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Massachusetts mixes country, ocean, great city life and history in a location tailor-made for vacationing

by Eric H.

Massachusetts has it all. Whether it's swimming in a Cape Cod ocean, hiking in the Berkshires, visiting the "Hub of the

Universe" known as Boston, taking a nice country drive through the Quabbin Reservoir area, or visiting the great little towns and villages with a deep sense of history, one could live in Massachusetts a lifetime and not get to experience every special aspect of this special state.

Although one of the smaller states in New England, Massachusetts is packed with things to do, the perfect vacation destination. The most obvious starting point is Boston. From the European leanings of Newbury Street to the festive shops and restaurants at Fanueil Hall, Boston is truly the "Hub of the Universe." With over 40 academic institutions, the magnificent Boston Common with masterful flower gardens, fine harbor views, world class restaurants, the Italian-flavored North End, some fascinating museums, the historic Freedom Trail, and a compact layout tailor made for walking, Boston deserves an extended visit.

Cape Cod is a famous destination, now more built for year-round enjoyment -- why deny yourself to its charm just one or two seasons of the year? Cape Cod has three distinct personalities -- the commercial-laden miniature golf, motels, hotels, candle shop mania on sectors of Route 28 in and around Hyannis; the salt-air, tree-lined Route 6A hugging the ocean with its captain's homes, fine New England restaurants and charming bed and breakfasts; and the barren, expansive beaches found at the Cape Cod National Seashore Park in towns like Eastham, Truro and Welfleet. What that means is there is something for everyone within this famed 70 mile stretch. For those who say Cape Cod isn't what it used to be, trip-back-in-time towns like Yarmouthport, Chatham and Brewster give us the vision of true Cape Cod. For those who say Cape Cod is too boring, Hyannis, Falmouth and Yarmouth offer endless retail and nightlife possibilities. The bottom line is that there are sandy, warm water (for New England) beaches, enough so that you can find your own spot, enjoy the glorious moment, and start your trip planning to this famed vacation land.

The Berkshire Hills make for another top-notch Massachusetts vacation destination. With over 90 lakes and 90,000 acres of recreational land (golf, skiing, parks, etc.) within 45 miles north to south, the Berkshire Hills are a favorite amongst Bostonians and New Yorkers. Home of the famed Tanglewood Music Festival in Lenox, Mass., the Berkshires appeal to vacationers with its rolling hills, farmland, all-American, Norman Rockwell-type Main Streets (Stockbridge, Great Barrington, North Adams, West Stockbridge to name a few). North Adams, in particular, has enjoyed a wonderful turnaround, going from dumpy factory town to a charming tourist destination with interesting shops set to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Mount Greylock serves as the region's official mountain, actually being the highest point in Massachusetts at 3, 491 feet. At Mt. Greylock, the dramatic and rather scary hairpin turn affords views of Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, Connecticut and New Hampshire. The Berkshire may not have the spectacular mountains of the nearby Green Mountains, of Vermont, but what it does have is true vacation appeal, courtesy of the lovely, gentle, unspoiled towns.

Massachusetts may have these major vacation destinations, but what really makes this one of New England's best states are the small towns and villages that give this compact state its true flavor. Towns like Petersham, Templeton, Westminster, Rutland, Barre, and West Brookfield in the middle and northern part of the state have no pretension or excessive development, just a lot of nice old homes, village greens and farmland that just goes to show that beyond the Boston suburbs begins the predominant rural character of Massachusetts. Especially nice is Quabbin Reservoir in the center of Massachusetts, where one can find a truly natural setting and capture perfect solitude, save an occasional eagle flying by.

On the more well known end, a stroll through historic Concord, including a peaceful stroll around Walden Pond(Henry David Thoreau's former home), or a day at a beach on the North Shore (Rockport, Gloucester, Ipswich, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Newburyport) are a few more ideas to get your Massachusetts vacation kicking into high gear.

We encourage you to "travel Massachusetts" through our library--at Visiting New England.com, native New Englanders bring you the best in New England vacation planning and travel information with detailed essays, reviews, tips and resources. We hope you enjoy browsing our Massachusetts travel library and hope to see you travel New England soon. Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions, or sign our guestbook.

Massachusetts travel ideas, tips, suggestions and general information:

Best Massachusetts travel destinations

Check the New England calendar of events section for key Massachusetts events and news.

Read our New England tourist attractions page for the best things to do in Massachusetts.

Have a question about visiting Massachusetts? Ask the experts for all your Massachusetts trip planning needs!

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Lexington and Concord, MA, offer a remarkable preservation and respect of Colonial America while keeping a foot in the 21st century.

The Cheap Person's Guide to Touring Boston.

Touring the Boston, MA, neighborhoods.

Burlington Mall Reflections -- Memories and current perspectives on the mall in Burlington, MA, that changed the way we shopped.

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Don's Diner, Plainville, MA, is a classic, old-fashioned diner.

Massachusetts/Boston Area Restaurant Reviews Guide

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The top 30 Boston, MA, tourist attractions.

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The Massachusetts Holiday Shopping Guide and Blog --The meeting place for well-known and hidden gem shopping places in the Bay State!

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Photo:The Bridge of Flowers, Shelburne Falls, MA

Photo:A long view of the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, MA

Photo: The quaint downtown Shelburne Falls, MA

The Prince Restaurant in Saugus, MA, is the king of family dining.

Into the pumpkin patch, Norfolk, MA

The Big Red Barn at Adams Farm, Walpole, MA

Walpole, Mass., Americans Little League all-stars and residents represent the best of small town New England.

Spending a perfect day in historic, unspoiled West Brookfield, MA

A "revolutionary" place to visit: The Old North Bridge in Concord, MA

Special "Memory Lane" feature: The greatest Boston, MA, radio personalities of the 1960s and 1970s.

Tour Guide Steve Meterparel brings a "stand-up" presence to the Fenway Park tours -- from a baseball and comic's perspective

Marion, Mass., is one of Massachusetts' true hidden gems, a charming harbor town with an old-fashioned feeling.

Tangerini's Spring Street Farm, in Millis, offers a rural respite from bustling suburbia with beautiful farmland, an ice cream stand, flowers and plants for sale, wonderful produce, a gift shop, pick your own fruit and vegetables, a hiking trail and more.

On the road in New England: Downtown Norwood, Mass.

Pier 18 Seafood and Grille, East Bridgewater, Mass., specializes in lobster dinners, lobster roll, clam chowder, fried and broiled seafood dinners, and a delicious kale soup.

Brookfield Orchards in Brookfield, Mass. goes beyond apple picking with a year-round country store and bakery (including delicious homemade apple dumplings)

The Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in Wrentham, Mass., offers a shopper's paradise.

Favorite miniature golf courses in the Boston area

Bubbling Brook ice cream stand, a southwest suburban Boston family tradition since 1951, to remain open; rumors of closure untrue.

The Trustees of Reservations offer a treasure trove of events in Massachusetts where you can get in touch with Mother Nature.

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Oxford, Mass. : A nice town to visit and a place you might want to live.

Boston: a virtual guided tour, from a local's perspective

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Beckett's Pub, Restaurant and Function Room makes a grand entry onto the Walpole, Mass., restaurant scene

Minas Cafe in Norwood, Mass., offers delicious Brazilian steakhouse cuisine.

The Berkshires in Massachusetts Make A Perfect Destination for an Antiques Road Trip.

The Restaurant in Woburn, Mass., serves home cooking as straightforward as its name.

Guido's is a hometown favorite traditional Italian-American restaurant in Walpole, Mass.

Christo's in Brockton, Mass., is "Home of the Greek Salad King."

The Big Apple Farm, Wrentham, Mass., makes apples fun

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Visit Newburyport, a classic seaside North Shore destination

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The Tavern from Tower Square in Plainville, Mass., transforms straightforward food into memorable, tasty offerings at reasonable prices

Historic inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels in Massachusetts

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The best Irish restaurants and pubs in suburban Boston

Brigham's Ice Cream is a beloved New England institition, known for some of the best ice cream in the six-state region.

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The Wachusett Village Inn in Westminster, Mass., is perfect any time of the year.

Career-changer Andrea DiReda Taber finds her dream job by creating New England farm fresh pies made from scratch at the Ever So Humble Pie Company in East Walpole, Mass.

Norwood, Mass., has suddenly become the hotspot for Boston suburban dining.

Debra's Natural Gourmet in West Concord, Mass., offers a healthy, community-oriented approach to health foods and products.

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Read all about the best "cheap eats" restaurants in Boston, Cambridge and eastern Massachusetts -- ideal for the budget minded planning a New England vacation or natives looking for a great bargain.

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Bird Park, in Walpole, Mass., is a true hidden New England gem.

Harry's Restaurant and Dairy Bar has been a Metrowest favorite since 1946.

The Maynard Outdoor Store brings back the good old days of locally-owned shopping.

Santarpios: a favorite Boston pizza joint for generations.

Stockbridge, Mass., is a pure New England community.

The Cocke 'n Kettle is a fine New England tradition.

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Belkin Lookout Farm creates a unique apple picking experience.

Plum Island is a hidden Massachusetts gem on the northern Massachusetts coastline.

Cabot's, of Newton, pleases ice cream fans by staying open year-round.

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Amici's in Shrewsbury ended our bad luck streak of poor dining experiences.

Italian restaurants with a traditional flair.

Family vacations abound in Massachusetts.

Southwick's Zoo is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

Arlington's grand past.

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Massachusetts' great Chinese restaurant tour.

Spruce Pond Creamery makes heavenly ice cream.

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Archives:

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