Massachusetts is one of the most historically relevant states in our nation, meaning plenty of historical landmarks. There are also a variety of other important Massachusetts landmarks, including one-of-a-kind natural landscapes, authentic old naval vessels, the homes of esteemed authors, and so much more. The most famous landmark in Massachusetts is Plymouth Rock.
Other famous landmarks in Massachusetts include:
1. Plymouth Rock
2. The Mount, Edith Warton’s Home
3. Minute Man National Historical Park
4. House of Seven Gables
5. Old State House
6. USS Constitution
7. Old South Meeting Hall
8. Veterans War Memorial
9. Race Point Lighthouse
10. Brant Point Lighthouse
Plymouth Rock
Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth Rock is pretty much as iconic and important as U.S. landmarks come. This is known as the site where the Pilgrims first disembarked the Mayflower on their 1620 journey to the New World—though it’s not the first time these lands were settled, of course, as they were already inhabited by Native Americans. This is a classic field trip destination for local students, and a worthy stop for an adult itinerary through the state as well.
You may notice a crack in the rock, which is because it was accidentally broken in half in 1774 when locals attempted to haul it to Plymouth’s Town Square. It has since been reassembled and is now protected by a large granite canopy.
Looking for more great stuff to do in Plymouth? Check out these suggestions from a local:
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RVing to Plymouth Rock
Like most of the northeast, Massachusetts plays host to a lot of toll roads, and the cost to drive on these toll roads can get pretty high when you’re driving an RV. Therefore, you’ll probably want to make a point of avoiding toll roads when possible.
Another thing to be aware of? Parking, of course. In order to visit Plymouth Rock, you will need to make your way to Pilgrim Memorial State Park. This park does have a parking lot, but RV parking is not allowed there or any of the area lots unless the RV can fit in a standard parking spot. Therefore, it’s best to park your RV in a campsite and drive your tow car to see the sights. Alternatively, it is possible to park an RV at the Plymouth Tourist Information Center and take the bus to the park.
Rent an RV near Plymouth Rock!
Camping Near Plymouth Rock
There are a few great campgrounds near the town of Plymouth. We recommend the following options:
The Mount — Edith Warton’s Home
You likely know her as an author, but as it turns out, Edith Warton was something of an architect, too. You see, she designed and built The Mount, her stunning and iconic turn-of-the-century home, back in 1902. She also laid out the property’s beautiful grounds, considering it her “first real home” since she had such a hands-on part in its creation.
Today, the property has been transformed into a public museum and cultural center, where visitors can stroll through the gardens or enjoy a guided tour introducing you to the house itself, the grounds, or even the ghosts that are said to live here.
The Mount was placed on the list of National Historic Landmarks in 1971.
RVing to The Mount
As mentioned before, you will want to try to avoid toll roads when driving an RV through the state of Massachusetts.
As far as parking at The Mount goes, we were able to find confirmation that there are two free parking lots on property, but we could not find information on RV parking specifically. Therefore, if you drive a big rig, we recommend calling in advance.
Camping Near The Mount
Wondering where to park your RV during your visit to the Lenox area? The two campgrounds below are excellent picks:
Minute Man National Historical Park
Commemorating the all-important battle that opened the entire American Revolutionary War, Minute Man National Historical Park is an amazing place. It covers just under 1,000 acres of land near the famous Massachusetts towns of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord.
Within the park are a number of more specific “sites” of important historical and cultural events, such as Concord’s North Bridge, which is where militia fired back on British forces for the first time on April 9th of 1775. (In other words, this is the site of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Shot Heard Round the World.”)
The park also includes the five-mile-long “Battle Road Trail” between Lexington and Concord, as well as The Wayside, a National Historic Landmark in its own right, which was home to authors Amos Bronson Alcott, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney.
RVing to Minute Man National Historical Park
As always, be sure to check that your GPS isn’t putting you on a toll road when driving your RV to Minute Man National Historical Park.
RV parking is available at both the Minute Man Visitor Center and the Hartwell Tavern, so visiting this park with your RV is not a problem. That said, oversized parking spaces are limited, so arriving during a less busy time of day (such as early morning or afternoon) might be your best bet.
Rent an RV near Minute Man National Historical Park!
Camping Near Minute Man National Historical Park
RV parks around Minute Man National Historical Park are limited, but you should still be able to find someplace to camp. Try the following on for size:
House of Seven Gables
While there are so many fascinating landmarks in Salem to put on your list, not the least of them is the House of Seven Gables, a stunning colonial mansion dating all the way back to 1668 and memorialized by Nathaniel Hawthorne—who, yes, briefly lived in the landmark listed above—in 1851. The house was constructed by a merchant and ship-owner named John Turner and stayed in his family for three generations.
Today, it’s a non-profit museum open to the public offering educational guided tours, and is also the namesake of an entire historic district: the House of Seven Gables Historic Landmark District, which was designated as such back in 2007.
RVing to House of Seven Gables
The streets in Salem are incredibly narrow and parking can be hard to come by. It’s best to park your RV somewhere outside of town and drive your tow car in if at all possible.
Rent an RV near House of the Seven Gables!
Camping Near House of Seven Gables
Fortunately, there are some campgrounds around Salem, so finding a place to park your rig while you explore shouldn’t be a problem. Here are our top picks:
Old State House
The longest-standing building in Boston, and indeed one of the oldest public buildings in the United States as a whole, the Old State House was the seat first of the Massachusetts Colonial Government and later as the state government. Then, for a period during the 1800s, it served as Boston’s City Hall.
These days, the Old State House is a museum open to the public, where visitors can learn more about this structure’s storied history by visiting in person. The Old State House is run as a museum by the National Park Service in conjunction with the Bostonian Society, which also operates several other public Boston-area historical landmarks.
RVing to Old State House
Driving an RV into Boston isn’t generally recommended. Not only is parking extremely limited, but the tunnels in and around Boston are not RV-friendly, as they do not allow vehicles with propane onboard.
Instead, we recommend parking at a nearby campground (still being careful to avoid tunnels) and taking public transportation into the city. One RVer mentioned parking their rig at the Shipyard in Hingham and taking the ferry into the city.
Rent an RV near the Old State House!
Camping Near Old State House
Unfortunately, there really isn’t any RV camping in Boston, so you will need to drive outside of the city to find a place to park your rig. Below are the two closest options:
USS Constitution
Otherwise known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is a legendary old American naval vessel—technically a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate, and the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel that’s still afloat. Launched all the way back in 1797, this ship is indeed a piece of living, floating history, and her name was selected by none other than George Washington himself (who actually chose from 10 names submitted to him by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering in 1795).
Currently, the USS Constitution Museum welcomes visitors and offers them a unique perspective on naval history impossible to get any other way. By seeing and touching history with your own two eyes and hands, you can really get a sense of what life was like for those who worked aboard this ship when she was in service.
RVing to the USS Constitution
This Massachusetts landmark is also located in Boston, so tunnels, crowded streets, and limited parking make it difficult to visit in an RV. Instead, park the RV outside of the city and drive your tow car or ride public transportation in. (See our ferry suggestion above.)
Rent an RV near the USS Constitution!
Camping Near the USS Constitution
The two campgrounds mentioned above are the closest RV camping options. If you’re a member of the U.S. Military, you might also consider the Hanscom AFB FamCamp for an affordable, nearby campsite.
Old South Meeting Hall
One of the oldest church buildings in the United States, Old South Meeting Hall was originally constructed back in 1729 and is perhaps most famous for becoming the meeting site of the Boston Tea Party in December of 1773. At the time it was the largest building in Boston, and more than 5,000 colonists gathered there to discuss what should be done about the unfair Tea Act passed in May of that same year.
Old South Meeting Hall was very nearly burned down in the Great Boston Fire of 1872, but was saved at the last minute by the arrival of a fire engine coming from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As a result, however, the congregation moved to a new building… but it still returns for services in this original structure once a year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
RVing to Old South Meeting Hall
Seeing as this is another of the Massachusetts landmarks located in Boston, visiting the Old South Meeting House in an RV is not recommended. Fortunately, the public transportation in and around Boston is fantastic, meaning you should be able to park the rig and ride public transit in.
Rent an RV near Old South Meeting Hall!
Camping Near Old South Meeting Hall
We’ve mentioned the majority of the RV parks near Boston. One other option is the Harold Parker State Forest Campground, which offers a nice retreat into the wilderness with hookups and a dump station.
Veterans War Memorial
Nestled into a place of honor at Mount Greylock State Reservation, which protects and preserves the highest point in the state of Massachusetts, the Veterans War Memorial was first proposed in 1918, though approval for the tower wouldn’t be passed by the state’s legislature until 1930. When it was constructed between 1931–1932, it cost around $200,000, or almost $3.5 million in today’s dollars.
This everlasting lighthouse was originally meant to memorialize the veterans who fought in World War I, but continues to be a light to the families and loved ones of all the people who’ve fought in American armed conflict. (Plus, the view from the top of 3,491-foot-tall Mount Greylock is phenomenal. On a clear day, you can see almost 100 miles into the distance!)
RVing to Veterans War Memorial
It’s totally possible to take an RV to the Veterans War Memorial. As always, you will want to be aware of any toll roads and tunnels along your route—and know the rules and fees that come with them—but otherwise, driving an RV to this landmark in Massachusetts should be a cinch.
Rent an RV near Veterans War Memorial!
Camping Near Veterans War Memorial
While Greylock State Recreation Area does offer onsite camping, it cannot accommodate RVs. Therefore, you will have to look at offsite campgrounds. Fortunately, there are a few to choose from:
- Historic Valley Campground
- Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground (dry camping only)
- Mt. Greylock Campsite Park
Race Point Lighthouse
Located in the quaint city of Provincetown at the extreme end of the Massachusetts “boot,” Race Point Lighthouse is still an active beacon, though it was originally constructed back in the early 1800s. The 45-foot structure you can visit today is actually the second lighthouse to be built on these grounds; the first one, built in 1816, was replaced in 1876.
In order to reach the lighthouse—and keeper’s quarters, which are actually available for overnight accommodations—you’ll either need to hike in or engage the four-wheel drive on your vehicle. But those who make the trek will be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not to mention the beautiful view.
RVing to Race Point Lighthouse
It is not possible to take an RV all the way to Race Point Lighthouse. That said, you can park your RV at Race Point Beach and then make the two-mile trek to the lighthouse. The Race Point Beach parking lot is large enough to accommodate RVs but does not have any designated oversized vehicle spots, so you will need to park across numerous spaces.
Rent an RV near Race Point Lighthouse!
Camping Near Race Point Lighthouse
You can also dry camp on Race Point Beach! The cost is $75 for a week of camping, so it is very affordable. That said, there are absolutely no amenities, and your rig must meet some very specific criteria in order to camp there.
If dry camping on Race Point Beach does not work for you, consider one of the following:
Brant Point Lighthouse
Another famous historic Massachusetts landmark, Brant Point Lighthouse is located on the rugged but beautiful island of Nantucket and was first established back in 1746. With a height of just 26 feet, it’s the shortest lighthouse in New England, but no less important to the sailors who have historically used it for navigation and guidance.
Although visitors can’t enter or climb the lighthouse, this important U.S. landmark is still available to view from below and makes an excellent photo op.
RVing to Brant Point Lighthouse
Getting to Nantucket requires taking a ferry. Seeing as there is little to no RV parking on the island, it’s best to avoid driving the RV altogether for this excursion and just take the ferry across, sans vehicle.
Rent an RV near Brant Point Lighthouse!
Camping Near Brant Point Lighthouse
As far as campgrounds near Brant Point lighthouse go, you have a few options that would work well:
Continue Exploring Massachusetts
As you can tell, there are tons of great Massachusetts landmarks to explore. Luckily, we’ve got you covered on all the info and equipment you need to explore them! For one thing, you can find RV rentals all over the state through our platform, and we also have guides on urban adventures available in Boston and Cambridge, as well as a whole Massachusetts bucket list full of ideas!
