Massachusetts - 90 Great Things to Do in Massachusetts

Ten Great Things to Do in North of Boston/Salem/Cape Ann Massachusetts

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Abe's Immortalizer Lives On at Chesterwood

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Chesterwood , on Williamsville Road in Stockbridge, is the country home, studio, and gardens of Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C., and the Minute Man in Concord. The buildings are furnished with American and European decorative arts and paintings. Woodland walks feature mountain vistas and perennial gardens. The house and gardens are daily open for self-guided tours from May 1 to October 31. Phone: 413-298-3579.

Artists Pick Up Hammers
to Save Revered Showroom

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The 20-year-old Salmon Falls Artisans Showroom on Ashfield Street in Shelburne Falls faced a challenge in the summer of 2009 with the retirement of two key staff members and a flagging economy. But the artists that contribute to the showroom rallied and undertook a major renovation, and the showroom reopened with a splash on October 17, 2009. In the new design of the showroom each window frames a spectacular river view and is surrounded by a bevy of beautifully displayed pots, paintings, collages, mixed media, glassware, textiles, wood work and photographs. The gallery is open to the public daily except Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Phone: 413-625-9833.

Botanical Garden Offers
Herbal Beauty Year-Round

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Plant lovers can find a place of peaceful, studious beauty at the Botanic Garden of Smith College on College Lane in Northampton. The garden includes thousands of plants, of course, under glass in the Lyman Conservatory and outdoors in various not-so-secret gardens. There is also a collection of dried plants. There are 60,000 pressed specimens available for research in the Herbarium. The public is invited to explore the campus arboretum and specialty gardens. Open daily, year-round. Phone: 413-585-2740.

Bring Your Own Romance … and Some Matches

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This is one of New England's most popular destinations, with lots of fun shopping and holiday spirit. Yankee Candle Village on Routes 5 and 10 in South Deerfield offers a unique shopping, entertainment, and dining experience. Explore the largest selection of Yankee Candle fragrances and styles. Stroll through the Bavarian Christmas Village, Nutcracker Castle, and Home Store. Enjoy fabulous candle, home décor, and holiday shopping. Savor freshly made fudge and other sweet treats in the Fudge Shop. Dip your own candles and watch history brought to life in the Candlemaking Museum. Open daily. Phone: 877-636-7707.

Conservancy in Great Barrington
Creates a Wonderful Riverwalk

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Downtown Great Barrington is known for its many boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, and gourmet restaurants. A shopping or dining stroll in the downtown should include a visit to the adjacent Housatonic Riverwalk . The paved path that ambles alongside this busy Berkshires waterway is an all-volunteer restoration project of the Great Barrington Land Conservancy. After your riverside stroll, take in some evening entertainment in Great Barrington at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, the Triplex movie theatre, or the town bandstand, site of free concerts. Phone: 413-528-3391.

Fresh Look at Home of
Author and Horticulturist

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The Mount, which is the restored home and gardens in Lenox of writer Edith Wharton (1862-1937), will reopen in the summer of 2010 with new installations, exhibits, and special events. Wharton wrote books on architecture, gardens, and interior design, and consequently her home and gardens are a masterpiece of design. The 2010 season begins on May 1 with the unveiling of Dramatic License: Edith Wharton on Stage and Screen. Late July brings the first annual Berkshire Literary Festival to the Mount. A two-week run of “Summer,” Wharton's coming-of-age story set in the Berkshires, will be performed in late August. A visit to the Mount is an uplifting experience for readers, gardeners, and admirers of this progressive Victorian lady. Phone: 413-551-5111.

Marble Luxury at the Hands of Nature

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Discover a geologic wonder and a peaceful place to walk and view the artistry of nature at Natural Bridge State Park. Examine the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America, and tour an abandoned marble quarry. The "natural bridge" for which the park is named, according to geologists, is 550 million year old bedrock marble, carved into an arch by the force of glacial melt water over 13,000 years ago; one of the best places in New England to demonstrate the effects of glaciation. The bridge spans rushing Hudson Brook as it twists and tumbles through a steep 60-foot deep gorge. Phone: 413-663-6392

Namaste

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It might seem like all your trendy friends are heading off to yoga class these days, but the folks at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health have been doing it for more than 30 years. Tucked away in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts in Stockbridge, Kripalu offers a multitude of classes, workshops, and weekend retreats. Different yogic programs focus on writing, creativity, relationships, body detoxification, cooking, dancing, and even snow-shoeing. So whether you’re a long-time yoga practitioner or a dedicated couch-potato, it’s a safe bet that a stop at Kripalu will make you feel peaceful and rejuvenated. Phone: 866-200-5203.

On the Trail of Abe Lincoln

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Chesterwood, the country home of the 19th-century sculptor who created several statues of Abraham Lincoln, is the center of a self-guided tour, the Lincoln Trail in the Berkshires. The tour consists of 14 Lincoln-related sites, among them the Williams College Museum of Art and The Clark museum in Williamstown, the Berkshire Museum and Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Tanglewood in Lenox, the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, and more. Among the things to be seen and heard are Lincoln-related art exhibits, a Mary Todd Lincoln letter, Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copeland at Tanglewood on Parade on June 28, The 1865 Berkshire Eagle headline about Lincoln’s death, and much more. Phone at Chesterwood: 413-298-3579.

Private Poet on Display in Amherst

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Emily Dickinson was a loner, a recluse and a rogue female poet who is said to have spent much of her life hiding out at home. At the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dickinson enthusiasts can tour that home, and the landscaped grounds that inspired so much of her poetry. Visitors can take a guided walk through the house and learn all about the poet’s idiosyncrasies, 19th-century architecture, and the Dickinson family drama. See the room where the prolific poet wrote her masterpieces and learn why, 1,800 poems later, her life and work have generated more than a century of scholarly debate. Phone: 413-542-8161.

Put the Second Amendment to Good Use

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A decidedly outdoor sport moves indoors at the Smith & Wesson Shooting Sports Center , a public shooting facility on Page Boulevard in Springfield, where shooting lanes are available for use by non-members. If you have wondered about the sport of shooting and want to give it a try, this is a place to do it in indoor comfort. Smith & Wesson firearms and targets are available and there are two classrooms and a variety of support facilities. Through the Try-A-Gun offer, any non-licensed person may use a handgun, one box of ammunition, and three targets for $26.95. Also, for $20 any non-member can use a lane with his own handgun. For quieter enjoyment, the facility also has a special historical exhibit that focuses on the development of firearms and the critical role that the Connecticut Valley firearms industry has had in firearms design and manufacture in America. There is also a retail store. Phone: 800-331-0852.

Tranquil Village

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Hancock Shaker Village on Route 20 in Pittsfieldtakes visitors back to daily life in a Shaker community, founded nearly two centuries ago. Known during its active life as the City of Peace, this historic site now hosts special activities such as watching newborn baby animals, enjoying Shaker suppers or, for kids, exploring the Discovery Room. Fun for all ages. Phone: 800-817-1137.

Unleash Your Inner Child

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This stop is a joy for anyone who loved picture books as a young child. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art on West Bay Road in Amherst collects and celebrates the art of the picture book. Much of the fun is child-oriented and interactive: there is a hands-on Art Studio; an auditorium for performances; a library for reading and storytelling; a café; and a museum shop. Bring kids and memories. Open year-round. Phone: 413-658-1100.

Boardwalk in Sandwich is One
of Town's Many Attractions

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For people who are new to Cape Cod or those who have loved it forever, spending a day or more in the very beautiful town of Sandwich is pure pleasure, from the standpoint of historical interest and natural beauty. One of the first orders of business is to stroll the Sandwich Boardwalk. More than 1,000 feet long, the boardwalk crosses Mill Creek and beautiful marshes, leading to a lovely public beach on Cape Cod Bay. It remains one of Sandwich's unique treasures, offering scenic views from the Cape Cod Canal to Scorton Creek. In the center of town is the Dexter Grist Mill, a working, 17th-century grist mill. Built in 1654, the mill offers tours every day during the summer. Another Sandwich treasure is the Heritage Museums & Gardens, with 100 acres of gardens and trails and 1,000 varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. Also at this establishment are the J. K. Lilly III Antique Automobile Museum; the American History Museum; and the Art Museum, with a 1912 carousel. Finally, don’t fail to visit the Sandwich Glass Museum, where the art of glasswork will take your breath away.

Come See the Light

There seems to be a certain magic about lighthouses that releases the wonder in all of us. Cape Cod, land of lighthouses, is the most perfect place to revel in lighthouse lore, take pictures, listen to the horns, and imagine the days when these stewards of the coastline meant the difference between life and possible death in the Cape’s perilous waters.

On the Trail of Camelot

Phone: 508-790-3077

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Perhaps nowhere in the world is the presence of the Kennedy mystique felt more palpably than in Hyannis, summer White House during the JFK era. Places to recall the Kennedy period include the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum in Hyannis, the inspiring Kennedy Memorial on Ocean Street, and St. Francis Xavier Church on South Street, often known as the Kennedy church. Open year-round except the month of January; check for seasonal hours.

Art of the World on Display in Worcester

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Worcester Art Museum on Salisbury Street in Worcester is a hidden gem that features contemporary and classic masterpieces in the vibrant city of Worcester. World-renowned for its 35,000-piece collection, WAM features must-see masterpieces spanning the globe from ancient mosaics to contemporary art. Treat yourself to a delectable lunch in the Museum Café or browse the Shop for unique gifts and mementos. Enhance your museum experience by joining a tour, lecture, gallery talk, concert, performance, family day, party or other event offered throughout the year. This is a busy place, with many imaginative ways to enjoy the art that is at the center of it all. Phone: 508-799-4406.

Brick Is Also for Baking

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Olde Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge is a 200-acre re-creation of a 1830s New England community with more than 40 original buildings and staff members in period costume demonstrating daily life in a typical New England town of the mid-19th century. Many seasonally themed events throughout the year as well as tours and lectures. Perfect for stimulating children’s imaginations through fun. Phone: 508-347-3362

Broad Meadow Also Offers Woods, Streams, and Marshes

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Within the 400 acres of woods, fields, streams, and marsh at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary on Massasoit Road in Worcester, visitors can hike, cross-country ski, watch birds, look for 78 species of butterflies, prowl for owls, or learn to snowshoe. The lobby of the new conservation center has interpretive exhibits, including a large 3-D model of the entire sanctuary and a wall-to-ceiling map of the Blackstone River watershed. Nature-related gifts, children’s books, assorted field guides, and conservation advocacy and community resource information are available at the center, which also serves as a visitor site for the National Park Service’s Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Trails are open daily, dawn to dusk, and the Nature Center is open daily except Mondays. Phone: 508-753-6087.

Butterflies Like a Warm Home

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You’ll find out when you visit the steamy glass conservatory at Magic Wings in South Deerfield that butterflies like it warm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens consists of an 18,400-square foot facility that includes a large glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths, and tropical vegetation. The heart-shaped pond with Japanese koi graces the center of the conservatory. Other attractions are the Iron Butterfly Outdoor Garden, planted with flowers that attract butterflies; food court; Monarchs Restaurant; and gift shop. Open daily, year-round. Phone: 413-665-2805.

By All Means, Dribble Here

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The rich history of basketball comes alive at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on West Columbus Avenue in Springfield. This state-of-the-art venue has dozens of hands-on exhibits, a regulation-sized basketball court and more than 900 artifacts on display. Phone: 877-4HOOPLA.

Did Someone Say “Shop”?

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The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley Mall is an open- air mall that is becoming popular with area shoppers and visitors. Located at Route 146 and McCraken Road in Millbury, and very close to Route 20 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Shoppes has a megaplex cinema, many restaurants, and every big-name or boutique store you have every visited, yearned to visit, or hope to visit again. Why wait?

Fourteen Galleries; No Waiting

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The Fitchburg Art Museum on Elm Street in Fitchburghouses permanent collections of American, European, and Asian works. Fourteen galleries house a diverse collection of American and European paintings, prints, drawings, ceramics and decorative arts as well as Greek, Roman, Asian and pre-Columbian antiquities. In addition, the Museum organizes temporary exhibitions of works from other museums and private collections. There is always something new to enjoy at this treasure house of world art. Open Wednesday-Sunday, year-round. Phone: 978-345-4207.

Hold On to Your Toes!

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Have you ever fall fallen from 13, 500 feet? No? Well you can, now. Take a sky ride with help from JumpTown, located at the Orange Municipal Airport, in Orange , for a lifetime experience you’re not soon to forget. Jumptown’s licensed United States Parachute Association instructors consider safety the top priority and offer tandem and AFF, Accellerated FreeFall jumps. Customers are invited to try skydiving as a company team-building experience or a special birthday or anniversary party. Go ahead, climb aboard; we’ll hold the coats. Phone: 800-890-JUMP

400 Years of Boston History
on Display Via Walk to the Sea

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Boston is now home to a great, free activity that is ideal for families and people who love history, urban architecture, and the outdoors. The new Walk to the Sea is a self-guided trail that encompasses four centuries of Boston history. Beginning at the State House on Beacon Hill, overlooking Boston's ancient Common, the Walk passes among historic landmarks and skyscrapers. The walk from summit to sea, spanning one mile and descending a hundred feet, brings Boston history to life. Large panels are situated along the walking trail to guide and educate walkers. Stops along the trail are Beacon Hill, King’s Chapel, Government Center, Old State House, Exchange Building, Custom House, Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Long Wharf. Starting in May 2009, people can go onto the Walk to the Sea website and download an audio tour for the walk right to ipods to have access to a free personal tour guide.

Adams, Samuel = Great Beer

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Here’s what you might not know: Samuel Adams (1722-1802), cousin to John Adams, was a Bostonian, statesman, patriot, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Here’s what you know: some people Boston make a fine beer named in honor of Sam. If you are connoisseur of fine beers and great cities, make a visit to the Sam Adams Brewery on Germania Street in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston. Taste the special malts used to brew Samuel Adams beers and smell the Hallertau and Tettnang hops. The brewery conducts tours and tastings daily except Sundays, and also has a neat gift shop. All tours depart approximately every 45 minutes and last about one hour, and Saturdays are especially busy. Phone: 617-368-5256

American History on Display
From Many Diverse Angles

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The National Heritage Museum at Marrett Road in Lexington is an American history museum founded and supported by 32 degree Scottish Rite Freemasons. A visit to the National Heritage Museum is truly an experience in the American spirit. The exhibitions tell thrilling stories of patriotism, adventure, invention, community and dissent -- all aspects of how we as a people have worked, and played, struggled and achieved. For instance, some current exhibits describe illustrated American sheet music, teenage hoboes in the Great Depression, American decorative arts, the enchanted clocks of Gelrge McFadden, art and folk heritage in Massachusetts. Phone: 781-861-6559.

An Old New Look

The global economy is on the outs and times are tough – but that doesn’t mean you can’t look good. Spend a day perusing the racks in the fabulous consignment and vintage stores of the Boston area, where you can score designer clothes at more “fashionable” prices. If you’re looking for contemporary and vintage clothing and accessories at relatively low prices, start in Harvard Square at the eclectic Oona’s, then try Urban Renewals on Brighton Avenue or Boomerangs in Jamaica Plain. Slightly pricier high-end and designer threads can be found at Second Time Around on Beacon Hill or The Closet on Newbury Street and, for a more nostalgic shopping experience, check out the retro attire at The Garment District in Cambridge or Bobby from Boston’s, a men’s upscale vintage shop that helped to outfit the cast of films like Titanic and A Beautiful Mind.

Armada of American Ships Was Born at Quincy

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Quincy has a proud shipbuilding tradition that includes producing many of the U.S. Navy ships that fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Today, visitors can tour one of the ships built at Quincy's world famous shipyard: the heavy cruiser USS Salem. Berthed at the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum on Washington Street in Quincy, the U.S.S. Salem offers visitors the chance to experience life on the former flag ship of the Sixth Fleet. Open June through September. Note: Quincy is also the birthplace of the popular catch phrase "Kilroy Was Here.” During World War II, James Kilroy, a worker at Quincy's Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, chalked the message next to rivets he inspected on ships under construction. Eventually, the phrase traveled the globe, with GIs scrawling it wherever they went. Phone: 617-479-7900.

Art for Art's Sake

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Visitors to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston are just as likely to be awestruck with the outside of the building as they are with what’s inside. The unusually shaped 65,000-square-foot structure sits directly on the waterfront and, from a certain vantage point, looks as though it might topple into the bay. With a little luck, guests will stay dry long enough to enjoy the gallery’s impressive permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, and photography by artists from all over the world. Now through November, 2010, catch Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s breathtaking wall of colorful mirrored glass windows in the ICA lobby. And don’t miss the first ever museum survey of street artist Shepard Fairey’s iconoclastic work, on view February 6 – August 16, 2009. Phone: 617-478-3103.

Astonishing Nature Lessons

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There is always something interesting to see and learn at the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Oxford Street in Cambridge. Classes and lectures for kids and adults on many fascinating subjects – from the source for our food to nature drawing -- are ongoing. Permanent exhibits include the Great Mammal Hall, Evolution, Arthropods: Creatures that Rule, The Glass Flowers, The Zoological Galleries, the Mineralogical and Geological Gallery. Phone: 617-495-3045

Blaschka Glass Models Charm With Compact Artistry

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One of the most famous treasures of the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Oxford Street in Cambridge is the Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, the “glass flowers." This unique collection of over 4,000 models was created by the glass artisan Leopold Blaschka and his son, Rudolph. The commission began in 1886 because the founder of the Botanical Museum, wanted life-like representatives of the plant kingdom for teaching botany. At the time only crude papier-maché or wax models were available. The parts were shaped after the glass was softened by heat. Some models were blown. Colored glass was used for many, and others were cold painted with a thin wash of colored ground glass or metal oxides. Phone: 617-495-3045.

Boston From the Sidewalk

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Boston calls itself the birthplace of the American Revolution, and you are likely to agree after taking an information-packed stroll with Boston CityWalks, a walking tour that shows off the old and contemporary beauties of this world-class city. Starting in downtown, the tour takes in some of the Freedom Trail, visits Beacon Hill, and then moves on to the Public Garden, to enjoy the Swan Boats and the world’s smallest suspension bridge. Learn how Back Bay was filled and admire the beauty and elegance of Copley Square. Enjoy the 19th-century beauty and elegance of the Back Bay, its fine restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions. From there, walkers may choose to have lunch at an outdoor café on Newbury Street, shop in Copley Place and Prudential center, or visit one of Boston’s fine museums. Walks are held daily, year-round, starting at 10 a.m. at the northwest corner of State and Congress streets (outside 28 State Street). Call to confirm. Phone: 866-939-2557.

Bring on the Chocolate

The Boston Chocolate Tour guides visitors on a two-hour walking tour of the Back Bay, South End, Beacon Hill, and Harvard Square areas of Boston. An expert guide will whisk you off into a world of exotic imports, closely guarded recipes, and intimate tastings. Learn the history and life of chocolate, how luxury chocolates are created, and more. Stops include a European cocoa grower; a local chocolatier known for Belgian truffles and unique packaging; a formal tasting with an executive pastry chef; and chocolate martinis at a neighborhood eatery. Tours at every Saturday and Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m. through June 27, 2010. A great gift for a chocolate lover. For age 16 and older. Phone: 781-793-9706. http://www.BostonChocolateTours.com

Butterflies at the Museum

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Experience a living exhibit filled with blooming plants and free-flying butterflies in the Butterfly Garden at the Museum of Science at 1 Science Park in Boston. Many wonderful species can be seen up close in a warm, quiet environment. Entrance to the Butterfly Garden is limited to a certain number of people at one time to allow all visitors to enjoy the space comfortably. Open year-round. Phone: 617-723-2500.

Charming Shops and Delicious Food

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Perhaps the most distinct feature of Boston’s Porter Square is the 46-foot stainless steel windmill-like sculpture entitled "Gift of the Wind,” but there’s more to do here than simply enjoy the public art. Get your nerd on and check out the independently owned Porter Square Books or get in touch with your crunchy side and head to Greenward where you’ll find eco-friendly treasures like hand-made jewelry and stationary made from recycled paper. If shopping makes you hungry, choose from Chinese, Salvadoran, Thai, Cambodian, or good old American cuisine at one of Porter Square’s many restaurants before trying out your new set list at the Lizard Lounge’s weekly open-mic night.

Colonial Characters Come to Life
on This Boston History Tour

Few people would pay good money to hear histrionics from their teenagers. But Boston’s Histrionic Academy is a whole different story, and one worth seeking out on a visit to this historic city. The Histrionic Academy is a group of actors, educators, and interpreters who bring history to life through theater. It offers a number of different historical walking tours led by costumed interpreters, including The Path of Independence, a tour through Colonial Boston that includes lively stories of the fire-breathing days of the American Revolution. Captain David Hawkins, Corporal Jonathan Hoyt, Freelove Bliss, and others are waiting to show you Boston's Historic Trail like you've never seen it before. Offered daily. Phone: 978-741-1170

Eagle-Eye View of Boston

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The Blue Hills Reservation, off Hillside Street in Milton, covers 7,000 acres from Quincy to Dedham and Milton to Randolph, provides a green oasis in an urban environment. From the rocky summit of Great Blue Hill visitors can see the entire Boston metropolitan area. The Blue Hills Trailside Museum presents replicas of natural habitats, displays about Native Americans, and live animal exhibits. Phone: 617-698-1802.

Four Generations of American Leadership

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Adams National Historical Park in Quincy tells the story of four generations of the Adams family (from 1720 to 1927). The park has several sites: the birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, the second and sixth presidents of the United States; Peacefield, including the “Old House,” home to four generations of the Adams family; and the Stone Library, which contains more than 14,000 volumes. Open to the public April through November. Phone: 617-770-1175.

Hug a Tree

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In the Jamaica Plain section of Boston lies an oasis of meadows, forest, ponds, and wildlife. No, it’s not an urban mirage, it’s the Arnold Arboretum , where you can find thousands of different varieties of plants, hiking and biking trails, and world-renowned horticultural collections surrounded by 15,000 gorgeous trees. Owned by the city of Boston and leased to Harvard University for 1,000 years back in 1882, Arnold is the oldest public arboretum in North America. The extensive Bonsai collection, a cultivated Herbarium, majestic snow-covered cedars and pines in the winter, and nearly 200 different varieties of fragrant blooming lilacs come May, are just a few of the reasons to spend a day here any time of the year. Phone: 617-524-1718‎.

It's a Seal's Life

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The New England Aquarium on Central Wharf in Boston is now home to a new Marine Mammal Center. The naturally lit, open-air exhibit gives visitors a front-row seat to see Northern fur seals in action. The exhibit features interactive panels that let you touch fur seal teeth and see an underwater image the same way a seal does. The entire experience centers on the expanded Northern fur seal pool, where you can witness these graceful animals in action. The new enclosure gives these sleek animals plenty of room to gallop and swim and offers a shallow pool for midsummer lounging and speedy surface skimming. Thanks to the tiered seating, seal fans can get a good view of all these behaviors. Arf! Phone: 617-973-5200.

Just for the Record…

Your iPod might be able to store thousands of songs and fit in your pocket, but it will never be as cool as a real-life record. Every collector will tell you that music sounds better on vinyl, and there is no better place to find it than in Boston’s independent record stores. Browse the bins at Looney Tunes Records on Boylston Street, or at the legendary In Your Ear, just a block away from Harvard Square. Make a day of it and check out Nuggets in Kenmore Square or venture out to Cambridge and sift through the new and used vinyl at Cheapo Records, Twisted Village, and Stereo Jack’s.

Salsa on Sundays

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Every Sunday night from 8 p.m. to midnight, The Beehive, a bistro on Tremont Street in Boston’s South End, hosts a night of Latin music and dance. With rhythmic sounds of the Latin music and dance group, Cincoson, guests can listen to the beats or dance the night away. It is a south-of-the-border vacation in the heart of South Boston. Take your dancing shoes and a hot date for some fun and hot music, on from your seat or on your feet. Phone: 617-423-0069

Shopping Like Nowhere Else

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Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay is a shopping esplanade laced with charm because of the fine merchandise and the beauty of the architecture. For eight blocks, Victorian and other 19th-century styled houses spill shops and cafes onto the sidewalk. Brand-name boutiques, clothing and antique stores jostle closely with sidewalk eateries and strolling sightseers.

Shutterbugs Get Guidance
for Great Boston Images

Here is a truly original idea: a guided walking tour that takes amateur photographers to the primo spots for taking pictures of Boston and in Boston, complete with insider tips. The experts of the PhotoWalks tours offer creative photography tips and interesting commentary about Boston. Tours are designed for people of all ages and skill levels. The tours include Beacon Hill; Back Bay, centered around Copley Square; Freedom Trail and the North End, with many Colonial-ear sites; the Public Garden; and the Waterfront. This is a chance to soar to new photographic heights. Phone: 617-851-2273.

Truely Bad Bad Art

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The headline above is the slogan for the Museum of Bad Art, located in the basement of the Dedham Community Theatre on High Street in downtown Dedham. This institution is dedicated to the collection and celebration of bad art in all its glory. On the Frequently Asked Questions section of its website, a viewer inquired, “Is this some kind of joke?” and got the answer, “This institution works long and hard at building the finest bad art establishment in the world. Frankly, we are shocked and indignant at your derisive innuendo.” Our publisher’s comment: “I hope the place is big enough.” Phone: 781-444-6757

Warm is Good, Too

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Looking to shake off the winter cold? How about a trip to the tropics? The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo on Franklin Park Road in Boston is kept at a balmy 72 degrees year-round. This building is home to western lowland gorillas, ring-tailed lemurs, mandrills, a pygmy hippopotamus, free-flight birds and more. Both adults and kids are fascinated by these foreign creatures. Also story times and a biofacts are offered weekend in January and February. Phone: 617-541-5466.

Wilderness on Boston’s Edge

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Fells is an old Saxon word for rocky, hilly land, and the Middlesex Fells Reservation, on South Border Road in the town of Stoneham, near Boston, shows how correct that name is. This 2,060-acre landscape of rocky hills, meadows, wetlands, forests, ponds, and panoramic vistas covers parts of Medford, Winchester, Stoneham, Melrose and Malden. Walkers on the quiet hiking trails may forget how close they are to Boston. Phone: 781-662-2340

“Thoreau” Yourself into Nature

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Walden Pond State Reservation, located in Concord , was home of the famous author Henry David Thoreau as well as his muse for the book “Walden,” a description of the experiment in simple living that Thoreau conducted as a resident of Walden Pond from 1845 to 1847. Walden Pond is considered the birthplace of the conservation movement in America. Park interpreters provide tours and educational programs, amongst the area of 2680 acres that surrounds the pond. Now part of the Massachusetts Forests and Parks, Walden Pond is a host to hikers, swimmers, and nature enthusiasts all year round. Offering nature experiences year-round, Walden Pond is a must visit. Phone: 978-369-3254.

All Eyes, Look to the Stars

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Loines Observatory of the Maria Mitchell Association on Milk Street Extension on Nantucket is open for public viewing on a regular schedule year round, and for frequent special astronomical events. Climb a ladder to the eyepiece of a fine, old telescope and sample the sights of the distant heavens. You'll also have the opportunity to see a new 24-inch research telescope. The observatory’s 24-inch research telescope and operating systems, weighing over 1,500 pounds, were hoisted into place by crane through the Loines observatory dome on April 11, 2007. The first color photographs were taken with the new telescope soon thereafter. Remember, observing is weather dependent, so check the skies or call ahead. Phone: 508-228-9273.

Exotic Creatures Offer Shivers at Reptile and Bird Preserve

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Exotic reptiles and birds. C’mon, you know you (or someone in your family) loves to examine these magnificent creatures. A kindred spirit is Gus Ben-David, operator of the World or Reptiles and Birds Park on Bachelder Road in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. Park residents who welcome visitors include giant pythons, an Endangered Rhinoceros Iguana; A Giant 'Pettable' Tortoise; an eight-foot Crocodile Lizard; a caiman, bald and golden eagles, fancy pigeons, exotic pheasants, and native and exotic waterfowl. Ben-David is eager to show you around and stoke your inner herpetologist. Phone: 508-627-5634.

Marine Ecosystems on Display

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The Coskata-Coatue (also known as Great Point) Wildlife Refuge off Wauwinet Road in Nantucket is a beautiful and complex ecosystem of rolling maritime dunes and beach plants, a red cedar savanna and woodland, a maritime oak forest that of gnarled, wind-blown trees, salt marsh, a lagoon, and more. People can explore the 200-acre property and join ranger-led tours of the historic Great Point Lighthouse. Phone: 508-228-5646

Revival Movement of the 1850s
Produced This Charmed Neighborhood

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The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, located in the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, is a neighborhood of hundreds of colorful, ornate “gingerbread cottages” that are a delight to the eye and great fun to see and photograph. The neighborhood has its roots in the religious revival camp meeting movement of the 1850s. Members of the campground – originally a tent community -- conducted popular Bible meetings where the cottages are now.

216 Years of Wooden Boat History

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Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury, now in its 216th year of operation, is a National Historical Landmark and working museum dedicated to preserving the art of wooden boat building. Lowell’s continues to build dories and skiffs in the time-honored tradition of seven generations of the Lowell family. Within these buildings, remnants of past work -- ancient ship’s knees, support beams, and two centuries of accumulated paint -- speak volumes of the rich history of the wooden boat industry. The oldest buildings are Greek Revival structures built in the 1860s. Branded into the wood of one cross-beam are annual production figures from 1897 through 1919, showing that an astonishing 2,029 boats were built here by hand in 1911 alone. This remarkable boat shop stands as an icon of New England ingenuity and integrity. Visitors are welcome Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Phone: 978-834-0050

Ahoy, Whales

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Experts at the Whale Center of New England on Harbor Loop in Gloucester study whales who live in the waters off the Massachusetts coast, especially Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge, and conduct field research their vessel Mysticete. The center also has a Visitors Center where whale lovers can learn about these marine mammals through extensive exhibits. Visitors will come away with a new appreciation for marine mammals and the threats that they face in the world today. The Visitors Center is open year-round, but days and hours vary through the seasons. Phone: 978-281-6351.

American Textile History Museum Reopens
With Textiles of the Past and the Future

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After more than a year of major renovations, the American Textile History Museum on Dutton Street in Lowell reopened in May 2009 with an entirely new and interactive experience for people of all ages. The museum tells America’s story through the art, history, and science of textiles. In the museum’s new exhibit – Textile Revolution: An Exploration through Space and Time - visitors will explore the fascinating world of textiles in a fun, hands on environment where they will spin, weave, recycle, and design their way through textile history. Beginning at a replica of a Savannah, Georgia-style warehouse, visitors will explore the textile story chronologically from the pre-industrial era to the important role textiles play in revolutionizing our lives through current scientific applications. American Textile History Museum holds one of the world’s largest and most important publicly held collections of tools, spinning wheels, hand looms, and early production machines. The Museum's textile collections include more than five million pieces of textile prints, fabric samples, rolled textiles coverlets, and costumes. Open year-round. Phone: 978-441-0400.

Artist Colony Is Alive and Vibrant
In This Corner of Gloucester

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Rocky Neck Art Colony in Gloucester is the oldest working art colony in the country, and has been luring artists to its picturesque shores for more than 150 years. Today the area is still home to many working artists and to galleries showing paintings in all media, as well as batik, photography, jewelry, prints, sculpture, ceramics, and fine gifts. A convenient walking tour of Rocky Neck, along East Main Street, includes information about three dozen galleries and studios on the Neck. In addition to viewing the arts, visitors may take part in special events or dine at restaurants that feature fine food and fabulous views. A new book about the artists and history of the region, titled Rocky Neck Art Colony 1850-1950, by Judith Curtis, is available. Phone: 978-282-0917.

Arts and Crafts Rabbit Still Charms Us

The Arts and Crafts decorative art movement flourished in this country from about 1880 to 1920, but one of its signature designs – and a particularly loveable one, at that – is the Dedham Rabbit produced by the Dedham Pottery Company. Reproductions of the famed Rabbit and other Dedham Pottery – highly prized by collectors and museums -- can be found at The Potting Shed on Bradford Street in Concord.

Beacons on Duty

The lighthouses of Cape Ann still serve as safety beacons for sailors, but in the present time they have become a joy and fascination for landside visitors, too. In Cape Ann alone, there are six lighthouses: “Annisquam Light, “Straitsmouth, “the Twin Lights of Thacher Island , “Ten Pound Island Light, and “Eastern Point Light

Bounty from the Sea Trade
on Display at Phillips House

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Located on picturesque Chestnut Street in Salem, the Phillips House , a this Federal-style mansion, contains a family collection that spans five generations. Enjoy artifacts from near and far, hear the stories of the Phillips family, and experience more than 200 years of history in the New England tradition. The house contains an authentic collection of five generations of family furnishings. Representative of the Phillips's extensive travels and interests, the collection includes artifacts as diverse as Fiji throwing clubs and African woodcarvings, as well as fine examples of early American furniture, Persian carpets, and an extensive collection of export porcelain. Hours: June through October, Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; November through May, Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone: 978-744-0440.

Door-to-Door Antiques

With about three dozen antique shops, the lovely coastal community of Essex is a haven for people who have a yen to find things old, beautiful, and unique. Expert and novice antique-lovers are equally welcome. Most shops are in walking distance of each other and open daily. In particular, aim for Route 133 through town and Route 97 a scenic byway.

Easel Optional

Visit the beautiful seaside village of Rockport and Motif #1, a red fishing shack nearly covered with fishing buoys at Bearskin Neck in Rockport. The shack is one of the most painted and photographed scenes in the United States because of its beauty, composition, and lighting. Bring your appreciation; camera or paintbrushes are optional.

Essex Shipbuilding Museum Shows History of This Ancient Art

A visit to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum is a wonderful way to become immersed in the ship-building history and culture of northern New England. The museum tells the extraordinary story of a small New England village that built more two-masted wooden fishing schooners than any other place in the world. Exhibits and archives of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum are housed in the old Essex Central School House which was built in 1835. Features include antique shipbuilding tools, photographs, documents, and exhibits portraying the shipbuilding industry. Tours include video presentations and hands-on activities. A gift shop offers ship plans, maritime books, and other nautical memorabilia. Phone: 978-768-7541.

Go Find the Green Indoors

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Here’s is a fast and accessible treatment for the winter blahs: a visit to the Lyman Estate Greenhouses on Lyman Street in Waltham. The historic greenhouses provide a flowery paradise year-round. In particular, the century-old Camellia collection brightens midwinter days with exquisite red, pink, and white flowers. Each generation of the Lyman family added its touch through the addition of the Camellia greenhouse in 1820, the orchid greenhouse in 1840, and the area now enclosing the greenhouse shop in 1930. The orchid house is home to thousands of beautiful orchids from all over the world. This is also the place to gift-shop for the gardener in your life. The gift shop sells historical gardening books, brass sundials, sachets, orchid accessories, pottery, rustic twig furniture, and more. Open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round. Phone: 781-891-4882 ext. 244.

Hidden Art Gems

Start at Abbot Hall in downtown Marblehead to see the original painting of “The Spirit of 76”, then take in J.O.J. Frost’s Folk Art at the “Marblehead Museum & Historical Society. Maritime masters can be found at Salem’s Kensington-Stobart Gallery in the Hawthorne Hotel. The changing exhibitions at Montserrat College of Art feature up-and-comers.

Historic Whipple House Shows
Life of Wealth in Colonial Times

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One of many historic houses of the Colonial period in the North of Boston region, the Whipple House on South Village Green in Ipswich was built between 1650 to the early 1700s. Like many settlers of Ipswich, John Whipple arrived from England about 1638. From a family of prominent textile merchants, Whipple was a man of considerable standing in Ipswich. The house retains much of its original oak, pine, and chestnut framework and is furnished with a number of pieces from the Colonial Period. It offers a revealing look at the domestic surroundings of early New England colonists. Open seasonally from May to Columbus Day. Call ahead for hours. Phone: 978-356-2811

Living History of the Mills

The social and industrial history of Lawrence and its mill communities is on display at Lawrence Heritage State Park on Jackson Street. This restored boarding house is filled with interactive exhibits of the stories of Lawrence, including the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike. Take a walk along the esplanade of a 19th century canal leading to a park within the walls of a former mill building.

Motherlode for Stocking Stuffers

The old-style 5 & 10 cent store (also called the Five-&-Dime) where you could find anything – much of it in hand-labeled bins – is alive and beloved at 106 Commonwealth Avenue in West Concord at the West Concord Five & Ten. You name it; they’ve got it: hardware, stationary, toys, baby supplies, kitchen ware, puzzles, board games, crafts, stuffed animals, greeting cards, oil lamp supplies, hooks, picture hangers, velcro, ribbon, zippers, shoe laces, mirrors, locks, batteries, keys, even the plastic doo-hickey at the bottom of the window shade (!!!). People well into the 70s come in and say the store hasn’t changed since they were kids. Scoop up a pile of nickels and dimes and get over there.

Outdoor Fun in All Weathers

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Hopkinton State Park and Reservoir on Route 185 / Cedar Street in the towns of Hopkinton and Ashland, offer year-round recreational activities, including boating, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. There are miles of marked trails, open field space, and a concrete boat ramp for non-motorized vessels. Phone: 508-435-4303

Sculpture Under the Sky

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Located in the home of Julian de Cordova, a turn-of-the-century merchant, world traveler, and art collector, the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park on Sandy Pond Road in Lincoln focuses on contemporary and modern art by regional and national artists. On the grounds is a magnificent 35-acre site sculpture park with nearly 80 modern and contemporary works by nationally recognized sculptors. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays. Phone: 781-259-8355

All That a Bustling City Could Offer

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Patriot Place , off Route 1 in Foxboro includes Gillette Stadium, home of the champion New England Patriots football team, but there is much more to the Place than football alone. The property includes 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment, along with a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the Patriots. Major retailers are represented, including a massive Bass Pro Shops store, with every little (and big) thing and outdoorsman or outdoorswoman could desire. Dining runs the gamut from basic burgers to seafood to a gourmet bistro. The Hall at Patriot Place is a modern museum that takes guests through Patriots and New England football history in a cutting-edge way. Entertainment, live and recorded, is presented at Cinema De Lux and Showcase Live. Phone: 508-203-2100.

Broadmoor Offers Broad Variety

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Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary on Eliot Street in Natick offers nine miles of walking trails through a variety of field, woodland, and wetland habitats. A quarter-mile, accessible trail and boardwalk along the bank of Indian Brook and over the marsh offers great opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and sketching. To enjoy this site in the winter, bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis. Stroll along the edge of Indian Brook, which flows into the Charles River at the sanctuary, and look for wood ducks and signs of beavers and otters from the 110-foot-long bridge. Phone: 508-655-2296.

Craftwork with Sass

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A small, interesting museum on Oak Street in the city of Brockton, the Fuller Craft Museum displays unique craftwork, with frequent changes in the exhibits. Recent shows include glass sculpture, cloth paintings, ceramic art, wire and metal sculpture. the museum hosts lectures, lunches, and workshops. Some recent exhibits have showcased intriguing themes and names, like The Perfect Fit: Shoes Tell Stories, Beyond the Embargo: Cuban and American Ceramics, and Chunghie Lee: My Cup Overflows. Take a break from the colors and textures to stroll in the quiet solitude of D.W. Fields parks and gardens, where the museum is housed. Phone: 508-588-6000.

Dynamic Theater Hosts
Wide Range of Performances

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For lively, dynamic, creative entertainment of all stripes, stay tuned to the Zeiterion Theatre on Purchase Street in New Bedford. This historic performing arts center is located in a restored 1923 vaudeville house. Its programs include summer musicals; comedy, great American music, dance, global beat; special events and family fun. The 2009-10 season includes the Moscow Circus, 100 Years of Broadway, Maria deBarros, Ballet Folkloric de Mexicon, "Gypsy," and much more. Sound interesting? Check out the schedule. Phone: 508-997-5664.

Earnhardts, Move Over

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Why should the Earnhardt boys hog all the fun? At F1 Boston on Wood Road in Braintree, an indoor race track, the thrill of racing is open to everyone. During open racing sessions, also called “Arrive and Drive,” guests may come in, suit up, receive a driver briefing, and pit themselves against other drivers, scored by a computerized, split-second timing system – the same system used in professional racing. Open racing sessions include a practice session and a race. Tracks and carts are precisely scaled and engineered to guarantee a real racing experience. And with F1’s City Course and Country Course tracks, guests may choose an urban or a rural driving challenge. F1 racing hours are Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday, noon-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.Life doesn't have to be dull, right? Open daily. Phone: 781-848-2300.

Paul Revere Is Smiling

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Reed & Barton, one of America's oldest privately held silversmiths, operated a company store in one of its former manufacturing buildings on West Britannia Street in Taunton. Shoppers are charmed by the original wooden floors, the remnants of old machinery, and the discounted prices. Sterling, silver plate, stainless steel, Belleek China, Miller Rogaska crystal, Christmas ornaments, baby goods: it is all here and it is all beautiful. Phone: 800-343-1383

Sip Hearty

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Wine lovers would be well-advised to make a side trip to Westport Rivers Winery, a family-owned vineyard on Hixbridge Road in Westport. Its wines include traditional method sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Riesling and other Alsatian varietals. The winery, location an hour’s drive south of Boston and a stone’s throw away from one of New England's best beaches, Horseneck Beach, hosts many fun and education events for visitors. The winery is open daily, year round, Tuesdays-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday-MOnday, 1-5 p.m. Public yours are on Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 3 p.m. and are free. Phone: 800-993-9695.