Most people think they need to travel to Washington, D.C., to see cherry blossoms—but springtime in New England tells a different story. From the coastal towns of Connecticut to Boston’s historic green spaces, cherry blossom season is a local tradition. Whether you’re a botanist or just looking for a springtime stroll, you can experience the delicate pink blooms without traveling far beyond your own backyard. The blossoms typically peak between late March and mid-April, and are as fleeting as spring rain, so plan your visit while they last!

A Celebration in Bloom: Boston’s Arnold Arboretum Cherry Blossom Festival

One of the most beloved celebrations of cherry blossoms in New England happens every spring at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Boston. This year, on an unseasonably warm 80-degree Saturday, it was the perfect time to welcome spring. Young families, children, seniors, and visitors of all kinds came out to enjoy the blossoms and enjoy the arboretum’s activities and performances. The festival featured traditional Japanese games and calligraphy, and family-friendly programming with Arboretum Youth Education. 

The festival came alive with Japanese dance performances by the Showa Boston Institute, and the strong rhythms of taiko drumming by Odaiko New England—their powerful beats echoing through the blooming pathways.

But the cherry trees are more than just beautiful—they’re part of a deeper story. Many of the trees were grown from seeds hand-delivered from Japan, part of a longstanding friendship between the two cultures. (Fun fact: these trees thrive here thanks to the similarly humid climates of Massachusetts and Japan!) More than just a lovely spring stroll, the event highlighted the deep connections between culture, environmental care, and community. Spring in New England feels like a new year, with everyone and everything coming alive again after the long, cold winter. 

More Places to See Cherry Blossoms in New England

Looking to explore beyond Boston? Here are some other top spots for cherry blossoms in New England (and just beyond):

Mill River Park, Stamford, Connecticut

Located just over the New York border, this urban park features the lovely Cherry Tree Grove, perfect spring day trip. It’s less than a 90-minute drive from central Connecticut and is quickly becoming a regional favorite.

Wooster Square Park, New Haven, Connecticut

Each April, more than 70 Yoshino cherry trees bloom in unison in this historic neighborhood park. Wooster Square Park is also home to one of New England’s most beloved cherry blossom festivals, with live music, local food, and family-friendly fun, making it one of the top cherry blossom destinations in the U.S.

Charles River Esplanade, Boston, Massachusetts

For cherry blossoms with a city skyline view, this riverside park delivers. Walk or bike along the Charles River under elegant rows of pink and white petals, with views of the Back Bay and easy access to the Boston Public Garden and Beacon Hill.

Branch Brook Park, Newark, New Jersey (Honorable Mention)

Though technically outside New England, Branch Brook Park is a cherry blossom powerhouse that deserves a mention for its proximity and scale. Just a couple hours’ drive from southern Connecticut, this park boasts over 5,000 cherry trees in more than a dozen varieties, making it the largest collection in the United States. Visitors can also enjoy guided talks and cultural programming during peak bloom.

Cherry Blossom Visitor Tips

To make the most of cherry blossom season, keep these tips in mind:

• Plan ahead: Check local bloom forecasts.
• Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds and catch the best lighting for photos.
• Know your trees: Yoshino trees bloom first, followed by Kwanzan, which have fuller, deeper pink petals.
• Weather matters: Rain or strong wind can shorten the bloom period dramatically.
• Pack a picnic: Many of these parks have scenic spots to enjoy lunch under the trees.

A Shared Moment Beneath the Petals

As Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki once wrote:

“Under the cherry blossoms / strangers are not / really strangers” There’s something deeply human about gathering under blooming cherry trees. Whether you’re wandering through the Arnold Arboretum or finding peace under the blossoms in New Haven, appreciating spring flowers in New England offers a rare and beautiful pause—a reminder to slow down, breathe deep, and welcome a new season in bloom.

The post Cherry Blossoms in New England: Where to See Spring in Full Bloom appeared first on New England.

Looking for the best things to do in Massachusetts this summer? From slurping oysters on the bay to celebrating Revolutionary history with an epic reenactment, these 10 unforgettable experiences showcase the creativity, culinary innovation, natural beauty, and cultural depth that make Massachusetts a must-visit summer destination. Whether you’re up for van life, jazz on the Cape, or contemporary art in the Berkshires, there’s something here to inspire every kind of traveler.

10 Best Things to Do in Massachusetts This Summer

1. Get Out of Your Shell in Duxbury – Wi-Fi, oysters, and lobster dip—your new favorite workday trio.

If your job allows you to work from anywhere, why wouldn’t you choose an outdoor table at The Raw Bar at Island Creek Oyster Farm in Duxbury? The Wi-Fi is reliable. Serene bay views and hyperlocal oyster selections will help clear your head. And there’s no task that can’t be made more palatable with a side of cheesy baked lobster dip.

2. Supper by the Sea at Wequassett – Celebrate 100 years of Cape Cod elegance with family-style seaside feasts.

Turning 100 is a big deal, so Supper on the Bay gatherings will have extra sparkle this year at Harwich’s Wequassett Resort and Golf Club. On Thursday evenings in August, you can claim a seat at a long seaside table and dine in family-style lavishness on the freshest sea fare and produce that Cape Cod has to offer.

3. Raise a Baton to Keith Lockhart – Tanglewood toasts a Boston Pops legend with star-studded flair.

They called him “The Kid” when Keith Lockhart took the baton of the Boston Pops at the age of 35. More than 2,200 concerts later, his dynamic tenure as the face and grace of America’s Orchestra will be toasted August 22 at Tanglewood in Lenox with a 30th anniversary celebration featuring Bernadette Peters, Ben Folds, Lynn Ahrens, and other special guests.

4. Curl Up at An Unlikely Story – Books, beer, and community at Jeff Kinney’s charming indie bookstore.

If you recognize the name Jeff Kinney, you probably know a tween who’s devoured his Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series. But did you know Kinney and his wife, Julie, have owned a destination bookstore in Plainville for 10 years? While Kinney admits An Unlikely Story isn’t exactly making him rich, he’s undeterred in his drive to revitalize everything that surrounds his downtown shop, once a general store. Pitch in by attending one of the many author talks held in the Second Story event space, or by curling up in the café with a matcha latte and a mystery or a beer and a biography.

5. Power Up at Mass MoCA – Jeffrey Gibson’s show electrifies with queer, Indigenous energy.

Enormous garments suspended from tipi poles. Glass dance floors pulsing with kaleidoscopic light. Films. Soundtracks. Insights. The Jeffrey Gibson exhibit Power Full Because We’re Different has swept into massive Building 5 at North Adams’s Mass MoCA with an energy that electrifies the daunting space. Gibson, who last year became the first solo Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale, is known for multifaceted installations like this, celebrating queer and Indigenous communities and giving voice and visibility to two-spirit gender expression.

6. Hit the Road with Walden Campervans – Embrace van life and explore New England off-grid in style.

“Van life” appeals to all ages, and Acton-based Walden Campervans offers fully outfitted vehicles—some even dog-friendly—that make it easy to try this way of vacationing. Owners Mike and Susie Patrick go the extra mile, creating complimentary customized itineraries that showcase New England’s most exceptional off-the-grid destinations. Mike joined Weekends with Yankee cohost Richard Wiese for a campervan adventure in Maine this season that might just inspire your own road trip (check your local PBS listings).

7. Dine Fresh at Cantina 229 – Farm-to-table magic and hyperseasonal menus in the Berkshires.

Like an unexpected mirage on a Berkshires back road, Cantina is a glowy little restaurant that enchants from the get-go. Reopened last fall in New Marlborough by new owners Peter Chapin and Maddie Austin, it takes farm-to-table to the next level: Most menu ingredients are grown or raised on Mill River Farm, which is run by Chapin and his mother, Jan Johnson. Sip a cocktail infused with fresh-picked herbs while you peruse the week’s hyperseasonal selections, and you’ll immediately feel part of a foodie community.

8. Make It an Artful Escape to New Salem – Realist masterpieces in a historic home turned museum.

Not even two years ago, ardent collectors Vincent and Laura Barletta transformed their beloved-for-generations family home into America’s first museum devoted exclusively to contemporary realist art. It hasn’t taken long for their New Salem Museum & Academy of Fine Art to attract lovers of the genre to the tiny town of New Salem. You’ll be mesmerized each time you visit and discover the walls of this 19th-century home sporting works by living masters and the icons—like John Singer Sargent and Andrew Wyeth—on whose shoulders they stand. Stop by New Salem General Store to pick up made-to-order sandwiches to enjoy on the patio.

9. Experience the Battle of Bunker Hill Reenactment – Revolutionary history comes alive in Gloucester’s immersive celebration.

The 250th-anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill won’t be held in Boston, although the Bunker Hill Monument Association plans a June 17 commemoration at the obelisk that marks the battle’s actual location on Breed’s Hill. To accommodate spectators and several hundred reenactors, Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park will step in to play the battleground during two days of immersive events, June 21 and 22. You won’t just see the fighting unfold—you’ll learn how civilians of all classes, allegiances, genders, and races perceived, participated in, and were affected by the Revolutionary era.

10. Wander Through Outdoor Art – Sculptures, gardens, and meditative trails in the Berkshires.

It’s like meditation in motion, strolling among sculptural works beautifully sited in the great outdoors. In the Berkshires, you could spend a whole weekend encountering art in the wild. TurnPark Art Space in West Stockbridge has 16 acres of former quarry lands to explore year-round. In Lenox, The Mount installs a new array of contemporary juried works across 50 acres, open free to the public May 24–October 19. And sculptor Andrew DeVries gives visitors free range to frolic with the dancers and jesters along the Sculpture Trail at his gallery in Middlefield, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 16–October 19 (donations accepted).

See More: 2025 Massachusetts Travel Guide | Hotels, Dining & Attractions

What tops your list of the best things to do in Massachusetts this summer? Let us know!

The post 10 Best Things to Do in Massachusetts This Summer 2025 appeared first on New England.

From fresh-shucked oysters in the Seaport to hidden fashion gems in Allston, the best places to visit in Boston are full of flavor, culture, and character. This curated collection—handpicked by Yankee editors—highlights the city’s most exciting spots to eat, stay, and play in 2025. Whether you’re brunching in Brookline, catching an indie flick in Coolidge Corner, or exploring world-class art in unexpected corners of the city, there’s something here for every kind of urban explorer. Consider this your insider guide to Boston at its boldest and best.

Best Places to Visit in Boston | 2025 Editors’ Picks

2025 Best Boston Hotels

Best Affordable Overnight: Hotel 1868, Cambridge

To find a quality stay priced consistently under $300 per night—even on peak summer weekends—head to Cambridge’s Porter Square, situated within easy reach of adjacent Harvard and Davis squares and their abundant restaurants, shops, and theaters. Located across the street from a subway stop, this chic 50-room hotel offers a gym, business facilities, concierge service, and modestly sized but generously comfy rooms.

Best Boutique Hotel: The Newbury Boston, Boston

Rebranded and completely reimagined in 2021, The Newbury continues the luxe heritage of its original incarnation as the nation’s very first Ritz-Carlton hotel, circa 1927. Its refined rooftop Italian restaurant, Contessa, keeps foodie guests fully sated, while its more lounge-y street-side bar offers a perfect place to linger. With in-room tea service and your very own fireplace “butler,” you can’t help but feel you’ve landed someplace truly special. If at all possible, splurge for a park-side room: The sweeping views of the Public Garden are worth it.

Best Hotel Lobby: Four Seasons Hotel Boston, Boston

Superstar designer Ken Fulk refreshed the common areas of this downtown stalwart to highlight its location across from the Public Garden, with an ethereal Maxfield Parrish–esque mural behind the front desk and a series of lobby “living rooms” inspired by grand country houses. Guests and visitors alike can dine in style at the Fulk-envisioned Coterie, a sleek bar-café with botanical-inspired cocktails and both French and New England classics (e.g., steak frites and lobster rolls).

2025 Best Boston Dining

Best Affordable Seafood: Yankee Lobster Co., Boston

Located at the far eastern end of Northern Avenue, this Seaport District standby does quality seafood at reasonable-for-Boston prices: Fish sandwiches, fish and chips, and fried clam strips come in at $20 or less, and the abundant fisherman’s platter, heaped with enough fried seafood to feed two, is about $40. It helps that the restaurant fronts a wholesale operation that moves thousands of pounds of fresh lobster on any given day.

Best Bagels: Bagelsaurus, Cambridge

Greater Boston has seen a bagel renaissance these past few years, with a number of excellent spots graduating from pop-ups to full-fledged brick-and-mortar operations (Exodus Bagels in Roslindale and Brick Street Bagels in the South End, to name two). But Bagelsaurus still rules them all, thanks to bagels blessed with tender-but-chewy interiors, crackling exteriors, and just-right coatings—delicious on their own or as the foundation for an astoundingly good breakfast sandwich.

Best Bakery: Colette, Boston

Baguettes, croissants, éclairs, macarons, quiches—there isn’t a single thing at this South End bakery-café that fails to delight us. Of particular note are the canelés and the classic flan Parisien, brimming with custardy goodness, and the brioche filled with chocolate-hazelnut praline. Small and charming (mignon, as the French would say), Colette is the neighborhood spot we all wish we had. Additional locations in Medford and Melrose.

Best Brunch: Bar Vlaha, Brookline

Prime-time dinner reservations can be tough to get at Bar Vlaha, whose superlative Greek cuisine has seen it consistently lauded as one of Boston’s best restaurants. Brunch, on the other hand, is a more relaxed affair—and it’s just as terrific. Standouts include saganaki, fried sheep’s milk cheese in a Metaxa brandy sauce with pistachios and a bit of jam or seasonal fruit; tsoureki, a Greek take on French toast with fruit, whipped cream, and fantastically creamy maple yogurt; and the tangy, spicy egg-lover’s dream known as shakshouka.

Best Coffee Shop: Ogawa Coffee, Boston

If the work-from-home trend has thinned out the crowd of coffee drinkers in downtown Boston, you’d never know it at this buzzing spot near Downtown Crossing. The only U.S. outpost of a three-quarter-century-old Japanese coffee company, Ogawa is most notable for its skill in coaxing maximum flavor out of its beans without adding acidity or bitterness, as its popularity proves.

Best Farm-to-Table Dining: Field & Vine, Somerville

The vibes at this seasonal-dining haven are downright Edenic: twinkling lights, abundant greenery, and a friendly mix of neighborhood regulars and visiting foodies. Savor the wood-fired seafood, the cheddar-scallion cornbread with miso butter, and any of the imaginative peak-produce salads (think: beets and berries, or peaches and purslane).

Best Italian Restaurant: SRV, Boston

Nine-year-old SRV always captivates us. How can a restaurant be this consistently great for so long? The menu is deeply Italian with a special focus on Venetian cuisine, yet it also surprises (think: pasta stuffed with beets and poppy seeds, a classic in Northern Italy but rare here). Plus, they have two outdoor patios for summer dining. With new chef de cuisine Jacey Vaccaro at the helm, we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Best Lunch: Sofra Bakery & Café, Allston and Cambridge

We have long loved Sofra’s contemporary spins on traditional dishes from Turkey, Lebanon, and Greece. But almost as soon as the original Cambridge location opened in 2008, it outgrew its small space. With its much larger second café now open in Allston, Sofra offers spacious comfort in which to enjoy classics like spinach falafel with beet tzatziki, lamb shawarma, and heirloom tomato galettes with feta. Don’t skip dessert: The sesame-cashew bars and chocolate earthquake cookies are signature treats.

2025 Best Boston Attractions

Best Bakers’ Mecca: Elmendorf Baking Supplies, Cambridge

The modest scale of this storefront belies its outsize appeal for carb lovers: a full-service café, kitchen supplies ranging from French whisks to proofing baskets to sanding sugars and sprinkles, a range of baking books, and knowledgeable staffers to answer any question. They even mill flour here from local grains, using it in the café’s pastries and also bagging up the good stuff for shoppers to take home and turn into the best bread they’ve ever made.

Best Hidden-Gem Museum: Nichols House Museum, Boston

If you’ve ever longed to peek behind the facade of a stately Beacon Hill townhouse, now’s your chance. The Nichols House Museum beautifully preserves the former residence of Rose Standish Nichols, a landscape architect and writer—and niece of legendary sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens—who lived here from 1885 until her death in 1960. Inside the rooms, you’ll find period furniture, Flemish tapestries, pieces by Saint-Gaudens, and mementos that tell the story of Nichols’s life as she moved through Boston’s literary, political, and artistic circles.

Best New Family Attraction: Museum of Ice Cream, Boston

The city’s latest entry in the “immersive experiences” category, this candy-colored ode to America’s favorite dessert invites visitors into a fantasy world that encompasses a ball pit filled with oversize ice cream sprinkles (sadly, nonedible), a simulated airplane flight on the “Creamliner,” interactive ice cream trivia, and a tasting lab where the samples include lobster ice cream (buttery and creamy, but not overtly lobster-y).

Best Small Art Museum: McMullen Museum of Art, Brighton

In 2021, Fidelity vice chairman and Boston College alum Peter Lynch donated $20 million worth of his personal art collection to this BC-owned institution on Commonwealth Avenue. The gift included works by such heavy hitters as Sargent, Cassatt, Picasso, and Homer, now on display on the museum’s first floor. Upstairs, special exhibits on topics such as illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Irish Arts and Crafts movement, and the Cuban avant-garde are curated as expertly as in much larger museums, but on a more intimate scale.

Best Movie Theater: Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline

How rare it is to find a 1933 Art Deco movie palace selling out on any given night of the week—and rarer still that it should show a dizzying range of new releases, retrospectives, midnight screenings, documentaries, and films shot in 70mm (and serve up a mean tub of popcorn with real butter, to boot). With its long-awaited expansion finally completed, the Coolidge has added classes and seminars to the mix. Simply put, it’s a national treasure for Bostonians to call their own.

Best Nature Escape: Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Mattapan

Sixty-seven acres in all, these woods, meadows, and wetlands offer blessed relief from urban life without the need to venture beyond city limits. Equally diverting are the various educational programs, spanning birding excursions and foraging walks to poetry workshops and crafting classes. (Where else can you make your own candles and herbal oils using plants harvested on-site?) Meanwhile, a mile-long universal-access trail welcomes nature lovers of all abilities.

Best New England Style Fix (Men’s): Sault New England, Boston

It’s not just the merchandise that makes this store so appealing—it’s the merchandising. In his South End shop (there’s a second location in Portsmouth, New Hampshire), owner Philip Saul evokes a world of oxfords and flannels, regattas, and striped silk ties with vintage New England–style home accessories and locally made leather wallets. Sault’s ever-growing lines for women and kids are worth a look, too.

Best New England Style Fix (Women’s): La Ligne, Boston

Among La Ligne’s founders is Boston native Meredith Melling, which may be why there’s more than a little New England style in this NYC-based clothing line. In La Ligne’s recently opened boutique on Newbury Street, modern takes on nautical stripes appear in many colors and fabrics, monogramming is encouraged, and cardigans get a star turn. But for all its nods to the classics, this is decidedly fashion-forward clothing, with silhouettes that tuck and swing in all the right places. Bonus: Many popular pieces come in sizes from XXS to 3X.

Best Secret Fashion Stash: Designers Circus, Allston

The Filene’s Basement era of deep discounts on designer fashion may be sadly over, but this nondescript shop in Allston Village is doing its best to fill the void. Owner Kathleen O’Neill had her own clothing line for decades and now sells clothing by about 80 independent designers from around the world for at least half off retail. Styles range from earthy to cutting-edge, and with a bit of digging, you’ll always find something that suits you—and that no one else has.

See More: 10 Best Things to Do in Boston This Summer 2025

Honorees were selected by Yankee editors led by senior food editor Amy Traverso, longtime Boston resident and the cohost of Weekends with Yankee.

The post 2025 Boston Travel Guide | Hotels, Dining & Attractions appeared first on New England.

From the Berkshires to the Cape, the best places to visit in Massachusetts offer something for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re chasing the perfect burger, craving a dreamy farm dinner, or checking into a boutique hotel full of charm, this curated guide—handpicked by Yankee editors—highlights the most exciting destinations to explore in 2025. Think creative cocktail bars, award-winning pie shops, historic inns, buzzing flea markets, and so much more. No matter your travel style, you’ll find unforgettable experiences waiting across the Bay State.

Best Places to Visit in Massachusetts | 2025 Editors’ Picks

2025 Best Massachusetts Hotels

Best Boutique Hotel: The Coach House, Salem

A “Witch you were here” sign welcomes you to Instagrammable privacy at this upscale property. You’ll find history in the bones of the house, with luxury in details such as chandeliers, decorative fireplaces, and Frette sheets and linens. The 11 rooms and suites include a concierge service—a must with self-check-in (aka no front desk). It’s an easy walk to Pioneer Village and Forest River Park (an ideal spot from which to watch the moon rise).

Best Island Retreat: The Edgartown Collection, Martha’s Vineyard

Comprising five stylishly updated historic inns, this 69-room boutique property offers walkable access to the many enticing restaurants and boutiques of Edgartown, on the east side of Martha’s Vineyard. Inviting amenities abound, including sunny porches and patios, waffle robes, and Lather bath products; a thoughtfully curated breakfast and afternoon snacks also come with your stay.

Best Refreshed Lodging: The Trail in Adams, Adams

Count on a blissfully restful night when you tuck yourself into one of these nine artist-decorated rooms with en suite baths; maybe you’ll even drift off in the unique “floating” bed suspended from the ceiling in the Beau & Joe room. This semi-urban retreat was reopened in 2023 by Yina Moore, founder and director of the nearby Adams Theater. She kept the bold colors and playful patterns of the former Topia Inn while modernizing the common spaces. You’ll appreciate the emphasis on “green living,” too, with easy access to a rail trail, on-site EV charger, independently ventilated rooms, and organic linens, towels, and toiletries.

2025 Best Massachusetts Dining

Best Burger: The Bistro Box, Great Barrington

Run by two graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, this cheerful, seasonal window-service spot nestled beneath towering pines is no ordinary burger joint. Foodies come from miles away to dig into the signature Box Burger crowned with tomato-bacon jam, sharp cheddar, and garlic aioli, along with sides of Parmesan-truffle fries and crispy veggie spring rolls. Indulgent shakes and sundaes feature artisan ice cream from Hadley’s Maple Valley Creamery. Watch for creative daily specials, and come early on weekends and sunny days to beat the crowds.

Best Clam Shack: Straight Wharf Fish, Nantucket

After a nationally publicized two-year legal fight with prominent billionaires who own wharf houses nearby, this stylish, laid-back clam shack finally opened last summer. The food is simple but fantastic (no surprise—it’s overseen by Gabriel Frasca, chef-owner of the renowned Straight Wharf Restaurant next door). Pair the clam roll with pickled lettuce and tartar sauce with hand-cut onion rings and a crisp organic white wine from Crete. Harbor views and a warm white-oak interior make the scene more chic than shack.

Best Creative Cocktails: Steel & Wire, Worcester

Named for and adorned with photos that honor Worcester’s rich industrial history, this intimate space blends the warm welcome of a neighborhood bar with the inventive cocktail program of a hip lounge. Talented mixologists will pour you anything from a classic martini to a thoroughly modern Fiery Passion (with jalapeño tequila, Aperol, passion fruit, and lime). Enjoy your sips while nibbling on hummus and charcuterie or—if it’s trivia night—testing your wits against those of your fellow patrons.

Best Farm Dinners: Chatham Bars Inn Farm, Brewster

Farm-to-table cuisine has been a Chatham Bars Inn hallmark since the resort’s inception … in 1914. These days, New England’s ultimate dining-at-the-farm experience takes place 20 minutes north, in the fields where the resort cultivates its own bounty of vibrant, peak-flavored produce. Seated at communal tables, sharing a Wednesday evening’s four-course feast, you’ll feel nourished by both the earth that feeds you and the festive company of your new friends.

Best Open Kitchen: Heirloom Lodge, West Stockbridge

Counter seats overlooking the action are a hot ticket at this newcomer, and that’s not solely because chef-owner Matt Straus was a theater kid at Skidmore. The renowned sommelier, chef, and restaurateur who founded San Francisco’s Heirloom Café has new “props” to play with at his first East Coast venture: namely, ultra-fresh local ingredients, assembled with the eye of a sculptor who chisels away the unnecessary. Even rotisserie chicken for two feels like a revelation in a space that is somehow totally 1797 and totally today.

Best Pies: Petsi Pies, Somerville

It’s hard to choose a favorite from this venerable bakery, which is beloved for both sweet and savory creations. But you can’t go wrong with a slice of apple crumb or, available in autumn, sweet potato–pecan. Or feed the whole family with the hearty bacon-leek-Gruyère pie. Founded in 2003 by talented baker Renee “Petsi” McLeod, this sunny spot near Porter Square is now helmed by Jill Remby, who carries on McLeod’s tradition of excellence in decadence.

Best Romantic Restaurant: The Red Inn, Provincetown

One of the most enchanting spots on the Outer Cape to celebrate a special occasion, this rambling 1805 house in Provincetown’s peaceful West End presents a seasonally changing menu of exquisite contemporary New England fare, with an emphasis on seafood. The lobster salad and local diver scallops with a citrus beurre blanc are among the stars. For brunch, book a table on the covered deck overlooking Provincetown Harbor. There are also eight overnight accommodations with sleek furnishings.

2025 Best Massachusetts Attractions

Best Art Gallery: Salmon Falls Gallery, Shelburne Falls

Master glass artist Josh Simpson, the proprietor of this airy gallery overlooking the Deerfield River, has earned international acclaim for his dazzling “Megaplanet” glass orbs, which are displayed at the Corning Museum of Glass and other illustrious institutions. Here you can browse his pieces, including many smaller and more affordable items like tumblers, vases, and pendants. But you’ll also find gorgeous works by more than 90 artists, including leather wallets, fiber wall art, and hand-forged jewelry.

Best Author’s Home: Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, Concord

When you tour the house where Louisa May Alcott both penned and set her seminal novel, Little Women, you’ll feel as though the author and her sisters might pop back through the turquoise front door at any moment. The collection of family possessions is remarkably intact, as is the spirit that has propelled her semi-autobiographical story through time and around the world. As Lexington and Concord mark 250 years since the outbreak of the Revolution, you’ll also be entering a structure that housed father-and-son militiamen and that has witnessed history since 1650. How lucky we are Louisa’s dad ignored neighborly advice to tear it down.

Best Family Attraction: Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich

The top draws at this eclectic cultural campus are its nationally significant collections—ranging from American folk art to vintage automobiles—and its 100 acres of lovingly tended gardens. Stroll among seasonal blooms like hydrangeas and rhododendrons, or take in contemporary outdoor sculpture along winding paths. Guests can round out their visit with refreshments from the on-site Lilly’s Café, or detour to The Adventure Park (separate admission required) for high-flying fun in the form of roughly 80 treetop challenges featuring ropes courses, ladders, and ziplines through the forest canopy.

Best Family-Friendly Museum: EcoTarium, Worcester

Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, the EcoTarium (originally called the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History) is a fun-filled destination for families with school-age kids. You’ll find live animal exhibits, interactive science experiments, a planetarium, and outdoor play areas designed to connect children with nature. A 12-minute open-air train ride is a multigenerational favorite. To honor the attraction’s bicentennial, a stunning new courtyard mural features hundreds of individual tiles painted by local families and community members.

Best Flea Market: Brimfield Antique Flea Market, Brimfield

Everyone from the most ardent collector to the occasional bargain hunter flocks to this thrice-annual mega rummage sale that’s been going strong since 1959. Thousands of dealers sprawl along a mile of U.S. Route 20, and treasures of all kinds await: Depression glass, vintage signs, patchwork quilts, elegant Shaker tables, plus myriad collectibles, from the trendy to esoteric. Each iteration of the market runs Tuesday through Sunday: May 13–18, July 8–13, and September 2–7 this year.

Best Historic Site: Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell

Thanks to its auspicious setting on the Merrimack River, Lowell became the nation’s earliest planned textile factory town and, by the mid-19th century, its preeminent industrial center. Composed of several refurbished and unaltered buildings, this 142-acre park interprets the city’s rise, subsequent decline, and ongoing revitalization. Highlights include the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, the Pawtucket Dam and Gatehouse, a park devoted to native son Jack Kerouac, guided boat tours, and vintage trolley rides.

Best Island Rides: NanTukTuk, Nantucket

This clever pedicab service was started in 2023 by Michael Gormley, an enterprising young man from New Hampshire who lived in Sri Lanka for 10 months. The ubiquitous tuk-tuks there, and the fact that his grandmother couldn’t negotiate the cobblestones of downtown Nantucket, gave Gormley the idea to start the company. He’s expanded his pickup territory and added more bright-red tricycle cabs to his fleet. It’s huge not to deal with Nantucket parking (and the name is very fun to say).

Best Live Music Venue: The Cut, Gloucester

Pop, rock, and country acts—including Alisan Porter, American Authors, and Los Lobos—have performed in this industrial-chic club since it opened in downtown Gloucester in January 2024. Shows take place mostly on weekends and range from tribute bands and DJ sets to open-mic comedy and stand-up acts.

Best Museum Gift Shop: Ox & Yoke Mercantile, Sturbridge

For timeless kitchen items like iron trivets, redware pottery, and hand-formed tin bakeware, shop the Ox & Yoke Mercantile at Old Sturbridge Village, where those Village-made crafts are beautifully displayed for sale, alongside an array of on-theme gifts. Need a 19th-century-style dress? They’ve got you. You can visit this destination shop without purchasing admission to the museum, or hit up the online store to have handcrafted items shipped to you or to loved ones near and far. Every purchase helps sustain this living-history museum and its myriad educational programs.

Best New Performance Venue: Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow, Becket

Dance enthusiasts will greet this new performance space with open arms, as the 220-acre campus of Jacob’s Pillow has felt the absence of the original theater, lost to fire in 2020. Twice as big, with seating for up to 230 people, the design balances technological innovation with connecting the “magic box” to the land: It can be completely darkened for video and live streams, or fully opened to the outdoors. Undoubtedly, it will impact the future of dance around the world. An opening celebration runs July 6–12, followed by the world premiere of Andrew Schneider’s HERE.

Honorees were selected by Yankee editors with contributions from Meg Lukens Noonan, a Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award–winning freelance writer and Nantucket devotee; and Andrew Collins, a travel writer based part-time in New Hampshire and author of numerous guidebooks, including Ultimate Road Trips USA & Canada.

The post 2025 Massachusetts Travel Guide | Hotels, Dining & Attractions appeared first on New England.

Sponsored by Visit North of Boston and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau

New Englanders are extraordinarily spoiled with day-trip options. That’s especially the case for those who live within an easy drive of the region north and west of Boston, where impressive cultural districts draw visitors with their vibrant art scenes and lively events and festivals. 

In Massachusetts, officially designated cultural districts are compact, walkable areas where a community tends to congregate, serving as town centers for artistic activity. These localities vary—as the cultural makeup of each one is unique—and that’s the joy of discovering all 14 that give this region its creative heartbeat. Visit a cultural district on the coast, another set on a river, and you’ll experience the wondrous geographic variety that awaits here, too.

All 14 cultural districts are showcased in the free Just North of Boston digital guide, and here’s a preview of six to give you a sense of their day-trip appeal.

Lowell’s Canalway Cultural District

There are three unique ways to experience Lowell’s Canalway Cultural District: by boat, by trolley, and by taste. First, Lowell National Historical Park takes visitors with advance tickets on mini-cruises, exploring the history of Lowell’s waterpower system. If you’d prefer to stay on land, the park also provides vintage-streetcar rides for free, with conductors calling out points of interest and historical details along the route. Operation varies by season, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule ahead of time.

Then there are the restaurants. As you weave among waterways on cobblestone streets, you’ll encounter a cornucopia of cuisines representing the city’s melting pot of cultures. Sample a bit of everything from fried seafood to Asian and South American fare.

And once you’ve had your fill of treats, mosey down the Lowell Riverwalk, then head over to the Western Avenue Studios complex for a self-guided tour. With more than 350 artists working in 250 studios and 50 live-work lofts, it’s the largest artist community on the Eastern Seaboard.

Rockport Cultural District

Rockport has long been a beacon for artists and painters looking to capture its coastal beauty. So it’s no surprise that its cultural district counts more than 40 galleries and studios. It’s also home to one of the oldest active art associations in the country, the Rockport Art Association. Moreover, you’ll find what is said to be the American building most often rendered in paintings: Motif Number 1, a charming red fishing shack bedecked with buoys.

Upon arriving, drop by one of the area’s many coffeeshops for a cup of something warm and energizing. You’ll need the jolt to explore all the shingled shops and galleries lining Bearskin Neck, and for your time spent breezily tracing the edges of Rockport Harbor. A lobster roll is a necessary addition to your itinerary, as is catching a concert at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, where an expansive wall of glass reveals a stunning seascape backdrop for performances.

Essex River Cultural District

This fluvial locale stretches a mile along Essex’s Main Street, from the corner of Spring Street at its western edge to the old Methodist Episcopal Church at its eastern boundary. It’s bisected by the eponymous Essex River, underscoring the area’s celebration of its nautical legacy, art-inspiring scenery, and dedication to environmental preservation.

Packed with loads of culture and history, the district winds through active shipyards and marinas, antique shops, bustling restaurants, pocket parks, galleries, and historical burial grounds. The town’s rich history of shipbuilding is highlighted as well, thanks to views of Burnham’s Shipyard and the presence of the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum, which houses an impressive collection of marine antiquities. But what sets this region apart is its salt-marsh views. They’re perhaps best enjoyed with a side of fried clams from one of the many open-air seafood establishments lining Main Street.

West Concord Junction Cultural District

The “junction” in question is the old crossing of the Fitchburg and Framingham/Lowell Railroads, where the distinctive 19th-century yellow depot building still stands. The Fitchburg Commuter Rail continues to rumble along the old tracks about once every hour. While this intersection used to see about 100 trains pass through every day, today’s village carries on the bustle with eateries, artisanal shops, art galleries, live performances, and outdoor activities.

While you’re there, be sure to reach out and touch the “Poetry Phone,” a public-art installation offering the chance to listen to spoken word in a solar-powered phone booth. Pick up the receiver to hear one of nine compositions, which change throughout the year. After you hang up, say hello to a nearby bakery or gourmet-food shop and treat yourself to a picnic alongside the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail or on the banks of the Assabet River.

Lexington Cultural District 

History abounds in the Lexington Cultural District, which roughly follows the path of the Minuteman Bikeway. Consider bringing or renting a bike to cruise on wheels between your sightseeing destinations. Along the way, you’ll pass meadows and parks, the Brown Homestead conservation area, the Lexington Minutemen Memorial sculpture, and Buckman Tavern—plus several other structures which were present at the Battle Green during the first skirmish of the American Revolutionary War.

When you’re ready to ditch pedaling for a more leisurely sidewalk stroll, head to Massachusetts Avenue to take your time at a multitude of art galleries, studios, ice-cream shops, cafés, and bakeries, many housed within long-standing architectural marvels.

Downtown Lynn Cultural District

Public art is only the beginning in this cultural hub that celebrates local artists and creators. You’ll first notice colorful murals splashing the walls of buildings and overpasses; one standout is “The Resident.” Painted by Glasgow-based artist Smug One, this towering work is an expressive portrait of a Lynn community member named Ferns. 

Beyond the murals and installations, you’ll find galleries, green spaces, performance venues, eclectic shops, and bountiful dining options. But behind the scenes, the city works to connect artists with resources. That includes support ranging from championing maker spaces like the Brickyard Collaborative to awarding Lynnspire Grants to Lynn-based creatives.

Downtown Lynn is also a flourishing events center, with farmers’ markets, poetry readings, festivals, and even drum circles. When you’re there, you’ll see the district’s vision in action: opening up opportunity and access for everyone.

Explore eight more cultural districts in the free Just North of Boston digital guide.

The post Explore the Vibrant Cultural Districts Just North of Boston appeared first on New England.

Brimfield Antique Show tips are a must if you’re planning to attend the largest antique show of its kind in the country. Three times a year, the Brimfield Antique Show rolls out the welcome mat to over 100,000 shoppers along Route 20 in south-central Massachusetts, where 12 sprawling fields are packed with rows upon rows of tented booths. Roughly 6,000 antique and collectible dealers make the pilgrimage to sell everything from vintage furniture and garden décor to folk art, textiles, and one-of-a-kind finds you never knew you needed. If you’re heading to Massachusetts for your first vintage treasure hunt, these tips will help you enjoy the experience — not just survive it.

2025 Brimfield Antique Show Dates

– May 13-18, 2025
– July 8-13, 2025
– September 2-7, 2025

10 Essential Brimfield Antique Show Tips

Brimfield Parking Tips: Arrive Early for the Best Spots

Arrive bright and early. Parking is hard to get at the Brimfield Antique Show, and you want to get close to the show grounds so you won’t have to haul your loot miles to your car later.

How to Make a Brimfield Antique Shopping List That Works

Have an idea of what you are looking to buy. DON’T stop at every booth. Learn to assess quickly to see if they have what you are looking for, and if they don’t, smile and move on. Stay true to your list, or you won’t get out of the first field you enter. Remember, there are 12 of them.

Can You Haggle at Brimfield? Yes — Here’s How

Yes. Dealers expect to negotiate. Don’t insult them, be reasonable, but don’t pay the listed amount right off the bat.

Buying Big? Brimfield Shipping and Transport Tips

The Brimfield Antique Show is big, so make sure you bring a vehicle large enough to cart all your goodies home. If you know you are looking for large items such as furniture, check on shipping options with the dealer before you hand over your money, or come back with a U-Haul the next day. Here’s the good news – there is a UPS and FedEx dealer located in the Brimfield Acres North field. Some porters will help you take your large items there or to your car.

What to Wear and Bring to the Brimfield Antique Show

Bring something to carry all of your purchases. Big tote bags or wire shopping carts – the ones your grandmothers used for shopping day – are the best idea. You can buy them at places like Target, Amazon, or Walmart, in person or online.

Wear comfy clothes and walking shoes, and appropriate weather gear, including a rain poncho or sun hat. Be comfortable! The Brimfield Antique Show is not a fashion show.

Bring your cell phone/charger, calculator, notebook, and business or contact cards to hand out. Use a fanny pack for maximum efficiency. ­I know it’s probably not your look, but it will free your hands up and keep your valuables safe.

Food at Brimfield: What to Eat and Where to Find It

Pack water and food if you’d like, but the Brimfield Antique Show is home to an assortment of food trucks and concession stands that range from traditional to gourmet. You will certainly not starve.

Why Shopping in the Rain at Brimfield Might Be the Best Kept Secret

Do not let the rain deter you! This is the best time to shop. The crowds are smaller, and the dealers are willing to come down on their prices, especially if it is toward the end of the week.

Learn From the Pros: Brimfield Dealer Advice You Can’t Miss

Treat your time at the Brimfield Antique Show as a learning experience. Pick the brains of the dealers. They are fantastic teachers and filled with information you might never find in a classroom, book, TV show, or online. People become experts by learning from the experts.

And above all…have fun!

What You Can Find at the Brimfield Antique Show:

American Pottery; Americana; Architectural & Garden Items; Art & Paintings; Baskets, Books & Manuscripts; Bottles; Buttons & Smalls; Cast Iron; Children’s Items; Civil War Memorabilia; Clocks & Watches; Coins; Comics; Costume Jewelry; Deco & Decorative Arts; Decoys; Dolls; Fiesta Ware & Depression Glass; Fishing & Sports Items; Flow Blue, Majolica, Staffordshire, Stoneware and Yelloware China; Folk Art; Country, English, Oak, Painted and Victorian Furniture; Games & Toys & Trains; Glass & China & Crystal; Guns & Arms; Hats; Kitchen Items; Jewelry; Lighting; Lithographs; Maps; Marbles; Marine & Nautical Items; Medical Items; Memorabilia; Musical Items; Optical Oriental Items; Paper; Pewter; Postcards; Primitives; Porcelain; Quilts; Radios & Phonographs; Oriental & Indian Rugs; Sterling and Plate Silver; Tools; Victorian Items; Vintage Clothing; Vintage Textiles.

For more information on the Brimfield Antique Show, visit brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com

Have any additional Brimfield Antique Show tips? Let us know!

This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.

SEE MORE:
Opening Day at the Brimfield Antique Show
Best Towns for Antiquing in New England
The Fixers | A Guide to New England Antique Repair Experts

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Sponsored by Visit North of Boston and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau

In the diverse region just north of Boston, the emergence of warmer weather presents countless opportunities for playing outside and attending colorful festivals. Here’s just a sampling of delightful experiences to enjoy during this season of renewal in Massachusetts.

1. Picnic at Acton Arboretum, Acton

Pack a tasty meal to enjoy at one of the picnic tables on the main lawn of this peaceful public green space. Then explore the beautiful trails, which lead past an old apple orchard, rhododendron and fern collections, and hosta and butterfly gardens. 

2. Go birdwatching at a nature preserve, various locations

You can spy a riot of plumage and hear a chorus of calls on the paths and boardwalks of several wildlife preserves along this Massachusetts area’s shoreline, which is part of the expansive Atlantic Flyway. Migratory birds—such as terns, plovers, herons, egrets, and cormorants—rank among the favorite feathered friends to watch for. Check out John J. Donovan Reservation and Sagamore Hill Conservation Area in Hamilton, Coolidge Reservation in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Steer Swamp Conservation Area in Marblehead, and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island.

3. Behold the blooms at Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens, North Andover

With bountiful flower beds that have recently been expanded, this gracious agricultural gem is stunning year round. And each year from late April through mid-May, you can meander among the lush rows of tulips, daffodils, and other bulb flowers that brilliantly announce the arrival of the vernal season.

4. Catch the fishing bug at Walden Pond, Concord

Henry David Thoreau famously wrote about the pristine waters of this serene, rippling pond, where he “lived simply” for two years in the 1840s. It remains a treasured spot, particularly among fishing enthusiasts. Come springtime, it’s a top-of-the-line location to angle for bass, bluegills, and trout.

5. Celebrate Cambodian New Year, Lowell

Home to the second-largest Cambodian population in the country, the dynamic city of Lowell hosts a festive Khmer New Year celebration in mid-April (April 19 in 2025). Head downtown for a parade, musical and dance performances, and delicious food. Lowell’s eclectic food scene is always a draw, especially as spring allows for dining outdoors. There are a half-dozen restaurants that serve Cambodian fare year-round.

6. Celebrate MA250 at Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord

Every third Monday of April, Massachusetts commemorates the first clashes of the American Revolution. During the preceding days, rousing reenactments revive the spirit of ‘75 at this national park encompassing key sites from the momentous Battles of Lexington and Concord. In 2025, which marks the 250th anniversary of the conflicts, you can attend talks by costumed staff at historic sites, a lantern-lit Patriot Vigil at North Bridge, and a tactical demonstration along a restored section of the original Battle Road. And there’s more on tap after Patriots’ Day is a wrap. Through June 2025, Rise to Rebellion programming at the park explores the origins and outcomes of the war for independence. With America’s 250th birthday on the horizon in 2026, Massachusetts 250 celebrations and commemorations will continue to shine a light on the state’s role in the founding of America.

7. Stroll the beaches and gardens at Lynch Park, Beverly

With breathtaking vistas of Beverly Harbor, this majestic setting occupies the former estate where President William H. Taft summered in the early 1900s. It’s a beautiful spot to ramble once the mercury begins to rise. The property boasts two beaches, which don’t get crowded until a bathhouse with a snack bar opens in late May. That’s also when the property’s fragrant rose garden comes into full bloom, but you can visit two stately lion statues any time.

8. Hike through history at Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle

Spanning more than 1,000 verdant, pastoral acres, this gorgeous state park is set around a working dairy farm (the first in the state to use a robotic milking system) that offers free tours on weekends. Over 20 miles of well-maintained hiking trails pass by fascinating historical points of interest, such as sites used by Native Americans for thousands of years and cellar holes of former homesteads once inhabited by 17th-century settlers.

9. Make plans to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride, various locations

Vibrant Pride celebrations take place throughout the region in late spring, so plan ahead to attend Cape Ann Pride in late May, Greater Lowell Pride in mid-June, and Concord Pride and Salem’s North Shore Pride in late June. Numerous events herald the season during the days leading up to these inclusive and spirited weekends, including flag-raising ceremonies, film screenings, family picnics, and dance parties. Make lodging reservations early if you want to join in the merrymaking.

Find more springtime travel ideas in the free Just North of Boston digital guide.

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If you’ve never experienced South Shore bar pizza, pay attention. Like any good American, I love pizza and have since I was old enough to chew. In the following 30-odd years, my pizza tastes have expanded from thin Papa Gino’s and thick Greek-style “House of Pizza” slices to brick oven Neapolitan-style slices with blobs of fresh mozzarella and gourmet-topped flatbreads. Add in homemade pizza and the occasional thick-square Sicilian bakery slice, and I thought I had Massachusetts pizza pretty well covered. Little did I know I was missing out on the best pizza to come out of the Bay State- South Shore bar pizza.

What is South Shore Bar Pizza?

Not having grown up in the section of Massachusetts stretching south and east of Boston to Cape Cod (known as the “South Shore“) like my husband did, I had never had South Shore bar pizza, the variety found in (as the name implies) many of the bars and pubs throughout the region. Cooked in 10-inch individual, well-seasoned pans, bar pizzas have a crust that’s often described as “cracker-like,” with a good balance of crispy and chewy, and a browned layer of cheese (a mozzarella/cheddar blend) that stretches all the way to the edge, forming a signature charred and lacy border. With just one visit to my husband’s hometown bar pizza spot, the Central Cafe in Middleboro, I was, as the saying goes, hooked.

South Shore Bar Pizza at Lynwood Cafe

A few miles north, the Lynwood Cafe in Randolph is often considered the most legendary place for bar pizza, although other contenders include Town Spa in Stoughton, Cape Cod Cafe in Brockton, and the oddly-named Poopsies in Pembroke. With its nondescript exterior and just slightly less-so interior, the cash-only Lynwood delivers flavor without fuss, and for its generations of loyal customers, that’s just fine. A handful of tables and booths comprise the dining area, with a jukebox in the corner and a few neon beer signs on the walls. It’s a basic bar that dates back to 1949 and looks like one, but the pizza is anything but.

Inside, we study the laminated, single-sheet menu and keep it simple with a plain cheese for my sister and a mushroom and onion for me. The wait can sometimes be long (many customers place large to-go orders that can slow the kitchen down), but the pizzas are always perfect. Bar pizza slices are small, sturdy, and splendidly greasy, and the pie’s 10-inch size makes them perfect for individual ordering. Or sharing. The choice is yours.

Meat-eaters often go for toppings like linguica (a Portuguese smoke-cured pork sausage) or salami, and for those that like to live on the edge, the menu also includes a Baked Bean Special. Considered a “love it or hate it” kind of pizza, it comes topped with Boston baked beans, onions, and salami.

I know of a few spots beyond the South Shore mimicking the “bar pizza” style (City Slickers Cafe in Somerville is a Boston-area favorite of ours), but for many fans, only the “real deal” will do, and that often means a trip to Lynwood.

Are you a South Shore bar pizza fan? If not, which style of pizza is your favorite, and where’s the best spot for a slice?

This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated. 

See More:
Guide to New England Pizza Styles
75 Classic New England Foods
Ode to New Haven Pizza

The post Is the Best South Shore Bar Pizza at Lynwood Cafe in Randolph, MA? appeared first on New England.

Did you know that the monkey wrench was born in Worcester, Massachusetts? The first Valentine’s Day card, too. The birth control pill, the space suit, the liquid-fuel rocket—yup, all invented in the Woo. Even modern-day emojis can be traced back to this city, with the creation of the smiley face in 1963 for an insurance company’s marketing campaign.

Worcester rose to fame as a 19th-century manufacturing epicenter, which when paired with its diverse, modern identity may spark a “Wait, Worcester has that?” moment—especially if you’ve only driven through on your way somewhere else or parachuted in for a concert at the DCU Center. But Worcester’s legacy of invention brought with it a surprisingly contemporary joie de vivre that has endured as the city’s character evolved over the decades.

Sitting almost smack-dab between Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts, the second largest city in New England boasts a population of more than 205,000, including academics and students coming from around the world to the eight colleges and universities here. Its Union Station, a stunning transportation hub built in 1911, affords easy access, too, with Amtrak, MBTA commuter rail, and city and regional bus service.

As with many New England manufacturing towns, Worcester saw its share of hard times when the industrial revolution met the Great Depression. But what drew folks to the city in the first place created a melting pot of diverse food, art, culture, and music that still percolates today. So much so that stories of laborers and craftspeople seem to ooze as much from historic stone structures in the city’s central business district as they do from its more modern Canal District or verdant green spaces that dot the City of Seven Hills’ outskirts.

Even the “Wormtown” nickname reflects this cocktail of identities. Flash back to 1978, amid the neon haze of the pseudo-underground punk music scene at Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner, still a local haunt. Its DJ, Leonard B. Saarinen (nicknamed L.B. Worm), thought the scene needed a little love, so he published a handwritten one-sheet fanzine whose title, “Wormtown Punk Punk Press,” derived from his own moniker. After other businesses and events adopted the name, too, “Wormtown” stuck.

Perhaps only in Worcester would the origins of such an irreverent-turned-affectionate nickname be remembered in a museum. The Museum of Worcester, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, has a library archive of written material that tells the tale (research buffs should call ahead, though, to ensure it’s available for viewing). Meanwhile, at the Worcester Art Museum just down the street, visitors can walk through part of a 12th-century Benedictine priory as well as 2,000 years of global history in one afternoon.

It seems like everything here is “just down the street,” because Worcester is such a blissfully walkable and approachable city. At the restaurant Deadhorse Hill, solo diners bump elbows with their neighbors while relishing a glass of natural wine and perhaps some local pork chops with spring ramps that chef Jared Forman harvested just the day before. A transplant to Worcester, Forman describes his adopted city as having a large-town feeling in a small space, where strangers can become friends in a New York minute.

Nowhere is this amalgamation of cultures, centuries, and attitudes more evident than in Worcester’s vibrant architecture and public art. Walk in almost any direction from historic City Hall on Main Street and you’ll find soaring edifices of 19th- and 20th-century design, many of which remain open for public appreciation. Take in a tribute to Aretha Franklin at the famed Hanover Theatre, which first opened in 1904, or listen to the Worcester Symphony Orchestra perform a springtime concert of music from American wartime films amid the dreamy acoustics of the 1857 Mechanics Hall.     

Outside, multistory murals decorate buildings around the city, offering messages of love and nature and spotlighting the region’s indigenous roots and its Black sports stars, including the 1899 world cycling champion Major Taylor. Over the past several year, the Pow! Wow! Worcester mural festival has led to the decoration of the library and the YWCA, public housing, a parking garage, multiple elementary schools, and even centuries-old buildings with large-scale paintings to show that art can be—and should be—representative of the community and for everyone to enjoy.

The spirit of inclusivity here can feel almost like a citywide family-friendliness policy, too. On sunny, warm spring days, Worcesterites flock to the city’s abundant green spaces for a hike up to the Cascades waterfall or to picnic, fly kites, and fish in the wide-openness of Green Hill Park. And from spring through summer, future MLB stars show off their talent at Polar Park as members of the Boston Red Sox’s top farm team, the Worcester Red Sox.

What might seem like a collection of cold, gray stone, steel, and brick buildings when you first arrive downtown quickly transforms into a warm and welcoming civic hub, thanks to the people inside those buildings sharing their cultural energy. So next time, rather than driving through it, maybe drive to it—and you’ll be wooed by Worcester, too.   

Guide to Worcester, Massachusetts | Eat, Stay, Play

Whether you’re exploring the rich tapestry of its diverse food, arts, and music scenes, or taking in the impressive architecture and public murals, Worcester offers a surprising blend of old and new.

Best Places to Eat in Worcester, Massachusetts

Armsby Abbey: The place to go for a pint, weekend brunch, and the city’s best sharing and grazing menu. armsbyabbey.com

Bocado Tapas Wine Bar: Spanish flamenco style rules here, with favorites like paella, grilled octopus, and sugar-dusted churros with chocolate sauce. bocadotapasbar.com

Crust Bakeshop: Look no further for fresh breads, croissants, sandwiches, and the perfect latte to start your day. crustbakeshop.com

Deadhorse Hill: Expect a delicious but ever-changing seasonal menu at chef Jared Forman’s hot spot. deadhorsehill.com

Havana Nights: Treat yourself to some mouthwatering chicken mofongo and churrasco skirt steak at this Cuban home-cooking specialist (and look for its spin-off, Little Havana, in Worcester Public Market). havananightsrestaurantandlounge.com

Worcester Public Market: The food and market stalls here take you from Tokyo to New Delhi, while shared tables create a jovial atmosphere. worcesterpublicmarket.org

Wormtown Brewery: Come for a seasonal Irish Red Ale, stay for the tacos. wormtownbrewery.com

Best Places to Stay in Worcester, Massachusetts

AC Hotel Worcester: Rest and rejuvenate at this contemporary spot that’s conveniently located behind City Hall. marriott.com

Beechwood Hotel: Lovely stained glass windows and vintage posters lend extra personality to this welcoming, family-owned establishment. beechwoodhotel.com

Best Things to Do in Worcester, Massachusetts

The Canal District: This charming neighborhood features Worcester Public Market and shops such as Seed to Stem, a gallery of botanicals and home decor; the Crompton Collective, for secondhand goodies; and Bedlam Book Café. thecanaldistrict.com

EcoTarium: Kids can touch everything at this science museum as they explore wind patterns on Mount Washington, discover secrets of the forest, and more. ecotarium.org

Hanover Theatre: Live performances in this stunning historic venue include Broadway shows, the Boston Pops, and Led Zeppelin tribute concerts. hanovertheatre.org

Mechanics Hall: Come experience the finest acoustics in any pre–Civil War building in the country—and don’t miss the iconic portrait gallery in the Great Hall. mechanicshall.org

Museum of Worcester: Featuring rotating exhibits on Worcester inventions and landmarks, with a permanent gallery devoted to the city’s industrial past. worcesterhistory.org

Worcester Art Museum: Discover art and artifacts from across the centuries, including the second-largest collection of arms and armor in the U.S. worcesterart.org

Worcester Red Sox: Bring the whole family to a game at Polar Park, where seating on the grassy outfield berm is a popular option for youngsters. milb.com/worcester

The post Spring Weekend in Worcester, Massachusetts appeared first on New England.

We were first-timers at Canyon Ranch last spring, my daughter and me—satisfying so much more than our curiosity about the Berkshires’ original wellness escape. I was freshly finished with cancer treatment; she’d just graduated from college. We were redefining our relationship. Celebrating our bond. And we’d found the most nurturing environment in which to strengthen mind, body, and connection.

Wellness is personal, sure. And from the moment we signed into the Canyon Ranch app on our phones, we were eagerly anticipating journeys all our own. The breadth of offerings elevates the resort to a league all its own.

Who knew? Guests drive through the gracious estate gates with intentions to do so much more than spa. Yes, spa is a verb here: treatments are immersive, providers are expert, the menu is extensive. But each hour of a Canyon Ranch day is unlike an hour anywhere else. It’s loaded with options for learning, stretching, self-examining, and encountering the calmest, best version of yourself. And when you share the experience with a partner, best friend, or loved one, it’s like turning every hour into two because robust relationships are essential to wellbeing. And self-care is selfless when you’re focused on being around for each other for a very long time.

Before and during a stay, guests receive thoughtful personal guidance. It’s clutch for navigating options that range from nutrition counseling to couples coaching, from sound healing to DEXA body composition scan and analysis, from tarot-card readings to hypnotherapy.

Zentangle and mocktail-making workshops were fun to indulge in together. We went our separate ways for workouts, healthy snack breaks, and facial and acupuncture massage services. We reconvened for abundant, all-you-can-savor meals, playfully competing to see how much goodness we could pile on salad-bar plates. Pairing entrees like grilled shrimp and Moroccan beef tagine with fruity, bubbly spritzers. We applauded a Broadway-caliber live performance. Tried our luck at DJ-pumped Bingo. Melted at yoga class. Lamented we couldn’t fit in pickleball lessons or a kayaking adventure.

As I descended the stairs of the Bellefontaine Mansion after my last session of the weekend, I couldn’t wait to see my girl. I wanted to hear all she’d learned on a tour of this Gilded-Age stunner turned sanctuary. Plus, I was bursting to share the optimism and clarity I felt after a one-on-one Longevity Mindset experience. Being at “The Ranch” together doubled the benefits for both of us—what better gift could I give her than practical strategies for long-term mental, emotional, and physical resiliency? And the reassurance I’m committed to implementing them myself.

Join Yankee Aboard the Bestie Bus from Boston to Canyon Ranch! 

This spring, make time for wellness together with a best friend, loved one, or partner. We’ll leave Boston on May 1, 2025, and return May 4: refreshed and ready to live our best New England lives. Visit canyonranch.com/bestie for package details.

The post Wellness Is Better Together appeared first on New England.

A few years ago, I hit the wall with winter. Actually, it was more like a full-on collision. I was hauling wood and clearing walkways for what seemed like the hundredth time that season. I wanted to throw my shovel into the woods. I was finished with feeling cold and moving snow. Even my son, Calvin, seemed done with it. He’d just shrug at the prospect of another chance to go sledding, as if to say, Are we really still doing this?

What to do? Escaping to Florida wasn’t an option—but as it turned out, there was a winter respite just a little south of our home in New Hampshire. And so began our pilgrimage to Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.

On a late February day, stepping into an 80-degree environment can make all the difference. Heavy coats are shed. T-shirts emerge, along with arms that have rarely been bare in four months. You see flowers. You see turtles. And of course, you see thousands of butterflies. I felt as though I’d entered a time machine and been dropped right into an early summer day in New England. No more shovels. No more ice. No more winter.

We weren’t the only ones soaking all this in. Each year, more than 90,000 people visit Magic Wings, where curving paths lead visitors around and through an 8,000-square-foot glass conservatory. But where you stop and sit—a gazebo and a scattering of benches are among the options—is up to you. Maybe you’ll take a few minutes to gaze at the koi pond. Or perhaps it’s the orchids you’ll find most transfixing. Or maybe (and you wouldn’t be the first), you’ll just want to keep walking at a leisurely pace as butterflies dance and flutter around you.

Kathy Fiore understands the allure. In the late 1990s, her father, George Miller, a local contractor and military veteran, was hired for an unusual job: turning a tired restaurant space into a home for thousands of butterflies and tropical plants. Miller liked the challenge of the work but was even more intrigued by the business plan. When Magic Wings opened in 2000, he was a partner; a few years later, he owned it outright. After his passing in 2017, Fiore took over running Magic Wings alongside her brother, George Miller III.

“Winter is really the time when people find us,” says Fiore. “We have regulars who come here, take their coats and boots off, put on flip-flops, and a T-shirt, bring in a book and make an afternoon of it. I had one lady tell me she was paying $75 a week for therapy, then she decided to come here—and that became what she needed instead.

“If you think about it, the butterfly is this powerful symbol of change, a reminder that life is fleeting,” Fiore continues. “That really registers when you visit here, and I always find it remarkable how emotional some people are when they come here.”

In a region not exactly known for an abundance of butterfly conservatories, Magic Wings is one of the largest. More than 4,000 butterflies representing some 45 species make their home here; many of them you’d have to travel to places like Peru, Costa Rica, and the Philippines to see. The magic of this place, though, is that it’s not just about the butterflies: The conservatory is also base camp for all manner of life. There are over 100 varieties of tropical plants—plants that hang from high places, plants that droop, plants that flower, plants that burst with color. Red-footed tortoises from South America patrol the ponds, while teams of Chinese painted quail dart around the grounds. Look closely and you may spy a Vietnamese mossy frog or a stop-you-in-your-tracks Hercules beetle. 

At the center of the show is Akbar, a Senegal parrot who has resided at Magic Wings for nearly two decades. “He’s pretty convinced that this is a bird sanctuary with some butterflies in it,” quips Fiore, then adds, “But my staff is passionate about everything here, so what visitors find is a place where all our creatures live in harmony.” Magic Wings can feel like a place that shouldn’t exist. Not in New England. Not in the throes of deep winter. But it does—and on a late February day when it feels almost impossible that spring will ever arrive, Magic Wings serves up a hopeful forecast. magicwings.com 

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Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

From seeing Santa on the seashore to raising a glass to peace and goodwill at a cozy craft brewpub, there are endless ways to get into the holiday spirit in Massachusetts. You can stroll Main Street for one-of-a-kind gifts, be dazzled by light shows, or enjoy a festive meal at a classic New England inn. Whether it’s a solo outing or a special event with family and friends, Massachusetts is filled with so many merry destinations for making the most of the holiday season, you’ll wish it lasted all year long.

1. Check out the festive scene at a historic inn or hotel.

At this time of year, inns and hotels across the Commonwealth are decking their halls (and check-in desks) as they invite guests and visitors alike to partake in seasonal treats. Among those celebrating the holiday spirit is the Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington, which hosts a Santa Tea at the inn’s Town Meeting Bistro on Dec. 14, 15, 21, and 22. All ages can enjoy a high tea service, sweet and savory bites, gingerbread decorating, crafts, and time with Santa Claus (plus holiday cocktails for the grownups). More of a morning person? The Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge offers Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 8, 15, and 21), featuring a full breakfast buffet and the chance to hit up St. Nick with any last-minute requests for Christmas delivery. 

With the museum village of Old Deerfield providing a suitably picturesque setting, the Deerfield Inn’s on-site restaurant, Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern, holds a Dinner with Santa & Mrs. Claus on Dec. 1-3, 9-10, and 16-17. The event boasts a full dinner menu (with the addition of Mrs. Claus’s cookies) and the chance to spend time with the North Pole’s most famous couple. Those wanting a more decadent dining experience can head to Cape Cod for the Christmas Grand Buffet on Christmas Day at Chatham Bars Inn, with harbor views, seafood displays, holiday roasts, and desserts galore. Back in Boston, the Dec. 25 Christmas Brunch at Boston Harbor Hotel’s Rowes Wharf Sea Grille is a luxe spread of baked ricotta crepes, dry-aged prime sirloin, raw-bar seafood, and more, all served with Boston Harbor as the backdrop.  

2. Hit the streets for some downtown revelry. 

If you’re looking to join a joyful crowd, downtown is the place to be. On Dec. 6-8, head to Provincetown for Holly Folly, the nation’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ holiday celebration, where you can stroll the boutiques and galleries of Commercial Street, take in a drag show at Provincetown Town Hall, or hit up The Canteen’s Holiday Market (which runs every weekend from Nov. 29 to New Year’s) for everything from mulled wine to Christmas ornaments both naughty and nice. 

Boston’s SoWa Winter Festival is set to make its ninth annual rollout this year from Nov. 29 to Dec. 22. Pop into this holiday shopping extravaganza at the SoWa Power Station in the South End for a mix of vendors selling unique gifts for your friends, family, and four-legged companions. There are food trucks, too, as well as a bar and beer garden to keep you fueled for further retail adventures.

For a dose of holiday spirit on wheels, explore downtown Salem while enjoying “A Christmas Carol” aboard the Salem Trolley (Dec. 1-23), which brings Scrooge along for the ride as Charles Dickens’s classic tale is brought to life. 

3. Get your glow on at a seasonal light show.

The lights are shining bright at spectacular displays across the state this holiday season, such as Night Lights at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston. Running Nov. 23-Jan. 5, this year’s event is themed “Color Cascade” and also ushers in a new attraction: Guests can now skate under the stars at an outdoor skating rink. After taking a twirl and exploring the vibrant displays, guests can warm up by firepits with hot cocoa or hunt for gifts in the Garden Shop. 

A marquee event for The Trustees, Massachusetts’s largest preservation and conservation nonprofit, Winterlights runs Nov. 29-Jan. 4 at three of the group’s properties this holiday season: Naumkeag in Stockbridge, the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover, and the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton. Each features thousands of shimmering lights as well as festive music, seasonal treats, and the chance to wander some gorgeous garden landscapes. 

Little ones won’t want to miss out on Zoolights, which runs through Jan. 5 at Stoneham’s Stone Zoo. A constellation of lights fills the tree-lined paths of the 26-acre zoo, and visitors can even stroll through a festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to the zoo’s black bears, Canadian lynx, and reindeer. (Be sure to check out the zoo’s website for Hot Chocolate with the Reindeer special events, too.) Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon has its own light-filled spectacular with Winter Wonderland, which runs through Dec. 29 and features more than 4 million lights and displays that turn the zoo into a land of enchantment. There’s a nightly holiday variety show as well as meet-and-greets with Santa, plus holiday shopping at the Purple Peacock Gift Shop. 

4. Blend holiday hops and shopping at a local brewpub. 

’Tis the season for multitasking, so why not enjoy the seasonal flavors of local craft brewers across Massachusetts while also getting in some gift shopping and holiday crafting? At the 2024 Holiday Market at Southwick’s Westfield River Brewing Co. on Dec. 8, guests can enjoy an afternoon of live music and food trucks with a side of local gift shopping, plus plenty of craft beers and cocktails to choose from. In Cambridge, meanwhile, Lamplighter Brewing Co. hosts a wreath-making workshop on Dec. 11 for those looking to DIY their holiday door decor. 

On Dec. 15, Notch Brewing’s Salem taproom hosts its annual German Holiday Market, showcasing one-of-a-kind finds from local artisans and makers alongside German sausages, leberkäse, and pretzels — a true taste of Bavaria on the North Shore. Also on Dec. 15, A Very Merry Market returns to Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis, affording the chance to sip an Old Man Winter ale while perusing the wares of vendors and makers throughout the taproom and warehouse. 

Closer to Boston, check out the annual Holiday Market at Trillium Brewing Co.’s Canton and Fort Point locations (Dec. 7 at Fort Point; Dec. 7-8 and 14-15 at Canton). Enjoy live music and local brews, and browse a lineup of handmade goods that is sure to make your gifts the favorites under the tree.

5. Enjoy all the festive feels along the waterfront.

While Santa Claus and his trusty reindeer might feel most at home in the sky, you can find festive reasons to head down to the sea during the holidays in Massachusetts. Enjoy lunch with Santa and soak in harbor views during a special two-hour Lunch with Santa voyage with Boston Harbor City Cruises Dec. 7 and 14, where kids can deliver their Christmas lists to St. Nick and pick up a goodie bag of their own. Boston Harbor City Cruises also operates a Christmas Eve Premier Brunch Cruise that delivers festive cocktails, live music, and a full brunch spread alongside views of the USS Constitution and the Boston waterfront. Classic Harbor Line offers a variety of holiday cruises on Boston Harbor, including a 1.5-hour sunset cruise whose “golden hour” light is perfect for taking that family holiday-card photo. Beyond Boston, Gloucester’s Beauport Cruiselines invites you to experience “Santa at Sea” on Dec. 15, when passengers can take pictures with the guest of honor, enjoy holiday tunes and treats, and take part in a toy drive. 

For those who like to stay on land but still enjoy the waterfront, a number of Massachusetts coastal towns have made a delightful tradition of welcoming Santa by boat during the holidays. On the morning of Dec. 7, for instance, Marblehead will cheer the arrival of the jolly old elf via lobster boat, a highlight of the town’s annual Christmas Walk. That same day in Scituate, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will come gliding in on the harbormaster’s boat and be on hand for photos on the harbormaster’s deck as part of Scituate’s Holidays in the Harbor fun.

For more Massachusetts holiday travel ideas, go to VisitMA.com.

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