8 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In Massachusetts
As one of the 13 original colonies of the United States, Massachusetts is known for its robust history and role in the American Revolution. While it is famous for its iconic sites like Boston and Cape Cod, there are also smaller hidden gems throughout the Bay State that are begging to be explored. Whether you are planning a vacation to Massachusetts or you are looking to plant roots in this captivating state, here are eight off-the-beaten-path towns that are waiting for you. From scenic coastal views to historical sites, there is plenty to love about Massachusetts.
Concord
When you set foot in Concord, you might feel like you have stepped back in time as history comes alive in this quaint town. Literature fans will want to leave themselves plenty of time to explore Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, also known as “The Home of Little Women.” The house is where Alcott penned her famous novel in 1868, and since then, there have been few structural changes made, so you can get a glimpse at what life was like for her when writing Little Women. Other famous authors also called Concord home. Both Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson lived near the picturesque Walden Pond. Today, you can visit Walden Pond State Reservation to see the scenery that inspired Thoreau’s work and stop by a replica of his single-room cabin. As a final stop on your historical tour of Concord, visit Wright Tavern, a structure built in 1747 that was home to several historical meetings leading up to the Revolutionary War. Purchase tickets for the hour-long tour to hear some of the stories held in these walls.
Becket
If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, take a trip to Becket in the Berkshires. The Becket Historic Quarry and Forest is the area’s most impressive wonder, spanning nearly 300 acres. There are several miles of hiking trails throughout the old granite quarry site, allowing you to get lost in nature for a day while exploring the majestic landscape and native wildlife. If you prefer winter sports to hiking, plan a trip to Canterbury Farm. The farm offers cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing with neatly groomed trails. There is also a bed and breakfast on the property, so you can stay on-site and spend all day on the slopes. However, even if you visit Becket in the summer, there is plenty to do. The Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival is a must-see for those who appreciate the arts. The nine-week-long festival showcases more than 50 dance companies from around the world performing different styles of dance, interactive workshops, exhibits, and more.
Rockport
Nothing says “Massachusetts” quite like a coastal village, and Rockport fits that image perfectly. Located about 40 miles north of Boston, Rockport is a hub for enjoying nature, appreciating the arts, and catching local fish. When you are ready to head out and explore, stop by Halibut Point State Park. This scenic rocky coast offers views of Maine and New Hampshire on a clear day and is the perfect place to fish, bird watch, or enjoy a picnic. While you are out and about, head over to Bearskin Neck, a rocky peninsula home to America’s most-painted building. The eye-catching dark red fishing shack, known as Motif No. 1, has been captured in countless paintings across the world and has been featured on a United States postage stamp. After enjoying the outdoor scenery in Rockport, head to the Shalin Liu Performance Center. The concert hall boasts excellent acoustics for performances in just about every genre, including jazz, pop, and folk music. The glass windows behind the stage offer an impressive view of the ocean, so you can experience unmatched serenity during every concert.
Deerfield
Set where the Deerfield and Connecticut rivers meet, Deerfield offers the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor attractions. Nature enthusiasts will love visiting the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens, which is home to around 4,000 domestic and exotic butterflies. The 8,000-square-foot glass conservatory is especially impressive, with its heart-shaped pond, waterfall, and tropical climate year-round. When you walk into almost any gift store around the country, you will find deliciously scented Yankee Candles, but to visit the company’s flagship store, you will have to make a trip to Deerfield! The Yankee Candle Village is a must-stop for all members of the family, thanks to the 7-foot-tall gumball machine and candy store, year-round Bavarian Christmas village, and general store. While you are there, stop by the Custom Candle Bar, where you can create a candle in a customized scent to take home with you. If you want a drink after a day of exploring Deerfield, head to Tree House Brewing Company, which features beers on draft, tasty pizza, summer concerts, and a Beer To Go section, so you can take your favorite brews home with you.
Stockbridge
When you want to capture the essence of an American small town, head to Stockbridge. The town is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum and houses the largest collection of Rockwell’s work depicting small-town America. The town famously inspired many of Rockwell’s paintings, and a visit to Stockbridge might have you feeling like you stepped into one of his works for yourself. To step even further back in time, head to The Mission House in Stockbridge, a Colonial-era home and museum that tells the history of the town, the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican tribe, and missionary John Sergeant. During your visit, you can take a guided tour of the museum to learn about New England’s history, not only from the perspective of the colonists but also from the Indigenous people who lived there long before the colonists arrived. To complete your historical tour of Stockbridge, stop by Naumkeag, a shingle-style Berkshire cottage. The historic home is reminiscent of the Gilded Age, sitting on 48 acres and featuring a public garden you can explore.
Great Barrington
In western Massachusetts, near the New York border, you will find Great Barrington, known for its majestic beauty. No visit to the town is complete without a stop at Monument Mountain, which overlooks the Housatonic River Valley. Standing at the summit, more than 1,600 feet in the air, you will see why this mountain was a sacred landmark for the Mohican tribe and, years later, inspired authors Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Head to downtown Great Barrington to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center for a change of scenery. The theater screens movies, hosts comedians, puts on plays, and offers lectures, so there are offerings that will appeal to everyone. Great Barrington is also home to the W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site, which features a self-guided interpretive trail spanning two miles through the town. Walking on the trail, you will learn more about civil rights leader Du Bois and how his work began in Great Barrington.
Newburyport
The coastal town of Newburyport is perfect for anyone looking to unwind and feel more connected to the great outdoors. Just two miles from downtown Newburyport, you will find Plum Island, which is a stunning beach where you can set up an umbrella and chair and soak up vitamin D. Whether you want to fish, kayak, or just relax, summer is best spent at Plum Island Beach. While you are there, check out the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, where over 300 species of birds spend their time feeding, resting, and nesting. This 3,000-acre area is also home to countless species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that are carefully protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Services. As the town sits on the water, it is only natural that Newburyport has a maritime museum celebrating its coastal history. Visit the Custom House Maritime Museum to see exhibits about Newburyport’s residents over the years, including the birth of the US Coast Guard and the town’s shipbuilding history.
Provincetown
Nestled on the northern tip of Cape Cod is the charming village of Provincetown. To get a feel for what it is all about, your first stop should be Commercial Street. When you take a stroll down the road, you will find local restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, and more just waiting to be explored. After the hustle and bustle of Commercial Street, head to Long Point Beach for a quieter spot overlooking the water. The remote beach features a lighthouse and hiking spots, where you can feel the wind whipping through your hair and your worries floating away on the wind. To wrap up your tour of Provincetown, visit the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, which is home to the tallest all-granite tower in the country. You can climb to the top of the tower for an impressive view of the harbor, then browse the museum to learn more about the history of the Wampanoag people and the pilgrims who arrived in the area on the Mayflower.
Explore All That Massachusetts Has to Offer
Whether you consider yourself a history buff, a lover of the arts, or just want to spend as much time as possible outside, these eight off-the-beaten-path Massachusetts towns are calling your name. Scale new heights with a hike to the top of Monument Mountain, see native birds up close at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, or see some of Norman Rockwell’s most impressive paintings in Stockbridge. No matter what you choose, the Bay State has delights waiting for you.
