With the urban jewel of Boston at its center attraction, Massachusetts fans out in all directions with some of America’s best scenery and most charming colonial-era towns. Poke around the coast and you’ll discover the historic whaling towns of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. Venture inland and the Pioneer Valley showcases the pastoral beauty of Massachusetts as it winds its way toward the Berkshires in the far west. Visitors get the best of everything in this historic state: an impossibly charming coast, fantastic nature, and the coolness of old Boston.
Boston
The past, present, and future fuse together in Boston to create one of America’s most vibrant and engaging cities. A walking tour is a must, preferably along the historic Freedom Trail that takes in the lovely Beacon Hill and North End neighborhoods. From the colorful streets around Harvard Square to the calm of the Charles River, there are endless ways to entertain yourself here. Its art museums are superb, its historic neighborhoods are sparkling gems, and its sports teams are the object of intense fanaticism. Don’t short change yourself with anything less than four days. Address: Coastal Massachusetts Phone: n/a Website: http://www.bostonusa.com/
Cape Cod
More than 300 miles of coastland at the Cape are home to 15 impossibly quaint New England villages like Woods Hole and Hyannis. Beaches like Nauset are fantastic for summer play, while posh hamlets like Wellfleet boast art galleries and chic bistros. Arguably the highlight of Massachusetts, Cape Cod has been an escape for rich urbanites for centuries. Its seafood is sublime, the shopping fantastic, and the inns overloaded with charm. Just a stone’s throw away from Boston, it is well worth a few days of indulgence. Address: Eastern Massachusetts Phone: n/a Website: http://www.capecodchamber.org/
The Berkshires
Tucked between two mountain ranges in the far western corner of Massachusetts, the Berkshires are just about as idyllic as it gets in New England. This natural wonderland has been a popular getaway for Bostonians and New Yorkers for centuries. It’s primarily a summer destination that peaks during the epic coloring of fall. You can indulge in all kinds of outdoor recreation from hiking to fishing until the snow flies and the ski resorts open. The towns are charming, the lodging rural farm inns, and the history apparent at every bend in the road. Address: Western Massachusetts Phone: n/a Website: http://berkshires.org/
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Truly one of the world’s great art museums, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) boasts four floors containing an astounding 53 galleries. Each collection is a treasure in its own right, spanning everything from Impressionist works to ancient wonders from Egypt and Asia. The newly opened Art of the Americas Wing brings even more incredible artifacts to the venue, and the MFA is refreshingly welcoming to children with its cool scavenger hunts and special kids programs. Address: Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-5523 Phone: +1-617-267-9300 Website: http://www.mfa.org/
Pioneer Valley
A magical land of patchwork farms and gentle wooded hills carved out by the Connecticut River, the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts has been home to Americans since the first days they stepped onto the continent. The north end is home to colonial-era towns like Deerfield and Turners Falls with five of America’s leading universities tucked away on well-heeled campuses throughout. Stick to Route 5 for a stunning drive through old mill towns and past picture-perfect farms as a road trip is an absolute must. Address: Northern Massachusetts Phone: n/a Website: n/a
Martha’s Vineyard
The island of Martha’s Vineyard is quintessential maritime New England. Its villages contain ship captain’s homes, lighthouses dotting the headlands, and miles of beaches and pastoral farmland. The towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven down-island are the most popular to stay at, whereas up-island, villages like Chilmark still embody the rich maritime heritage and are far more sedate. Wherever you go, you will find impeccable food, quaint lodging, and an obvious devotion to craftsmanship. Address: Eastern Massachusetts Phone: n/a Website: http://www.mvy.com/
Nantucket
Once the whaling capital of the world, the little island of Nantucket turned to tourism after the industry became outdated. Its sole town is the historic star, with cobblestone streets featuring an addictive array of trendy boutiques, excellent restaurants, and relaxed old-world pubs. Nearly all of the island’s 110 mile long coast is open to the public, so there are ample places to hit the beach in summer. Check out the Whaling Museum to learn about Nantucket’s past life and indulge in seafood and unrivaled arts and crafts. Address: Eastern Massachusetts Phone: n/a Website: http://www.nantucketchamber.org/