Back Bay
Catherine Hammond Gibson was considered quite the pioneer when she moved to this Italian Renaissance row house in 1860 (that she was a female homeowner in…
Must-see attractions in Massachusetts
Cambridge
Cambridge’s oldest church was designed in 1761 by America’s first formally trained architect, Peter Harrison (who also designed King’s Chapel in Boston)…
Cape Cod
The closest beach to Hyannis' Main St, Veterans Beach is a favorite with families thanks to the playground facilities, picnic tables and shallow waters…
Cambridge
On the south side of Johnston Gate, Massachusetts Hall is the oldest building on the Harvard campus, dating from 1720. Originally it was a dormitory…
The Berkshires
This museum hosts some worthwhile temporary exhibitions and also displays a rotating permanent collection of international artworks and artifacts, many of…
The Berkshires
Swing by this classic 1739 Colonial home, a National Historic Landmark, if just to view it from the outside. It was home to John Sergeant, the first…
Boston
Fort Point is no longer the gritty, offbeat artists' enclave it once was, but there is still a flourishing artistic community here – which you will find…
Pioneer Valley
The enormous University of Massachusetts at Amherst illustrates the distinction between public and private higher education in the US. Founded in 1863 as…
Cape Cod
The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth maintains this 1840 Greek Revival house, once home to a prosperous sea captain who made his fortune sailing to…
Back Bay
Known to adherents as the ‘Mother Church,’ this is the international home base for the Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science), founded by Mary…
Cape Cod
The Brewster Store, in the heart of town, is a sight in itself. The old-fashioned country store opened in 1866, and it's barely changed since: penny candy…
Field Gallery & Sculpture Garden
Martha's Vineyard
You can't miss the Field Gallery, a field of large white sculptures by local artist and gallery founder Tom Maley (1911–2000) that playfully pose while…
Pioneer Valley
Visitors are welcome to explore Smith College's collection of Victorian greenhouses, set opposite Paradise Pond, which are packed to the brim with odd…
The Berkshires
This architectural fantasy was designed at the beginning of the 20th century by sculptor Henry Hudson Kitson, whose best-known work – a statue of Captain…
Martha's Vineyard
A short walk from the Gay Head Cliffs is a lovingly preserved historic house that contains a museum dedicated to the culture and history of the Wampanoag…
Mt Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center
The Berkshires
Stop in at the visitor center for trail maps, bird lists and answers to any of your other questions. There is also an introductory film and exhibits on…
Boston
This local library contains an impressive plaster model of the Palazzo Ducale in Venice. The model was built in the early 20th century by a local artist…
Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial House
Boston's Western Suburbs
This house is where the philosopher lived for almost 50 years until 1882. Emerson was the paterfamilias of literary Concord, one of the great literary…
Cape Cod
Get a feel for what life was like for early settlers by touring Hoxie House, the oldest house on Cape Cod (c 1640). The saltbox-style house has been…
Pioneer Valley
This museum possesses a respectable, if slightly outdated, range of natural history and science exhibits. The Dinosaur Hall has a full-size replica of a…
Cape Cod
You'll find plenty of space in which to lay your towel on wide Kalmus Beach, at the south end of Ocean St in Hyannis. Thanks to its steady breezes, it's a…
Back Bay
This is a long-standing artistic cooperative, dating to 1914. Due to its emphasis on representational painting and sculpture, it's a bit stodgy compared…
Cambridge
On the north side of Johnston Gate, Harvard Hall is one of the two oldest buildings on campus, dating to 1766. (The other is Massachusetts Hall, directly…
Cape Cod
A favorite spot for sunset-watchers, this scenic inlet on the bay has docks and a small fishing fleet, plus a few summertime charter boats offering…
Boston
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, this peaceful waterside park belies the history of this site: in 1919, a huge distillery tank burst, sending forth a…
Charlestown
Opposite the Bunker Hill Monument, this redbrick museum contains two floors of exhibits, including historical dioramas, a few artifacts and an impressive…
Boston
Across the street from Copp's Hill Burying Ground, this is Boston’s narrowest house, measuring a whopping 9.5ft wide. Sometimes called a ‘spite house,’…
Cape Cod
For a great beach on Falmouth's sound side, head to Menauhant Beach, off Central Ave from MA 28. It's Falmouth's longest beach, divided into an east side…
Cape Cod
This inspiring museum preserves and celebrates the art of the Cape and Islands. Its collections primarily (but not exclusively) focus on work inspired by…
Brewster Historical Society Museum
Cape Cod
Brewster's active historical society has moved its impressive collection of local artifacts to the restored 1799 Captain Elijah Cobb House. Visit to see a…
Beacon Hill & Boston Common
The Central Burying Ground is one of the city's oldest cemeteries, but it was a less prestigious resting place, used for Catholics, outsiders and British…
Back Bay
Dating to 1879, CoSo is the country's oldest nonprofit art association, with more than 500 members. The showings in the three exhibit spaces are rich and…
Cape Cod
Harwich has fine beaches, although many of them restrict parking to residents. But fret not: to get to one of the prettiest, park your car for free at the…
The Berkshires
Here is the Berkshires' quintessential college campus, with wide green lawns and graceful academic architecture, surrounded by a sleepy town and the…
Cape Cod
Built in 1902 on the highest spot in the area – 120ft above sea level – this 38-step, stone tower rising above Scargo Lake gives you grand views of Cape…
Massachusetts
The red fishing shack decorated with colorful buoys is known as Motif No 1, since it has been captured by so many artists for so many years. (Actually, it…
Kenmore Square & Fenway
The Back Bay Fens, or the Fenway, follows the Muddy River, an aptly named creek that is choked with tall reeds. The Fens features well-cared-for community…
Boston
Located in a renovated warehouse, this gallery is part of the Fort Point Arts Community. At FP3 you will find solo shows by some of the most prominent…
South Shore
The offices of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants are housed in the magnificent 1754 house of Edward Winslow, the great-grandson of Plymouth…
Martha's Vineyard
Gallery hoppers will want to make time to visit the Eisenhauer Gallery, which represents over 40 artists and is considered one of the best on the island…
