If you ever find yourself in the greatest state in the United States, there are plenty of things to do. Settled in 1620, we have plenty of history...I mean some of the most important events occurred right in Boston. We also have beautiful parks, museums, sports, shopping, and basically everything you would want to do.
So, in no particular order... here are some of the best things to do in Massachusetts.
If you are looking for history...
1. Freedom Trail
2. Lexington Green
See a live reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
1625 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02421
3. Plimoth Plantation
See the settlement established by the Pilgrims in 1600s. It's a living history museum full of interactive exhibits and accurate reenactments.
137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA 02360
4. The Witch House
Home of Judge Jonathon Corwin, who presided over the infamous witch trials. The Salem Witch House is known for its eerie stories and mysteries. Take a look around at the artifacts and history within the walls.
5 . Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum
Floating in the Boston Harbor, the Boston Tea Party ship replicates and exhibits what occurred on that historical night. It's interactive and informative for all ages.
If you are looking to shop...
6. Faneuil Hall
Food, retail, and kiosks full of unique pieces. Street performers keep the cobblestone full of entertainment.
7. Newburyport
Full of boutique shops, antiques, and food all along the water. You're sure to find something one of a kind on the streets of Newburyport.
8. Hyannis
It's considered the capital of Cape Cod. Plenty of streets to peruse and explore that are full of boutiques. Get the full Cape Cod experience with trinkets and seafood.
9. Newbury Street
It's the 5th avenue of Boston. Many expensive designers have a brick stone in Boston on Newbury street. You'll find the classic mall stores and high-end boutiques standing next to the likes of Valentino and Burberry.
10. Natick Collection
Over 250 stores on just two floors. Specialized food and shops from high-end to easy spending.
1245 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760
If you're looking to swim...
11. Lighthouse Beach, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard
You can take a tour of the famous lighthouse and take a walk along the shore. It's nearby the center of town and very family-friendly.
12. Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, Cape Cod
Considered one of America's nicest beaches, especially on the East Coast. There are dunes, marshes, and sometimes even seals along the beach.
13. Ballston Beach, Truro, Cape Cod
A larger beach that lines houses, but it is still a public beach. It is known for its smooth sand, perfect for laying out in the sun.
14. Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester
It's a smaller beach, so it can be more difficult to find a nice spot to set up camp, but if you can get there, it is one of the greatest beaches in New England.
15. Surfside Beach, Nantucket
Very family friendly beach on the South Side of Nantucket. It is a good spot for surfing, kite flying, and relaxing.
If you're looking for picturesque scenery...
16. The Crane Estate
2,100 acres of perfect landscape and architecture. You can take a tour of the property purchased in 1910, or walk through on your own on the greens. The Estate sometimes hosts events, so take a look. It feels like a castle, so it's a great spot to pretend to be royalty.
280 Argilla Road
Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938
17. Walden Pond
The inspiration for writer Henry David Thoreau's Walden. From 1845 until 1847, Thoreau lived by the pond, seeking a muse for his new story and the Transcendentalist movement. If the pond was beautiful enough to start an entire movement, it is good enough for the Instagram.
18. Boston Common
It's America's oldest park and one of the most recognizable. 350 years worth of tourism and history have taken place. So take a stroll through the gardens and around the bridge. You'll probably want to take a selfie with the ponds and foliage behind you.
19. Boston Harbor
With the city sitting in the background, and boats pulling into the famous port, there is always action and opportunity to take that perfect Snapchat.
20. Heritage Museum and Garden
Over 100 acres of gardens, art, and automobiles. There are always special exhibits to take a look at, but the gardens are always there to be photographed.
If you're looking to catch a game or show...
21. Fenway Park
Check out the green monster and the field that housed many of the greatest baseball players of all time from Babe Ruth to Ted Williams to Big Papi himself. Eat a Fenway Frank and enjoy a great game.
22. TD Garden
Home of the Boston Bruins and Celtics, the TD Garden is always filled with energy and spirit. The Garden is also a prime concert spot, so check out who is in town.
23. Gillette Stadium
The New England Patriots are a force to be reckoned with, whether you like it or not. Gillette Stadium, located in Foxboro, MA, is the place that Brady, Belichick, and the boys take home wins and strike fear in their opponents. It is sure to be a good game at Gillette. It is also a great concert stadium for the biggest names in music.
24. Tanglewood
In Western, MA, Tanglewood is a smaller concert venue for lesser-known names and the summer venue for the Boston Symphonic Orchestra.
25. Boston Opera House
A beautiful venue to catch a Broadway show or Opera performance. In the winter, you may be able to catch the Boston Pops and Rockettes. It's beautiful both inside and out.
If you're looking for a museum...
26. Museum of Fine Arts
Some of history's greatest pieces of art are hung among the walls of the Museum of Fine Arts. It has a great rotating collection alongside many extraordinary artworks. There is always a special exhibition and new artifacts to see.
27. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
A lesser known museum, but it is full of beauty. It has unique pieces of art, but it is known for its courtyard. There are interactive exhibits and rotating exhibits to strike the interest of kids and adults alike.
28. Museum of Science
Check out the planetarium, butterfly garden and more scientific excursions from history. There are artifacts from full planes to fossils. The children's section gives kids hands-on scientific learning about some of the most interesting discoveries in the world's history.
29. New England Aquarium
It's beautiful design and layout gives everyone the feeling of being a part of the aquarium. You can look down and up into tons of fish, sharks, and other sea creatures. There is even an outdoor seal exhibit and a petting zoo for children.
30. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The former U.S. President was raised in Massachusetts, and across the state, there are pieces of his legacy. The museum in Boston has a great collection of his personal pieces alongside the story of who he was and how he came to be one of America's most beloved leaders.
If you're looking to take a tour...
31. Duck Tour
Travel through water and land to see the city on this unique tour. Quack at the passersby and hear about the cities rich history. It'll take you all across the city and give you a fresh perspective.
32. Freedom Trail
As previously mentioned, the Freedom trail is 2.5 miles long and walks you past where some of the most important events in U.S. history took place. You can follow the path alone or take a tour with one of the historians.
33. Harvard University
Harvard is one of the most recognizable and famous universities in the world. Many of the great people in history received their degrees from this university in Cambridge. You can take the prospective student tours and here about its academia and student life, but there are also more specific tours to get the most out of your visit.
34. Swan Boat
Take a fun ride through the public gardens in a swan boat. See the Boston Garden from your boat led by an expert Bostonian.
35. Cape Ann Whale Watch
Departing from Gloucester, this whale watching tour is guaranteed to make a splash. Whales are plentiful off of the coast and you are almost sure to get a good view.
Boston has a lot to offer, as does the rest of the state. We were voted the greatest state by U.S. News in 2017. So come on over to the land of the Masshole's and some of America's most important events in history. Eat our authentic clam chowder and listen to our thick accents. We won't disappoint.
