The Ultimate Massachusetts Travel Guide
Massachusetts is one of the original 13 colonies of the United States, and one of the six New England states (also the 6th state to join the forming US in 1788). In 1620, settlers called the Pilgrims arrived at Cape Cod aboard a ship called the Mayflower. Escaping from persecution in England, the Pilgrims created the first European settlement in New England called Plymouth. Soon after, these Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving with members of the Wampanoag tribe. Massachusetts has been the scene of many historical events. America’s first post office opened in Boston in 1639. The infamous Salem witch hunts occurred in 1692-1693. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the first telephone. Other events such as the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party have occurred as well. The historical significance of this state has a lot to offer for all travelers headed to the USA.
Here is the ultimate Massachusetts travel guide for your trip!
Weather Year Round & Best Time to Visit
Massachusetts Seasons
- Spring: March-May; mild, warm, 32-60 F
- Summer: June-August; frequent precipitation, humid on the coast, averages 70-80 F
- Autumn: September-November; moderate precipitation, crisp and cool, ranging 35-68 F
- Winter: December-February; mild as in temperature rarely drops before 26-30 F
Best tourism months range June to October
June through August is the busiest time for tourism throughout the United States. Most kids are out of school for the summer and many family vacations take place while the weather is warm. Massachusetts gets lots of tourism in the summer due to its warm, but not stifling hot temperatures and also its coastal destinations such as Boston, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard.
High tourism continues in September and October because fall foliage is beautiful in the state. Additionally, Massachusetts is a popular Halloween destination, with towns like Salem, the site of the Salem Witch Trials, and also spooky locations such as the infamous (supposedly haunted) Lizzie Borden House.
Attractions & Experiences by Season
- Spring: Boston Marathon (April), Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (March)
- Summer: Bunker Hill Parade (June), St. Anthony’s Feast (August)
- Fall: America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration (November)
- Winter: Major Christmas tree lightings and celebrations in areas such as Boston, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and Concord.
Packing Guides
Aside from the regular clothing you might pack for travel, there are things unique to Massachusetts that you might want to prepare your packing for.
Sturdy walking shoes are needed for exploring any city such as Boston or even Salem, as many of their attractions include outdoor walks or covering long distances on foot. Flip flops or any other beach shoes are necessary for Cape Cod or Nantucket. Umbrellas and jackets are also a good idea because Massachusetts weather can often be cold or rainy.
A few of my personal favorite Boston packing essentials include:
- Portable Charger: it’s important to keep your phone charged, especially when exploring an area you don’t know well. Maps can drain your battery quick, and in order to avoid your phone dying and leaving you stranded, pack a portable charger!
- Uber App: Not quite a physical thing to pack, but more a phone essential, this app has been very helpful to get cheaper rides than taxis to and from certain locations in a large city such as Boston when you get tired of walking.
Information for International Travelers
US dollar $
English.
Because this is part of the U.S., it’s customary to tip 10-20% at restaurants. However, make sure to review your check before adding the tip, because in some places, it’s common for restaurants to automatically add a service fee or gratuity into your total. If that’s the case, it’s up to you whether to add additional tips, but not necessary as the gratuity covered the baseline.
The plugs in the United States are type A and B. The standard voltage is 120V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. If you’re not from the United States, you’ll benefit from a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and a converter for larger appliances (such as hair tools).
According to the U.S. Department of State, “a foreign national traveling to the United States for tourism needs a visitor visa (B-2) unless qualifying under the Visa Waiver Program.” Instructions for how to apply for a visitor visa can be found here. Make sure to register your trip with your country or government if necessary.
Make sure you’re up to date on any vaccinations you might need prior to visiting the United States. As of May 12, 2023, foreign travelers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to board flights to the U.S.
It’s also not a bad idea to visit your doctor for a checkup and let them know of your travel plans. They might have medical insight of what you might need to prepare for and maintain your health while abroad.
Trip Preparation
It’s best to keep limited cash on you. You can always draw more from an ATM while in the city, so it’s best if you avoid carrying a bunch of cash on you to limit the financial hit of theft.
Make sure to notify your credit card companies and banking institutions of your travel plans.
A month before your trip, order a couple hundred in US Dollars ($) in cash. Don’t wait until you get to a U.S. airport; they will charge you insane fees!
Research your card type and make sure that the United States will accept your payment method.
Notify your credit card companies and banking institutions of your travel plans so they don’t block your purchases and leave you strapped for cash.
Determine whether travel insurance is needed for your particular trip. Travel insurance can protect your finances in cases of trip cancellation, medical emergencies, missed connections, flight cancellations, travel delays (resulting hotel and food expenses), baggage (loss, stolen, or damaged).
- Your trip costs more than you can afford to lose
- You’re traveling internationally
- You’re traveling to a remote area with limited health care facilities nearby
- You’re traveling to a hurricane-prone country
- You’ve scheduled lots of pre-paid, non-refundable tours, day trips, or activities
- Your trip involves connecting flights or multiple destinations
- You want to be compensated for health-related cancellations and medical issues abroad
- You want to be reimbursed for trip cancellations or early returns
Destinations
| Cities & Towns |
| Boston Cape Cod Plymouth Martha’s Vineyard Salem Nantucket |
| Natural Wonders |
| Aquinnah Cliffs Bash Bish Falls Mount Greylock |
| Landmarks & Attractions |
| Freedom Trail Plymouth Rock Fenway Park Paul Revere’s Home Paul Revere’s Grave Beacon Hill Bunker Hill Boston Massacre Salem Witch Memorial Boston Commons Mayflower Replica |
| Off the Beaten Path |
| Cheers! Bar House of Seven Gables Harvard University Campus USS Constitution Lizzie Borden House |
Getting to Massachusetts & Transportation Within
About Massachusetts Airports
While Massachusetts has countless airports, it has eight that offer year round commercial and charter flights. Out of those eight, the Boston Logan International Airport is the only one with major traffic, handling the majority of international flights to Massachusetts. The other airports in the state focus mostly on regional and domestic routes.
Main Massachusetts Airports: Boston Logan International Airport, Nantucket Memorial Airport, Worcester Regional Airport, Martha’s Vineyard Airport, Barnstable Municipal Airport, Provincetown Municipal Airport, New Bedford Regional Airport, Norwood Memorial Airport.
Transportation Between Locations
There are many great options for transportation within Massachusetts.
Car Rental: If you’re planning to cover a few different locations in the state, the best option would be to rent a vehicle. You can do this through RentalCars.com. RentalCars looks at the available rental options of the top car rental brands and gives you the best quality, cheapest options! To search car rentals now, you can use the form directly below.
Uber: If you plan to stick to a concentrated area and aren’t able to walk the distance, Uber is a cost-efficient alternative to local taxis that can be useful to get you where you need to go. Boston, in particular, requires a lot of walking, whether you’re walking the scenic Freedom Trail or just need to get from one attraction or landmark to another.
Public Transportation: There is also public transportation throughout Massachusetts that you can use. Whether it’s by bus, subway, or ferry, the Massachusetts Government has a compiled list of different public transportation services throughout the state. If you plan to stick around Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) includes useful Boston public transportation information.
Top Bucket List Experiences
For Aventure
- Halloween in Salem: Salem, Massachusetts is the infamous site of the Salem Witch Trials. Here, witch hunting was a common occurrence in the late 17th century. People thought to be witches were hung, burned, pressed to death by rocks, and tortured in many unimaginable ways. The town’s history makes it spooky, eerie, and the perfect destination for what is now the largest celebration of Halloween in the world. If you can’t make a Halloween trip to visit this historic town, it remains spooky year round, so at least look into booking a ghost tour or a Hocus Pocus movie location tour!
- Go Inside the Lizzie Borden House: I’d be fairly surprised if you’ve never heard of this. The Lizzie Borden House, located in Fall Rivers, MA is the perfect destination for adventure seekers! You can do only a tour, or go so far as to stay the night in this infamous house that was the site of several hatchet murders! The case remains unsolved, but many believe the murders of Abby and Andrew Borden were committed by their daughter, Lizzie Borden. The house is supposedly haunted, with many cases of documented paranormal activity, so stay the night if you dare, and hope you live to see the sunrise…
- Participate in the Boston Marathon: This one requires intense training and months if not years of preparation. There are certain qualifications needed to even apply to participate in the Boston Marathon, and even then, you might not be accepted due to field size restrictions. But if you feel you’re in well enough shape and meet the time and age qualifications, feel free to register to compete!
- Climb Mount Greylock: Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts, and on a clear day you can see up to 90 miles away. Check out the hiking routes and scale this 3,500 foot tall peak to survey the surrounding MA landscapes.
For Families or Groups
- Attend a Game at Fenway Park: Fenway Park is America’s oldest standing baseball stadium, built in 1912. It’s abnormally shaped, which makes it unique and endearing! It offers an authentic glimpse into American baseball’s history. The left field’s wall is known as the Green Monster, because it routinely robs players of homeruns that would have easily passed over in other ball parks; this section is a very popular seating area for fans.
- Attend a Boston Bruins Game: Coined by many as one of the most impressive professional hockey teams in existence, stopping by to see a Boston Bruins game is a given for many people.
- Walk the Freedom Trail: Boston’s Freedom Trail is an iconic 2.5 mile trail that leads its travelers through 16 nationally significant historical sites! This is the best way to get a well-rounded experience of Boston. The walk includes sites such as the Boston Common, Old South Meeting House, Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere House, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument. For a private walking tour with added history and storytelling by experienced guides, contemplate booking a walking tour.
- Make a Trip to Martha’s Vineyard: This charming island has been a popular vacation destination for many US presidents, and has many amazing beaches to visit. Edgartown is a popular tourist location on the island, with stunning mansions. You may also visit the many Jaws filming locations around the island, including Jaws Bridge—but don’t jump off of it! Not only is jumping off the bridge illegal, but a few people have died doing it. While you can certainly arrange to head over to Martha’s Vineyard yourself, taking the ferry (especially with a car) takes making reservations weeks in advance. You can make things easier on yourself by booking a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard from Boston, or perhaps take a wine tour!
- Visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum: Relive the event that started the American Revolution by watching historical reenactments, participating in interactive exhibits, and visiting the full-scale replicas of 18th century sailing vessels. This all while being at the exact location the Boston Tea Party took place in the 1700s.
Amazing & Unique Sightseeing
- Plymouth Rock: While just a large rock in the ground, Plymouth Rock is a historic spot that marks the disembarkment location of the pilgrims from the Mayflower. This is a must see location for history bluffs! Explore the Mayflower Replica, marvel at the stunning seaside town, and have some local ice cream as you walk the promenade.
- Plimouth Plantation: Walk around historic Patuxet, where you can learn about Plymouth’s indigenous heritage. Here you can step inside a wetu, sit on a fur-lined bench, and learn about the Wampanoag communities! You can also explore the recreation of early Plymouth complete with timber-framed houses and well-trained actors roaming the area reenacting the pilgrims as they go about daily life.
- USS Constitution: Also known as Old Ironsides, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the United States navy and is still active today. Launched in 1797, she is also the world’s oldest ship still afloat! She’s legendary due to her exploits during the War of 1812, winning three major battles during the war. You can board and explore the actual ship before heading into the museum that chronicles its long history.
- Salem Witch Museum: Inside, you can relive the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, reenacted by the museum’s cast. Tickets for the Salem Witch Museum are sold online only and it’s recommended to purchase them as early as possible before your trip because tourism can really peak for the museum and spots can fill up quickly.
- Harvard University: Visit one of the United States’ top Ivy League schools and grab a sweatshirt with its iconic logo!
- The House of the Seven Gables: This house is best known today as the setting of American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel of the same name! Take a tour inside the famous house while in Salem.
- Paul Revere’s Home & Grave: Built around 1680, this was the home of American patriot and founding father Paul Revere during the American Revolution era. It’s one of the oldest remaining structures in downtown Boston! Make sure to book a tour inside.
Other Local Experiences
- Eat Italian Food in Boston’s Little Italy
- Dine in at Cheers! Bar
- Attend Boston’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
- Attend the Boston Marathon
- Shop on Newbury Street in Boston
Where to Stay
Hotels
Encore Boston Harbor
- Average Price Per Night: $400-600
- Location: Boston, over Mystic River
- Best Choice For: Luxury travel
Hotel AKA Back Bay
- Average Price Per Night: $200-300
- Location: Back Bay, Boston
- Best Choice For: Central location; near Boston Common, Fenway Park, Trinity Church, Boston Public Library
Quality Inn Boston-Revere
- Average Price Per Night: $130
- Location: Revere, outside Boston
- Best Choice For: Budget to mid-range travelers looking to stay near Boston Logan Airport or who don’t mind short commutes to inner boston locations that are anywhere from 10-15 miles
Four Points by Sheraton Boston
- Average Price Per Night: $125-180
- Location: Boston’s western suburbs
- Best Choice For: Mid-range budgets; those who don’t mind short commutes to inside Boston
Unique VRBO Rentals
Cape Cod Cottage Condo
- Average Price Per Night: $180
- Location: Cape Cod
- Best Choice For: Solo travelers or couples looking for a private condo steps away from the beach.
Greymoor Mansion
- Average Price Per Night: $650
- Location: Salem
- Best Choice For: Someone looking to splurge on a luxury, gothic-feeling mansion while in the iconic town where the Salem Witch Trials took place!
IF you’re feeling brave
Lizzie Borden House
Stay a night at the infamous (supposedly haunted) Lizzie Borden House in Fall Rivers, the site of the Borden hatchet murders. While this case was never solved, many believe the murders to have been committed by Lizzie Borden herself. Not only can you take spooky tours of the eerie haunted house, but you can also stay the night inside! Andrew and Abby Borden were mercilessly hacked to death by a hatchet: Abby as she cleaned the upstairs guest room, and Andrew as he lay napping on the sitting room couch downstairs.
Visit the Lizzie Borden House’s official website to peruse the available suites within the house and decide where you’d like to stay the night! Andrew’s and Abby’s room? Or maybe Emma’s and Lizzies shared suite? Or perhaps the John V Morse suite where Abby was actually murdered?
If none of these accommodations were quite what you were looking for, you can search for your intended city below for tailored accommodation recommendations!
Picture Worthy Destinations
- Acorn Street, Boston
- Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard
- Aquinnah Cliffs, Martha’s Vineyard
- Lambert’s Cove Beach
- Kelleher Rose Garden, Boston
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Back Bay, Boston
- Frenchie, Boston
- Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
- Boston Public Library
- Lookout Rooftop Bar, Boston
- Columbus Waterfront Park
- Fan Pier Park, Boston
- Newbury Street, Boston
- Trinity Church, Boston
- Harvard University
- Copley Square, Boston
- Brattle Book Shop, Boston
- Fenway Park, Boston
- The Knob, Cape Cod
- Nobska Light, Cape Cod
- The Witch House, Salem
- Halloween in Salem, MA
Where to Eat
Red’s Sandwich Shop
- Price Range: $9-15/person
- Location: Salem
- Type of Food: Breakfast food, Pasta, Sandwiches
- Personal Experience: Even years after visiting Salem, I still think of this restaurant to this day! The macaroni and fries are so tasty!
Cheers! Bar
- Price Range: $15-25/person
- Location: Boston
- Type of Food: Sandwiches, Burgers, American cuisine
- Personal Experience: This place serves all the vibes! Cheers! Bar is literally a hole in the ground; you have to walk down a staircase off the sidewalk bordering Boston Common to enter this pub below ground level!
Beantown Pub
- Price Range: $10-30/person
- Location: Boston
- Type of Food: Sandwiches, Burgers, American cuisine
- Personal Experience: Located on just off the edge of Boston Common, Beantown Pub is directly across from the Granary Burying Ground containing Paul Revere’s Grave! As you eat your burger or sandwich, you can look out on the graveyard across the street.
Chatham Pier Fish Market
- Price Range: $25-50/person
- Location: Cape Cod
- Type of Food: Seafood
KKatie’s Burger Bar
- Price Range: $10-20/person
- Location: Plymouth
- Type of Food: Burgers, sandwiches, fries
The Tavern at Hawthorne Hotel
- Price Range: $10-30/person
- Location: Salem
- Type of Food: many kinds; nearly everything
- About: The Hawthorne Hotel is considered one of the best places to stay in Salem, if you’re interested in spending a night in town. It’s also considered to be one of the most haunted places in town!
