Want to get out of town? Seven places to take a summer vacation without leaving Mass.
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Looking for day trip ideas for this summer? How about going on vacation without spending hours in the car or spending hundreds of dollars on gas?
Despite its relatively small size, Massachusetts has numerous vacation options beyond the obvious (Cape Cod). From the hills (and the arts) of the Berkshires to the salt of the ocean on the eastern shoreline — and countless interesting places in between — the commonwealth has something for everyone.
Consider these seven destinations to consider for a fun summer getaway.
Great Barrington
Great Barrington is the heart of southern Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. It's known for being a hub for arts and entertainment.
Check out the iconic Norman Rockwell Museum in nearby Stockbridge or visit Chesterwood, the sprawling estate and summer studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French, who sculpted the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. You can also drive up to Lenox to catch a concert at Tanglewood, take in the Boston Symphony Orchestra, or see James Taylor, Beck, Jason Mraz, Boys II Men or other acts that are headed to Berkshire County this year.
Boston
Not breaking any new ground here, right? Well, while everyone has been to Boston, there are some new and exciting activities to do this year. The Museum of Fine Arts' latest exhibit, Hallyu! The Korean Wave, explores the influence of South Korean pop culture on American society, running through July 28. "Auschwitz: Not Long Ago. Not Far Away," a traveling exhibit about the largest Nazi concentration camp, is in Boston through Labor Day at The Castle at Park Plaza.
The Museum of Ice Cream, which serves as both an exhibit celebrating the frozen treat, as well as a popular hotspot for Instagram photos and social media influencers, with colorful and immersive rooms that provide interesting backdrops for photos and videos, opens in Boston's Seaport District later this year.
Newburyport
Head up to the North Shore and get ready to learn about the various meanings of the word "Yeat." Newburyport is famous for its brickstone downtown and harbor area, which transports residents back in time to a New England harbor town, while also offering numerous dining and retail options.
Get outside with a canoe ride around the harbor and the Merrimack River through White Rose Canoe, catch a whale watching tour or go on a nature hike through Plum Island, which offers some of the most diverse landscapes and bird-watching opportunities anywhere in New England.
North Adams
Located in North Berkshire County, this former mill town has spent the last several decades reinventing itself as a hub for modern art. The crown jewel is the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA), which is the largest modern art museum in New England.
Take a hike up Mount Greylock, the state's highest point; check out the Natural Bridge State Park and quarry; and if you've got some free time in September, head out to catch the FreshGrass bluegrass festival.
Northampton
An ideal spot for a day trip, Northampton is the center for arts and culture in Hampshire County. Smith College offers both its botanic garden and the Smith College Museum of Art. Cyclists will get a thrill doing the Norwottuck Rail Trail, an 11-mile loop around the former Boston and Maine rail line that dips around the backwoods of the Northampton and Amherst area.
History buffs will want to check out the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum.
Cotuit
Regarded as a hidden gem on the Cape, Cotuit is overshadowed by more well known neighboring villages in Barnstable. That leads to a lower volume of tourists during the summer, but Cotuit still has plenty to offer, from the Sampsons Island wildlife sanctuary, a MassAudubon bird sanctuary accessible only by boat, to the Cahoon Museum of American Art, home of the work of American painters Ralph and Martha Cahoon.
Be sure to get a taste of the Cotuit Oyster from the Cotuit Oyster Company, which has been harvesting the unique oyster species since 1837.
New Bedford
A staple of New England's whaling history, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is arguably the top museum of its kind, featuring the largest collection of scrimshaw (art carved from and into whale bone) in the world.
Other maritime-related activities include taking a ride out to Cuttyhunk on the Cuttyhunk Ferry Company, a tour of the Civil War-era military fort at Fort Taber Park, or a visit to the world's largest collection of World War II-era naval vessels at nearby Battleship Cove in Fall River.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Seven places to take a summer vacation without leaving Massachusetts
