Top Things to do in Massachusetts
Top Hotels in Massachusetts
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Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Massachusetts, United States
Discover the best top things to do in Massachusetts, United States including Museum of Fine Arts, Cape Cod National Seashore, The Jenney, Shining Sea Bikeway, Harvard University, Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum, Freedom Trail, Heritage Museums & Gardens, Fenway Park, Herring Cove Beach.
Restaurants in Massachusetts
1. Museum of Fine Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,156 reviews
Boston's oldest, largest and best-known art institution, the MFA houses one of the world's most comprehensive art collections and is renowned for its Impressionist paintings, Asian and Egyptian collections and early American art.
Reviewed By Laura843 - Boston, United States
Some suggested ideas for planning your trip: • Weekends: Try and go as close to opening time as possible on Saturday and Sunday [10am.] There are less crowds early in the day on weekends • Limit What You See: Plan to take in a limited number sections of the museum if possible. It's a lot easier to remember/savor what you've seen if you don't overwhelm yourself. You can preplan your route by looking at the museum floorplans & exhibitions online. • Audio Tours or Guided Tours: Try to add on an audio tour, or tour an exhibit with a guide who knows more about the artwork. Learning about the people who made that art, how they made it and the time period that the art was created is fun! Check the website mfa.org Programs>Gallery Activities & Tours for the schedule • Eat at the New American Cafe: Although it's pricey, and has a limited menu, the food is nice with fresh ingredients...and it's a great way to sit down for a bit and savor the museum experience while sitting in the cavernous open-spaced courtyard next to the new New American wing of the museum. • John Singer Sargent Murals in the Rotunda & Grand Staircase: Although technically part of the building, and not an exhibit... There are some beautiful murals painted in the ceiling and surrounding area of the Rotunda painted by John Singer Sargent on canvas, and then adhered to the walls. See the photo I posted below. • Parking: It's not easy or inexpensive to park in this neighborhood... if you can take the "T" it's just a short walk to the MFA from the Museum stop on the "E" Heath Street MBTA's Green Line. • Discounts: This can be an expensive trip... kids between 7 and 17 are admitted free after 3pm on weekdays, and some of the combo tickets for Boston include MFA admission. The museum occasionally does free days... check the website... but be forewarned they can be crowded. Many universities have institutional memberships so a current student ID is useful!
2. Cape Cod National Seashore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 625 reviews
Over 40,000 beautiful acres of protected beach and dunes, stretching from Chatham to Provincetown.
Reviewed By StacyInDC2012 - Alexandria, United States
During our visit to Cape Cod National Seashore we enjoyed relaxing beach time at Marconi Beach, complete with several seal appearances just beyond the waves and then hiked in the white cedar swamp. The park wasn’t very crowded as we were there during the week just after Labor Day. Loved the visit and the fact that it gave us the opportunity to both be active and relax.
3. The Jenney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 499 reviews
Historic Plymouth Tours and Educational Programs. Your journey into history begins here. Discover Plymouth's History - a Walking Tour: Hear about the people, places, and events that shaped the beginning of our country as you walk through the historic district of Plymouth. Forefathers Monument Tour - This hidden gem is the largest free standing solid granite monument in our country. The faith of the Pilgrims will become real to you as you learn what each of the five statues represents. Business Not as Usual - Pilgrim Economics and Conversations with a Pilgrim: Our guides help visitors learn all aspects of the Pilgrim family including economics, education, government, and faith. All tours require a reservation. Visit our website for tour times and information. Open seasonally.
Reviewed By E9625YOjonathanm - Tuxedo Park, United States
If one didn't know better, it would be easy to believe that Leo Martin was the 103rd Mayflower pilgrim (or perhaps the 105th depending on how you count, but let Leo explain that to you himself). It was a true pleasure to spend time with someone so dedicated to helping us truly understand what we thought we already knew. The museum itself has an abundance of simple, well-presented information. It is not an exhibit of artifacts, but one focusing on the ideals and principles that helps puts the events of 1620 and beyond in perspective. Although it is possible to visit the Jenney Museum without taking advantage of one of the excellent tours, my wife and I highly recommend the Plymouth walking tour which covered a remarkable amount of ground in a little over an hour. Stops included Town Brook, Brewster Gardens, Leyden Street, Burial Hill, and of course, the Rock in all its glory (again I encourage you to experience Leo's commentary for yourself). Leo's presentation was a near-perfect combination of fact, philosophy, anecdotes, and witty commentary. At the conclusion I felt that I didn't just know about the Mayflower pilgrims, but that I knew the Mayflower pilgrims. This was truly the highlight of our visit to Plymouth!
4. Shining Sea Bikeway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,029 reviews
Reviewed By MingO_11 - Boston, United States
This is arguably the most scenic bike trail in Cape Cod. It has almost everything Cape Cod bike trails have to offer: the marsh, the cranberry bog, picturesque cape towns, and of course the shining sea. A few tips: Near the Woods Hole terminus of the trail, there is a very good bakery called Pie in the Sky, which is a good stop to refuel. Also from there, the Nobska lighthouse is close by (~1 mile away), which also worth a side trip.
5. Harvard University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,134 reviews
Founded in 1636, Harvard is America's oldest institute of higher learning and one of the country's most prestigious universities. Among the illustrious alumni are civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, philosopher Henry David Thoreau, writer Gertrude Stein, composer Leonard Bernstein, cellist Yo Yo Ma and seven U.S. presidents.
Reviewed By vincentdE9094KZ - Dún Laoghaire, Ireland
The Harvard campus is a beautiful and historic place to experience calm, mature trees, and beautiful red brick buildings. If the Memorial hall is open it is worth going in.
6. Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,469 reviews
This monument commemorates the Pilgrim's first landing in Provincetown (not Plymouth), where they conceived, wrote and committed to the Mayflower Compact - the foundational document for the democracy America enjoys today. The Monument is the tallest all-granite structure in the U.S. rising 353 feet above sea level, and at the top, visitors are provided the most spectacular view of Cape Cod.In addition to the MOnument, the Provincetown Museum presents the unique cultural heritage of this historic town with special exhibitions and permanent displays.The Monument and Museum has ample parking, is open daily from APril 1st through November 30, and NEW this year - a food concession call the "Shallop Cafe" where visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking Provincetown and the Bay.
Reviewed By sls8806 - Sugar Land, United States
Taking the route of the Pilgrims landing all starts here. The museum is well set up and sets the story with artifacts, and timeline and explanation of the first landing. Step outside and walk to the monument. If you are in better physical health to climb the steps to the very top, you will get a breathtaking 360 degree view and a sticker at the end of the adventure! The day we went there were gale force wind warnings and rain. It really brought home what those early settlers went through and how brave they truly were!
7. Freedom Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,358 reviews
The red line on the sidewalk leads you on this 2.5-mile, self-guided tour of American Revolution sites. It starts at the Boston Common, America's oldest public park, and ends at the famed Bunker Hill Monument.
Reviewed By 434eileenb - Wheaton, United States
American history starts here- Bunker Hill Monument, USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Boston Tea Party Site, the Granary Burial ground, King's Chapel, Old Corner Book Store are all must see sites. The "Red" trail takes you to all these places and more. Very easy walking short segments of the trail. Everyone friendly and wearing masks. We started at Boston Common. Visitor center didnot have any free maps -the one they had was $3.00 and it was the same as we got at our hotel..so pick one up at your hotel if possible. They also had bathrooms. Parking is free on Sundays on the streets so get there early in the day We stopped at Faneuil Hall for lunch and shopping. Visitor center was closed (not sure if is opened at all) We drove over to USS Constitution (Old Ironsides). We found parking on the street. We didnot see any parking lots. Visitor center/museum was $10 per adult and worth visiting. The ship is free but they only allow 25 people at a time so go early in the day. Be prepared to stand in sun as they have limited shade and they do security and virus checks.
8. Heritage Museums & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 913 reviews
You can enjoy more than 70 acres of gardens after visiting the art and history museums at the Heritage. Please note we will be opening for the 2019 season on Saturday, April 27th
Reviewed By mystery1reader - Boston, United States
Check out the great sundial made by a Mass man —Jim MOSS Historical notes to surprise and inform through out the relaxing paths 2020 detailed toy game - many Massachusetts produced games — Milton Bradley was a prince of a man Helpful friendly staff And !! There are regular small trams to take rides all around The antique cars are top notch Very well taken care paths with splendid variety of flowers ???? I Great place Reminds me of DC S gardens in upper Georgetown Or our ARBORETUM IN JAMAICA PLAIN
9. Fenway Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,574 reviews
Hallowed ground to baseball purists, this cozy, quirky park has been the Boston Red Sox home field since 1912. The most distinctive feature of this classic baseball park is the 37-foot-tall left field wall, known as the "Green Monster."
Reviewed By 1kramer2 - Brights Grove, Canada
Last year we visited Wrigley and this year was Boston -- the park is stunning -- the guides are very knowledgeable and the views from the Green Monster are incredible. Well worth taking the tour -- however the area around the park during game times is an experience in itself with entertainment, food stalls and of course Red Sox souvenirs.
10. Herring Cove Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 939 reviews
Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Herring Cove is Provincetown's most popular beach.
Reviewed By robynf699
Herring cove beach is a great place to relax and watch the sunset, there is a brand new parking lot with a mat to walk down to the beach.
