Massachusetts holidays

Most people start their holidays in Massachusetts in Boston, where you’re never more than a few steps from an exciting historical site. Its red-brick colonial architecture and stately tall ships create an air of time travel in this thoroughly modern city. But venture beyond the capital, and you’ll find waterfall hikes, tranquil beach days and the oldest art colony in the US.

Top destinations in Massachusetts

Boston

Savour clam chowder, relive history on the Freedom Trail and cheer on the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, the big beating heart of New England.

Cambridge

Perched on the banks of the Charles River, this leafy city boasts trendy boutiques, must-see museums and the oldest (and most prestigious) university in the United States.

Cape Cod

Welcome to Cape Cod, New England’s postcard-perfect seaside getaway. Stroll along windswept beaches, explore historic lighthouses and feast on lobster rolls and ice cream till you pop.

Nantucket

From its kilometres of sandy beaches to centuries of seafaring history, discover why this tiny Massachusetts island is a popular celebrity getaway.

Hyannis

In the heart of Cape Cod, this coastal charmer reels you in with sandy beaches, cosy parks and some of the coolest small museums in Massachusetts.

Provincetown

Cape Cod’s LGBTQ+ haven is clad with rainbow flags year-round. Explore beaches and cute shops by day, then enjoy drag shows and dance parties by night.

Massachusetts: fast facts

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

Boston - UTC−5 (EST) and UTC−4 (EDT)

High season

May – October

Low season

January – March

We scan 100 billion prices, so you don’t have to

Compare prices to bag a cheap holiday to Massachusetts

Book your holiday to Massachusetts, all in one place

Massachusetts holiday highlights

Boston Public Garden

Revolutionary War sites

Immersing yourself in the region’s fascinating colonial history is a top thing to do in Massachusetts. Join a re-enactment of the famous protest at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. See important sites along the iconic Freedom Trail, including Paul Revere’s house. Just outside the city, visit the battlefields of Lexington and Concord, where the American Revolution officially began.

Maritime history

Get a peak into how the sea shaped this coastal New England state. In Gloucester, hop aboard a historical fishing vessel that functions as a mobile museum. Learn about the shipping industry as you stroll the preserved wharves at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Or visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum to understand how that industry once fuelled local economies.

Island getaways

The tiny islands off Massachusett’s coast are renowned for their charm and beauty. Soak up the preppy vibes of upscale Martha’s Vineyard, or opt for the slightly more low-key Nantucket, where all the beaches are public. Spot seabirds and seals at the wildlife refuge on Monomoy Island. And it’s all fluffy sand and tide pools at Sandy Point State Reservation on Plum Island.

Things to do in Massachusetts

Back Bay
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Top attractions

Walk in the footsteps of American Revolutionary War figures like Paul Revere on Boston’s Freedom Trail. Follow the trail to 16 historic sites, or take a tour from a costumed interpreter. Cape Cod National Seashore preserves 64 kilometres of sandy beach and wildlife habitat along the Atlantic. Cruise Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park to explore Revolutionary-era forts, lighthouses and more.

Beaches

The most beautiful beaches in Massachusetts are on Cape Cod. The hook-shaped peninsula is coastal New England at its best, full of waving grass, lighthouses and a pristine oceanfront. Start at the Cape Cod National Seashore to explore sand dunes, marshes and even cranberry bogs. At family-friendly Mayflower Beach, you can walk on tidal flats, making it popular for sunset strolls.

Nature

Head to the western corner of Massachusetts to explore the Berkshires, a sprawling region of forests, farms and picturesque small towns. Hike amid dense hardwood forest inside Kennedy Park and see a 13-metre waterfall on the Cascades Trail. In autumn, there’s no better place for leaf peeping, as the foliage explodes in bright shades of red, yellow and orange.

Cuisine

Some of the best restaurants in Massachusetts celebrate the bounty of the sea. Seek out clam chowder and fresh oysters, particularly those from Wellfleet. And try lobster rolls, both hot with butter and cold with mayo, so you can join in the debate over which is better. Prefer turf to surf? Order a ‘super beef’ sandwich of thin-sliced roast beef on a Kaiser roll.

Culture and museums

Get your fill of art at the museums in Massachusetts. Stroll over 50 free galleries at Harvard University, then visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Arranged around a Venetian-inspired courtyard, it’s the site of an infamous and unsolved art heist. Art is everywhere in vibrant Provincetown, home to the country’s oldest continual art colony and more than 45 galleries.

Nightlife

Whether you’re looking for bespoke cocktail bars, Irish pubs with live music or alternative club nights, the nightlife in Massachusetts has you covered. Sample some of the world’s best microbrews in Boston. In Provincetown, the dance floors come with an ocean view. Or catch an outdoor concert at Tanglewood in the Berkshires, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Find the best time to visit Massachusetts

Weather in Massachusetts through the year

March – May: Early spring can be chilly and grey. By Patriots’ Day (the third Monday in April), the state is usually balmy and bursting with flowers.

June – August: Summer highs around Boston can top 32°C, with humidity to match. The Berkshires and Cape Cod are cooler but crowded.

September – November: Brilliant foliage and sunny days make autumn one of the best times to visit Massachusetts if you want to get out into nature. Temperatures drop at night, with western Massachusetts seeing its first frost as early as mid-September.

December – February: Average temperatures hover at around freezing. Skiers hit the slopes in the western part of the state, which tends to be colder and snowier than the coast.

Events in Massachusetts

Boston Marathon (April): Cheer along world-class athletes and first-time marathoners at the world’s oldest annual marathon. The pros start racing before 10am, so get there early to watch them whizz by.

Jacob’s Pillow (June to August): This immersive festival brings dance companies to the Berkshires for nine weeks of intimate performances and workshops. You can even watch a rehearsal or join in the fun with a community class.

King Richard’s Faire (August to October): Go medieval with jousting and feasting at the longest-running Renaissance fair in New England.

Salem Haunted Happenings (October): Around Halloween, Salem turns its history with the Salem witch trials into a celebration of all things spooky. Look for ghost tours, costumed balls and a pet parade.

Know before you go

Budget

Cheap holidays in Massachusetts are very possible, especially if you consider staying outside of pricier hubs like Boston and aim for shoulder months when rates are lower. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost about 23 US dollars ($), while a local beer — and the state has lots of good ones to choose from — is around $8.

Health and safety

Biting greenhead flies are common on Massachusetts’ beaches during the summer. Their bites aren’t dangerous, but they can be painful. Dark-coloured clothing can help keep the flies away. Or wear insect repellent, which can also help deter disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes. Be alert for wildlife, like wild turkeys, when driving at night, even in urban areas such as Boston.

Free things to do

Keep your eyes peeled for free festivals all year long, from Boston’s First Night celebrations on New Year’s Eve to the Lowell Folk Festival in July. Follow Paul Revere’s route along the Minuteman Bikeway in Lexington, or cycle through salt marshes on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. From October to April, the Cape Cod National Seashore is free to visit as well.

Family friendly

Say hello to the ‘Make Way for Ducklings’ statue in Boston’s Public Garden, inspired by the children’s classic book. Young historians experience life in early America at living history museums like Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Old Sturbridge Village. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Dr. Seuss story at The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield.

Getting around Massachusetts

North End

Public transport

Buses: You’ll find regional transit authorities throughout Massachusetts, while operators like Greyhound provide regional and interstate services. Around Boston, MBTA buses go north to Beverly and Salem, as well as along the South Shore.

Trains: Catch Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train from Boston to New York and Washington, D.C. The MBTA Commuter Rail provides regional service as far as Worcester and Providence, Rhode Island, plus weekend trains to Cape Cod in summer.

Boats: Avoid weekend traffic by catching the ferry from Boston to Provincetown. Ferries leave for Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard from various ports on Cape Cod, plus seasonally from New Bedford and Rhode Island. Take a speedy catamaran, or save money on a slower passage.

Domestic flights

Connect from Boston Logan International Airport to Hyannis, Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket with Cape Air. Domestic carriers like American Airlines and Delta also offer seasonal service from major hubs like New York JFK and Chicago O’Hare directly to the islands.

Find domestic flights

Driving and car hire

Driving can be a great way to explore the scenic mountains and valleys of western Massachusetts. Traffic in and around Boston can be a challenge, however. I-90 (aka, the Mass Pike toll road) runs across the state from the New York border to Boston.

Check car hire

FAQs about Massachusetts holidays

It’s hard to beat Boston for its rich history and world-class museums. And with the Charles River Esplanade and Emerald Necklace of parks, there’s plenty of green space to enjoy. You’re also primed for day trips to towns like Salem and New Bedford.
On a long weekend in Massachusetts, you can see some of the key sights in Boston and spend a day on Cape Cod. But you should allow four or more days to explore additional regions, such as the Berkshires and islands, at a leisurely pace.
The best time to visit Massachusetts depends on what you want to do. For temperate weather, spring is gorgeous and full of wildflower blooms, while autumn is world-famous for its leaf peeping. Summers are usually hot and humid, a perfect time for escaping to the coast. In winter, bundle up for deserted beach walks or hit the museums.
Massachusetts is a safe place to travel. Follow normal precautions in urban areas, and be aware of weather risks, such as extreme heat or coastal storms. If you’re driving in winter, monitor road conditions, as black ice can be a hazard.
English is the de facto language of Massachusetts, though there are communities where you’ll hear everything from Spanish and Italian to Vietnamese. Massachusetts is famous for its dialect, where words can take on different meanings. For example, ‘wicked’ is often used in place of ‘very’ to add emphasis to a statement.
You’ll use US dollars ($) during your trip to Massachusetts. Most businesses across the state accept credit cards. All tolls are cashless, as is street parking in many towns across the state. It’s customary to tip 20% at restaurants.

More holiday inspiration

Do I need a visa travelling from Australia?

5 best premium economy airlines worth paying for

Cancelled flight? Your guide to refunds and rebooking