These 9 Towns in Massachusetts Have Beautiful Architecture
Massachusetts is the beating heart of New England. It is filled to the brim with towns that display charming colonial and European-style architecture from a time and place that no longer exists. This style of architecture gives it a distinct and unique flavor that cannot be found anywhere else in the United States.
Newburyport
Newburyport is located along the northern coast of Massachusetts not far from the border with New Hampshire. Newburyport is home to more than 20,000 people landing it somewhere between a city and a small town.
The architecture around town is typical of New England. Dated brick buildings line most of the town center along with an array of locally run shops and restaurants. Market Square is probably the best place to go if you want to explore Newburyport.
The Newburyport Lighthouse is another fascinating place to visit. Tourists are even able to enjoy a lovely meal at the top of the lighthouse while looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse itself has been a stable of Newburyport's identity for decades and provides a level of charm and quaintness.
Rockport
Rockport is a small seaside town at the end of Essex County, only a few hours east of Boston. The Rockport harbor and warf always come alive during the afternoon and evening as locals come to shop for freshly caught seafood or sit down at a quality restaurant.
Rockport has all the bells and whistles that you would expect of any New England fishing town. Its quiet and slow-paced atmosphere can be seen in its old, yet well-maintained buildings and homes that dot the landscape.
The Shalin Liu Performance Center is a hidden gem within Rockport. The exterior of this building is a tasteful homage to a colonial-style opera house whilst the interior is decorated with all the furnishings of a modern entertainment center.
Williamstown
Williamstown is a hidden gem that is located in the far-flung reaches of northwestern Massachusetts. It is a very small town with only a few thousand inhabitants but is still home to Williams College and a handful of other notable architectural wonders.
Williamstown hosts a series of stunning gothic churches are look as though they were ripped straight out of Medieval Europe. The churches jut out of the otherwise flat and modest landscape and loom over the town.
Thompson Memorial Chapel and First Congregational Church are both excellent places to go to visit and awe at the architecture. After you are done there are other places to see like the Appalachian Trail and Clark Art Institute.
Northampton
Northampton is a small town of around 30,000 people that sits along the peaceful Connecticut River that flows through western Massachusetts. Despite its relatively small size, Northampton is known for having a bustling art scene.
There are plenty of places to see in Northampton, perhaps one of the standout architectural wonders is the Smith College Botanic Garden. This massive greenhouse stands close to two stories tall made almost entirely out of glass. It is certainly a call back to the architecture of the early 20th century.
Smith College itself is quite the looker too. Its distinct redbrick exterior decorated with white trim is unmistakable New England in every sense of the word. The Smith College Museum of Art is also in possession of a Picasso piece for any art lovers out there.
Pittsfield
Pittsfield is the largest town in the Berkshires. The Berkshires are a stretch of land that moves north-south across much of western Massachusetts and Connecticut. The area is famous for its tranquil rural landscape that comes alive every fall when the forests begin to change color.
The town center of Pittsfield offers visitors the perfect starting destination to gawk at the attractive architecture that is on display. North Street in particular is home to a handful of old theatres and art galleries that really stand out.
Make sure to stop by the Hancock Shaker Village. This farm has been preserved since colonial times and all the details and attention that went into its buildings are still on full display.
New Bedford
Once the whaling capital of the world, New Bedford now sits along the southern coast of Massachusetts as one of the largest fishing ports in the United States. It was New Bedford that actually inspired Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, to write his acclaimed novel.
New Bedford's illustrious and fascinating history can still be seen along its cobblestone streets, gas lamposts, and brick buildings that wear their age without shame. Visitors can learn more about New Bedford's past at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, one of the town's biggest landmarks.
Another more underrated gem of New Bedford's amazing architecture can be seen at St. Anthony of Padua Church. This Catholic church has to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire state let alone New Bedford.
Amherst
Amherst is located in the dead center of Massachusetts. Amherst is known for being a college town but has much more to offer than just a night out for young students. The town is teeming with history and charm that can all be seen in its magnificent architecture.
Amherst College is of course the largest pull factor in town. The campus itself is a stunning display of New England-style architecture and design. The school was first built in the early 1800s and that is quite apparent even at a glance.
A more common display of Amherst architecture can be seen at the Emily Dickinson Museum. The childhood home of this famous American poet has been made into a tourist attraction that allows visitors to take tours through the house she lived in and the surrounding property. While quaint, it does give a distinct feeling of being from a cherished albeit bygone era.
Salem
Salem is of course famous for being at the epicenter of the witch trials that claimed the lives of dozens of young women in the late 17th century. In modern times the town has embraced its connection to the occult and throws numerous festivals and parties during the days leading up to Halloween.
The town center is surprisingly colorful despite its grim reputation. There are numerous wooden shops that have painted the outsides of their business white, pink, and red which really adds to the upbeat feeling that the town now has.
The Witch House and Customs House are great places to go and see the best of Salem architecture. The Witch House clashes with its colorful neighbors as it is decorated in all black with pointed roofs and an interesting design choice to make it appear more foreboding.
Chatham
Thousands of locals flock to Chatham each summer to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy the town's laid-back atmosphere and stunning beaches. Located in Cape Cod, Chatham is always a great place to visit, no matter the time of the year.
The two largest architectural attractions in Chatham are the Chatham Lighthouse and Atwood Museum. The Lighthouse can be found along the town's massive beachfront. This massive white tower overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and provides ships safe passage while also giving the town a fainting piece of history to enjoy.
The Atwood Museum was once a home built in the 1750s by a sea captain. The home and the land it was built on has changed hands many times but the original esthetic has remained unchanged. It is a great way to peer into what life would have been like in rural New England all those years ago.
Final Thoughts
New England and especially Massachusetts is one of the most history-rich parts of the United States. its distinctly European style of architecture can be seen in its brick buildings and other landmarks giving it a charming and eclectic vibe that can not be matched anywhere else in the country.
