Top 10 Things to do in Massachusetts
The Bay State has many claims to fame. Not only was it the landing site of the pilgrims in 1620, Massachusetts also hosts the world-famous Red Sox, established the country’s first public library and public park, and also offers one of America’s best sites for whale watching! Viewing the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, the Boston Pops, and Salem are all examples of fun things to do in Massachusetts that afford culturally rich opportunities.
- JFK National Historic Site and JFK Presidential Library and Museum – Brookline and Boston
- New England Aquarium – Boston
- Sports Games – Boston, Foxboro
- Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island
- Whale Watching – Gloucester
- Plimoth Plantation – Plymouth
- Boston Pops
- Salem
- Boston Food Tours
- Six Flags New England – Springfield
The media fascination with the prestigious Kennedy family did not end with JFK’s assassination. Tour the Kennedy home in Brookline, where Ted Kennedy, Bobbie Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy were raised. While you are in the area, visit the JFK Presidential Library and Museum and view elegant gifts of state as well as JFK’s personal White House diary. To learn more about the Kennedy family through these Massachusetts attractions please visit: http://www.nps.gov/jofi/index.htm and http://www.jfklibrary.org/.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Massachusetts, visit the New England Aquarium. This state-of-the-art facility not only houses tons of marine exhibits; it also hosts a whale and dolphin watching tour on the high seas! Located on Boston’s Central Wharf, the New England Aquarium is equipped to take passengers on its Voyager III to the whale feeding grounds outside of Boston Harbor. For more about fun things to do in Massachusetts at the New England Aquarium please visit: http://www.neaq.org/index.php.
Looking for fun things to do in Massachusetts? The Bay State actually boasts 5 professional sports teams: the Boston Bruins (hockey), the Boston Celtics (basketball), the Boston Red Sox (baseball), and the New England Patriots (football) are among the most famous. Take in a Patriots game at Foxboro Stadium or watch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Whatever your sports interests, Massachusetts has the sporting event for you! For more about sports games in Massachusetts go to: http://www.boston.com/sports/.
These two islands off the coast of Cape Cod are well reputed for being the summer vacation spots of well-to-doers. Martha’s Vineyard has long been known as the summer colony for former president Bill Clinton and former first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Its lesser-known cousin Nantucket is a charming island getaway of gray, weathered cottages with white trim, elegant rose gardens, and cobblestone streets. For more about things to do in Massachusetts on these vacation islands please visit: http://www.marthas-vineyard.com/ and http://www.nantucket.net/.
If you are looking for unique Massachusetts attractions, the port of Gloucester offers close proximity to two major whale feeding grounds. Because of this, Gloucester is a prime location for whale watching! In addition to sighting a Humpback, Finback, Blue Whale, Sperm Whale, and more – you may catch a glimpse of an Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin! For more about whale watching opportunities in Massachusetts go to: http://www.7seas-whalewatch.com/home.html or http://www.seethewhales.com/index.html.
Visit the 17th century in this replica of colonial life. Tour the 1627 English Village – a period accurate reenactment of pilgrim life in Massachusetts directly after the landing of the Mayflower. View the Wampanoag Homesite or the Mayflower II – a replica of the original ship that carried the Puritans to “Plimoth” – (which is one of the original spellings of the modern city Plymouth) – in 1620. Watch 17th century artisans make the tools of their trade: porcupine quill decorations, sinew weaponry, hide clothing, and more! To learn about this heritage museum please visit: http://www.plimoth.org/.
Treat yourself to a night of culture at a legendary Boston Pops performance. Take in a holiday Nutcracker show or patronize one of the family concerts. Whether you desire Rachmaninoff or digital improvisation, the Boston Pops has you covered! For more about this most cultural of Massachusetts attractions please visit: http://www.bso.org/bso/index.jsp?id=bcat5220105.
Salem, Massachusetts was the site of the infamous witch trials of the late 17th century. Visit the Salem Witch Museum. Tour the “Terror Trail” and the “Witch Trial Trail” to learn firsthand about these false accusations and what it cost many women in Salem. View the “History Alive: Cry Innocent” performance – a period reenactment of a witch trial – and act as the jury. Weigh testimony, investigate evidence, and decide on the life or death of Bridget Bishop. For more about Massachusetts attractions in Salem please visit: http://www.salemweb.com/.
For the price of one dinner, you can savor culinary sophistication through Boston’s food tours. During March and August, Boston offers “restaurant week” during which time oodles of fine dining restaurants in Boston open their doors to the public for a sampling buffet. For a flat rate, you can hop from restaurant to restaurant, tasting the finest Boston has to offer! For more about Boston’s “restaurant week” please visit: http://www.bostonusa.com/visit/restaurantweek.
In addition to “restaurant week,” Boston offers tours of ethnic cuisine via the Ahla Food Tour. Experience authentic Russian and Jewish cuisine through this authentic culinary walking tour. For more about the Ahla Food Tour please visit: http://www.brooklinetour.com/.
Six Flags New England is the place to go for a thrilling, hair-raising ride! An ideal spot for family fun, this amusement park offers dozens of rides for every member of the family – from the daredevils to the meek and mild! Hop on Bizarro – voted the #1 Best Steel Coaster by Amusement Today in 2009. Or if you are looking for a tamer ride try the Big Kahuna – where you can slide into a pool via a comfy inner tube through some twists and turns. For more about fun things to do in Massachusetts at Six Flags New England please visit: http://www.sixflags.com/newEngland/index.aspx.