, past the spectacular dunes of Cape Cod National Seashore, you get a feeling for why this narrow spit of land still has a reputation as a seaside wilderness. Provincetown, at the very tip of Cape Cod, is a popular gay resort and summer destination for bohemians, artists and fun-seekers lured by the excellent beaches, art galleries and welcoming atmosphere.

Just off the south coast of Cape Cod, the relatively unspoiled islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket have long been some of the most popular and prestigious vacation destinations in the USA. Both mingle an easy-going cosmopolitan atmosphere and some of the best restaurants and B&Bs on the East Coast. Nantucket is usually considered the more highfalutin’ of the pair, teased for its preppy fashions; Martha is more expansive and laidback, known for its elaborate gingerbread-style houses, wild moorlands and perfect beaches.

Western Massachusetts is best known for the beautiful Berkshires, which host the celebrated Tanglewood summer music festival and boast museum-filled towns such as North Adams and Williamstown – both in the far northwest corner of the state, at the end of the incredibly scenic Mohawk Trail. Amherst and Northampton are stimulating college towns in the verdant Pioneer Valley, with all the cafés, restaurants and bookstores you could want.

A rich cultural history, world-class summer arts festivals and a bucolic landscape of forests and verdant hills make the Berkshires, at the extreme western edge of Massachusetts, an especially enticing region.

Just south of I-90 and fifty miles west of Springfield, the spotless main street of STOCKBRIDGE is classic Berkshires, captured by the work of artist Norman Rockwell, who lived here for 25 years until his death in 1978. The most comprehensive of several tributes to the artist in New England, the Norman Rockwell Museum displays some 574 of his original paintings and drawings, most of which were Saturday Evening Post covers.

Roughly five miles north of Stockbridge on US-7, tourists flock to LENOX each year for its summer performing arts festivals, but there are also a couple of literary attractions hereabouts worth checking out.

From 1790 until 1960, the Hancock Shaker Village, eleven miles northwest of Lenox, was an active Shaker community, and today offers an illuminating insight into this remarkable Christian sect. A branch of the Quakers that had fled England to America in 1774, the Shakers were named for the convulsive fits of glee they experienced when worshipping. Hancock retains one of the biggest collections of Shaker furniture in the country and is home to eighteen preserved clapboard buildings.

In the northwest corner of the Berkshires, sleepy NORTH ADAMS and bucolic WILLIAMSTOWN are the unlikely locations of the region’s premier art showcases. The former is home to the glorious Mass MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), a sprawling collection of modern installations (including Sol LeWitt’s mind-bending work), videos and upside-down trees in a captivating old textile mill. In Williamstown, the highlight of The Clark is its 32-strong collection of Renoirs, while the ravishing Williams College Museum of Art specializes in American art from the late eighteenth century onwards, including the world’s largest repository of work by brothers Maurice and Charles Prendergast.

The largest offshore island in New England, twenty-mile-long MARTHA’S VINEYARD encompasses more physical variety than Nantucket, with hills and pastures providing scenic counterpoints to the beaches and wild, windswept moors on the separate island of Chappaquiddick.

Martha’s Vineyard’s most genteel town is Edgartown, all prim and proper with its freshly painted, white clapboard colonial homes, museums and manicured gardens. The other main settlement, Vineyard Haven, is more commercial and one of the island’s ferry ports. Oak Bluffs, in between the two (and the other docking point for ferries), has an array of fanciful wooden gingerbread cottages and inviting restaurants. Be aware of island terminology: heading “Up-Island” takes you southwest to the cliffs at Aquinnah (formerly known as Gay Head); conversely, “Down-Island” refers to the triumvirate of easterly towns mentioned here.

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Massachusetts Travel Guide

Of the six New England states, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (" Mass " to locals) is the largest New England state by population (6.75 million), half of whom live in the Boston area ( map ). The state also boasts the most top tourist attractions in the region.

Getting to Massachusetts

Here's how to get to Massachusetts, and how to get around .

Here's full information on travel from New York City to Boston .

If you fly to New England you'll probably land at Boston 's Logan International Airport (BOS). Here's more on Boston transportation .

As for Massachusetts's size and distances , it's 270 miles (435 km, 4.5 hours) by road from Provincetown , on the tip of Cape Cod in the east of Massachusetts, to Williamstown , at the northern end of the Berkshire Hills on Massachusetts's western border with the states of New York and Vermont .

Boston & Cambridge

Capital of Massachusetts and unofficial "capital" of New England, Boston is the region's largest city and the hub of transportation , commerce and society. Follow Boston's famous Freedom Trail to trace the founding of the American republic. Its fine art museums are among the world's best, its public parks ( Boston Common , Public Garden and Emerald Necklace ) and harbor islands beautiful, its Duck Tours a quirky favorite. The New England Aquarium , Boston Children's Museum and Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum are favorites with kids in Boston .

The neighboring city of Cambridge is America's most distinguished university town , boasting Harvard , M.I.T. and several other universities and colleges. More...

Lexington & Concord

These two pretty, historic towns were where the American Revolutionary War began. Today they're favorite get-out-of-the-city destinations for walkers, bikers , history buffs and shoppers .

North Shore

The North Shore of Massachusetts Bay is home to historic Salem , Marblehead , Gloucester , Rockport , Essex , Ipswich and Cape Ann , prime getaway areas for Bostonians and their friends for walks, beaches , lobsters and clams , and shopping (especially antiques ). More...

South Shore

The myth is that New England —and indeed America—began when the Pilgrims sailed through Massachusetts Bay to its South Shore and stepped on Plymouth Rock in 1620. Relive that founding experience at Plimoth Patuxet Museums , on the Mayflower II , and in the museums of Plymouth . In Quincy , visit the church and homes of early presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams . More...

Long one of America's favorite summer resorts , Cape Cod 's charming seaside towns such as Falmouth , Hyannis , Chatham , Orleans , Wellfleet , Truro and Provincetown are packed in warm weather, as is Cape Cod National Seashore . More...

Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard

These two islands have been popular resorts ever since the whaling trade declined. Nantucket is smaller and pricier, "the Vineyard " is larger and more diverse. More...

New Bedford & Fall River

Southeastern Massachusetts offers lots of maritime history : New Bedford is all about whaling , and Fall River has the world's largest naval ship exhibit, including the World War II-era battleship USS Massachusetts . More...

Massachusetts's second-largest city has lots of colleges, an industrial base, and fine museums .

Old Sturbridge Village takes you back to the New England of the early 1840s, and there are antique fairs and Russian icons nearby. More...

Pioneer Valley

The Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts is home to five famous colleges , Massachusetts' third-largest city ( Springfield ), scenic beauty, and lots of history. More...

Springfield

Talk about inventions! The internal combustion auto, the motorcycle, the monkey wrench, ice skates and the game of basketball were all invented here, but people visit today for Springfield's excellent museums . More...

Berkshire Hills

The north-south range along Massachusetts' western border with New York state is a popular summer resort area and summer home to arts organizations such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood . More...

MA Transportation

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The best places to visit in Massachusetts for history, beaches and witches

Jul 31, 2022 • 7 min read

Any list of great places to visit in Massachusetts starts with historic and photogenic Boston © Opla / Getty Images

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 do 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, with 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 that’s 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). Mt Auburn 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. And be sure to explore the outstanding Peabody Essex Museum , a treasure trove of objects 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. And for more historic architecture, wander through the McIntire District, filled with well-preserved homes spanning 400 years of building styles. 

Admire the scenic coastline of Cape Ann

Located in the northeastern part of the state, Cape Ann has an identity intimately tied to the sea: think beautiful beaches, great seafood – the fried clam was invented in Essex – scenic harbors and 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, affluent 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 the home of several prominent 19th-century American authors, including such luminaries as 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 a different revolution: the Industrial Revolution. A host of significant locations are preserved in Lowell National Historical Park , including the Boott Cotton Mills Museum , where visitors can recreate working in a weave room in the 1920s. 

Plymouth is best for early colonial history

The city of Plymouth is made 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.

And don’t forget Plymouth Rock, the famous (if rather underwhelming) boulder that the Pilgrims supposedly landed. The Pilgrim Hall Museum houses original artifacts from the early settlement, including personal possessions like a cradle, cupboards, a razor kit and one silk shoe.   

At the Plimouth Patuxet Museums , costumed interpreters bring the past to life at four 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 calls up images of sandy dunes, long curves of beach, picturesque lighthouses , cranberry bogs and kettle ponds. 

Much of the outer Cape is protected as the Cape Cod National Seashore and offers a wealth of recreational opportunities and wildlife spotting. Nature lovers will also love the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and its trails through woodland and salt marsh, and Nickerson State Park , with its 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 containing quaint towns, gingerbread-style wood 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 found comfort among the sweeping dunes on these islands. 

Their permanent populations swell significantly in summer (the high season) with the influx of seasonal residents and short-term visitors. Book lodging – and ferry tickets, if you want to bring a car – well in advance.

Feast on seafood and seafaring history in New Bedford

Situated on the shore of Buzzards Bay, New Bedford is called “the city that lit the world” for its central role in the 19th-century whaling industry. The New Bedford Whaling Museum and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park explore this past and such other topics as natural history, conservation, immigration, cultural diversity and New Bedford’s important role as an abolitionist hub on the Underground Railroad. 

If whaling’s not your thing, New Bedford is also home to the well-presented Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum , a thriving arts community and the largest Portuguese-speaking population in the USA. The city teems with seafood restaurants and hosts the world’s largest Portuguese cultural festival, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament . 

Worcester is great for families 

Worcester is New England’s second-largest city, and its attractions include the excellent Worcester Art Museum , the family-friendly EcoTarium , a thriving craft brewery scene and the minor-league Worcester Red Sox baseball team.  

West of the city is the Old Sturbridge Village , a recreated 1830s New England town filled with more than 40 restored buildings spread over 200 acres. Re-enactors teach the history of the village and the roles everyday folks played in it.  Moore State Park , located in Paxon and northwest of Worcester, is an 18th-century mill village on 400 acres filled with trails for hiking, cross country skiing and hunting. 

The Berkshires offer endless outdoor adventures

In westernmost Massachusetts, The Berkshires enchant with a delightful mix of natural beauty, cultural attractions and year-round outdoor recreation. 

The region hosts world-class performing arts events in warmer months like the Tanglewood Music Festival , Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and Williamstown Theatre Festival . Art lovers won’t want to miss the Norman Rockwell Museum , the Clark Art Institute or Mass MoCA . 

The many interesting historic houses in the region include the birthplaces of activists Susan B. Anthony and W.E.B. DuBois, the homes of authors Edith Wharton and Herman Melville, and Naumkeag , a Gilded Age mansion and gardens. 

With the arrival of autumn, glorious fall foliage cloaks the hills and mountains, drawing leaf peepers galore, followed by winter-sports enthusiasts as soon as there’s enough snow.

Soak in the college-town vibes of the Pioneer Valley

A creative spirit flourishes along the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts, a region with numerous top-notch educational institutions and museums surrounded by gorgeous 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 an essential stop for fans of the sport invented here in 1891.

Stop in Historic Deerfield Village  for a taste of 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 take to one of the region’s many excellent hiking trails boasting panoramic views of verdant mountains, farmland and the winding river.

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Boston   Travel Guide

Why Go To Boston

Boston is not only a hub for baseball, brownstones and bookish collegiate types. It's also home to America's first large free municipal public library, the first subway system, the first public school and the first public park. To say the city is historic would be an understatement, but this wicked smart college town doesn't linger in the past, either. A well-rounded trip to Boston integrates the classic with the contemporary: Split your time between cherished sites like the  Paul Revere House  and  Faneuil Hall  and modern attractions like the  Museum of Fine Arts . Venture to Beacon Hill and you'll stumble upon the graceful mansions of yore juxtaposed with chic boutiques and innovative hotels. So, yes, come first for the history, but don't miss out on the opportunity to see the unmistakable Beantown flair. 

Despite Boston's rough-and-tumble reputation – garnered thanks to Hollywood appearances in gritty films like "Black Mass," "American Hustle" and "The Town" – but Boston's cool, cosmopolitan personality characterizes its trendy restaurants, urban parks and modern museums. Passionate residents are still rooting for their beloved Red Sox , but they're also venturing to the  Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway  for a free yoga class or meandering to the offbeat SoWa Open Market for some antique shopping. So, grab a stool and join them at their favorite pub to chow down on oyster shooters and New England clam chowder, or venture to Back Bay to sip a coffee as you stroll along the trendy Newbury Street. You'll need more than a few days to experience the city's wealth of offerings.

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• # 2 in Best Historical Cities to Visit in the USA
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• # 2 in Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market
• # 3 in Boston Public Garden

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Boston Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Boston is from June to October. Mild autumn weather makes touring around on foot a joy. And even though summer brings in swarms of tourists and expensive  hotel  rates, the sidewalk cafes, baseball games and outdoor concerts make it worth a trip. Winter is chilly, so pack a warm coat and a pair of boots if you decide to see Beantown sprinkled (or immersed) with snow. Another incentive for wintertime: you might catch a great deal on a hotel. If winter is too cold for you but summer and fall's hotel rates fall outside your budget, try visiting at the start of the spring season.

Weather in Boston

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

No cars allowed Sure, tourists are allowed to drive cars around Boston, but why would you want to? Traffic and narrow roads, along with pricey parking, make driving here a nightmare. Take the "T" (Boston's subway) or rely on your own two feet.

Begin at Boston Common The nearly 3-mile-long  Freedom Trail  is a must-do for first-time visitors. To make the most of your tour, start at  Boston Common , the country's oldest public park and a convenient starting point for exploring the city's notable historical attractions.

You're in Red Sox territory If you're a die-hard Yankees fan, we'd keep it quiet… just saying.

Get a local's perspective It can feel a bit daunting to try and hit all of Boston's top attractions on a short visit. For a crash course in Boston history, food and culture, consider signing up for a tour. We've selected the best tours  in the city.

How to Save Money in Boston

Arrive in winter  Pack the parka and visit in the cooler months. Hotel rates offer the steepest discounts between December and February.

Go to museums when rates are reduced or free  The Museum of Fine Arts offers reduced admission after 3 p.m. every Wednesday (you'll pay $5 per person instead of $25 per person), and the  Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum  gives complimentary entry year-round to visitors named Isabella. Other sights may feature discounted rates on select days of the week, so look for museum deals and plan your visits accordingly.

Invest in a CityPASS or Go Boston Card  Purchasing a  Boston CityPASS  or  Go Boston Card  will save you big bucks on some of the city's top attractions. A CityPASS, which costs $64 for adults and $54 for kids, will save you between $41 and $57 per person, while Go Boston Cards (which are available for one to seven days) start at $76 for adults and $51 for children and include unlimited access around 40 attractions.

Culture & Customs

One of the most distinct parts of Boston is what is sometimes referred to as "Boston English," a dialect heard in countless movies and TV shows. The "r" sound is often dropped from words, so "car" becomes "cah" and "Harvard" becomes "Hah-vahd."

Boston is also a well-known sports city; it's the home of the Boston Red Sox (it would be best to avoid wearing any Yankees paraphernalia here), the New England Patriots, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics. While you're in the city, be sure to indulge in this culture by catching a game or taking a tour of  Fenway Park . And if you're a college sports fan visiting in February, check out the Beanpot, an annual hockey tournament held at the TD Garden between Boston University, Boston College, Harvard University and Northeastern University.

Beantown also takes pride in its intellectual and academic roots. Around 100 colleges and universities call the Greater Boston area home, including some of the country's most prestigious. After the American Revolution, the city's leaders were determined to make Boston the world's new cradle of civilization. They invested money and brought in scholars to create a city of educated citizens that studied at Harvard University, Boston University, Boston College, Emerson College, Tufts University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , to name a few. Today, this impressive collection of schools also keeps the area young and forward-thinking, as Boston has one of the largest student populations in the country.

What to Eat

Bostonian cuisine has undergone a gastronomical revolution in recent years, with a steady stream of new chefs putting their own spin on tried-and-true city classics like baked beans, fresh seafood and clam "chowdah" along with many innovative chefs moving in different directions entirely. A fun sampling of cuisines can be found at Time Out Market , where several of the city’s top chefs have spots.

Make sure to check out the North End for delicious Italian dishes and pastries like cannolis and rum cakes. Though most locals are loyal to either Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry on Hanover Street, both offer top-notch sweets. Large international student bodies at universities like Harvard and MIT mean you'll enjoy everything from French to Moroccan fare in Cambridge . For an authentic tapas meal, make your way to the artsy South End neighborhood. Diners can savor Spanish-inspired bites like croquettes, ceviche and chorizo and potato empanadas at  Toro , one of the area's most popular tapas eateries. Another South End favorite is The Butcher Shop , where meat-centric entrees steal the spotlight. Or, for a taste of some of Boston's most inventive sushi entrees, venture to O Ya , where you can experience a 20-course chef’s tasting menu.

Should you crave more traditional New England fare, dine at historic Warren Tavern , where you can find local favorites like clam chowder, fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.  Another beloved establishment is Union Oyster House near Haymarket, where – you guessed it – freshly-shucked oysters have hooked patrons since the restaurant opened its doors in 1826. For a fun and tasty overview of the Boston dining scene, consider taking a food tour .

Though it's unlikely that you'll encounter any major crime as a Boston visitor, it's still wise to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you decide to branch away from tourist areas. Like you would in other large cities, keep track of your belongings and stick to well-lit and crowded streets, particularly at night. And be sure to steer clear of vacant subway cars in the evening and avoid visiting urban parks after dark. It's also a good idea to carry extra cash and the number of a reliable cab company, or download a ride-hailing app on your smartphone, if you plan to enjoy a fun night out on the town. Stay especially alert in areas like Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan, where reports of crime are not uncommon. All of these neighborhoods are situated south of Boston proper.

Getting Around Boston

The best way to get around in Boston is by walking. And when your itinerary takes you out of the city center, the second-best mode is the efficient "T" subway system, which includes subways, trains and trolleys along five separate lines. You can easily take the Blue Line from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to downtown Boston. Cabs are another option: Boston isn't a huge taxi town, but you can find them at several cabstands throughout the city and lining up outside of major hotels . Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, are also popular options. However, we do not suggest renting a car and driving yourself: Narrow, one-way roads and expensive parking make driving an avoidable hassle.

To see some of Boston's iconic brownstones, head to wealthy neighborhoods like Beacon Hill and Back Bay.

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A summary of what Sturbridge has to offer.

Quaint cobbled streets, a concentration of historic sites (and pubs), a fine selection of museums and proximity to major universities (and rural retreats) make Boston the destination of choice for those after culture, class and clam chowder.

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Sturbridge, Massachusetts Travel Guide

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Sturbridge, population nearly 8,000, is a small town southwest of Worcester. After WWII, the town changed faces from a small colonial New England town to one worthy of a visit with the nation's first "living museum" ? Old Sturbridge Village. The village has made Sturbridge a busy town ever since, and between that and the Brimfield Antique Shows, it remains a busy travel destination.

Old Sturbridge Village is a living history museum re-creating life in 1830's New England. It contains forty restored structures filled with the antiques and collectibles of its creators, the Wells brothers. There is an authentic general store on the grounds, with goods shipped from around the world, and a restaurant and picnic area are also available in the village.

Sturbridge has a number of accommodations, as it is in close proximity to the Mellea Winery in West Dudley, the Hyland Orchard & Brewery and the Brimfield Antique Show and Flea Market six miles west of Sturbridge. The antiques fair is the largest outdoor fair in the country, and is held in May, July and September.

Sturbridge is 15 miles southwest of Worcester in south central Massachusetts. It is just several miles north of the Connecticut border.

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