Massachusetts is a popular destination for families and students looking for top colleges in America, such as Harvard and MIT. There's something here for every academic experience level and every budget!
The state is also famous for its fall foliage and the Boston Tea Party, an act of defiance against Britain that galvanized colonists to join in their revolution against Great Britain.
Roaming the Roads Less Traveled
Road trips are an iconic American pastime. When the temperature warms up and windows down, nothing beats winding your way along picturesque byways for hours at a time - especially since traffic levels should remain lessened during this year's holiday weekend.
AAA Northeast has reported to the Boston Herald that fewer travelers are planning on traveling this year, with peak commute times likely being less crowded due to coronavirus pandemic concerns and reduced tourism numbers - creating smooth sailing on region roadways this Fourth of July and summer vacation season.
However, road trips in Massachusetts offer much more than simply dodging traffic jams; with its stunning array of scenic vistas and historic sites that make the journey nearly as rewarding as reaching your final destination.
Massachusetts offers some of the finest scenic roads, boasting lush forests and breathtaking vistas as well as historic New England villages and art museums - perfect for any adventure! It isn't hard to find your next journey here - all it takes is browsing through your options until you find one perfect for you!
Geotab's team of data gurus conducted extensive research in order to identify America's least appreciated scenic roads, using the Highway Performance Monitoring System and Annual Average Daily Traffic scores as indicators. Finally, this information was then collated into an interactive map for ease of viewing the results.
Grab your GPS and head out on one of the nation's lesser-known scenic roads, stopping along some beautiful spots to enjoy your picnic lunch. A stop here could make for the perfect addition to any getaway adventure!
Massachusetts, one of the oldest states, can seem like a living history museum when driving through. From Beantown's delicious baked beans and cream pie, to culture, innovation, green space development and the Berkshires' picturesque landscape and charming towns attracting some of America's top college students - Massachusetts offers something for everyone.
Offbeat Explorations
Massachusetts is filled with natural wonders ranging from Cape Cod's dramatic rocky cliffs to Boston's wind-swept shores and beyond. Massachusetts' scenic byways travel across a landscape featuring expansive vistas of wilderness home to species like moose, bobcats, and grey foxes as well as historical landmarks that invite exploration such as its mysterious and haunted ruins.
One of the most intriguing haunted places in Massachusetts is the Clinton Railroad Tunnel, dating back to the 1800s. Construction required moving over 4,000 bodies from a local cemetery - leading to reports of ghostly activity within its confines.
Becket Quarry in Massachusetts offers visitors another interesting offbeat attraction; free to explore. A great place to take children on nature walks and discover its caves, waterways and stone pyramid. Once used to cut granite for ships and bridges in the region, now this natural attraction provides fun entertainment that appeals to visitors of all ages.
Visitors looking for something more exciting may take a road trip to Fort Revere, an active Revolutionary War fort that was decommissioned and converted to a historical museum after World War II ended. Now open to the public and providing insight into history.
Jenny Lind Tower, which is actually a railway station named for renowned singer Jenny Lind, whose 1895 concert at this location resulted in an angry mob, is another intriguing ruin in Pennsylvania. Becket Quarry used to be an active limestone mine but is now used for kayaking, hiking, and fishing activities.
Ponyhenge, Massachusetts' strange monument made from metal and plastic ponies arranged into a circle in an open field, offers another unusual thing to do despite being one of its strangest attractions. Open to everyone for viewing!
Boston Harborwalk provides an amazing way to explore Boston's historical waterfront while taking in some of the nation's most iconic skyline landmarks. Accessible via Inner Harbor and multiple piers/boat docks throughout Boston, this walkway is truly magnificent!
Fall Foliage Routes
Over the autumn season, picturesque Massachusetts towns come alive with autumnal hues that transform their landscape. From coastal drives to mountain treks, there are countless ways to take in this seasonal spectacle; here are a few exceptional routes guaranteed to leave an impressionable mark.
Mohawk Trail region of Massachusetts provides an exquisite natural canvas filled with centuries-old trees, making for an incredible autumn foliage viewing experience. Explore this historic route either by car on its namesake scenic byway or for an immersive experience, traverse its trails on foot. Plan a stop at Shelburne Falls for picture-perfect scenery before strolling across Bridge of Flowers--an old trolley viaduct transformed into a colorful botanical garden!
Mount Greylock Scenic Byway provides stunning vistas from Massachusetts' highest point, providing unforgettable panoramas. This drive is particularly breathtaking during peak sugar maple season; Shelburne Falls also provides panoramic rocky ridge views from Macedonia Brook State Park and Cobble Mountain.
Leaf-peepers will find some of the finest scenery in Massachusetts' Central and Berkshire Mountains regions, where lofty peaks, winding river valleys, and scenic country roads showcase Massachusetts' breathtaking fall foliage dominated by sugar maple trees bursting into brilliant red colors. North of Boston Cape Ann region also provides stunning fall views while Plymouth boasts incredible cranberry bog harvests that offer amazing fall views.
To truly experience the splendor of fall foliage, go beyond road trip adventures and hike in one of Massachusetts' numerous parks. Hikers can explore scenic trails at Rockefeller State Park to get an aerial view of autumnal hues or wander through wooded paths at Appleton Farms Grass Rides in Ipswich where visitors are surrounded by acres of open fields and wetlands.
There are also plenty of opportunities to take a scenic fall foliage boat cruise or riverboat tour on the Charles River, offering travelers a special perspective of this magnificent season of change while experiencing some of Bay State's finest culinary and cultural attractions.
Things to Do
Massachusetts is an epicenter for literary works, offering many places and events where we can commemorate them and the writers behind them. From story-inspired sculpture parks to shops offering volumes both old and new, Massachusetts truly is a paradise for book lovers!
Hikers of all abilities will delight in exploring New Hampshire's mountains and forests, from mountain peaks with beautiful autumn color in The Berkshires to tranquil waterfalls near the coast, there is something here for everyone to experience.
Cape Cod connects Massachusetts and the Atlantic through a breathtaking coastline. While summer can get busy along this coastline, autumn tends to bring calmer waters where visitors can enjoy beaches, charming towns, or whale watching with fewer people around!
Salem may be best known for its witch trials, but this city offers much more. Attractions for history buffs in Salem include Peabody Essex Museum's in-depth examination of China Trade activities or visiting Jonathan Corwin's House (who led witch trials here).
Boston is a cultural mecca, featuring world-class museums and restaurants. The Museum of Fine Arts holds one of the finest collections anywhere in America while the Institute of Contemporary Art draws modern art enthusiasts in droves.
Fenway Park provides a quirky experience that's worth experiencing on any trip - spanning over 100 years of history with manual scoreboard and the iconic Green Monster still present!
Visitors to Massachusetts have plenty of opportunity to learn about its rich and diverse history at sites like Adams National Historic Park in Concord, where you can view the original Massachusetts Constitution as well as Adams Family home. Or step back in time at Old Sturbridge Village's 40 historical buildings where costumed historians offer insight into life during 1830s.
For some retail therapy, visit Sadie Green's in Sturbridge or Sweet Jane's Designer Consignment in Worcester. Both stores offer vintage clothes and accessories sourced from around the globe - including jewelry that has been handmade using original dies from 1920s die sets!
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