Travel Destination: Massachusetts
The sheer variety of experiences and tourist attractions in Massachusetts will astonish you. Throughout the state, you can visit the homes and studios of some of America’s most beloved writers and artists. But the places to visit in Massachusetts are not all about culture and history. Take a stroll through the white sands of Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, or glide through the ski trails of the rolling Berkshires. No matter what you do, you will be sure to have tons of fun. If you are traveling to Massachusetts for your next assignment, take a look at these hand-picked attractions to visit!
1. Boston
The city of Boston, otherwise known as the, “The Hub” has something for everybody. What can’t you find here? You can find tons of compelling artwork, ethnic neighborhoods, collectibles, modern architecture, black history, music, the Revolution, bookstores, boats, brownstones, boutiques- you name it, Boston has it.
2. Cape Cod
Connecting into the Atlantic south of Boston, Cape Cod is considered to be the “summer playground” of Massachusetts. Cape Cod has miles and miles of white-sand beaches and beautiful towns loaded up with vacation spots and entertainment. The Cape offers cruises on sailboats, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and trails for cycling and walking. You can birdwatch near the salt marshes, or go whale watching at Stellwagen Banks.
3. Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard
Easy to reach by ship, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard offer sandy sea shores and the casual movement of island life. Nantucket is a 15-mile-long island just 30 miles south of Cape Cod.
Martha’s Vineyard, just five miles from Cape Cod, can be one of the most relaxing places in Massachusetts. Its delicate scenes are canvassed in homesteads and villages, each with its own unique setting. Oak Bluffs is a town you can visit that preserves lines of minimal nineteenth century “gingerbread” bungalows, constructed when it was a Methodist Camp gathering site; don’t miss the memorable carousel, the Flying Horses Carousel!
4. Salem & Cape Ann
North of Boston, Cape Ann is known for their aesthetic fishing harbor at Rockport, and the working port of Gloucester. Up to date explorers come here for its wonderful and unpopulated sea shores, its flourishing craftsmanship provinces, and the ideal little villages of antique-filled historic homes.
Salem was the center of the China Trade, and used to be one of the significant ports on the East Coast. The roads today are surrounded by dignified homes owned by ship captains and merchants. It has abstract associations as the origin and home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, and the additional memorable allure of the infamous Salem Witch Trials-a bleak history that Salem has transformed into a few vacation destinations.
5. Plymouth
Travelers, otherwise known as the pilgrims, escaped strict oppression in Britain, showing up in Plymouth in 1620 on board the Mayflower, building up the principal perpetual European settlement in the north. Plymouth Rock marks where the Pilgrims initially landed. You can encounter a re-production of their town, inhabited by costumed mediators who play the parts of authentic Pilgrims at Plimoth Plantation, and find out about the life of Native Americans who invited them at Hobbamock’s Homesite.
In 1824, the Pilgrim Hall Museum was opened to feature Pilgrim antiques, furniture, beautifying artwork, paintings, and the remaining parts of the Sparrow Hawk, a wooden boat that was wrecked off Cape Cod in 1626.
6. The Southern Berkshires
With their vast green hills, white temples, and photogenic towns, The Southern Berkshires present the unspoiled perspective on New England. The communities of the region covers the entire western plains of Massachusetts, and have been a magnet for innovative creativity. Music, dancing, artwork, and literature surround the area, being the one of the top tourist attractions in the area. There are hiking trails, aesthetic waterfalls, and ski slopes for people of all ages to enjoy. One waterfall in particular, the Bish Bash Falls, is 80-foot tall and is also one of the most popular attractions within the community.
7. The Northern Berkshires & The Mohawk Trail
In the Northern Berkshires, you can take a visit to the Williamstown Theater Festival, or the Clark Art Institute Museum to take a flashback through history. If you are looking for more of an active attraction, hike the Appalachian trail or visit the summit of Mt. Greylock to view the highest point of Massachusetts.
The Mohawk Trail follows a historical Native American road across the western state. You can find MASS MoCA, which is an art center filled with sculptures, films, dancing, and theatre throughout several historical buildings.
8. Newburyport
Newburyport is a historical seaport and shipbuilding center. You can visit the Custom House Maritime Museum, which shows and describes the past of life on the sea. Take a stroll through the Cushing House Museum, along with their colorful gardens. The museum has tons of collections of furniture, silver, needlework and treasures brought back from exotic ports. The harbor is currently active, and you can take whale-watching tours from its docks, or enjoy a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants.
9. Plum Island
Plum Island is an 11-mile barrier island that has a stretch of beautiful beaches, dunes, and marshes protected by the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Take a kayaking trip in the marshes, or stroll along the beaches and watch the birds from the boardwalks. For more information, stop at the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Joppa Flats Education Center.
10. Worcester & Old Sturbridge Village
West of Boston lies Worcester. This industrial city is full of significant history and art, including the Old Sturbridge Village; visit the Worcester Art Museum to get a deeper dive. More than 35,000 pieces of art located in the museum are from various cultures. The newest add-on to the museum is the indoor/outdoor EcoTarium complex. It features several wildlife exhibits, a planetarium, and a tree-top walkway where you can discover and learn about New England culture.
SOURCE: https://www.planetware.com/towns/massachusetts-cities-towns-scenic-regions-usma.htm