These 10 Towns In Massachusetts Have The Best Main Streets
Massachusetts is known for its maritime and colonial history, as well as modern luxury. The elements merge for an all-encompassing vacation spot, especially in the downtown areas. Communities in places like Amesbury and Provincetown gather for morning brunch or explore the vintage buildings, enhancing the overall appeal. Each town has a unique way of transporting visitors to the past while remaining present. Check out the best Main Streets in Massachusetts for a memorable time in New England.
Lenox
The village center of Lenox is a sophisticated epicenter of galleries and fine dining in the Berkshire hills. Sites include The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Lenox estate; Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home, and Shakespeare and Company. The performing arts theater has been a significant part of the community since 1978, hosting over 40,000 guests annually.
Kennedy Park showcases the open spaces that Lenox is also known for, featuring old carriage roads for hiking and leisure. With over 15 miles of trails through hardwood forests, it is the ultimate retreat from the city. For dinner, check out Bistro Zinc for a romantic setting and a refined take on French classics, exploring the city's culinary prowess.
Amesbury
Amesbury's Market Square is a historic center that has been revitalized into a thriving commercial hub and the heart of the city. The classic New England aesthetic of red brick buildings and sidewalk is completed by the area's complement of restaurants and museums chronicling the town's evolution since its incorporation in 1668. The Amesbury Carriage Museum in historic Upper Millyard presents the pivotal role of the antique vehicles that give this deeply historic town distinction.
Cultural roots are seen virtually everywhere downtown, at places like the Market Street Bakery, which makes scratch-made breads and pastries. One of the best times to visit is during the annual Amesbury Days festival, which has been a defining event since 1899. Not only does it bring out the crowds, but it also has all the elements of a block party, from family breakfasts at Pancakes at the Pines to a roaring good time at Brewfest.
Provincetown
"P Town," as the locals call it, has one of the best Main Streets in Massachusetts, filled with partygoers, definitive restaurants, and an all-inclusive vibe. Commercial Street is a hive of activity, from noteworthy artwork at Adam Peck Gallery to seafood dining at the Lobster Pot; this main drag not only characterizes Provincetown, but it defines what New England is all about.
There are many historical sites to reflect on the town's roots, such as the Pilgrim Monument. The memorial can be seen across many areas in town and makes an ideal backdrop for photos. The 1844 Eastern Schoolhouse, on the east side of Commercial Street, is an homage to an institution that served the community for over a century, tying the past and present together, a notable trait of this hip and historic city.
Northampton
Northampton's Main Street is a vibrant collection of academic energy and independent culture, giving it a tight-knit feel. Dubbed "Paradise City" for its walkable downtown streets, friendly community, and traditional New England atmosphere, Northampton is home to many attractions, such as the Smith Museum of Art. The gallery features several floors of contemporary, thought-provoking art that, in itself, is worth a stop in Northampton.
Thornes Marketplace on Main Street is another big draw for many, featuring a vintage photobooth and loads of shopping and dining options. Independent shops include Booklink Booksellers and Cafe that gels with the academic nature of the college town, and restaurants like Suzette French Creperie. The market has become a central hub for the community, with a local scene that captures the region's best character traits.
Salem
Salem is famous for its 1692 witch trials, but its downtown area has also made quite an impression. The walkable district centers on Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, a top destination in its own right. The year-round destination also hosts many Main Street festivals, such as the Salem Arts Festival and Salem's So Sweet, both of which showcase the community's creative side and draw crowds.
One of the best ways to experience Salem is to take a tour, which can be found on the city website. There are several popular ghost tours, an exciting option for history buffs, as well as others, including Salem Food Tours. The operators invite patrons to taste their way through Salem's history by learning about the local spice trade and discovering local hotspots featuring various cuisines.
Newburyport
If classic brick storefronts, cobblestone sidewalks, and boutique shopping are on your mind, look no further than Newburyport. Follow the cobblestones along the Newbury waterfront for seacoast fashion at The Nauti Pearl and Pam Older Designs. The area, revolving around Market Square, is also fun to walk around, with natural spaces at Waterfront Park, offering exceptional views of the Merrimack River.
No New England vacation is complete without checking out local seafood restaurants, and Newburyport does not disappoint. Bob Lobster is on Plum Island on the way to the beach, offering local favorites like fried clams, lobster, and chowder. Newburyport is an ideal getaway for lazy days, strolling its relaxing downtown, and taking in views of the river and the salt-tinged air.
Concord
Main Street Concord is anchored around Concord Center, home to many shops and restaurants that define the region, such as Comella's, an ideal choice for Italian. Historic inns are right down the road, such as Colonial Inn on Monument Square. The inn features 54 rooms and suites, two landmark taverns, and New England appeal in the heart of the district.
Downtown museums and historic sites tell the story of Concord and enhance any visit, such as the Concord Museum. It is also worth the short drive out of the district to visit the Ralph Waldo Emerson House. Not only was it the family home of the philosopher, poet, and essayist, but it was also where he brought together a community of independent thinkers, writers, and artists, adding to Concord's history in new and enlightening ways.
Great Barrington
The Downtown Great Barrington Cultural District in the Berkshires offers a concentrated group of independent merchants and art venues in a bucolic setting. Start the visit out with a Great Barrington Walking Tour to explore the town's colonial roots and other histories before embarking on an epic shopping jaunt. The district not only inspires the "shop local" philosophy, but also embraces it through unique artisans at shops such as Artemisia and others.
Unsurprisingly, the area invites creativity and artistry, and artistic characteristics can be found everywhere. Fine art galleries like Carrie Chen Gallery are just off of Main Street, so one does not have to travel too far from the city's primary entertainment hub to find eclectic works. All that walking works up an appetite, and the cultural center has that covered, too. Berkshire Grown specializes in local growers, adding a touch of small-town values to a rather sophisticated downtown.
Stockbridge
Downtown Stockbridge is a Norman Rockwell-esque village with a textbook New England appeal. In fact, it is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum and iconic green spaces, including Stockbridge Town Park, which blends commercial and outdoorsy aesthetics. The museum is not downtown, but well worth the short trek for a better appreciation of the district and the town as a whole.
Shopping is another reason to visit the downtown district, featuring boutiques like Peace, Love, and Chocolate, a perfect place to grab a keepsake. Norman Rockwell was not the only artist to be inspired by the natural setting. Mundy's Asia Galleries and other showrooms feature exhibits by regional and national artists, adding depth to downtown.
Falmouth
Main Street Falmouth, on Cape Cod, offers an elevated yet hometown feel that matches its ocean views. Peg Noonan Park on Main Street underscores this element, hosting free summer movies that help bring people together. Take Main Street to Palmer Avenue to shop till you drop at Queens Buyway, a significant draw for many Cape Codders and visitors.
Marine Park is the place to go for scenic views, summer concerts, and a seasonal farmer's market for more of the community's small-town feel. Along with views of Falmouth Harbor, many spend at least one day catching the ferry to Martha's Vineyard for its proximity to the town. To stay in the heart of the downtown district, book a room at the Inn at the Square, a beautiful inn within walking distance of the main sites and venues in downtown Falmouth.
New England is best explored on foot, and Massachusetts's distinctive historic districts are top destinations to learn about its vast history and heritage that helped shape the nation. These elements funnel down to the district of Salem, which is famous for its witch and maritime history. Its downtown area is packed with historical significance, but it has also evolved into a top culinary and shopping destination, blending the past with modern tastes.
Northampton presents a different side of Massachusetts with its coffee shops and bookstores centered around the local college. Then there is Provincetown, which equals only Key West in being the go-to party street: Commercial Street. However, P Town is more than a party hub; it is rooted in history, much of which is preserved on its main drag, adding versatile layers to explore. These attributes and more are what make these 10 downtowns the best to visit in the state.
