Massachusetts summer vacation
1. Boston
Boston is the perfect blend of old and new and one of the best places to visit in Massachusetts. Centuries-old neighborhoods, a rich history, and modern skyline make this city a draw to millions of visitors each year. Boston is the perfect weekend getaway for couples, solo travelers, and families no matter what your interests.
For those interested in taking a walk through the American Revolution, try the Freedom Trail. This two-and-a-half-mile walking route will take you through 16 historical sites, like the Paul Revere House and the Boston Commons.
If art and culture are what you crave, be sure to hit the Museum of Fine Art and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. No sports fan’s trip is complete without a stop at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and some of the most dedicated fans in baseball.
Boston is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Tourists will find the downtown waterfront a central location and excellent starting point for visiting the city’s top attractions. The nearby Boston Harbor Hotel and InterContinental Boston are luxurious waterfront options.
2. Nantucket
Although Nantucket is known for its beaches, there is so much more to see and do on your weekend getaway here. Thirty-six miles out to sea, this island is filled with maritime history, culture, and nature, making it the perfect weekend destination for anyone looking for an escape. The remote location and simple beauty just adds to the charm.
Stop by the Whaling Museum and Atheneum, which gives an understanding of the island’s past. Rent a bicycle to explore. Within easy reach is the Brandt Point Lighthouse, and many of the pristine beaches, such as Cisco or Jetties Beach, can be accessed via the local transit. Be sure to sample the amazing seafood at one of the town’s many restaurants featuring fresh and local caught delights.
The easiest way to get to Nantucket would be to fly from Boston via Cape Air, or you can drive to Hyannis and take the ferry over. It will take a few hours either way, so the journey is best made on a long weekend. In season, this resort area caters to tourists with deep pockets. The historical Jared Coffin House is within walking distance to the harbor and many restaurants.
3. Cape Cod
Cape Cod is the premier beach destination in New England and makes a perfect weekend getaway for those looking for sun, sand, and relaxation. No less than 14 lighthouses are located on the peninsula, which is more than any other county in America.
More than four million visitors a year grace the 40 miles of pristine beaches. While you are there, grab a bike and check out the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, which runs from South Dennis to Wellfleet.
History buffs will enjoy the Heritage Museum and Gardens, an eclectic destination with an antique carousel, vintage automobiles, beautiful gardens, and folk art. At the famous Cape Cod Potato Chip factory in Hyannis, you can tour the facility and see how these tasty treats are made. An additional attraction is the scenic Cape Cod Rail Trail for biking and jogging.
Chatham has many options for places to stay. The Chatham Inn at 359 Main is popular for its firepit and chocolate-covered cranberries. Many of the hotels near the west end are motel-style. Midway Motel offers free Wi-Fi and parking.
4. Lenox and Stockbridge
Nestled in the beautiful Berkshires, these neighboring towns are filled with small-town charm, which lends perfectly to a relaxing, low-key vacation. Year-round activities make this a favorite for family trips, romantic getaways, or solo pursuits. The region becomes magical in the autumn, when the leaves change and vibrant colors fill the mountain.
If you just want to enjoy some peace and quiet, there are plenty of opportunities to do that as well. Take a class at the world famous Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health or visit the nearby Norman Rockwell Museum, which houses the largest collection of his artwork. Chesterwood, the summer studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French, and The Mount, home and garden of author Edith Wharton are here, as well. A trip to the Gilded Age Museum will take you back in time.
Summer visitors will want to check the schedule at the Tanglewood Music Center, home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and other famous musicians mid-June through Labor Day.
Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort offers many packages for visitors, depending on your interests. The various buildings on the property offer a fitness room and indoor pool, and the location highlights the beauty of the area. Tourists will find reliable value at the Courtyard Lenox Berkshires. Families will appreciate the free Wi-Fi, firepit, and pool.
5. Provincetown
Provincetown is an eclectic town known for its vibrant culture, a picturesque harbor, and bustling art scene. P-town, as it’s affectionately called, is located on the scenic end of Cape Cod and can be reached by ferry from Boston.
This harbor town has a year-round population of 3,000, which explodes to 60,000 in the summer months. While you are here, head to Commercial Street, which is the prime people-watching destination and a fun place to grab a bite to eat, shop, or just wander around.
Make a stop at the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum, which commemorates the Pilgrims’ first landing in Provincetown. Take the elevator to the top of the monument, one of the tallest all-granite structures in the US to get amazing views of Cape Cod.
The seasonal ferry from Boston makes a great day trip, but if your stay in Provincetown involves an overnight, the Cape Colony Inn has an above-ground pool among its many amenities.
6. Salem
Salem is a town rich in history, with a dark past as the site of the Salem Witch Trials. Because of this, there are many attractions in Salem that explore this dark time in American history. Despite its Puritan past, Salem is still a great weekend destination for couples with many different interests. Book lovers will enjoy stopping by the House of Seven Gables, setting for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name.
When dark falls on Salem, adventurous souls can head out for the Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour.
One of the area’s best collections of art and maritime history, especially the China Trade, the Peabody Essex Museum has excellent rotating exhibitions and a 200-year-old Chinese House reconstructed inside the museum. Families appreciate the indoor pool at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites, two blocks from the water. The free parking is a plus in what can be a congested area in Salem. The beautiful and historic Hawthorne Hotel is centrally located and within walking distance to many of Salem’s best places to visit.
7. Southern Berkshires
If you prefer mountains to beaches or cities, the southern Berkshires are a perfect getaway for you. Located in the western part of Massachusetts, the Berkshires hold everything you could possibly want in a weekend trip: small towns, countless antiques shops, great food, terrific hiking, and the peace and quiet of quintessential New England living.
Shopping for antiques is a favorite pastime in Great Barrington, where antiques galleries and co-ops line Route 7. Several of these are sprawling group shops, and Asia Barong is as much a museum of Asian art as an antiques store, its larger artifacts and stone statuary spilling out into the yard.
Bash Bish Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in the state, reached by a short, easy hike. The 60-foot falls is split into two halves by a huge boulder. More ambitious walkers can experience a short portion of the nearby Appalachian Trail as it goes through the wild and picturesque Sage’s Ravine, in Mt. Washington State Forest.
To stay amid antique surroundings and dine by candlelight in a 1700s inn, choose The Old Inn on the Green, in the lovely Berkshires village of New Marlborough.
8. Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard is the perfect getaway to leave the hustle and bustle of Beantown behind. This island has long been a prized vacation spot for Boston’s elite, and others just wanting to escape, and is a larger island alternative to Nantucket.
While you are here, rent a bicycle so you can explore the island at your leisure. On the southwestern tip of the island is Aquinnah Cliffs, a popular tourist spot, where you can see the impressive clay cliffs. From the top, you can view the Gay Head Light or Elizabeth Islands.
For animal lovers, head to Island Alpaca, where you can meet one of the friendly Huacaya alpacas and tour the beautiful farm. The main draw to Martha’s Vineyard is the beach, so be sure to enjoy the ocean, sand, and sunshine on your trip. Martha’s Vineyard is a few hours from Boston, but well worth the drive. You can also reach it via ferry or plane.
Direct flights are available from Boston and New York City. The boutique Vineyard Square Hotel and Suites in Edgartown has seaside charm and modern décor. For a luxury splurge, The Kelley House hotel in the heart of Edgartown should be on your shortlist.
9. Rockport
Massachusetts is filled with many eclectic towns, but none more than Rockport. This seaside community sets the stage for a fun and unique weekend getaway. Just an hours’ drive from Boston, you will feel like you are a thousand miles away when you step foot into this quaint village.
As you walk along the picturesque harbor, you can’t miss recognizing the iconic Motif #1, a famous fishing shack that has been a favorite subject for generations of artists and photographers.
Walk down to Bearskin Neck, which is filled with unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries or just enjoy the magical views, which have inspired artists for centuries. You can walk the somewhat rough coastal path or drive to Halibut Point State Park, a former oceanside quarry with a lighthouse and ocean views.
Away from the hustle and bustle of Rockport proper, The Seafarer Inn offers a waterfront location across the street from a small beach. If a bed-and-breakfast is more to your liking, The Tuck Inn is very popular and has an extensive breakfast filled with delicious offerings.
10. Sturbridge
The town of Sturbridge, in Central Massachusetts, is best known for one of the finest historic village museums in the east. Old Sturbridge Village replicates a typical village of the early to mid-1800s, with historic homes, shops, and other structures moved here from across the region.
You can watch interpreters as they spin flax, dye wool, turn pots, make tin lanterns, saw logs into boards, plant and harvest their gardens, and prepare meals on open hearths. A day there is an exceptional experience for families with children, as there are many activities children can join in.
The town of Sturbridge itself has a long history as you can see from the Sturbridge Common Historic District on the green where the militia trained during the Revolution. In keeping with the historic theme, shop for vintage treasures in Sturbridge Antique Shops, where more than 75 dealers from all over New England show antiques and collectibles.
The conveniently located Comfort Inn & Suites has spacious rooms suitable for families, as well as a heated indoor pool.
11. Plymouth
Affectionately referred to as “America’s Hometown,” Plymouth is best known for being where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. A trip to Plymouth wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Plymouth Rock where it all began.
For an immersive look at how the first settlers lived, don’t miss one of New England’s premier living history experiences, Plimoth Patuxet Museums (formerly Plimoth Plantation). Here, you’ll see replicas of the houses and farmyards of the 1620 pilgrims and interact with interpreters who play the roles of actual historic figures. A second village illustrates the everyday lives of the Native Americans who lived here before and during the Pilgrim years.
Plymouth has many historic attractions, including the replica Mayflower II, Pilgrim Hall Museum, and the Plymouth Grist Mill, a working mill that has been in operation since 1636 and opens to the public on Fridays at noon. Another must-see is the W. Russell Blake Planetarium. Visitors experience astronomy with the only 4K high-resolution full-dome planetarium south of Boston.
The Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth is a popular, good-value hotel with a central location and free Wi-Fi.
12. Gloucester
For couples and families who want to experience a true New England fishing village, head to Gloucester. This quintessential New England town houses the country’s oldest seaport and was a prominent shipbuilding town. Here, you will find the Fisherman’s Memorial, one of the most noted and photographed statues in New England.
Gloucester is great for whale watching. These gentle giants can be seen from shore or for the more adventurous, with one of the many other charters in town. Gloucester is also home to the centuries-old Rocky Neck Art Colony, the oldest working art colony in America.
Before you leave, you have to indulge in one of the prized local seafood restaurants to enjoy the ocean’s bounty. The typically New England Beauport Hotel Gloucester is located on the waterfront with a rooftop pool. Plenty of restaurants in the city’s bustling center reward visitors with a variety of options after a day in the sun.