| Everyone knows about Cape Cod and Boston as | | | | Martha's Vineyard. For an alternate trip, check out |
| great travel destinations. But, there are lesser | | | | Nantucket. |
| traveled gems like Cape Ann and Western Mass. | | | | Pop Goes the Fourth - Nowhere in the United |
| Below, I have suggested some of my favorite | | | | States is the Fourth of July as big a holiday as in |
| holiday trips. Explore Massachusetts and keep | | | | Boston. Every year the Boston Symphony Pops |
| coming back for more! | | | | Orchestra plays outdoors, synchronized with the |
| Gloucester / Rockport - Gloucester and Rockport | | | | fireworks display along the Esplanade. Travel to |
| are the gems of Cape Ann. Both towns offer art | | | | Boston for the 4th of July and you will not be |
| communities, real fishing communities, great | | | | disappointed. |
| beaches, whale watches, and more. Gloucester | | | | The Freedom Trail - No Boston holiday is |
| has recently become famous as the real life and | | | | complete without a trip down the Freedom Trail. |
| hollywood home of the Perfect Storm. If you are | | | | A red line known as the Freedom trail circles |
| looking for history (these towns were founded | | | | around the city of Boston, leading you to some of |
| shortly after the Pilgrims landed), great seafood, | | | | the most important historical sites pertaining to |
| art, beaches (try Good Harbor Beach or | | | | the United States' Independence. Highlights of the |
| Wingaersheek Beach), festivals such as St. Peter's | | | | walk include, Old Ironsides, Boston Common, the |
| Fiesta, the Folklife Festival, or the Fish Festival.... | | | | Paul Revere house, and the Old State House. You |
| visit Cape Ann and be amazed! | | | | can pick up the Freedom Trail at any point and |
| Salem - Travel to Salem and learn a little bit about | | | | walk a part or walk the whole thing. Travel the |
| America's sad and scary past. Due to the | | | | Freedom trail and realize why Boston is a great |
| hysterics of two young girls, the town of Salem | | | | city for history and walking. |
| (which at that time was actually located in what is | | | | Foliage Tour - Mohawk Trail, otherwise known as |
| now Danvers) began the Salem witch trials in | | | | Rte. 2, is by far the most popular foliage tour in |
| 1692. Sadly, at that time, persecution of witches | | | | Massachusetts. Fall is an unbelievably beautiful time |
| was not uncommon, but these trials are among | | | | in New England, and Massachusetts is certainly no |
| the most famous. 24 people eventually died as a | | | | exception. No matter where you travel during the |
| direct result of the Salem witch trials. Today, you | | | | fall foliage season, you are sure to seem some |
| can visit several museums dedicated to this piece | | | | amazing colors. Apple picking goes hand in hand |
| of history. Among them are, the Peabody Essex | | | | with leaf peeping, so feel free to get off the |
| Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, and the Witch | | | | beaten trail and wander around some of the |
| Dungeon Museum. Salem is now a popular | | | | more rural areas. If you have time, join in a |
| destination for present day witches. | | | | hayride and drink some great hot apple cider! |
| National Seashore - Travel to see the dunes at | | | | Mount Greylock / Appalachian Trail - Mount |
| Cape Cod's National Seashore, and you will see a | | | | Greylock has long been the inspiration for |
| federally protected sea shore. There are over | | | | American writers. Today the protected lands |
| 40,000 acres of dunes sprawling across 40 miles | | | | cover 12,000 acres including the highest point in |
| running the length of Cape Cod. To truly enjoy | | | | Massachusetts. Features include the Bascom |
| the views, the salt air, and the crashing waves... | | | | Lodge, over 70 hiking trails, and amazing views. If |
| rent a bicycle and ride along an old Indian trail. The | | | | you are interested in hiking a portion of the |
| ride will also give you a glimpse of old new England | | | | Appalachian trail, there is access through this park. |
| wealth and summer spirit as you pass by historic | | | | You can explore the nature and history of |
| mansions and towns. | | | | Massachusetts for years and never see at all. The |
| Martha's Vineyard - Martha's Vineyard as long | | | | beach will continue to call you, the foliage with |
| been a popular holiday destination for travelers | | | | amaze you year after year, and the museums |
| around the world and across the continent. Charm | | | | and history will keep you thinking and learning. |
| is overflowing on this island. Take a ferry from | | | | Enjoy the state and realize why the locals never |
| Wood's Hole and explore the cranberry bogs, | | | | need to leave! |
| sand dunes, and New England architecture of | | | | |