9 Most Breathtaking Towns In Massachusetts
Beauty in Massachusetts stretches from the Berkshire hills to the open Atlantic. Old estates and green mountains surround Lenox and Great Barrington. Edith Wharton picked that Berkshire scenery for her home and her writing. In Shelburne Falls, flowers cover a bridge that once carried trolleys across the Deerfield. At the edge of Cape Ann, Rockport has drawn painters for over a century. On the coast, the summer light over Provincetown and Edgartown has pulled artists for generations. Here are nine of the most beautiful towns in the state.
Great Barrington
In the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Great Barrington is a mountain resort town with a long legacy of relaxation and recreation. Since the early days of the railroad, travelers have been flocking here for the Appalachian scenery, and the nearby Beartown State Forest is a 12,000-acre haven for hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and fishing. Also in the area is Fountain Pond State Park, a tranquil open space anchored by a pond thick with lily pads and water reeds.
For anyone wanting to explore more of the region's creative energy, the Great Barrington Farmer's Market opens every Saturday (May through November) and showcases local produce and baked goods alongside arts and crafts from area makers. Located just south of Great Barrington's historic downtown, The Berkshire Mountain Inn makes a comfortable and convenient launchpad for all sorts of amazing adventures around the region. Here, guests can expect classically elegant rooms and suites, along with warm cookies on arrival, a complimentary continental breakfast, free coffee and tea available all day, and free bike loans for riding around town.
Lenox
If anyone seeks more natural beauty and artistic splendor in the heart of the Berkshires, then the town of Lenox really rises to the occasion. For one, there's The Mount, Edith Wharton Cultural Center, the former home of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Gilded Age author Edith Wharton and a present-day cultural institution that continues to host interactive events. Also in town is Tanglewood, the summertime home base for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the place to catch a variety of big concerts and more intimate artistic workshops.
For a more naturally thrilling outing, October Mountain State Forest is a 16,500-acre expanse of Berkshires wilderness to hike and bike, with the Appalachian Trail running straight through it. Right in the heart of town, 33 Main keeps guests close to many of Lenox's top attractions, yet this boutique inn also provides a tranquil oasis with luxurious amenities like Hästens mattresses and Annie Selke bath products, plus a complimentary breakfast each morning and an evening wine and cheese reception.
Shelburne Falls
Around 75 miles east of Albany (New York), Shelburne Falls makes a great place to "get away from it all" and escape into a serene corner of Massachusetts' Mohawk Trail region. Just above the Deerfield River, the Bridge of Flowers not only provides a pleasant pedestrian path across the river, but also a lush, thriving floral garden that grows on this former trolley bridge.
For those curious to learn more about the trolleys that used to traverse that bridge, the nearby Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum lets folks ride the original 1896 trolley that once ran across town. And for a much wilder experience in open nature, Mass Audubon's High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary has five miles of hiking trails sporting panoramic mountain views. A short drive east of town, The Shelburne House Bed & Breakfast is a beautifully restored 1835 farmhouse that now operates as a small inn in the Berkshire foothills. Guests can choose from three homestyle rooms, and they can all count on a full breakfast every morning.
Northfield
Situated along the banks of the Connecticut River, Northfield has a strangely devilish lore that belies a much more divine reality. Up by the Vermont state line, Satan's Kingdom Wildlife Management Area may have a scary-sounding name, but it's really a beautiful natural habitat for wildlife like black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, and snowshoe hares. To the east of town is Northfield State Forest, another gorgeous place to find oneself while "getting lost" in nature. And back at the Connecticut River, Bennett Meadows Wildlife Management Area works well for fishing and seasonal (fall/winter) game hunting. Returning to town, Centennial House Bed and Breakfast offers comfortable guest quarters and Wi-Fi throughout.
Leominster
Leominster is the birthplace of the legendary American nurseryman and conservationist Johnny Appleseed (or John Chapman), and it's a short drive east to the Fruitlands Museum, where folks can tour this 19th-century Transcendentalist communal farm that now operates as a museum. Meanwhile, just west of town lies Leominster State Forest, a verdant haven for adventurers seeking to hike or bike its extensive trail network.
A little farther west, Wachusett Mountain State Reservation offers 3,000 acres of rugged beauty and seemingly endless opportunities for year-round recreation along its 17 miles of trails that extend all the way up to the mountain's 2,006-foot summit. Just south of town, the Chocksett Inn features plush and up-to-date rooms and suites, on-site dining at the Chocksett Cellar Grille, and ample space to host weddings, holiday parties, and other special events.
Rockport
Perched at the tip of Cape Ann, Rockport is a longtime fishing town where visitors can catch all kinds of original art and wide Atlantic Ocean views. A major highlight is Halibut Point State Park, a gorgeous place to go hiking, surf fishing, tidepooling, and simply enjoying the vistas that extend all the way to Mount Agamenticus (in Maine) on clear days.
Shifting south, Rockport Art Association & Museum is the place to catch seasonal art exhibitions and a year-round collection featuring over a century of works by local artists. And staying on Rockport's Main Street, the Shalin Liu Performance Center hosts performances by classical and jazz musicians, plus folk and bluegrass bands and the occasional Broadway singer. Located right on Front Beach and mere steps away from Rockport's downtown museums and galleries, Captain's Bounty on the Beach keeps guests close to all the action, yet it also sports well-kept accommodations with all the creature comforts needed for the perfect beach vacation.
Scituate
About halfway between Boston and Plymouth, Scituate is a splendid South Shore beach town where it's so easy to let go of all the troubles of the outside world. For a uniquely illuminating experience, folks can head out to Scituate Lighthouse (also known as the Old Scituate Light) and take in the Massachusetts Bay views from this 1811 historic landmark.
On the other side of the harbor, Peggotty Beach stretches out for about a half-mile with calm water for swimming and wading. And a little way inland, Driftway Park extends for 334 acres along the Herring River and protects a critical corner of the Atlantic Flyway where migratory birds often stop during autumn. Back by the harbor, The Inn at Scituate Harbor helps guests feel right at home here with comfortably up-to-date accommodations, a daily continental breakfast, an indoor heated pool, and easy access to local beaches.
Provincetown
Thanks to its location at the northern tip of the Cape Cod Peninsula and its long history as an inclusive artists' village, Provincetown radiates beauty from the inside out. (Or, is it from the outside in?) All it takes is a visit to Race Point Beach to discover the exceptional natural scenery where the open sand dunes meet the wild and powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Moving into the main village, the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum features the United States' tallest all-granite tower (at 252 feet) that showcases panoramic Cape Cod views at the top. And just a few blocks east, Provincetown Art Association and Museum provides the perfect launchpad into the local arts scene with a frequent rotation of fascinating exhibitions and an impressive collection of more than 5,300 works by a star-studded lineup of local and regional artists.
Whether folks want to explore more of the chic galleries and boutiques of the East End Gallery District, keep close to Provincetown's legendary nightlife, or simply stay near the area's finest beaches, the Ellery Hotel Provincetown makes the ideal "base camp" for local adventures. Guests can choose from cozy rooms in the main building or a larger cottage for a more private setting, and have spa area access, high-speed internet, Gilchrist & Soames bath amenities, and (first-come, first-served) on-site parking.
Edgartown
On the east end of Martha's Vineyard, and about 90 miles south of Boston, Edgartown might just serve as the best example of Massachusetts coastal living. A very short ferry ride from the main island leads to Chappaquiddick Island and Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, over 500 acres of spectacular coastal wilderness. Then, around three miles south of the central village, South Beach (or Katama Beach) sports nearly three miles of open Atlantic Ocean-facing shore that's great for seasoned surfers and bodysurfers wanting more challenging waves. And right in town, Edgartown Harbor Light has marked the harbor entrance since 1828, and it opens to visitors during the warmer months.
Across the street from the lighthouse, Harbor View Hotel provides another kind of enlightening Martha's Vineyard experience. This stately luxury resort offers newly renovated rooms and suites, as well as a heated outdoor pool with private cabanas, complimentary bike loans, on-site electric vehicle charging stations, and three delectable restaurants to choose from.
Behold Breathtaking Beauty
From blissful beach towns on the coasts to mighty mountain towns in the Berkshires, there’s no shortage of breathtaking beauty to admire across Massachusetts. Great Barrington makes a great launchpad for amazing adventures in the area’s Appalachian wilderness, while the town of Lenox is home to Edith Wharton’s one-time home and the summertime homebase of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A little farther east, Shelburne Falls showcases the colorful Bridge of Flowers that spans the Deerfield River. At Leominster, folks will discover the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed and a surprising heritage of natural conservation. And out at the end of Cape Cod, Provincetown shines bright with its splendid beaches and artsy vibes. Whatever you consider to be the pinnacle of beauty, prepare to have your breath taken away by these pretty Massachusetts towns.
