Throughout the year many of us have long, three-day weekends. While we can always choose to stay home and catch up on things around the house or apartment, maybe exploring part of the Bay State is a better idea instead. Here are a few ideas for long weekend getaways in Massachusetts:
- Plymouth and Plimouth Plantation
Mark Gibson/ Corbis Documentary via Getty Images Located south of Boston, the historic town of Plymouth is known best for Plymouth Rock and Plimoth Plantation. A long weekend here will give you plenty of time to explore the downtown area with all of its shops and restaurants as well as the plantation and to see a replica of the Mayflower known as “Mayflower II.” This charming seaside New England town is a perfect getaway destination.
- Explore the coastal towns on Cape Ann
DenisTangneyJr/E+ via Getty Images The rocky Cape Ann is home to one of the country’s first art colonies, gorgeous scenery, a fishing community, and quintessential New England towns. Spend the weekend exploring Cape Ann’s towns of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Gloucester, and Essex for a wonderful weekend escape. Cape Ann, Rockport, MA 01966, USA
- Boston
ANDREY DENISYUK/Moment via Getty Images If you’re craving the hustle and bustle of city life on a long weekend, Boston is the place to go! Here you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the state, museums, the New England Aquarium, endless places to shop, the beautiful and historic Boston Common and Boston Public Garden, and world-class hotels like the Omni Parker House. And if it’s baseball season, try to take in a Red Sox game at Fenway. Boston, MA, USA
- Mount Wachusett State Reservation
Di M/TripAdvisor Mount Wachusett State Reservation is not only known for its skiing but its hiking and biking as well. Hike to the summit of the 2,006-foot Wachusett Mountain for panoramic views. During the winter, there is downhill and cross-country skiing as well as snowboarding. If you’re looking for things to do outside in Massachusetts, this is the perfect place to come any time of year. Mount Wachusett, Princeton, MA 01541, USA
- Take in the scenery around Mount Greylock State Reservation
Doug Kerr/Flickr When you visit the Berkshires, you’re pretty much guaranteed some of the best scenery in the state. Considered the best state park in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock State Reservation has more than 70 miles of trails to explore and numerous overlooks to take in stunning vistas. You can also spend a weekend camping and immerse yourself in the natural beauty found here. Read our previous post on Mount Greylock State Reservation to learn more. Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Rd, Lanesborough, MA 01237, USA
- Provincetown
Argos’Dad/Wikimedia Commons Sitting 60 miles out to sea at the tip of the Cape Cod Peninsula is Provincetown, which is also referred to as “P-town.” Known for its boutique hotels, nightlife, shopping, restaurants, historic sites, beaches, and welcoming spirit, this is a favorite town for weekend getaways. Read more about P-town in this post. Provincetown, MA, USA
- Take a ferry over to Nantucket
Walter Bibikow/DigitalVision via Getty Images The isolated Massachusetts island of Nantucket is a hot summertime destination but you can visit it any time of year. Explore its pristine beaches and dunes; visit the Nantucket Whaling Museum; see the three lighthouses around the island, and just take in the scenery as you breathe in the salt air. What a relaxing way to spend a weekend! If you’re looking for a place to spend the night on the island, check out The Nantucket Hotel & Resort. Nantucket, MA, USA
Mark Gibson/ Corbis Documentary via Getty Images
Located south of Boston, the historic town of Plymouth is known best for Plymouth Rock and Plimoth Plantation. A long weekend here will give you plenty of time to explore the downtown area with all of its shops and restaurants as well as the plantation and to see a replica of the Mayflower known as “Mayflower II.” This charming seaside New England town is a perfect getaway destination.
DenisTangneyJr/E+ via Getty Images
The rocky Cape Ann is home to one of the country’s first art colonies, gorgeous scenery, a fishing community, and quintessential New England towns. Spend the weekend exploring Cape Ann’s towns of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Gloucester, and Essex for a wonderful weekend escape.
Cape Ann, Rockport, MA 01966, USA
ANDREY DENISYUK/Moment via Getty Images
If you’re craving the hustle and bustle of city life on a long weekend, Boston is the place to go! Here you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the state, museums, the New England Aquarium, endless places to shop, the beautiful and historic Boston Common and Boston Public Garden, and world-class hotels like the Omni Parker House. And if it’s baseball season, try to take in a Red Sox game at Fenway.
Boston, MA, USA
Di M/TripAdvisor
Mount Wachusett State Reservation is not only known for its skiing but its hiking and biking as well. Hike to the summit of the 2,006-foot Wachusett Mountain for panoramic views. During the winter, there is downhill and cross-country skiing as well as snowboarding. If you’re looking for things to do outside in Massachusetts, this is the perfect place to come any time of year.
Mount Wachusett, Princeton, MA 01541, USA
Doug Kerr/Flickr
When you visit the Berkshires, you’re pretty much guaranteed some of the best scenery in the state. Considered the best state park in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock State Reservation has more than 70 miles of trails to explore and numerous overlooks to take in stunning vistas. You can also spend a weekend camping and immerse yourself in the natural beauty found here. Read our previous post on Mount Greylock State Reservation to learn more.
Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Rd, Lanesborough, MA 01237, USA
Argos’Dad/Wikimedia Commons
Sitting 60 miles out to sea at the tip of the Cape Cod Peninsula is Provincetown, which is also referred to as “P-town.” Known for its boutique hotels, nightlife, shopping, restaurants, historic sites, beaches, and welcoming spirit, this is a favorite town for weekend getaways. Read more about P-town in this post.
Provincetown, MA, USA
Walter Bibikow/DigitalVision via Getty Images
The isolated Massachusetts island of Nantucket is a hot summertime destination but you can visit it any time of year. Explore its pristine beaches and dunes; visit the Nantucket Whaling Museum; see the three lighthouses around the island, and just take in the scenery as you breathe in the salt air. What a relaxing way to spend a weekend! If you’re looking for a place to spend the night on the island, check out The Nantucket Hotel & Resort.
Nantucket, MA, USA
So, are you ready to plan a nice long weekend getaway? What are your favorite destinations for long weekend getaways in Massachusetts? Please share in the comments!
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