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Massachusetts

From the historic streets of Boston to the serene shores of Cape Cod, travelers come to Massachusetts for a variety of experiences. Among them: learning about the state’s colonial history, eating iconic New England dishes like clam chowder and lobster rolls, exploring charming coastal towns, and indulging in the vibrant arts and culture scene.

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Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Massachusetts.

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  1. Historic Acorn Street on Beacon Hill in dowtown Boston Massachusetts MA.
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    May 23, 2018 04:11 PM
     · 
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  2. Nantucket, Massachusetts/USA - August 9 2019: a row of eclectic stores can be found next to the harbor in Nantucket.
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Read Before You Go
3 “Ideas” Festivals That Will Melt Your Brain This Summer
Festivals + Events
3 “Ideas” Festivals That Will Melt Your Brain This Summer
In a good way.
May 24, 2022 08:17 PM
 · 
Chloe Arrojado
JetBlue’s First London Flights From NYC Take Off
Air Travel News
JetBlue’s First London Flights From NYC Take Off
August 11, 2021 08:37 PM
 · 
Lyndsey Matthews
Hotels With Truly Genius Kids’ Amenities
Family Travel
Hotels With Truly Genius Kids’ Amenities
July 28, 2021 11:45 AM
 · 
Ann Shields
AutoCamp’s Airstream-Fueled Version of Glamping Is Now Open on Cape Cod
Outdoor Adventure
AutoCamp’s Airstream-Fueled Version of Glamping Is Now Open on Cape Cod
April 01, 2021 03:20 PM
 · 
Maggie Fuller
The Best State Parks in the Northeast—and How to Visit
Outdoor Adventure
The Best State Parks in the Northeast—and How to Visit
September 15, 2020 05:09 PM
 · 
Aislyn Greene
Hotels
The pool at the Berkeley City Club has art deco tiling and a blue ceiling
Hotels
You Can Stay in These 6 City Club Hotels Even if You’re Not a Member
Architecture, history, and fitness star in these exclusive club hotels that let nonmembers check in.
April 15, 2025 11:17 AM
 · 
Pat Tompkins
The Newbury
Hotels We Love
The 10 Best Hotels in Boston
Whether you want to stay in a historic neighborhood, on the water, or in the middle of Red Sox Nation, Boston’s hotel scene delivers.
July 05, 2024 08:13 PM
 · 
Laura Dannen Redman
A hotel lobby with boldly patterned wallpaper, potted trees, mirrors and artwork on the walls, and a patterned area rug
Hotels We Love
These Are the 15 Best Hotel Getaways in New England
New England is brimming with historic grande dames, design-minded boutique hotels, wellness retreats, and glamping getaways.
May 29, 2024 01:29 PM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
Exterior of Cape Cod rental home with white picket fence
U.S. Beaches
7 Airbnbs in Cape Cod to Book for a Coastal Getaway
Whether you’re searching for a five-bedroom house or a cozy beachfront cottage, this collection of highly vetted Airbnbs has something for every type of traveler.
April 25, 2024 08:48 AM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
Ellerman House offers unobstructed views of the ocean from most guest rooms.
Hotels We Love
These Are the 10 Best Hotels for Art Lovers
Hotels can introduce their guests to the creativity that surrounds them—and reveal canvases visitors may not otherwise see.
September 16, 2023 06:00 AM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
Open Sky in Utah is just a 20-minute drive from the entrance to Zion National Park.
Hotels
These Are the 6 Best Hotels for Watching the Perseid Meteor Shower
These are the best U.S. hotels for watching one of the most spectacular night-sky events of the year.
July 27, 2023 08:04 AM
 · 
Stephanie Vermillion
At Life House Hotels, You Feel Like You Belong
Hotels
At Life House Hotels, You Feel Like You Belong
Travel has become less convivial during COVID, but the boutique hotel line has created a safe space for strangers to rediscover the lost art of socializing.
March 09, 2021 05:19 PM
 · 
Laura Dannen Redman
How Wilco’s Bassist and His Friends Turned a Berkshires Motel Into Tourists, a Dream Summer Getaway
Hotels
How Wilco’s Bassist and His Friends Turned a Berkshires Motel Into Tourists, a Dream Summer Getaway
What once was a one-star hotel in North Adams, Massachusetts, is now an eco-friendly lodge with a James Beard Award–winning chef where everyone is welcome.
July 18, 2018 12:17 PM
 · 
Lyndsey Matthews
The Check In: New and Restored Hotels Raising the Roof(tops)
Hotels
The Check In: New and Restored Hotels Raising the Roof(tops)
These top-level properties are the places to stay.
May 06, 2016 02:45 PM
 · 
Nicoletta Richardson
The Restaurant That's Helping Transform Massachusetts' South Coast
Hotels
The Restaurant That’s Helping Transform Massachusetts’ South Coast
Fall is one of the best times to visit this stunning part of the Bay State.
October 29, 2015 04:29 PM
 · 
Leah Mennies
boston.png
Hotels
How to See the Boston Marathon Like a Pro (According to a Hotel Concierge)
How to See the Boston Marathon Like a Pro (According to a Hotel Concierge)
April 15, 2015 11:38 AM
 · 
Jen Murphy
Resources to help plan your trip
Where to Drink on Nantucket
This former whaling capital loves a party and many Nantucket restaurants put as much thought into their cocktail and wine menus as they do into their food. There are also plenty of places to kick back with just a casual drink or two. The local brewery and distillery adds to the island vibe and flavors.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Alison Abbott
The Best Things to Do in Boston
On a perfect spring day, Boston turns into a giant walking tour. The city’s top attractions tend to spill over from one to the other, inviting visitors to just keep going. On other days? Well, luckily there’s the T. For one of America’s most celebrated walking tours, walk the Freedom Trail, which takes you to 16 sites central to American history, including the Massachusetts State House and the Paul Revere House and so much more. Here are some of the best things to do in Boston.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Bob Curley
The Best Hotels and Inns on Nantucket
Nantucket is a perennial favorite summer destination, with Atlantic Ocean beaches, picturesque harbors, and iconic lighthouses. Accommodations on the island range from cozy bed-and-breakfast rooms to marina-side cottages to penthouse loft apartments. Water views and beach shuttles are in-demand amenities, and most hotels can arrange boat rides and lobster bakes for a quintessential New England vacation.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Meg Alcazar
The Best Places to Shop in Boston
From the national brands at Faneuil Hall and downtown Boston to the boutiques of Newbury Street, Charles Street, and the South End, the city’s shopping areas offer a lot of something for everyone. If you’re craving the best of Boston’s small producers of good eats, head straight to Boston Public Market. In Cambridge, Harvard Square’s hidden gems lean more bookish and, at times, more counterculture.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
14 of The Best Restaurants in Boston
Boston deserves far more attention for its food scene than the city usually gets. From reinvented lobster rolls and other fresh seafood to small plates put out by James Beard-award winning chefs, there’s a near-dizzying selection of good eats to choose from. You’ll want to add extra days to your trip as you start to wend your way through menu options featuring coastal Italian food, clam chowder and raw bars, dry-aged steaks, wood-grilled pizzas, upscale tinned fish (yes, really), and so much more.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Bob Curley
Books
The “Little Women” Trip You’ll Want to Take in Massachusetts
Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel reminds us why this historic New England town is worth a visit for literature lovers.
December 11, 2019 02:05 PM
 · 
Pat Tompkins
Bars + Nightlife
8 Great U.S. “Bars à Vins”: Where to Drink Wine Like a Parisian Stateside
Wine lovers, rejoice: the French-style bar à vins, beloved especially in Paris as a casual, personality-driven neighborhood haunt for regular wine drinking, is staking a claim in the United States.
September 19, 2019 05:03 PM
 · 
Lauren Sloss
Books
Famous Writers’ Homes Every Book Nerd Must Visit
Tour the houses of Vladimir Nabokov, Jane Austen, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and other authors to see what inspired them to write their acclaimed books.
September 16, 2019 06:28 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
Books
5 Novel Destinations From the Man Who Wrote the Book on Literary Travel
Richard Kreitner takes readers on a journey to places that have inspired literature, poetry, nonfiction, and more. Here are some of his favorite book-inspired spots.
September 12, 2019 05:51 PM
 · 
Brooke Porter Katz
Natural Wonders
Crawfish, Cranberries, and Cannabis: U.S. Farm Tours You Should Take
If your definition of a farm tour involves corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and hayrides full of screaming children, it’s time for a rewrite.
July 22, 2019 07:59 PM
 · 
Ashlea Halpern
Epic Trips
How to Spend a Weekend Saving Cape Cod’s Dolphins and Whales
Sustainable tour operator Kin Travel has teamed up with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to offer two special adventures that are equal parts marine masterclass and beach party.
July 16, 2019 09:47 AM
 · 
Paul Rubio
Art + Architecture
Commemorate LGBTQ Pride and the 50th Stonewall Anniversary at These U.S. Art Exhibitions
Museums across the United States are hosting powerful exhibitions that examine the country’s queer past, present, and future. Here are a few to visit in tandem with June’s Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
May 22, 2019 05:12 PM
 · 
Eric Newman
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