Massachusetts attractions

Opened in 1799—and then called the East India Marine Society—Salem's Peabody Essex Museum (PEM is one of the oldest continuously-operating museums in the US. The museum's sizable collection makes it one of the region's largest art institutions. Holdings include curios from mariners traveling the globe, plus historic homes and gardens.

The Mayflower II is a full-scale reproduction of the original Pilgrim ship, the Mayflower, that made the transatlantic crossing in the 1600s and changed the course of history. Built in England, the replica's first voyage was from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1957—making the Mayflower II a historic ship in its own right. It's both a working vessel and a floating museum, with costumed docents on board, creating an immersive experience for every visitor.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a Smithsonian-affiliated living history museum complex that portrays the English settlers who arrived in the New World in the 1600s and the original inhabitants of the land, the Wampanoag people. You’ll meet historical reenactors in the reconstructed 17th-century English village and the Historic Patuxet Homesite, both with docents in period dress offering interactive talks and demonstrations to illustrate a chapter in American history.

Located in South Boston, Castle Island is one of the city’s most appealing waterfront parks. Spanning 22 acres (9 hectares), the park is home to Fort Independence, as well as green space, paths, playgrounds, and beaches, making it an ideal location for visitors looking for a day of history, leisure, or outdoor recreation.

This bronze statue, which stands at the center of Harvard Yard, is frequently visited by both travelers and prospective students, and it’s also been the target of dozens of pranks since its unveiling. Whether it’s covered in tar, paint, or some other substance, the John Harvard statue remains at the heart of the school named for him … even though the statue isn’t actually of him.

The slice of downtown Boston that makes up the bustling Chinatown neighborhood serves as the cultural epicenter of the city's Chinese community, though gentrification is slowly changing the cityscape. One of the largest Chinese urban enclaves in the US, it is the only remaining historic Chinatown district in New England. You can walk through the heart of the neighborhood along Beach Street, dine on traditional Chinese delicacies, and detour to admire the colorful murals.

There's perhaps no better symbol of Boston maritime history than the Boston Light, a quaint lighthouse set on Little Brewster Island. This Boston Harbor landmark was built in 1716, and holds the record for the country's oldest continuously operated lighthouse. Lucky visitors that book a tour can climb the tower for striking Boston views.

Located in Boston’s Fort Point district, Boston Children’s Museum is one of the premier destinations in the city for the education of children. It’s the second oldest museum of its kind in the country, and features a wide variety of interactive activities, exhibits, and programs that encourage children’s growth and development.

History fans can follow in the footsteps of the British troops along the scenic Battle Road Trail, located near Concord, Massachusetts. This is the actual route soldiers retreated along after the battles at Lexington and Concord. Hike the trail to learn about colonial revolutionaries and the origins of the American Revolutionary War.

The expansive collection of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, located on the grounds of Harvard University, comes from the school’s major research museums. Visitors will find fabulous displays of fossils and dinosaurs, taxidermied animals from around the world, exquisite glass models of plants, and more at this family-friendly museum.

Cambridge Common is a popular green space near Harvard Square where local recreational sports teams play, picnickers gather, and energetic kids run around. On the site where George Washington gathered troops during the Revolutionary War, the park contains historic cannons and plaques that commemorate some of the revolution’s major events.

Considered one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Boston, Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill consists of multi-million-dollar, 19th-century townhouses and a private park. The area was first settled back in the 1600s when Rev. William Blaxton moved to this part of Beacon Hill from Charlestown, where the Puritans had settled, to enjoy more peace.

Located in Franklin Park in south Boston, Franklin Park Zoo is one of the city’s top family-friendly attractions. Extending across 29 hectares (72 acres), the zoo houses a diverse array of animals that ranges from gorillas and bison to exotic birds and African lions.

Once a popular gathering place for locals and travelers, Buckman Tavern was where the Lexington Minutemen waited for the British troops in the early hours of April 19, 1775, just before the first battle of the Revolutionary War took place outside Lexington Commons. Today, the restored tavern is a National Historic Landmark and museum.

The Charles River meanders 80 miles (129 kilometers) through eastern Massachusetts, including Boston and Cambridge, before emptying into the Atlantic. The Charles, as it’s often called, plays a role in the daily lives of many Bostonians, especially walkers, joggers, cyclists, kayakers, and those who love to quietly relax by the water.

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Longfellow House is the former home of poet Henry W. Longfellow and served as headquarters to General George Washington during the Siege of Boston from 1775 to 1776. Visitors can wander the decorated halls of this Georgian mansion and learn about the dynamic Longfellow family.

Separate the myths from the facts while learning all about the history of witchcraft through the ages, with a visit to the Salem Witch Village. Tours are led by practicing witches. The village also features an indoor maze and eclectic gift shop.

The South End sits just south of Boston’s Back Bay area and is one of the city’s most culturally rich areas. Renowned for its redbrick houses, community parks, and tree-lined streets, it also offers a buzzing creative and culinary vibe, with open-air markets, independent shops, and cosmopolitan restaurants.

Travel between Boston’s Long Wharf and Salem in style on the Salem Ferry. This high-speed catamaran cruises at up to 33 knots and can complete the journey in less than an hour. The 92-foot (28-meter) long ship can comfortably fit 150 passengers. Feel the wind on your face and enjoy the passing scenery from the upper and lower decks, or enjoy the comforts of the climate-controlled indoor lounge.

Travel back to the time of the Plymouth Colony settlers with a visit to this reconstruction of the historic Plimoth Grist Mill, which was originally built in 1636, set along the Town Brook stream in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This working mill still operates today, offering visitors a hands-on history lesson. See the 200-year-old millstones and learn how water diverted from the brook powers the mill.

Part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the Custom House is one of Salem’s top architectural and historic landmarks. Literature buffs are drawn here for its connection to the author Nathaniel Hawthorne—the building contains an exhibit of the office where he wrote the 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter. Operated by the National Park Service, this Salem landmark offers several exhibitions, but has limited hours; call ahead for the most up to date information.

For an experience that combines history and economics, science and seafaring, head over to the New Bedford Whaling Museum and get an up-close look at the Massachusetts whaling industry. Check out the whale skeletons and the robust scrimshaw collection, featuring objects carved from whalebone—then hop aboard a large model ship.

Locals and visitors alike flock to the Waterfront, which stretches from one of the city’s best parks to the Boston Tea Party ships. In the vibrant neighborhood, you’ll find enough tourist attractions, restaurants, and shops to keep you busy for days. Or, just take in the view of Boston Harbor as you leisurely stroll the walkways.

Founded in 1971, the MIT Museum is home to a wide array of exhibits showcasing the intersection of science, technology, and art, from artificial intelligence and holography to robotics. The museum offers rotating exhibitions on STEAM-based topics, demonstrations by faculty and students, workshops, and hands-on activities.

Copley Place is the premier high-end shopping destination in Boston’s historic Back Bay. With over 50 shops spread across two levels, the impressive mall also features dining options, as well as convenient access to office buildings and two hotels. The mall has many luxury brands stores Stores that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Stretched across the mouth of Massachusetts Bay east of Boston, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is an Atlantic Ocean reserve designed to protect the area’s rich marine environment. Created in 1992, the sanctuary is visited by migrating wild whales and other sea life, and draws numerous whale-watching boat trips from Boston.

From its first-rate beginning as a statesman's mansion to its humble years as a boarding house, Otis House captures the history of Boston within its 18th-century walls. As the last of the great mansions in Bowdoin Square, you can uncover Federalist history on a guided tour of this carefully-restored home, a National Historic Landmark.

Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor living-history museum in central Massachusetts that showcases rural New England life in the 1830s. With antique buildings, working farms, and exhibitions across rolling grounds, the village is brought to life by costumed interpreters and artisans, providing an immersive journey back in time.

Detailing the long history of glassmaking in Sandwich, Massachusetts, the Sandwich Glass Museum allows visitors to explore locally made glass on display and see artisans blowing glass by hand in the workshop. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in glassmaking or the town’s history.

Centuries-old Burial Hill in Plymouth dates back to the 1620s, when it was part of the original village erected here by the Pilgrims. Visitors can stroll tree-lined pathways to admire some of the oldest gravestones in the United States, see resting places of statesmen and Mayflower passengers, and enjoy hilltop views of Plymouth Harbor.