Massachusetts is not only full of history, it’s full of natural beauty as well. Celebrities and politicians vacation in some of the state’s seaside towns, and numerous sites in the state were key places in the fight for U.S. independence from the British.
In order to plan your trip, you may want to create a Massachusetts bucket list. This will help you keep track of everything you want to see and do. Below, we’re sharing the items that would go on our own Massachusetts bucket list to get you started.
Adams National Historical Park
The second president of the United States – John Adams – played a big role in joining 13 separate colonies into one united country. He was also the father of the sixth president – John Quincy Adams. Adams National Historical Park lets you tour the historic homes and farm of the Adams family and learn more about their life and impact on the United States.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
The Blackstone River is an important power source that pushed America forward into the Age of Industry. The Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park tells the story of industrialization in the U.S., beginning with the textile mills along the river that led to people moving from farms to factories.
Boston National Historical Park
Often considered the Cradle of Liberty, Boston played an important role in American history. Visit the Boston National Historical Park and learn about the first battle of the American Revolution. You’ll also see the Old North Church, the Paul Revere House, and many other historic buildings.
Boston African American National Historic Site
The African American community in Boston included leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and much more. Learn their stories at the Boston African American National Historic Site.
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Explore an old fort, check out historic lighthouses, peek into tide pools, hike beautiful trails, or go on a relaxing fishing trip at Boston Harbor Island National Recreation Area. The area includes a group of islands and peninsulas off the coast of the Boston Harbor.
Cape Cod National Seashore
Cape Cod National Seashore boasts forty miles of pristine sandy beaches, marshes, ponds, and more. Check out wild cranberry bogs, go hunting for old lighthouses, and take in the views along the shore.
Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
Recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted was a master of his craft. He practiced landscape design for many years and passed his ideals and philosophy onto his sons, who carried on in his stead. Learn about Olmsted at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
President John F. Kennedy lived in this home for the first three years of his life. The Kennedy family repurchased it after the president’s assassination, and redesigned the house to look the same way it did when JFK lived there. This is now the site of the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, and you can learn about the Kennedy family and their mark on American politics here.
Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
The Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site was built in 1759. The Cambridge home was once home to poet Henry W. Longfellow and is where he wrote several notable poems. Additionally, the house served as Washington’s Headquarters. He introduced himself to the Continental Army here on July 4, 1775, and it’s where he made many decisions crucial to winning the Revolutionary War.
Lowell National Historical Park
Lowell National Historical Park stands as a monument to the Industrial Revolution. Lowell’s water-powered textile mills helped move the nation quickly into the Industrial Revolution, changing the way people worked and lived.
Minute Man National Historical Park
Experience the spirit of the American Revolution as you read the writings of Concord authors. Step back in time as you explore battlefields and other sites associated with the opening battle of the Revolutionary War. Expand your knowledge of April 19th, 1775 as you walk the grounds of Minute Man National Historical Park.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford is an adorable seaside town that was considered the capital of the 19th century’s whaling industry. It is also full of other history, too – the town was along the Underground Railroad and has a strong immigrant history, and important commerce history.
Learn some of these stories at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Another place with plenty of rich history is the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Here, visitors can explore historic structures along the waterfront and check out the visitor center for information and exhibits covering over 600 years of New England maritime history.
Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
The sibling park to the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site also has a lot of history to share. Saugus Iron Works is a reconstruction of the first successful and sustained iron works in British North America. It gives visitors a lesson on the history of iron making and even allows guests to try their hand at blacksmithing.
Springfield Armory National Historic Site
Our nation’s first armory, Springfield Armory, was where the US Armed Forces went for innovative firearms for nearly two centuries. Today, the National Park Service preserves the world’s largest historic US military small arms collection at the site.
Walk the Harvard University Campus
With historic buildings and gorgeous grounds, Harvard University is an excellent place to visit while in the Boston area. Take a stroll on your own or go on a guided tour.
Tour the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield – “The Birthplace of Basketball.” It has 40,000 square feet of basketball history, including information on over 300 inductees to the hall of fame.
Visit Yankee Candle Village
The Yankee Candle Village is one of the most visited attractions in Massachusetts. You can shop an enormous selection of candles. You’ll also have the chance to see it snow indoors, make your own candles, visit the candle museum, and more.
Indulge in Boston Cream Pie
Try a slice of Boston Cream Pie – easily the state’s most popular sweet treat. Because it’s so popular, you can order it at several different restaurants and compare to find your favorite!
Go on a Whale Watching Tour
Massachusetts is a great place for whale watching. Joining a whale watching tour is one of the best ways to spot these majestic creatures. The folks who run these tours know where the whales like to hang out, so you have a better-than-average chance of spotting one.
Stroll the Freedom Trail
Boston is a very walkable city, and the Freedom Trail is a great stroll through the city and through history. This 2.5-mile route guides you to a huge number of incredible historic sites.
Check out the Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum focuses on one of the most fascinating, tragic periods in American history – the Salem Witch Trials. You’ll see life-size stage sets, figures, and narration telling the stories of people involved in this era. Note that the museum does present tragic stories, frightening imagery, and some depictions of deaths from the time. It may not be suitable for everyone.
Escape to Martha’s Vineyard
Easily the most popular vacation spot in Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard is a quaint island just off the Cape Cod coast. It features lighthouses, sandy beaches, and plenty of ways to relax. You can take a ferry to the island and enjoy the escape.
Attend a Boston Red Sox Game
One of the Boston’s most well-known teams is the Boston Red Sox. You can see the team play a home game at Fenway Park – the oldest MLB ballpark and home of the Red Sox since 1912.
Enjoy a Picnic in Boston Common
The Boston Common is America’s oldest park. It was once the site of punishments like public whippings and stocks, but is now the perfect place to spend a laid-back afternoon surrounded by lakes and green space. Be sure to visit the Boston Public Garden and see (maybe ride!) the swan boats as well.
Eat a Lobster Roll
Massachusetts, along with much of the Eastern Seaboard, is known for their delicious lobster rolls. You’ll find them everywhere from small seafood shacks to upscale restaurants. Try a few in different places and compare.
Learn at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum on Cape Cod shares information about his personal and professional life, as well as the history of the Cape Cod area.
Roll Back Time at the Old Sturbridge Village
A visit to Old Sturbridge Village will transport you back in time. This living history museum depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s and is home to more than 40 historic buildings. Explore the buildings, chat with interpreters, and get a feel for what the area might have been like 200 years ago.
Explore Battleship Cove
Battleship Cove is home to the largest collection of preserved US Navy ships in the world, and is the place to go if you’re interested in maritime or naval history. At this museum, you can learn all about how each ship was used and more.
See Famous Filming Locations
A huge number of TV shows and movies have been filmed in Massachusetts. Make a point of seeing the filming locations for your favorite cinema classics. Some popular ones include sites in Salem where Hocus Pocus was filmed, Gloucester where they filmed The Perfect Storm, and Martha’s Vineyard where parts of Jaws were filmed.
See Plymouth Rock
Okay, so in reality, Plymouth Rock isn’t much to look at. But it’s historically significant and you may want to pay a visit. You can see the rock and then spend some time in the quaint town of Plymouth.
Time Travel at Plimoth Plantation
While you’re in Plymouth, you can visit Plimoth Plantation. This is another living history museum, and it depicts a Native American camp from the 1600s. You can also see a reconstruction of the village founded by the pilgrims who rode over on the Mayflower. Interpreters never step out of character and immerse you in the pilgrim way of life.
One thing that can help you accomplish all that is on your Massachusetts bucket list is an RV rental. Staying in an RV means you can quickly and easily hop from one part of the state to another, allowing you to see it all in comfort.
Download the Top 10 Bucket List Destinations in Massachusetts
