Massachusetts is known for so many famous destinations from Martha’s Vineyard, to Plymouth, and Salem to Cape Cod. This small state has a lot to offer from professional sports, to great beaches, outdoor fun, fresh-caught seafood, and an abundance of cultural and historical attractions. Travel with us as we go through the state from the west to its rich and famous islands.
Vacation Guide - RentalsExpress.com © 2008 Western Massachusetts
The western region of the state has a very laid-back atmosphere and offers mountains for the outdoorsy, amusement parks for the kids, scenic drives, and quaint Bed & Breakfasts. Head to Lenox to the Tanglewood Estate, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a great venue for jazz and popular music concerts. With seating under canopies and on the lawn, it’s a great way to enjoy a picnic under the stars. Mt. Washington State Forest is a beautiful way to get to know the region. Visit Bish Bash Falls State Park, within the state forest, to see the 80-foot waterfall that tumbles through a series of gorges. The quaint towns of Sheffield and Lee have welcoming inns and a taste of Bostonian history around every corner. The Hancock Shaker Village can provide visitors with great insight into the Shakers way of life. It features eighteenth and 19th-century Shaker buildings, craft demonstrations, historic farm, herb, and vegetable gardens. | Boston and Cambridge
Northeast Massachusetts is home to the towns of Boston and Cambridge, has room for sandy beaches, boasts Salem of the witch trials, and offers great historical attractions. In Worcester you won’t want to miss a visit to the Worcester Centrum Centre and Mechanics Hall. This is the site of 19th-century orators such as Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Henry David Thoreau. Visit Lexington and Concord to relive the Revolutionary War battles that took place here including the first shots of the war. While in Concord, visit the homes of such literary geniuses as Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Next stop is just north of Boston where you will find the town of Salem, the home of the Salem Witch Trials that murdered over 20 women. The 552 original documents pertaining to the witchcraft trials have been preserved and are still stored in the Peabody Essex Museum. Marblehead is a quaint fishing town and one of the coasts premier sailing centers with 18th and 19th century homes of fishermen, merchants, and artisans. Visit Rockport, and its harbor, to see Motif #1, one of the most widely painted harbor and fishing shacks in the world. In Boston, you will want to catch a game at Fenway Park one of America's oldest ballparks and home to the Red Sox. Also travel to Beacon Hill and have a drink at Cheers, the restaurant and bar, which inspired the television show. Head down the street to Cambridge, home to Harvard University. Don’t miss Harvard Square and its lively cafes, shops, and nightclubs, and street musicians. | The Southeast Corridor
In the southeast corridor of the state, visitors can learn about pilgrim life, the history of whaling, and America’s early maritime history. A perfect starting point in your travel to this region is Plymouth Rock. A day at Plimouth Plantation will let you experience life as it was in 1627 with an emphasis on historical accuracy. Take a tour of the Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the ship in which the Pilgrims made their dangerous voyage. Whaling was a huge part of this state’s livelihood. Whale watch from Plymouth Harbor or visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum where you can board a half-scale model of a whaling vessel. Also visit the Seamen's Bethel, a chapel made famous by Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick”. | The Islands
To describe the beauty and history of the islands off Massachusetts is nearly impossible. The names Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket have been ingrained in our minds as the playground of the rich and famous and even presidential. On the island of Cape Cod, visitors can whale watch from Barnstable and Provincetown, visit Chatham and its town pier where when the fishing boats start unloading and you'll realize what they mean when people say dinner is "fresh-caught", or visit the John F. Kennedy Museum in Hyannis Port with seafood restaurants and warm-water beaches. Dennisport has great golf courses to enjoy when tired of sunbathing Martha’s Vineyard is home to both sandy beaches and pine tree forests and full of northeastern small town charm. Vineyard Haven is a year-round ferry port and a picturesque turn-of-the-century seaside village. In Oak Bluffs you will find the country’s oldest working carousel, The Flying Horse. Once a whaling port, Edgartown is now one of the country’s premier yachting centers filled with stately mariners' homes. In Nantucket, visitors will find miles of unspoiled beaches, historic mansions, and lone lighthouses. Visit the Whaling Museum overflowing with artifacts and memorabilia from the island's once-thriving industry. Siasconsett should be discovered on foot or bike on its trails following the astonishingly beautiful coastline. |
Massachusetts offers a little of everything for the traveler who wants it all. The birthplace of our country, a piece of undeveloped shoreline, acres of orchards, and breathtaking architecture calls to many who come to visit the state year after year. |
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Massachusetts Vacation Guide |
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> Boston Vacation Guide
Boston: A City for Everyone
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Boston’s appeal lies in its wonderful blend of past and present that caters to an array of visitors. You can stroll along the Freedom Trail, which is steeped in American history, have lunch at a trendy restaurant, shop at Quincy Market, enjoy a visit to the Museum of Science, absorb some Ivy League culture at Harvard University, or head out at night to Kenmore Square to catch a live band. History buff or not, Boston is sure to interest you.
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> Cape Cod Vacation Guide
Cape Cod and the Islands: A Charming Getaway
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