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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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READ BEFORE YOU GO
Loines Observatory
Astrotourism
This Historic Observatory on Nantucket Is One of the Best Places to See the Milky Way on the East Coast
Follow in the footsteps of Maria Mitchell, America’s first professional female astronomer, on a guided stargazing tour—and walk the beach under the light of the moon.
August 26, 2026 12:45 PM
 · 
Yelena Moroz Alpert
Ships on a dock in the daytime
Where to Travel Next
The Most Charming Small Town in Every U.S. State
August 25, 2026 07:22 AM
 · 
Ashlea Halpern
Left: AWSC - Great White shark; right: Hardings Beach Lighthouse Aerial in Chatham, Cape Cod
Outdoor Adventure
Why Travelers Are Looking for Great White Sharks Where the Movie Jaws Took Place
July 21, 2026 12:59 PM
 · 
Asia London Palomba
The topsail schooner 'Pride of Baltimore II' seen at a bit of a distance sailing along the water with four sails and an American flag flapping off the back
Outdoor Adventure
Slow Travel in Style—Where to Sail on a Tall Ship in the U.S. This Summer
June 30, 2026 06:42 PM
 · 
Pat Tompkins
side shot of drummers in revolutionary garb, walking the parade in front of crowds in Bristol, Rhode Island
America 250
Tall Ships, Block Parties, and the Oldest Fourth of July Parade: America 250 Celebrations in the Northeast
June 19, 2026 06:58 AM
 · 
Ashlea Halpern
HOTELS
Exterior of the Langham, London.
Hotels
The Hotel Brand That Transformed Modern Hospitality
From Victorian London to Boston and Pasadena, Langham hotels continue to define timeless elegance and modern hospitality.
Sponsored by
Wooden cabin exterior surrounded by trees
Wooden cabin exterior surrounded by trees
Stay Here Next
Sauna Rituals, Lake Plunges, and Cabins From $175—All a 3-Hour Drive From NYC
Recover the Scandinavian way at Prospect in the Berkshires, through nature, clean air, and multiple sauna sessions.
June 27, 2025 11:23 AM
 · 
Danielle Hallock
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 5, 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
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
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
Road Trips
11 Beautiful Road Trips for Exploring New England
Whether it’s summer, fall, winter, or spring, there’s a road trip (or two) for each season.
August 28, 2026 03:25 PM
 · 
Chloe Arrojado
U.S. Beaches
You’ll Find Seafood Shacks, Surf Spots, and Scenic Hikes in These Charming U.S. Beach Towns
These Afar editor–approved recommendations include spots on the East and West coasts.
June 22, 2026 01:33 PM
 · 
Lucy Kehoe
Cities We Love
The Best City in the U.S. is Also the World’s Most Linguistically Diverse
The numbers are in: New data reveals how 100 U.S. cities stack up in Resonance’s annual list of the best in the country.
June 17, 2026 03:56 PM
 · 
Chloe Arrojado
Trending News
A Last-Minute World Cup Trip Is More Doable Than You Think—Here’s Why
Despite years of warnings about sold-out hotels and sky-high prices, tickets remain available for many matches, and some resale prices are falling.
June 16, 2026 11:47 AM
 · 
Bailey Berg
Food + Drink
Eat Like It’s 1776: This Boston-Area Dinner Series Lets Travelers Taste Colonial New England
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, food historians are working with culinary experts to recreate colonial-era dishes, from multicolor corn breads to bluefish pâté.
June 10, 2026 05:41 PM
 · 
Asia London Palomba
Where to Travel Next
No Tickets? No Problem. The Best World Cup Experiences Are Happening Beyond the Stadium Gates
Locals from four U.S. host cities share their tips for finding festivities beyond official celebrations.
May 29, 2026 02:58 PM
 · 
Tobias Gourlay
Food + Drink
From Ghee-Washed Mezcal to Fish Sauce Margaritas, Asian American–Owned Bars Are Changing How America Drinks
Scotch and chrysanthemum tea. Ghee-washed mezcal. Baijiu and mapo tofu. At these Asian American-owned bars, childhood flavors are the inspiration behind inventive cocktails.
May 13, 2026 05:31 AM
 · 
Katie Chang
Where to Go in Spring
15 Places to See Cherry Blossoms Across the United States
You don’t need to fly to Japan to see these legendary pink flowers.
March 10, 2026 01:37 PM
 · 
Alina Polishuk
Art + Culture
In Salem, a Landmark Show Reclaims a Forgotten Artist
Against all odds, Black and Native American sculptor Edmonia Lewis gained fame in the 1800s with her antislavery art. Today she’s getting another shot at the limelight in a timely retrospective of her groundbreaking work.
February 4, 2026 04:15 PM
 · 
Ellen Carpenter
Winter 2026
Why We’re Flocking to Boston in 2026
Ahead of cohosting the 2026 World Cup—and celebrating America’s 250th birthday with an epic Fourth of July bash—Boston is in the spotlight for its generous green space, award-winning restaurants, burgeoning art scene, and diverse neighborhoods.
January 6, 2026 09:35 AM
 · 
Negin Farsad
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