Massachusetts is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. With so many amazing places to choose from, it can be hard to know where to go. To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in Massachusetts based on traveler ratings and reviews. So whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway spot or an adventure playground, there’s something for everyone in this metropolis!
The Best Place to Visit in Massachusetts
Boston Common
- Address: 115 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (30756)
- Phone: +1 617-635-4505
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMTuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMWednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMThursday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMFriday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMSaturday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMSunday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
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Top 12 Tourist Attractions in Massachusetts
New England Aquarium
- Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (19616)
- Phone: +1 617-973-5200
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Reviews:
Overall, this is a really nice aquarium. The primary wow factor is realizing it’s virtually all contained in one large atrium with a spiral walkway up the center and an open-air penguin exhibit across the entire bottom of the room. I love penguins, so being able to see them up close and from slightly above with no glass between us was really fascinating. I also loved the seal and sea lion exhibits being outside (yet covered). It adds a more natural feel to the area, which I’m sure the animals enjoy.
I think my only complaint would be that it seems a little small for the ticket price, especially compared to other aquariums across the country. If you purchase a combo pass with other attractions, I’m sure it’s a better value. However, all that being said, I was impressed with the number of displays they were able to fit into the space. They made good use of the building’s height. I could have probably spent hours watching the center tank – especially the giant sea turtle!
By Zoe O’Haillin-Berne (2 months ago)A fantastic aquarium and easily walkable from our hotel. We came here in the afternoon after doing a Duck Tour in the morning. We have been several times and my husband and I agree that the penguin exhibit at the entrance is the most memorable aquarium entrance we both remember. It is worth walking the four floors up and then following the huge tank down the ramp in the middle of the museum. We also enjoyed the sea lion area outdoors.By Jake and Alison Foley (7 months ago)Three stars as I went with great expectations. I expected the aquarium to be big, have shows and more exhibits. After been to sea world, I was expecting to see more interactive programs that educate about marine life, how it’s in danger and more variety of the marine life. It’s good but not great. Approx. 2-3 hours are sufficient to cover entire aquarium with a break for snacks at a very relaxed pace.By Nishith Jain (a month ago)The New England Aquarium was amazing! From how clean it was, to how orderly it was organized! The staff was fun, inactive and knowledgeable! The bathrooms were spotless. Gift shop prices were reasonable with some proceeds going back into conservation and rehabilitation of sea life! 10/10 would recommend to anyone, especially with kids. Plenty of room to move around with a stroller, elevator access to all floors.
Seriously considering becoming a member here!By Justin Estes (7 months ago)My family and I had a fantastic time here! The tickets are a little pricey but it was definitely worth it. The aquariums were lovely with diverse options. There was also a sting ray tank that allowed people to touch the sting rays which was wonderful. The bathrooms are clean and well-kept. There are rental lockers for coats and other accessories for only 5-7 dollars. 10/10 would recommend, especially for families with smaller children!!By Mei (4 weeks ago)
Museum of Science
- Address: 1 Museum Of Science Driveway, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (17725)
- Phone: +1 617-723-2500
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
Would recommend to anyone of any age. My husband and I liked it more than my 2 kids did I think. Definitely plan on staying the whole day or you might not get through the whole place. So much to look at and play with. Amazing place if you love science and history. Food was okay and gift shop was a disappointment. Not a lot of selection for such a big museum like that. Parking garage is kinda expensive so prepare for that too..By Cassie Putnam (8 months ago)What an awesome place! Hands on fun for my family. My kids are middle school and High school age and had a blast exploring this place. Heck I had fun exploring the exhibits! Parking was super easy and close! The food court area was chaotic, but that’s to be expected in the summer in a big city. The food was great!By Emily Morrissey (5 months ago)It was good. Our children (ages 5-17) loved it. Recommend planning on spending at least 5 hours to go through all the exhibits, or more if you watch any shows. Parking is a bit expensive, but on par with the city. Staff was nice. You can leave, and come back in with a handstamp.By krystal chesbro (6 months ago)Fantastic experience in this vast museum. There were so many hands-on activities for the kids but the explanations for each activity were direct and easy to understand. The museum was close to the T station and we spent more time there than we planned, because of the amount of interesting things to do. The food court was not very big but there were enough decently priced options for the family. This is certainly a place I would recommend for families.By Alex Lopes (6 months ago)This is really good museum. It’s pretty big and well designed. They have exhibits that cover a wide range of topics. It’s set up in a way that is very intuitive. There’s a few interactive games etc that are really cool. I think a wide range of ages will enjoy it. There is a store and a restaurant. There’s parking available, is very close to a T-station. We walked from our hotel and was an easy walk. The harbor is right behind it and the Duck Boat Tours go from the same place It’s big enough that we never felt like it was too crowded. Well worth visiting.By Bradley Tatro (a month ago)
Public Garden
- Address: 4 Charles St, Boston, MA 02116, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (15452)
- Phone: +1 617-635-4505
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMTuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMWednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMThursday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMFriday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMSaturday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PMSunday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Reviews:
Serene park with beautiful views of the city and surrounding community. It’s a great place to set up for a morning workout or yoga session. Lots of sculptures to view and amazing landscaping. Very quiet in the morning. Gets very busy as the day goes by. Take a ride in the Swan Boats which are a landmark of the Public Garden’s since 1877.By Cisco Rod Azarhr (8 months ago)The Boston Public Garden is a large park surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers. The sceneries are visual treat by themselves. This gorgeous park has something to offer for everyone. You can just sit on benches and enjoy its tranquility, listen to live music being played by up and coming artists, set up a place for mediation or stroll around and admire the stunning flowers and the exceptional landscaping. I was fortunate I got to see the colorful foliage. There are statues of historic US figures, a large pond called the lagoon, and a historic bridge that stretches over the lagoon with a scenic views of the water and the island in its center. An iconic feature in the park is the bronze Mama duck with her eight ducklings heading to the lagoon. Truly, it is one of the most captivating park I have ever seen thus far.By Dr. Beverly Vendryes, Ph.D. (3 months ago)A charming park, full of live music (when we were there were players with typical Scottish music), people getting married in the park, children playing… a charming diversity! The beauty of the place is unique (beating many parks in the USA). Well maintained and clean. We loved this place and we will definitely be back.By Raquel Andrade (2 months ago)The most accurate description would be a 3 in the winter and a five in Spring when everything is in bloom. Summer and fall being 4’s depending on the day.
A nice green space in the center of Boston. You can walk completely around it and through Boston Commons in an hour easy. That being said it has a cute lake that has cheap swan boats to ride and beautiful displays of flowers in the spring that draws people from all over to come and take photos in it. It can get very crowded during peak times so be aware.
It is nice enough to walk around and can be a nice green break from the surrounding city. Park in the Boston Common Garage if you are driving.
There are public bathrooms right across the street in Boston Common, it is inside the visitors center that also sells some souvenirs and has friendly staff. The red line T will also drop you off at Boston Common. This is also where you can find a restaurant open during fair weather and peak time and street vendors selling souvenirs and snacks.
Their are occasional musicians performing around and some of them can be amazing (There was an orchestra doing Disney songs!!!).
By Colleen Paxton (5 months ago)A beautiful green space to enjoy your day. Perfect for picnics and strolling around, soaking in the scenery. Plenty of benches and shaded to trees to relax. Fun for all ages. Swan Boats are definitely an attraction you want to ride.By Ruthann Peabody (6 months ago)
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Address: 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (14199)
- Phone: +1 617-267-9300
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
I haven’t been to the MFA since 2010, so I was excited to go. We went on a Sunday of a holiday weekend and got there a little after opening. If you don’t mind holding your coat, you can skip the long coat check line. I recommend checking out the Asian and Middle Eastern galleries on the first floor before going upstairs as these galleries are far less crowded and you can meander through, not to mention of course, the beautiful art. We read most of the descriptions before heading upstairs. The impressionist wing was packed – elbow-to-elbow and yes, people are required to wear masks, but who wants to read a description with someone right at their hip? There’s no flash photography. I enjoyed the Monet gallery very much, which was also packed.
Backpacks are allowed and there’s parking $$. I opted to take the commuter rail in so I could be car free.
It was a lovely experience and I know I’ll be back. ❤️
By J W (11 months ago)Huge art museum with an array of styles. Came here during the first weekend of the month, as they participate in Bank of America’s Museums on Us, so we got free entry as a result of being cardholders. There is public transportation line with the museum as a stop, but it also was a nice walk to get here from our hotel. Masks were recommended but not required. There is a cafe inside if you need food.You can easily spend an entire day here looking through all the exhibits. We spent an afternoon until the museum closed at 5, and I wish we were able to spend more time. No flash photography. There were water bottle refilling stations by restrooms. Coat check is available. You’re in for a good time here.
By Shanelle S (8 months ago)If it had not one work of art within its walls, this museum is a beautiful work of art in and of itself. The experience was similar to that of being at the Smithsonian without the crowds and the field trips. I could spend a week here. There is a great restaurant in house and 2 gift shops. Would recommend the app for a self guided tour and if you’re visiting Boston, buy a city pass that includes the admission to this and other worthy attractions. There is a separate cost for special/traveling exhibitions.By Gerard G (4 months ago)This is an incredible museum. They’ve got such an extensive collection of artwork and historical pieces. This week they had Obama art. I recommend you go on a weekday, there is far less people. You might need more than 1 day to see all the art galleries. Lots of walking. They do have a restaurant inside the art museum and a cafe by the Garden.By Virginia Norford (4 months ago)Fantastic place.
This is another “hole in the wall experience”.Never expect a museum in Boston that have such a wide spectrum of collection of art works, historical collection of different era, different time, from all over the world.
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We enter at 12nn and stayed until end of the day when they close at 5 pm. We have to be chased put !
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The impressionist collections were simply superb.
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Good explanation.
Good directions inside.
.By Just Phone Lah (7 months ago)
Harvard Square
- Address: Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (8220)
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Address: 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (6859)
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
- Address: 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (5897)
Bunker Hill Monument
- Address: Monument Sq, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (5435)
Plymouth Rock
- Address: 79 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (3998)
Cape Cod National Seashore
- Address: 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (3658)
Old Sturbridge Village
- Address: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01566, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (3614)
The Paul Revere House
- Address: 19 N Square, Boston, MA 02113, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (3314)
Although Massachusetts is a large state with many amazing places to visit, these 12 locations stand out as the best according to traveler ratings and reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!
I love the commons. It’s so beautiful throughout every season, but especially spring and fall. Always a joy to visit when the tulips are blooming. It’s a nice place to take my dog to walk, and to enjoy nature in the city. It generally is very peaceful even when it’s busy.
Boston Common should not be confused with Boston Public Gardens, which is right next to it. Boston Common is more likely to have homeless hanging around that the gardens and it also has no flower displays. It is more like a city green space than the public gardens beside it.
That being said, you can easily walk around the Commons in 30 minutes, and the Commons/Public garden in an hour. It is centrally located which can make the green space a nice break from the surrounding city. Beneath Boston Common is a parking garage. The red line T also drops you off below the park.
The visitors center is nice and clean with a public restroom and souvenirs you can buy. There is also a playground for kids.
There is also to do surrounding the park so it is a good jumping off point if you want to explore the Freedom trail, walk along Boylston street etc.
The commons also has events, plays are put on here, protests are held, movie nights etc. As mentioned it is utilized best as a gathering/even space with the Gardens next door being the nice, quiet, pretty attraction.
In a word, beautiful! From American Revolution tours and delicious food to gorgeous scenery and skaters with rad tricks. This classy and clean space is beautiful for solo or family visits; amazing Tadpole playground, scenic walking areas, it has a lot for everyone.
The Boston Common and the Public garden is a very beautiful public park in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest city park in the United States. Any time of year is a good time to visit the Garden and walk along the esplanade , but summer and fall are really spectacular to enjoy the color and splendor of the plantings and foliage. Really a lovely place
Amazing park, rich with culture and history! The lawn is kept nice and clean. Statues are beautiful and great spots to get some pictures! Overall environment is relaxed and fun. Make some time to stop by if you can!