The 7 Can't-Miss Towns In Massachusetts

Norman Rockwell painted small-town America from his studio in Massachusetts. His neighbors still walk the same Stockbridge streets he made famous. In Lexington, the militia once mustered on the town green before dawn. Salem draws costumed crowds every October to mark its witch-trial past. Provincetown fills its harbor with artists and summer swimmers by June. Visitors find one unmissable stop in each of these seven towns.

Stockbridge

If you love the works of Norman Rockwell, you can't afford to skip out on Stockbridge. Rockwell lived in town and immortalized the town in paintings. When you walk the streets, it will feel like walking into one of his paintings, capturing the essence of America. To see his works in person, spend some time at the Norman Rockwell Museum. The staff will explain the significance of his paintings and how his life in Stockbridge influenced his work.

After you've finished enjoying the work of Stockbridge's most famous resident, there's still plenty to see in town. You can learn more about another famous resident of Stockbridge, Daniel Chester French, at Chesterwood. The museum is in French's summer residence, and you can learn more about the man who sculpted the statue that famously sits in the Lincoln Memorial to this day. The Berkshire Botanical Garden fills its grounds with flower beds, ponds, and shaded paths that make for a relaxing stroll and plenty of photo opportunities.

Lexington

Heading east to the outskirts of Boston, you'll find Lexington, the "Birthplace of American Liberty." The town was the site of the famous Battle of Lexington, one of the earliest engagements in the American Revolutionary War. To learn more about this pivotal moment in Massachusetts and American history, head to the Lexington Battle Green. The area has monuments erected to provide context about the battle and immortalize the men who fought in it.

Aside from the battlefield itself, there's plenty more history alive and on display at Lexington. Buckman Tavern was an important meeting place during colonial history, and it's where the militia mustered before the Battle of Lexington. Curators have preserved the building, and you can explore it to learn more about how it helped put the Thirteen Colonies on the path to revolution. For another historical building, visit the Hancock-Clarke House to see the boyhood home of John Hancock.

Salem

Salem is a Massachusetts town known for its famous witch trials in the late 17th century. Because of this association, it has long been a popular destination for tourists, especially during the autumn season. Over a million descend on the town during its Haunted Happenings festival, with many donning spooky costumes and enjoying local shops and eateries in a fun environment. And if you want to learn more about the actual witch trials, spend some time at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. The memorial provides the historical context of the incident and pays homage to those who were wrongly executed for witchcraft.

Though most travel to Salem exclusively for witch-related activities, there is a thriving arts scene that's one of the best in Massachusetts. The Peabody Essex Museum has an extensive collection of artwork on display, with sections dedicated to American and Asian artwork. It's easy to spend an entire day inside its halls without even realizing it.

Manchester-by-the-Sea

While beaches may not be the first thing one associates with Massachusetts, you'll find some of unparalleled quality in Manchester-by-the-Sea. The Singing Beach is the best in town, giving you a gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean and plenty of space to stretch out on the sand and enjoy the sun and waves. Dogs are permitted on the beach as well if you are traveling with your furry friends.

But it's not just the beach that makes Manchester-by-the-Sea a can't-miss destination. Residents have built a strong cultural scene that keeps visitors coming back for more. The Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum occupies a house from the 1800s and has local paintings and artifacts on display to showcase the cultural achievements of locals. And come in August to enjoy the annual Festival by the Sea. Local artisans and food trucks set up along the water, and live music plays through the afternoon.

Rockport

Rockport is a can't-miss town in Massachusetts thanks to its distinct combination of beautiful surroundings and active art scene. If you enjoy a good hike, make your first destination Halibut Point State Park. The park lies next to the ocean and provides plenty of interesting landmarks to see, including a granite quarry and, on a clear day, Mount Agamenticus in Maine. Once you return to Rockport, spend some time soaking up the sun at Front Beach.

Once you're done exploring the surroundings, take some time to appreciate Rockport's cultural scene. Rockport Music hosts live performances throughout the year, with concerts spanning jazz, folk, and pop. To see the local artists that make Rockport so beloved, visit the Rockport Art Association & Museum. The gallery has curated an excellent collection of local artists working in many different styles and mediums.

Chatham

Chatham is one of Cape Cod's best communities thanks to its historic sites and museums. It's a must-see town if you enjoy experiencing living Massachusetts history. Your first sight will likely be Chatham Lighthouse. The lighthouse dates back to 1877, and you can take a tour of it and get a good look at the Atlantic Ocean. For more living history, see the Chatham Windmill, originally dating back to 1797. Dedicated architects worked together to restore the windmill in 2012 while preserving its historic quality.

The town's many museums also keep the regional history alive and on full display. The Atwood Museum resides in the halls of a restored home from before the American Revolution, and contains galleries and exhibits that explain the history of Chatham and Cape Cod. And to see how the railroads shaped early Chatham, visit the Chatham Railroad Museum. The museum now occupies a 19th-century train station and houses artifacts from across the long railroading history of the region.

Provincetown

Across the bay, you'll find Provincetown, a welcoming art community that is a perfect summer destination. Begin your summer vacation with some time at Race Point Beach. The beach is massive, with plenty of sand and dunes, so you won't have to worry about sharing space with strangers. Whether you want to do some swimming or just read a book on the sand, it's one of the most relaxing beaches in Massachusetts.

But the art scene is what really sets Provincetown apart from other Cape Cod communities. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum highlights many of the local artists past and present who helped shape Provincetown into the place it is today. And you'll have a chance to meet many of those artists and locals at the annual Provincetown Carnival in August. The weeklong festival has everything from costume contests to live shows and a parade down Commercial Street.

Don't Skip Out On These Massachusetts Towns During Your Next Trip

These seven towns cover a lot of ground for such a small corner of Massachusetts. Rockwell's Stockbridge and the militia's Lexington sit only a couple of hours from the beaches of Cape Cod and Cape Ann. Visitors can fill a slow afternoon of walking in any one of them, and the seven together make a strong case for skipping the highway and staying local a while longer.