Boston takes up most of Massachusetts’ tourist spotlight but, while Beantown is a great city, there are numerous other destination-worthy cities and towns throughout the state. Here are five of our favorites.
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Clik here to view.
Lighthouse in Gloucester, Massachusetts
“They that go down to the sea in ships,” reads the inscription on Gloucester’s most famous landmark, the Man at the Wheel statue; no single piece of artwork better sums up the city’s rich history, hardened people and sea-centric culture. While many of the state’s smaller coastal cities and fishing towns have changed dramatically in the last decades, Gloucester remains much as it was during its inception in the 18th century. Today, it’s a popular destination for travelers interested in New England’s rich maritime history. It’s been featured extensively in popular literary works and paintings, and was also the inspiration for and setting of blockbuster film The Perfect Storm.
Salem, Massachusetts
While the entire state is steeped in history, no city has a more notorious reputation than Salem. The city is well-known as the home of the infamous Salem witch trials in 1692 — a period that heavily inspires its modern-day culture. Today, residents appreciate the city’s past with a wink and a nod. The elementary school is named Witchcraft Heights, police cars bear cheeky witch graphics and, every Halloween, the town is bedecked in kitschy Wiccan-inspired decorations and memorabilia.
Clik here to view.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
For art lovers, Salem is also home to the Peabody Essex Museum — one of the oldest continuously operating art museums in the United States. The property houses nearly 1.4 million prized pieces — including the country’s largest collection of Asian art and two libraries with more than 400,000 books and manuscripts — spread across 22 buildings. By 2019, it will be among North America’s top 10 largest art museums.
Springfield, Massachusetts
While it’s New England’s fourth-largest city by size, Springfield is often overlooked by tourists, and even locals, as a destination. However, the City of Firsts is home to a number of historically relevant homes, museums and properties. Architecture buffs will appreciate the residential areas, which demonstrate a wider array of architectural styles than is typically found in the Northeast. Neighborhoods consist primarily of painted ladies-style homes; however, there are large numbers of Gilded Age mansions and mid-19th-century residences as well.
Nature lovers can appreciate Springfield’s extensive outdoor park system. With 35 urban parks spread across 2,400 acres, it’s no surprise the tiny city was recently ranked one of the country’s greenest. Most notable is Forest Park — a 735-acre expanse of green space — one of the largest urban parks in the US and almost as large as New York’s Central Park. The park is home to a zoo, the country’s first public swimming pool, a rose garden, a lake and a seasonal ice rink.
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford lies an hour south of Boston, along the state’s informally known South Coast. As it’s tucked into an awkward corner of the state, it goes largely unnoticed by tourists who aren’t on their way to Cape Cod. Due to its place at the forefront of the American whaling industry in the 19th century, it became known as “the city that lit the world.” Remnants of its bygone golden age — including stunning Queen Anne Victorian and Greek Revival buildings and homes — make it an ideal destination for tourists interested in the confluence of New England’s maritime history, architecture and industry.
Today, it’s also home to the country’s largest Portuguese-American population. Countless Portuguese restaurants dot the downtown area with traditional, old-world menus featuring recipes that haven’t changed since the early 19th century. Favorite dishes include shrimp/chicken Mozambique, cacoila and bacalhau. Every August, the city also hosts the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament — the world’s largest Portuguese feast.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Clik here to view.
Waterfront scene in Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown — or P-Town as it’s known locally — is New England’s answer to Key West. The laid-back enclave boasts boatloads of historic charm, the stunning Cape Cod National Seashore and one of the most gay-friendly vibes in the Northeast. In the town’s tiny downtown strip, visitors will find cottage-style bed-and-breakfasts, great local bars, mom-and-pop artisan shops and some of the best seafood restaurants in Massachusetts.
5 Great Massachusetts Cities Besides Boston from Boston Things to Do