Massachusetts is the most populated state in New England and often the most surprising in terms of the sheer variety of things to do and places to see. From the lovely peaks and beautiful mountain valleys of the Berkshires to the sand dunes of Cape Cod or from the dazzling cityscape of Boston to the bucolic farms dotting the Connecticut River Valley, there is lots to see and do in Massachusetts.
Eastern Massachusetts: Eastern Massachusetts is the most settled part of the state with most of the people and Boston, state capital and largest city. There’s lots to do here whether inside or outside and a surprising diversity of landscapes from Blue Hills to the dunes of Cape Cod and lots of different places in between.
Greater Boston:
- Blue Hills Reservation; Canton, Milton, Randolph and Quincy, MA
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Museum and Archives; Dorchester (Boston), MA
- Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate; Canton, MA
- Millennium Park; West Roxbury
- Otis House Museum; Beacon Hill (Boston), MA
Cape Cod:
- Cape Cod Canal Recreation Area – Scusset Beach State Reservation; Sandwich, MA
- Cape Cod National Seashore – Marconi Station & Beach; Wellfleet, MA
- Cape Cod National Seashore – Nauset Light & Beach; Eastham, MA
- Old Silver Beach; Falmouth, MA
South Shore:
- Borderland State Park, Sharon & Easton, Massachusetts
- Bade Canoe Launch; Norwood, MA
- Charles River Peninsula; Needham, MA
- Corporal Robert Francis Hardy Conservation Area; Mansfield, MA
- Ellis Gardens Playground & Park; Norwood, MA
- Endean Path; Walpole, MA
- F. Gilbert Hills State Forest; Foxborough, MA
- Fairbanks Park; Dedham, MA
- Francis William Bird Park; Walpole, MA
- Memorial Park; Mansfield, MA
- Moose Hill Audubon Reservation and Trustees of Reservations; Sharon, MA
- Noon Hill Trustees of Reservations; Medfield, MA
- Signal Hill Trustees of Reservations, Norwood/Westwood, MA
- Watson Pond State Park; Taunton, MA
- Westville Conservation Area; Taunton, MA
- Wilson Mountain State Reservation; Dedham, MA
- Wrentham State Forest; Wrentham, MA
North Shore:
- Crane Beach; Ipswich, MA
- Dogtown Commons; Gloucester, MA
- Nahant Beach/Lynn State Reservation: Nahant & Lynn, MA
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge; Newburyport, MA
- Halibut Point State Park; Rockport, MA
- Ravenswood Park & Cape Ann Discovery Center; Gloucester, MA
- Rockport Downtown; Rockport, MA
- Stage Fort Park; Gloucester, MA
North of Boston:
- Lowell National Historic Park – Visitor Center and Exhibits
- Suffolk (Wannalancit) Mills
- National Streetcar Museum
Metro West:
- Pegan Hill (Trustees of Reservations); Natick & Dover, MA
- Prospect Hill Park; Waltham, MA
- Round Hill and Weir Hill; Sudbury, MA
Central Massachusetts: Central Massachusetts is anchored by Worcester, the states second largest city and a big city in its own right. With lots of things to do there are enough great trips here to keep most anyone busy from sports fans (with minor league teams in Worcester) to hikers and skiers (Wachusett Mountain is a great year-round spot to visit).
- Mt. Tom State Reservation; Holyoke, MA
- Wachusett Mountain Ski Mountain & State Reservation; Princeton, MA
Western Massachusetts: Western Massachusetts is often overlooked by many people in the Eastern and Central parts of the state and it’s a shame that they do. This part of the state couldn’t be more different from the hustle and bustle of Eastern Massachusetts and is a lovely scenic area to visit. It often feels as much like Vermont with the rolling hills of the Berkshires and lovely towns that are sprinkled across it. The tallest mountain in Massachusetts is here as is the states tallest waterfall and many beautiful places and fun things to do. It’s especially wonderful when you realize you can be there in a little over two hours from just about anywhere in the state.
- Bish Bash Falls State Park; Mt. Washington, MA
- Mt. Greylock State Reservation; Lanesborough, MA
- Mt. Washington State Forest; Mt. Washington, MA
