Sailing off the Esplanade on the Charles River.

Massachusetts

New England's most populous state, Massachusetts packs in appealing variety, from the sandy beaches of Cape Cod to college towns of the Pioneer Valley to the woodsy hills of the Berkshires. The state's rich history oozes from almost every quarter: discover the shoreline in Plymouth, where the Pilgrims first settled in the New World; explore the battlefields in Lexington and Concord, where the first shots of the American Revolution rang out; and wander the cobbled streets and old ports of Salem, Nantucket and New Bedford, where whaling and merchant boats once docked.

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Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

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Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Fenway Park
Kenmore Square & Fenway
Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest operating baseball park in the country. As such, the park has many quirks that make for a…
Harvard University
Cambridge
America's oldest college, Harvard University is one of the country's most prestigious universities. It was originally founded in Harvard Yard in 1636 by…
Museum of Science
Boston
The educational playground that is the Museum of Science has more than 600 interactive exhibits. Favorites include the world’s largest lightning-bolt…
Plimoth Plantation
South Shore
Three miles south of Plymouth center, Plimoth Plantation authentically re-creates the Pilgrims’ settlement in its primary exhibit, entitled 1627 English…
Minute Man National Historic Park
Boston's Western Suburbs
The route that British troops followed to Concord has been designated the Minute Man National Historic Park. The visitor center at the eastern end of the…
Punto Urban Art Museum
Massachusetts
If you walk south on Lafayette from Derby St, you'll find yourself on the other side of the tracks (or river, in this case). Welcome to El Punto, or ‘The…
Harvard Yard
Cambridge
Harvard University was originally founded here in 1636, and Harvard Yard remains the historic and geographic heart of the university campus. Flanked by…
DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum
Boston's Western Suburbs
The magical DeCordova Sculpture Park encompasses 35 acres of green hills, providing a spectacular natural environment for a constantly changing exhibit of…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

From cannoli in Boston to music in the Berkshires - with dunes, apple picking and whale watching in between – Massachusetts brims with exciting activities.

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Things to Know

A local's guide to everything you need to know before visiting Massachusetts.

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Money and Costs

Traveling on a budget? Here are practical tips on how to save money on your trip to Massachusetts.

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Free Things to Do

Massachusetts has countless free places to visit and things to do, including museums, historic sites, lighthouses and scenic natural areas.

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Best Road Trips

The best road trips in Massachusetts offer history, scenery, and some sublime cultural attractions.