These Massachusetts Towns Have The Best Views In The State
For travelers seeking sights to bring awe and the sublime to their journeys, many turn to New England’s pristine and varied natural features to find beauty to behold. Even in stunning New England, Massachusetts stands out as having a veritable treasure chest of vibrant jewels to seek out. From crystal-clear coastlines to rugged highlands, Massachusetts encompasses a range of ecological regions unmatched by many states. As such, the Bay State presents nature lovers with plenty of beautiful sights to help you remember how vibrant and beautiful nature can be, and with a healthy dose of history to help tie it into our own roots.
Rockport
With “rock” in the name, one might assume that Rockport, Massachusetts, only has a few cliffs or rock-strewn beaches, but in truth, this charming coastal town, Northeast of Salem, at the furthest point of the Cape Ann peninsula, offers not only incredible beaches, but also a historic hotspot for visitors. Rockport is perfect for long walks on the beach, pina coladas optional, and for beautiful sights. Many of its beaches are a bit rugged, but that just means that no matter what your activity level is, you can find a walking path that lets you enjoy the clear blue-green waters, pale sands, and impressive ledges and cliffsides. Halibut Point State Park is a good starting point for an easy, scenic walk on Cape Ann, and it’s a popular spot for coastal birding. Those who want to mix artistic history with natural beauty will find Motif No. 1, an iconic crimson fishing shack that is reportedly graced by more American paintings than any other building in America. This scarlet structure stands out amidst the other buildings and boats of Bradley Wharf, making it an excellent focal point for those seeking beautiful sights. For a higher, dramatic vantage, head to Halibut Point State Park’s Babson Farm Quarry Trail, where the old quarry and ledges open to wide ocean views.
Ipswich
Because its resistance to taxation without representation earned Ipswich, Massachusetts, its reputation as the birthplace of American Independence, one might assume that Ipswich offers more historical sights than beautiful ones. However, missing out on Ipswich’s natural beauty would be a tragedy, as Ipswich sits amongst some of the most diverse and breathtaking natural splendor in Massachusetts. Sitting on the shores of the Ipswich River, Ipswich is surrounded by serene farmland, state-protected wildlands, stunning salt marshes, and gorgeous beaches. Of particular note is the 2100-acre Crane Estate, which contains a plethora of picture-perfect sights to make anyone gasp. Centered around Castle Hill, the estate purchased by Illinois industry heir Richard Teller Crane, Jr. in 1910, is a beautiful center of both natural beauty and conservation. A prime example is Crane Beach, a four-mile stretch of peaceful coastline backed against high-reaching bluffs and visible from the restored mansion on Castle Hill. In addition to being a popular destination for ocean-goers, Crane Beach also serves as a protected nesting site for the threatened piping plovers, a species of shorebird once hunted to the brink of extinction for their eggs and feathers.
Northampton
With a nickname like “Paradise City,” travelers know they are in for something special when they visit Northampton, Massachusetts. Sitting in the center of the Bay State and North of Springfield, Northampton ironically rests along the Connecticut River, but it’s a Massachusetts marvel through and through, and its central location lets you explore a little of everything on offer, from forests to farmland and even mountains. The nearby peaks of the Mount Holyoke and Mount Tom mountain ranges offer visitors breathtaking vistas. Both ranges have unique geology, which has made them popular tourist destinations since America’s earliest days. Mount Holyoke, in particular, was considered sacred by Native American tribes in the region, and its seven-mile ridge line is stunning. It, along with the surrounding wetlands and forests, has been an inspiration for countless visitors and has been immortalized in both literature and art, such as the poems of Emily Dickensen and the paintings of Thomas Cole. A short drive northeast of town brings travelers to the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, a preserve of nearly 850 acres with multiple trail options for a quiet loop.
Nantucket
Far and away one of the most blindingly beautiful islands in the Massachusetts area, and fittingly known as “the Faraway land,” Nantucket, Massachusetts, has a massive amount of beauty packed into a small area. Fourteen miles long and less than four miles wide, Nantucket has devoted 50% of its land to conservation, meaning its breathtaking beaches and the deeply moving waters of the Atlantic are pristine and unmarred, adding to their subtle sublime. In every direction lie white sands and sparkling waters, meaning that no matter what your activity level is, you can find the perfect beach to both suit your needs and spark your soul. Generally, the beaches on the North side, such as 40th Pole Beach, have the gentlest surf, making them perfect for family outings, while the southern shores tend to be better suited to strong swimmers and surfers. Ladies Beach is a prime example of a southern Nantucket beach, and is suitable for body surfing, boogie boards, or, of course, just people-watching. And with its historical connection to whales, Nantucket offers plenty of chances to see some of the most stunning and majestic sights at sea, from a whale pod swimming or even a breaching whale on one of their whale-watching history tours, or just the sunset glowing across the waters on their sunset tour.
Sandwich
Not all beaches are created equal in beauty; in truth, there is a broad spectrum of sublime sands in the world, as proven by Sandwich, Massachusetts’s pristine and pleasant dunes. Resting along Cape Cod Bay, just Southeast of Plymouth, Sandwich offers a quaint, cozy small-town base for exploring not only the incredible natural beauty surrounding it, but also some man-made attractions. While each of Sandwich’s four ocean beaches is stunning, just up Cape Cod Bay in Barnstable, Sandy Neck Beach Park spans 1,438 acres of barrier beach, dunes, and maritime forest, making it a standout day trip from Sandwich. Part of Barnstable’s roughly 4,700-acre Sandy Neck Beach Park, the dunes, marshes, and naval woods make it one of Cape Cod’s standout coastal landscapes. But beyond prehistoric places, Sandwich offers a more recent, yet no less dazzling, buffet of beautiful sights in its Heritage Museums and Gardens. With over one hundred acres of carefully designed gardens, there is something sublime for everyone, no matter where your tastes and desires lie. From simple, homely herbs like those your great-great-grandparents grew to new hybrid breeds of Hydrangeas, the stunningly vibrant colors amidst a sea of greenery as deep as Cape Cod itself bring beauty to the traveler.
Provincetown
From its place at the pinnacle of Cape Cod, Provincetown, Massachusetts, prides itself on being a place where beauty is treasured in all shapes and sizes, and while Ptown prides itself on its inclusivity and diversity and often focuses on the beauty of the individual, this Cape Cod charmer has its fair share of natural beauty. Its trails are a great way to explore Beech Forest in the Province Lands of Cape Cod National Seashore, with dunes, woods, and a pond loop. This pristine coastal forest offers visitors a glimpse into arboreal antiquity, into the Massachusetts that the Pilgrims first stepped into. Provincetown’s Beech Forest area in Cape Cod National Seashore provides an easy, scenic walk through a rare dune-forest landscape and around a small pond. When you wander the forested dunes or pass beside the shallow Beech Forest pond, you’ll be embraced and awe-struck by the stunning blend of bright branches.
Massachusetts Towns' Scenic Beauty
Massachusetts boasts an abundance of beauty, from its mountains to its beaches and everything in between, offering travelers plenty to take in as they renew their spirits. A visitor to the most scenic spots of Massachusetts will find soothing seas to be a balm for their woes, towering mountains to fill them with awe and a desire for adventure, and mystical marshes and forests to fuel their sense of mystery. With the Bay State’s diverse ecological tapestry and strong sense of history, you will never lack for variety and opportunity in the beauty before you.
