Day Trips Around Massachusetts

1. Acushnet

Acushnet was founded in 1860, as separate from the greater Fairhaven area. It’s the site of the oldest ceremony and church building in the area, each dating back to the 1700’s.

The 23-acre cemetery is the burial place of some of Massachusetts’ earliest settlers, including soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Other attractions in the area include the Long Plain Museum, which occupies an 1875 schoolhouse, and educates visitors on local history.

The 1799 ruins of a water-powered cotton mill still stand along the Acushnet River. The New Bedford Reservoir, known as Lake Street to the locals, offers kayaking, fishing and wildlife observation.

2. Boston

Boston is among the most visited New England towns and offers a rich history, diverse culture, and great respect for the arts and education.

Self-guided walking tours and trails throughout the city include the Freedom Trail, which passes by 16 historical sites, the Irish Heritage Trail, Black Heritage Trail, and Women’s Heritage Trail.

Climb to the top of the Bunker Hill monument, which celebrates America’s first major win of the American Revolution, visit the Boston Common and the Public Gardens, the city’s central public parks, which together form part of the 1,100 acre Emerald Necklace.

World-renowned museums include the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, Children’s Museum and the New England Aquarium.

3. Cambridge

Home of Harvard University, Cambridge sits across the Charles River from Boston proper. Things to experience in Cambridge include historical sites, excellent dining, shopping, and outdoor activities.

Dive into history at the Cambridge Historical Society, located in the 1685 Hooper-Lee-Nichols House.

Stroll through the Cambridge Common public park, or visit the historic Cambridge Public Library.

Take a riverboat tour past Harvard’s famous boathouses along the Charles River.

Stroll through Harvard Square for the best of the area’s shopping and dining.

Within the Harvard campus, visit the famous glass flowers at the Botanical Museum, tour the Museum of Natural History for an exhibit of over 200 bird families and to browse the collection of more than 150,000 insects.

4. Cape Cod

Cape Cod is the arms of Massachusetts that extends into the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Cod things to do include a range of small town experiences, beach going and outdoor recreation on the north and south shores.

Head to the northernmost tip of the arm for a visit to the Cape Cod National Seashore, described by Thoreau in the 1800’s as the great outer beach.

The National Park protects over 43,000 acres of historic lighthouses, cranberry bogs, seashore and wildlife. Enjoy seafood via casual or fine dining in any of the 15 Cape Cod towns. Try classic New England clam chowder, a lobster roll, or fried clams.

5. Castle Hill

Castle Hill is a grand seaside estate in Ipswich. Once known as Agawam to the Native Americans, the area was farmed by settlers as early as the 1600’s, over hundreds of years it transformed from a working farm to a gentleman’s estate, culminating with the 1910 purchase by Robert Crane.

Today, the site is occupied by a 59-room mansion built in 1928 in the Stuart-style, also known as restoration architecture for it’s draw from earlier periods.

Enjoy a stroll along the grounds of the Crane Wildlife Preserve and the formally landscaped gardens, or tour the first floor of the main house, decorated with period furnishings.

Tours include a trip back to 1929, a look at the home from a servant’s perspective, golf-cart tours of the grounds, and a tour to the cupola on the estate’s roof.

290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938, Phone: 978-356-4351

6. Castle Island Park

Boston’s Castle Island Park offers a combination of outdoor recreation and history. No longer a true island, Castle Island has been connected to the mainland since 1928.

Visit Fort Independence, constructed in 1833 to replace the original fort from the 1600’s. The fort feel out of use after the Civil War and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Additional activities at the park include swimming at any of the area’s beaches, walking or running along the Pleasure Bay Loop or fishing. There are restroom facilities with showers, playgrounds and picnic areas with grilling stations.

2010 Day Blvd., Boston, MA 02127, Phone: 617-727-5290

7. Glendale Falls

The Glendale Falls are among the tallest waterfalls in Massachusetts, found where the smaller Glendale Brook tumbles into the Westfield River.

A moderate to strenuous quarter mile hike leads from the trailhead to the base of the falls. Surrounding forests are canopied by beech, birch and hemlock trees with maple, mountain laurel and witch hazel beneath. Cross Clark Wright Road to follow a slightly longer trail through a natural wet meadow that parallels Glendale Brook.

While open year round, the spring is the best time to visit the falls. Westfield River is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, which preserves its free-flowing condition to protect wildlife.

Clark Wright Rd, Middlefield, MA 01243, Phone: 413-213-4751

8. Good Harbor Beach

Gloucester, Massachusetts is well known for its seven public beaches, among which is Good Harbor Beach. Good Harbor Beach offers a pleasant stretch of white sand, surrounding dunes and marshes and is best known for its protected swimming conditions.

During low tide, visitors can walk to the nearby Salt Island. During high tide, beach goers may enjoy swimming and soft-top boogie boarding.

Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Arrive early in the day for a parking spot, especially during the summer months. While restroom facilities are available, be prepared to pack out all trash with you.

99 Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930

9. Hudson

Hudson is a progressive small town in Massachusetts which has embraced the “local first” theme.

The support of local small business has encouraged a weekly town farmer’s market, local breweries and speakeasy’s, local ice cream shops and award-winning farm-to-table dining.

A historic mill town that was once a manufacturing hub, the area has revitalized through its commitment to the support of local agriculture.

Visit the famous Mullahy’s Cheese for local cheeses, honeys, figs, and baked goods.

The tap room at Medusa Brewing Company offers up to 100 lagers and ales, including lunch and dinner. Shop the quaint boutiques along Main Street, and of course, visit one of the many farmer’s markets.

10. Ipswich

Ipswich is a small town on the coast north of Boston with great beaches, dining and fun things to do for a summer visit.

Visit Appleton Farms, among the oldest operating farms in America, for a walk along their trails, or to purchase cheeses and milk from the dairy cows, baked goods and fresh flowers.

At Russell Orchards open since 1920, stop by the farm store for apple-everything, including donuts, cider and pies.

Try the traditional fried clams at the Clam Box, a classic 1930’s New England clam shack.

Quaint streets are lined with early American houses. Self-guided audio tours of the historic city center are available at the Visitors Center, located in an 1820’s home.