These 10 Towns In Massachusetts Feel Like Home

It has been more than 60 years since Elvis Presley sang “Home is where the heart is” in the movie Kid Galahad. But the idea itself — that home is not just a physical structure, not panels of timber, not layers of red bricks — predates Elvis Presley. People have always loved places where they feel a sense of connection, towns that seem genuine, and locations with an energy they can resonate with. It doesn't have to be a cozy cottage. All you need is a place whose rhythm brings you peace. But are there such spots in Massachusetts? The answer is “Yes,” and the following spots fit the bill.

Stockbridge

“The first of December was covered with snow, and so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston,” is a line from James Taylor’s popular 1970 lullaby “Sweet Baby James.” There is nothing that feels like home and family like a lullaby. Nestled in the Berkshires, Stockbridge is the finest example of small-town New England. Norman Rockwell lived in Stockbridge for a long time, and one of his most beloved works has been gracing Stockbridge's Main Street since the 1960s. No wonder many consider this the most famous Main Street in the United States. Stockbridge has quaint inns, a rural feel, and a warm, cheery look. Start with delicious prime ribs and a colorful medley of savory vegetables at the Red Lion Inn, a historic property whose history goes back to the 1770s.

If you want a homey experience, sit on a rocker on the porch, a glass of wine in hand, and let your taste buds enjoy a divine moment. Keep in mind that Norman Rockwell is in the Pantheon of America's greatest artists, and the museum that honours his name keeps a significant collection of his original work and memorabilia. Also, although the Berkshire Botanical Garden is fairly small, it is quite sensory and packed with an impressive diversity of beautiful plants and flowers.

Concord

Although steeped in Revolutionary War history, especially because of how the battles fought here and in Lexington marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Concord blends a soft, timeless charm with a warm, intellectual ambiance. The town feels like home because it has a sense of continuity, looks and feels genuine in almost every respect, and has its own culture and character. You can go to White Pond Beach and catch a magical sunset by the water, or to Walden Pond State Reservation, which was made famous by American essayist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau.

The town is surrounded by forests of oaks and maples, scenic rivers, and peaceful spaces and views. If you love stories about the American Revolution and how the United States was birthed, you have to visit the Minute Man National Historical Park, the site of the first Revolutionary War Battle. The trick is to visit in May or June, especially to see New England's best spring.

Manchester-by-the-Sea

Manchester-by-the-Sea is a small, beautiful town where neighbours call each other by their first names, summer comes with activities that bring people together, and life slows down, especially because of the visual effect of the many old stone walls and beautiful historic homes. Fun-filled concerts often bring people together at Masconomo Park, a lovely neighborhood recreation space overlooking a picturesque harbour, with benches along the water for sitting and relaxing.

There is nothing fancy about Captain Dusty's Ice Cream, but if you want a place that looks and feels like a hometown ice cream shop, you will find this place a perfect match. The best part is that it is next to a relatively clean harbor, meaning you can lie on the dock and rinse your hands and face off afterwards. There is the aptly named Singing Beach, which is loved for its clean, soft sand and beautiful views. And if your ideal of home includes slow walks and random conversations, you should know that Manchester-by-the-Sea is enticingly walkable.

Deerfield

Deerfield is a nice, laid-back location with peaceful farmland, well-preserved Colonial homes, and a strong sense of tradition. You can pin it on its simple beauty or the time-kissed Historic village with buildings dating back to the 1700s, but there is something in Deerfield that invitingly feels like home.

Memorial Hall Museum is a stately 1798 red-brick building filled with early American artifacts of all kinds. You will see lots of cookware, a room of quilts, clothing, and shoes, all of which are well-placed and curated in the museum's 19 galleries. You can float down the fast-flowing Deerfield River, one of New England's most picturesque and historically significant waterways. Alternatively, spend some time at the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, where you will appreciate various aspects of woodworking in early New England.

Orleans

Orleans is on Cape Cod and knows how to balance coastal beauty with a strong local culture of farmers markets, nice galleries, and hometown festivals. It is the only town on Cape Cod with a French name. Orleans is peacefully positioned between the spectacular Nauset Beach on the Atlantic — and the tranquil Skaket Beach on Cape Cod Bay. If your idea of home is happy faces and dinnertime banter, you should be pleased to know that Orleans ranked number 2 on Coastal Living's 2017 list of "Happiest Seaside Towns in America.”

Nauset Beach is a perfect place to ride the surf, while Skaket Beach has warm, clear waters and tidal pools to explore. On the flip side, Town Cove Tap House, right on Main Street, is a great place to chill while sampling a good selection of canned and tap beers. If you are spending the night, the Whalewalk Inn B&B is near the Orleans Rotary and also steps away from a lovely, peaceful beach with nice sand and cool views.

Lenox

If you want to know why Lenox is among the towns in Massachusetts that most feel like home, have a lawn chair and a blanket, and find a nice spot in Tanglewood, so you can enjoy sublime performances with popcorn and lemonade. This venue is homey and intimate, and the views are outrageously beautiful. Lenox offers small-town comfort, although it is also quite big on art.

There is the Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum, a Jacobean Revival-style mansion built for the sister of JP Morgan. The mansion's history goes back to the 1890s. If you like the summer cottages in Newport, you will love this majestic property. Bonus Point? They always offer paranormal tours. That said, for those who want to sniff some fresh, crisp air, a slow afternoon at the Mass Audubon's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary should be a requirement. Once here, don't miss exploring the nice, lovely trail that goes around the peaceful pond.

Rockport

Rockport, with its lobster shacks, beautiful galleries, and walkable downtown, often feels like a postcard you don't want to leave. No wonder it has inspired so many works of art, one of the most notable being a little red fishing shack known as Motif 1. If you did not get the memo, this is the most painted building in the world. When in town, one of the best places to wander through is Bearskin Neck, a short, narrow peninsula lined with mind-rousing galleries, oceanside dining venues, and cute mom-and-pop shops. Susie's Stories Rockport is a 5-star rated venue with a great selection of sci-fi and fantasy books.

Still on the same stretch is the Lauri Kaihlanen Gallery, a nice place with awesome displays to awaken the artist in you. Other worthy mentions include Front Beach, for soft breezes and delicious views, and the Rockport Art Association & Museum, which is loved for its awesome displays and interesting history.

Ipswich

Whether you want to experience the soothing beauty of Coastal New England or the home-style setting of a rural countryside, Ipswich can swing either way. The town boasts winding streets, historic homes, and waterfront restaurants that serve fresh lobster rolls and fried clams. Ipswich is often considered the Birthplace of the Fried Clams. The surrounding salt marshes and the tranquil environment around feel uniquely genuine and homey.

You can paddle the Ipswich River, lounge on Crane Beach, or wander through the meticulously manicured gardens, a prominent feature of Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. The property is set majestically on top of a hill and features awesome views, picturesque trails, and an unbelievably serene environment.

Chatham

Chatham is a soothing Cape Cod town that boasts the quintessential blue New England village charm. With its white picket fences, walkable village centre, and bandstand concerts, Chatham always feels like home. One of the town's best-known attractions is the Chatham Shark Center, a fun place to come scaringly close to one of the most dangerous animals in the ocean.

Another fun place to visit is the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. This is a pristine area with calm and beautiful scenery, a picturesque walking trail, and an uncrowded beach with heart-ravishing views. That said, if you feel hungry or if food is part of your adventure, nab a chair at Impudent Oyster, an upscale eatery in a former church known to serve fresh and incredibly delicious oysters.

Shelburne Falls

You may have a home with stylish chandeliers, awesome hallways, and wall-to-wall glass, but nothing gives colour and character to a home like flower pots and just a bit of greenery. It may be the peonies, the roses, the tulips, or the lilies. Although Shelburne Falls is known for several attractions, one of the most unique ones is the Bridge of Flowers.

Once an abandoned trolley bridge, the Bridge of Flowers is today lined with thousands of flowers and shrubs and has been drawing visitors from every nook of the state since 1929. Although currently closed for renovations, this bridge often features stunning views of the river and has always been a lovely stop for travelers passing through the Berkshires. What's more? Visitors can float down Deerfield River, visit the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, or explore the unique geographic phenomenon that defines Shelburne Falls Potholes.

In a world that seems to always be in a hurry, a world that rushes to nowhere, it is comforting to find places that still remind visitors what it feels like to come back home. It may be how people welcome you like an old friend, how you swing in a hammock and mingle with locals, or the delicious home-style dishes in a family-run restaurant. Whatever your idea of home, these small, charming towns in Massachusetts come close.