Botanical gardens, remarkable monuments along the Freedom Trail, Cape Cod beaches, art museums and cultural institutions… The beauty of Massachusetts unfolds in countless shades. Discover in this practical guide the must-see attractions of Massachusetts State.

Discover the incomparable attractions of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a flagship state of the États-Unis. Travelers visit primarily to discover Boston, where you can explore the prestigious Harvard campus and its art museums, the thrill of a Red Sox match, or the historic sites of the American Revolution.

Venturing south-east of the state from Boston, the beaches of Cape Cod will offer you the splendor of the Atlantic. The Stellwagen Bank marine sanctuary reserves a spectacular whale-watching experience for children and families alike, featuring humpback whales.

History of Massachusetts: from the modest Plymouth Colony to commercial and academic power

Massachusetts is one of the original thirteen colonies that formed the États-Unis d'Amérique. The state takes its name from an ancient Native American tribe, the Massachusett, displaced from their land by the Pilgrims, who landed at Plymouth in 1620. Puritan immigrants quickly joined the Pilgrims, undertaking to preach the gospel in a still-untamed community.

Strict adherence to the letter of the commandments, without any principle of mercy, had terrible repercussions. To give you an idea, about twenty women were executed as witches; trials for witchcraft, adultery, and blasphemy were numerous. The Salem quarter still holds some memories of this dark era.

From the obscurantism of the seventeenth century to the economic and intellectual prominence of the twenty-first century, several events marked the territory. Most notably, the American Revolution in 1775, Shays' Rebellion in 1787, and the Civil War in the 1860s. At the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, citizens had achieved a high level of education; the Revolution found fertile ground in the former Plymouth colony.

In 1919, a great molasses flood occurred at the far north of Boston, causing 21 deaths and 51 injured.

Today

In Massachusetts, tourism has bright days ahead. In 2019 alone, during the height of the pandemic, the State Tourism Office recorded just under 21 million visitors, including 2.8 million foreigners.

Massachusetts State ensures a varied and lively stay, between baseball games, relics of the American Revolution, white sandy beaches, and shopping. From Boston to Brookline, from Salem to Plymouth, from Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard… Each destination has unique charm and differs in its landscapes and points of interest.

The most famous places in Massachusetts

The Freedom Trail

Following the red trail of the Freedom Trail, which passes by 16 historic buildings and sites, is the number one activity when visiting Boston. The circuit extends approximately 4.8 km. Visit the graves of Massachusetts' first governor and the first woman to disembark from the Mayflower. At the Old State House, relive in memory the Boston Massacre, when nine English soldiers killed three civilians. Just beside it stands the birthplace of Benjamin Franklin, which displays a video projection and family portraits of the fervent politician who helped draft the Declaration of Independence of the États-Unis. Stroll through Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail passes by the emblematic sites of the American Revolution.

Fenway Park

Baseball is very present in Massachusetts culture. Opened in 1912, Fenway Park accommodates more than 33,000 spectators. Most suburbs of Massachusetts have built their own stadiums, but Bostonians insisted on keeping this traditional stadium right downtown, without changing its manual scoreboard, its field, or its iconic grass. Even if you're not a baseball fan, visiting this historic stadium will give you nostalgia for New England.

Harvard Campus and Museums

Take advantage of your stay to visit one of the most emblematic university campuses, Harvard. Harvard University and its museums await you in the city of Cambridge. Works by Nicolas Poussin, Louis-David, and other masters of the Italian Renaissance are displayed at the Fogg Art Museum. The Busch-Reisinger Museum, meanwhile, gives pride of place to German Expressionist art. Art lovers of Asian heritage will find their happiness in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Paintings from the Mughal Empire, Chinese porcelain ceramics, sculptures from Amman…

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Facing Fenway Park in Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts is also a must-see. The collection includes Impressionist canvases, Egyptian, Greek, and Middle Eastern pieces dating from Antiquity, not to mention American community heritage.

The Museum of Science

With its zoo, planetarium, and 700 interactive exhibits, the Museum of Science is an attraction not to be missed if you're traveling with children. The stunning view of the bridge and Boston-Cambridge skyscrapers will also enhance your visit.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Not far from the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum stands out for its somewhat eccentric collection. You'll find paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer, embroidery works, and Middle Age furniture.

The magnificent beaches of Cape Cod

The Cape Cod peninsula is a concentration of sun, white sand, and charming hotels. 900 km of coastline allow you to enjoy the beach for swimming or relaxing on the warm sand. For those seeking a more romantic experience, the beaches on the north coast combine picturesque landscapes with an air of serenity. The seaside attracts more than swimmers. Nesting birds, such as gulls, can be observed.

The Mayflower II and Plymouth Plantations

More than four hundred years have passed since Separatist Puritans from the Church of England landed at Plymouth, seeking religious freedom and a better life. They founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. A prestigious museum maintains the memory of these Pilgrims, who are at the origin of the first waves of white immigration to America.

The historic Salem Quarter

Few places in the États-Unis offer the variety and abundance of period buildings like the Salem Quarter. These buildings contain an important part of New England's history, particularly that of the Puritans and Chinese merchants. Among the most notable monuments are the House of Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, the Witch House of 1642, where judge Jonathan Corwin lived, who presided over the witch trials. Salem's streets are framed by houses built by ship captains and Chinese merchants who grew wealthy on the coast. The Peabody Essex Museum devotes captivating exhibitions to them.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Established at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay, the Stellwagen Bank marine sanctuary is one of the best places in the world to spot whales. You'll also be able to observe porpoises, seals, or white-sided Atlantic dolphins as they follow your boat and play jumping through the waves. The humpback whale is the star attraction of the sanctuary. Scientists have counted about fifty, so you'll have a great chance of seeing one during your catamaran expedition.

Best Season to Visit

Massachusetts is subject to extreme continental climate conditions: summers are as warm and humid (27°C) as winters are cold and snowy (-5°C). Weather is milder in coastal regions. To travel through Massachusetts, it is recommended to visit between June and October.

Boston Logan Airport is the main gateway to Massachusetts for European nationals. Departing from Paris? More than seven direct flights per week are available with the national carrier. Flight duration is estimated at 7.5 hours, but varies widely depending on the cities of connection in the case of an indirect flight.

About 5 km of road separate the airport from downtown. Upon leaving the terminals, hail a taxi or take a Logan Express or Peter Pan bus line to reach downtown. Boston taxis are equipped with a meter. The fare ranges between €30 and €40 depending on your hotel's location.

Getting Around

Personal car is the most convenient and practical transport to travel through Massachusetts. Traveling by bus is a bit difficult if you don't know the line number. The metro is a very practical option in cities.

You will love…

- Walking through Boston's historic downtown;

- Admiring the grand collection of the Museum of Fine Arts;

- Participating in a guided tour along the Freedom Trail;

- Exploring the chic boutiques and restaurants of Harvard;

- Strolling through Fenway Park;

- Visiting the famous Witch House;

- Walking past the gabled houses of Salem.