Discover Massachusetts coastal charms and countryside delights that appeal to every traveler, such as museums with stories to tell, charming neighborhoods to stroll through, and delicious seafood that celebrates New England's heritage.
Old Sturbridge Village will take you back two centuries with its 40 historical buildings that faithfully recreate life in 1830s New England, or take an exhilarating whale-watching tour to witness breathtaking whale breaches and thrilling spouts!
Bearskin Neck
Rockport, Massachusetts boasts one of the most breathtaking harbors in America. This quintessential coastal town features shops, eateries, art galleries, and stunning scenery; highlighted by Bearskin Neck: an outcropping peninsula that juts into the harbor and hosts many of its top attractions; Motif #1 stands out as an iconic red fishing shack that may well be America's most-painted building!
Rockport is an ideal spot for couples seeking an idyllic romantic stroll and breathtaking ocean views. The picturesque scenery creates an enthralling and relaxing ambiance, perfect for exploring narrow streets, admiring beautiful architecture, and conversing with locals.
If you're craving some delicious seafood, Bearskin Neck restaurants offer great dining experiences along the waterfront. Enjoy stunning water views while dine on lobster, oysters, clams or mussels dishes as you dine - many even offer wine and beer as well!
Don't miss a visit to Bearskin Neck's charming and colorful Pewter Shop for souvenirs or artwork that stands out. This vibrant shop will keep your senses entertained for hours!
While visiting Bearskin Neck, another fantastic activity to engage in is taking a tour of local art galleries. There are multiple galleries located within proximity of town that feature different forms of artwork from paintings to sculptures to jewelry - it will all be found there!
One of the best activities to enjoy when visiting Bearskin Neck in Rockport is taking a scenic cruise around Sandy Bay. These cruises depart from Tuna Wharf on Bearskin Neck and offer the chance to view harbor seals, historical lighthouses, picturesque islands, and dramatic shorelines - not forgetting harbor seals!
Don't miss the Christmas in Rockport festival during your holiday visit - featuring horse-drawn carriage rides down Bearskin Neck, tree lighting ceremonies in Dock Square, and carolers and musicians throughout town as well as a live nativity pageant! This festive event doesn't disappoint.
The North Shore
The North Shore, located northeast of Boston, offers an abundance of historic towns, scenic beaches, whale-watching cruises, cultural experiences, and delicious seafood - particularly fried clams!
Salem, best known for the Salem Witch Trials and historic architecture, also houses the Peabody Essex Museum - an institution that showcases local history while housing treasures from across the globe.
Manchester-by-the-Sea is another of the North Shore's premier destinations and an excellent spot for fresh seafood. There are numerous dining options here, but if you truly want to experience its seaside ambiance head straight for Woodman's of Essex (119 Main St). This iconic restaurant was where fried clams first made an appearance and offer some of the best-fried clam dishes around New England.
Lynn should be on every North Shore itinerary due to its historic shoe industry and role in the American Revolution. For an immersive history experience, check out Lynn Museum and Historical Society and visit its library of exhibits dedicated to local heritage.
Visit Rockport, an idyllic coastal town known for its sandy beaches, charming shops, and bustling dining scene. Don't miss Singing Beach; its name refers to the sound it makes when visitors step on it!
Gloucester and Newburyport, two working-class fishing cities in the area, should not be missed either. Both offer numerous museums about local history as well as delicious seafood options.
Ipswich is an attractive seaside village well worth visiting. Boasting a collection of historic houses listed on the National Register and several parks for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy, as well as excellent dining and shopping options, including its well-recognized Ipswich Public Library - not forgetting Appleton Farm and Crane Estate cared for by Trustees of Reservations!
Boston Harbor Islands
Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, just a ferry ride away from Boston's waterfront, offers an abundance of outdoor adventure. Discover its historic military fort, hike its winding trails through lush forests or rugged headlands, picnic with breathtaking harbor views, or camp out beneath the stars - it all awaits at this magnificent national and state park of 34 islands and peninsulas that await discovery!
The harbor's tidal swings and moderate salinity draw both land and marine wildlife to this area. You might see rabbits, raccoons, harbor seals lazing on rock outcrops, and numerous bird species perching atop island peaks or flying overhead.
Boston Harbor's green waters and rocky shorelines create a famed navigational challenge, making it one of the oldest harbors in America. Over centuries of human habitation, coastal Native Americans fished here for food while European settlers established themselves. Later on in its history, it exploded as a bustling seaport which attracted pirates as well as millions of newcomers seeking opportunity in a new world.
With multibillion-dollar investments in clean water, Boston's waterfront has experienced an amazing transformation. Harbor Islands have become recreational hot spots with beaches and parks staffed with lifeguards open all summer long. Their ambivalent position as "urban islands" - distant yet accessible urban networks; connected but detached; connected yet distinct - has allowed them to transform into what I refer to as "wilderness in the city."
Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is one of Eastern Massachusetts's premier recreational spaces and the second-largest recreational park in the U.S. Thousands of visitors each year explore its historic forts, picnic on its sandy beach, walk its trails on a sunny summer day and discover alluring trails that take them into nearby islands such as Spectacle. Most visitors choose Spectacle for its visitor center, solar-powered picnic pavilions and sandy, supervised beaches - not forgetting its alluring trails that take them further inland!
Whale Watching
Massachusetts coastal waters are a prime spot for whale watchers looking for sight of humpback whales, known for their incredible aerial displays, and can be spotted throughout summer when returning home to breed or give birth. Other whale species seen include Minke, Right, and Pilot whales on tours.
Massachusetts offers several companies providing whale-watching excursions from Gloucester, Plymouth, and Provincetown. Some offer multi-boat charters or specialty shark tours too.
7 Seas Whale Watch offers trips out of Gloucester, Plymouth, and Provincetown beginning in June (and sometimes earlier). Each four-hour excursion is led by an expert marine biologist aboard their Privateer IV vessel; guests have described its comfortable seating arrangements with three decks providing maximum viewing opportunities and rave reviews about how knowledgeable and considerate their guide is when answering guests' questions; some guests have even mentioned its relative tranquility as creating an enjoyable and relaxing experience!
This tour company is beloved among both tourists and locals. They appreciate its family-run operation and staff's extensive knowledge about marine wildlife; many also appreciate that they can customize trips based on individual interests; in addition to whales, this tour frequently witnesses dolphins and seals!
Many reviewers appreciate this tour for its value and often recommend it to friends and family members. Unfortunately, a small percentage of customers may report becoming seasick or not seeing any whales; you should keep this in mind before booking as most whales appear from some distance away; binoculars are useful tools for spotting them.
This tour company is a favorite among families, and they are frequently recognized as being the premier whale-watching tour in New England. Offering day and sunset cruises out to Stellwagen Bank, their trips often boast seeing an abundance of marine life.
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