Massachusetts offers a range of locations beyond Boston and Cape Cod that receive fewer visitors. In the western part of the state, stone tower lookouts rise above forested hills, while waterfalls are located within state forests. Historic buildings from the 19th century stand in smaller communities, and gardens featuring native plant species are open to the public. The coastal region includes lighthouses on rocky points and beaches away from main travel routes. A museum houses a walk-through glass globe, geological formations show traces of past ice ages, and Victorian houses document different architectural styles. These places often require specific planning as they lie away from typical tourist routes.
Worcester, United States
Bancroft Tower was constructed in 1900 by commission of Stephen Salisbury III and rises from a hilltop in Salisbury Park. This stone structure, built in the style of medieval fortress towers, reaches a height of 56 feet and serves as an observation point over Worcester and the surrounding Massachusetts landscape. The tower was erected in honor of George Bancroft, a historian from Worcester, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase to view the city and the forested hills of the region from the platform.
Mount Washington, Massachusetts, United States
Bash Bish Falls is located in Bash Bish Falls State Park on the border between Massachusetts and New York. The waterfall drops 24 meters over granite rocks into a natural pool below. Water flows year-round, creating a distinctive V-shape where the stream splits around a large boulder. A hiking trail of approximately 1.2 kilometers leads from the parking area to the falls through a forest of hemlocks and deciduous trees. The falls are the highest in Massachusetts and are situated in the southern Berkshire Mountains.
Framingham, United States
Garden in the Woods is a botanical garden specializing in native North American plants. Spanning 18 hectares, it houses over 1000 different species, including wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, and trees. The garden was founded in 1931 by Will Curtis and Howard Stiles and now serves as the research and education center of the New England Wild Flower Society. Designed paths lead through various habitats such as wetlands, woodlands, and rock gardens that showcase the natural flora of the region.
Boston, United States
The Mapparium is a walkable globe from 1935 located in the Mary Baker Eddy Library. This three-dimensional glass structure consists of 608 handcrafted stained glass panels mounted on a steel framework. The globe displays the political boundaries of the world as they existed between 1932 and 1935. Visitors walk through the interior on a glass bridge and experience unusual acoustics. Illumination from behind the panels reveals country borders and geographical details in various colors.
Nantucket, United States
The Great Point Lighthouse stands at the northernmost tip of Nantucket Island, marking the harbor entrance since 1986. The current structure replaced the original 1818 tower that was destroyed during a storm in 1984. The white tower, measuring fifty feet in height, sits within the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge and can only be reached via a sand track requiring four-wheel drive vehicles. This lighthouse continues to serve as an active navigational aid for vessels passing through the dangerous waters off the coast.
Woburn, Massachusetts, United States
Horn Pond spans 42 acres in northern Woburn and features a 2.2-mile loop trail popular with walkers and joggers. The body of water attracts various bird species, including Canada geese, herons, and cormorants, which regularly appear along its shores. The pond offers several access points and rest areas along the paved path. Anglers can find bass and pike in its waters. The surrounding woodlands provide shade and diverse plant life, while the area remains accessible throughout the year.
Sutton, United States
This chasm formed approximately 14,000 years ago through geological processes during the last ice age. The fissure extends over 70 meters in length and reaches depths of up to 21 meters between steep granite walls. The area includes several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels that wind through rock labyrinths and across granite formations. Visitors can observe glacial markings and different rock layers that provide insight into regional geological history. The park features marked paths for beginners as well as more demanding routes for experienced hikers.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States
Chesterwood Estate served as the summer residence and studio of American sculptor Daniel Chester French, best known for his Lincoln statue at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The property spans 48 acres of wooded grounds in the Berkshire Hills and includes the residential house, studio building, and various sculptures by the artist. French lived and worked here from 1897 until his death in 1931, creating many of his important works in this studio. The building features a mobile rail system that allowed French to move his large-scale sculptures outdoors to view them in natural light.
Ashfield, Massachusetts, United States
Chapel Brook Falls is located in the Berkshire Mountains within a forested area of oak and maple trees. The water descends over multiple rock ledges, creating natural pools along the brook's course. The trail to the falls follows Chapel Brook through mixed woodland for approximately two kilometers. The cascades drop over a height of roughly fifty meters and carry the most water during spring snowmelt or after rainfall. The surrounding forest provides shade and the area remains relatively cool even during summer months.
Dennis, United States
Scargo Tower rises from Scargo Hill, the highest natural point on Cape Cod. The stone structure was built in 1902 and reaches a height of 9 meters. From the top platform, visitors can observe panoramic views across Cape Cod Bay, Scargo Lake, and the surrounding forests and sand dunes. The construction combines local fieldstone with a solid spiral staircase leading to the observation deck. The tower stands within the Scargo Hill Conservation Area and is accessible via a short hiking trail.
New Salem, Massachusetts, United States
Bear's Den is a 73-acre nature reserve managed by the Trustees of Reservations. The property follows the Middle Branch of the Swift River and features granite rock formations shaped during the last ice age. A waterfall flows through a narrow gorge between high rock walls. The 800-meter trail network winds through a forest of eastern hemlocks and other native tree species. The rock formations create caves and overhangs that historically served as shelter.
Hull, United States
Fort Revere Park occupies Telegraph Hill in Hull and provides visitors with access to military fortifications from different periods of American history. The preserved structures include a 1902 water tower and underground gun batteries constructed during the Spanish-American War era. From the elevated position of the park, visitors can observe Boston Harbor, the Boston Harbor Islands, and the surrounding coastline. The site retains traces of 18th-century defensive works along with later military installations from the early 20th century.
Concord, United States
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery was established in 1855 as a garden cemetery and serves as the final resting place for prominent American writers and thinkers. The grounds contain the graves of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne on Authors Ridge. This 35-acre site exemplifies the 19th-century American cemetery movement, featuring winding paths, mature trees, and historic monuments that reflect the cultural and literary heritage of Concord.
Boston, United States
The Ether Dome occupies the top floor of the Bulfinch Building at Massachusetts General Hospital. This historic operating theater was constructed in 1821 and served as a surgical amphitheater where medical students and physicians could observe procedures. On October 16, 1846, dentist William T.G. Morton conducted the first successful public demonstration of ether anesthesia here, while surgeon John Collins Warren removed a tumor from patient Gilbert Abbott's neck. This moment revolutionized surgery and ended centuries of agonizing pain for patients during operations. The room features a circular gallery with wooden benches and large windows providing natural light. Today, the Ether Dome houses 19th-century medical instruments and the Egyptian mummy Padihershef, which was donated to the hospital in 1823.
Leominster, United States
Doyle Community Park covers 157 acres in northern Leominster, featuring a network of trails through wooded areas and wetlands. The park includes community gardens where local residents cultivate vegetables and flowers, as well as historic landscape features from the 19th century, including stone walls and old pathways. The trails wind through different vegetation zones and allow for observation of local wildlife. Multiple access points provide entry to this recreational area, which is used by the community for outdoor activities and nature exploration.
Cambridge, United States
The Hooper-Lee-Nichols House was built in 1685 and stands as the second oldest residence in Cambridge. This structure documents several construction phases and combines various architectural elements from three centuries. Originally constructed as a farmhouse, the building underwent multiple expansions and modifications during the 18th and 19th centuries. The facade displays Georgian and Colonial Revival features. The house served as home to several prominent families and now operates as a museum, presenting furniture, household items, and documents spanning from the Colonial period through the Victorian era.
Ipswich, United States
The dunes at Crane Beach extend for 5.5 kilometers along the Ipswich coastline, forming a significant coastal ecosystem in northern Massachusetts. These sand dunes are stabilized by American beach grass and other adapted plant species that serve as natural protection against coastal erosion. The area provides habitat for numerous bird species, including plovers and terns that nest and rest here. The dune landscape is part of the Crane Estate and is managed by the Trustees of Reservations, who ensure the protection of this sensitive coastal habitat.
Brockton, United States
The Fuller Craft Museum is an institution dedicated to contemporary craft art. This museum occupies a 22-hectare park featuring outdoor sculptures and a pond. The collection includes works in ceramics, glass, wood, metal, textiles, and other materials. The museum organizes rotating exhibitions and educational programs. The park provides walking paths among outdoor sculptures.
Lynn, Massachusetts, United States
Lynn Woods Reservation spans 880 hectares of forested land north of Boston, making it one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The grounds feature over 50 kilometers of marked hiking trails that wind through mixed forests of oak, pine, and maple trees. Walden Pond and Breed's Pond provide opportunities for fishing and birdwatching. The stone towers, Stone Tower and Dungeon Rock, built between 1880 and 1936, serve as historic landmarks. The reservation supports diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, red foxes, and over 100 bird species.
Berkley, United States
The Dighton Rock Museum preserves a 40-ton boulder extracted from the Taunton River, its surface covered with petroglyphs and inscriptions that have sparked debate among archaeologists and historians for centuries. Various theories attribute these markings to Native Americans, European explorers, or Phoenician traders. The rock was removed from the riverbed in 1963 and placed in this purpose-built museum to protect it from further erosion. The museum provides information about the different interpretations of the inscriptions and documents the history of scientific investigations into this geological and archaeological object. Visitors can examine the markings up close and learn about the ongoing research surrounding their origins and meaning.
South Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States
This reservation covers 230 acres in Franklin County and features the 198-meter Mount Sugarloaf, which rises in isolation above the Connecticut River Valley. The mountain takes its name from its conical shape, resembling a traditional sugarloaf. A paved road brings visitors to the summit, where an observation tower built in 1940 provides access to viewpoints overlooking the river's meanders, agricultural fields, and the surrounding Berkshire Hills. The reservation includes hiking trails through deciduous forests and picnic areas near the parking lot. The geological formation consists of Triassic period arkose sandstone.
Weston, United States
The Spellman Museum in Weston preserves an extensive collection of stamps and postal history documents. The exhibition presents rare specimens from different eras and countries, along with objects related to the development of postal services. The museum documents technical innovations in mail delivery and displays historical sorting machines, postmarks, and transport equipment. Visitors can trace the evolution of philately from its origins to the present day and gain insight into the cultural significance of postal communication.
Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States
Cove Folly is a secluded coastal spot in Gloucester appreciated by divers and those interested in art. This location along the rocky shore provides access to underwater landscapes featuring rock formations and marine life. The area has historically served as a gathering place for artists and sculptors who created temporary installations here. The water reaches depths between three and ten meters, suitable for divers of varying experience levels. The shoreline consists of granite rocks typical of the Cape Ann region.
Natick, United States
The Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary spans 365 acres of protected land in eastern Massachusetts, managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. This conservation area features nine miles of marked trails winding through forests, wetlands, fields, and along ponds. Visitors can observe over 200 bird species, including herons, ducks, and various songbirds. The sanctuary offers educational programs for families and school groups, and maintains a visitor center with exhibits on local ecology and wildlife.
Hingham, United States
This park spans 251 acres along the Hingham coastline and includes four drumlin hills formed during the last ice age. The area was used for farming in the 19th century, evidenced by the characteristic stone walls that remain throughout. Walking trails designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. wind through open grasslands and along the waterfront. Elevated points provide views across Boston Harbor and the surrounding islands. The property now serves as a recreational area managed by The Trustees of Reservations.
Princeton, United States
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation covers an area of 3000 acres in central Massachusetts. The summit reaches an elevation of 2006 feet and provides views across the surrounding forests and valleys. The network of 17 miles of marked trails passes through various vegetation zones, from deciduous forests to rock formations. The reservation serves as a recreational area for hikers and nature enthusiasts and supports numerous bird species as well as native wildlife.
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, United States
This beach along the Massachusetts coast extends for approximately half a mile and features sand with a high concentration of quartz crystals. When walking across the dry sand, friction between the quartz grains produces a distinctive whistling or singing sound. This acoustic phenomenon occurs most notably during low tide and dry weather conditions. The beach sits within a protected cove and can be reached by a short walking path from the town center.
Milton, Massachusetts, United States
The Great Blue Hill Observation Tower stands atop the highest coastal hill in Massachusetts, reaching an elevation of 635 feet above sea level. Built in 1902, this granite structure provides visitors with viewing platforms facing all cardinal directions. From the top, views extend across the Blue Hills Reservation, Boston, and on clear days, to the coastline and surrounding states. The hill also houses the oldest continuously operating weather observatory in the United States, which has been collecting meteorological data since 1885.
Groton, United States
Bancroft Tower was built in 1906 by George Bancroft and stands on Gibbet Hill in Groton. This medieval-style stone structure rises 56 feet and is constructed from local granite. The tower was designed as an observation platform and provides panoramic views across the Nashua and Squannacook River valleys. The construction features an iron spiral staircase leading to the upper platform. The structure originally served as a private viewing point for the Bancroft family and was later transferred to the town.
Sheffield, Massachusetts, United States
Bartholomew's Cobble is a 26-hectare nature reserve located along the Housatonic River in Sheffield. The site contains unusual limestone outcroppings that create a rare alkaline soil environment, supporting over 800 plant species including 53 types of ferns. This concentration of fern diversity ranks among the highest in North America. The reserve features several walking trails through forests, wetlands, and along the river, providing visitors access to the geological and botanical features of the area.
Boston, United States
The Gibson House Museum preserves a Victorian townhouse built in 1859 in the Back Bay neighborhood. The three floors display original furnishings, hand-painted wallpapers, and personal belongings of the Gibson family, who occupied the residence across three generations. The rooms illustrate daily life of a wealthy Boston family in the 19th century with period furniture, china, photographs, and textiles in their original arrangement. The building retains historic features including carved woodwork, chandeliers, and a preserved servants' staircase.
Hadley, United States
Skinner State Park spans 162 hectares on Mount Holyoke and provides views of the Connecticut River Valley. The Summit House, a historic building from the 19th century, sits atop the mountain. The park features hiking trails of varying difficulty levels and a scenic road leading to the summit. Visitors can explore the geological formations of the Holyoke Range and observe the region's flora and fauna.