Massachusetts
Colonial and Revolution history, Cape Cod beaches and Boston's universities make Massachusetts a compact state to cover in one trip.
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Massachusetts is a New England state in the northeastern United States, and Boston is its capital, largest city and the state's cultural and financial center. The Bay State nickname comes from the large bays that shape its coast along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine. Cambridge, across the Charles River from Boston, is home to Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the country, and MIT.
Revolution history is a major draw. Boston is called the Cradle of Liberty for the protests that built toward independence, and the Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought in 1775, opened the fighting. Salem, north of Boston, is known for the 1692 witch trials, and Plymouth was settled by Pilgrims in 1620. Cape Cod suits a beach trip, and the Berkshires in the west hold the state's highest land. Summer is warm, with Boston highs around 81 °F (27 °C), while winters are cold and frosts are frequent. A week covers Boston, Cambridge and a few days on Cape Cod without rushing.
Massachusetts in five
- Use the MBTA to get around BostonThe MBTA, called 'The T' locally, operates subway, bus and ferry lines around Boston. Check current fares at mbta.com before you ride.Getting around
- Compare the Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard ferriesSteamship Authority, Hy-Line Cruises and Seastreak sail passenger ferries to these islands from several mainland ports. Check which operator sails from your port before you set your route.
- Add the 6.25% sales tax to shop pricesMost retail goods carry a 6.25% state sales tax, added at the till. Groceries, periodicals and clothing up to $175 are exempt.
- Check for ticks after woodland walksTicks can carry Lyme disease, and warmer temperatures are expected to increase reported cases in the state. Check your legs, waist and scalp after walks in wooded areas.
- Take the Boston Harbor Cruises ferry to SalemBoston Harbor Cruises runs ferries from Boston to Salem, and also to Hingham, Charlestown and Logan Airport. Check its current timetable before you plan the day.
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Massachusetts, the full guide
Boston
Boston is the place to walk through colonial and Revolutionary history, then see Harvard across the river or catch a game at Fenway Park.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a hooked peninsula of sand in southeastern Massachusetts. People come for ocean beaches, dune walks and lighthouses on the Atlantic shore.
Things to do in Massachusetts
See all attractions in Massachusetts
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver Program with ESTA for eligible passports; visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected, about 18 to 20% in restaurants
- Time
- UTC-5 (Eastern), UTC-4 during daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, frosty
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchEvacuation Day
- AprilMild, changeable
- MayMild, green
- JuneWarm, long days
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustWarm, humid
- SeptemberMild, settled
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, holiday lights
Right now in Massachusetts
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 46%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
Massachusetts
05:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°1°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Tue20°6°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Wed20°9°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu20°12°50%Thursday: Fog. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Fri21°14°58%Friday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Sat17°4°58%Saturday: Fog. High 17°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Sun13°3°24%Sunday: Clear. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 24%.
Updated 03:43 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Salemabout 30 to 40 min by commuter railThe 1692 witch trial sites, reached by ferry or commuter train.
- Plymouthabout 1 hour by carPilgrim settlement from 1620 and the Puritan Thanksgiving story.
- Cape Codabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carBeaches, the National Seashore and whale watching off the coast.Read the guide
- The Berkshiresabout 2.5 hours by carThe state's highest hills, with the Berkshire Scenic Railway.
Before you go to Massachusetts
Rules for Massachusetts, checked
- Visa-waiver visitors need an approved ESTA before boarding a flight to the US. Apply only on the official ESTA site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Source
- Declare food, plants and animal products on your customs form at US entry. Check the rules on the CBP travel page before you pack.Source
- Cannabis is legal for adults in Massachusetts, but federal law still bans it, so do not carry it on flights or across state lines.
Plan around Massachusetts
Freedom Trail, Cambridge and the harbor islands
Read the guideCape CodBeaches, the National Seashore and island ferries
Read the guideGetting aroundThe T, commuter rail, ferries and long-distance buses
Read the guideMoney and cardsSales tax, tipping and paying in US dollars
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA, the visa waiver and what to know at the border
Read the guideWhere to stayBoston neighborhoods and Cape Cod towns
Read the guideMassachusetts FAQ
How many days do you need in Boston?
Two to three days cover the Freedom Trail, Cambridge and the harbor. Add a day for Salem, which Boston Harbor Cruises reaches by ferry.
Is Boston or Cape Cod better for a first trip?
Boston, for history, museums and city life. Cape Cod suits slower days, beaches and the National Seashore, and works best with two or more nights.
Is the Freedom Trail free?
Yes, you can walk the Freedom Trail through central Boston without paying to enter the route. Some historic sites along it charge admission, so check each one before you go.
Is Salem worth visiting from Boston?
Yes, for its link to the 1692 witch trials, when people were hanged for alleged witchcraft. It is easy to reach by Boston Harbor Cruises ferry or by commuter train.
Where can I see whales near Cape Cod?
From boats in the waters off Cape Cod. Whale watchers may see humpback and fin whales, and great white sharks have been spotted and tagged in growing numbers there since 2009.
Can I get around Boston without a car?
Yes. The MBTA subway, bus and ferry services cover most of the city, and commuter rail reaches Worcester, Lowell, Newburyport and Kingston.