10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Massachusetts That You Shouldn't Miss

December 19, 2021 Margarita Chappel

Discover the best top things to do in Massachusetts, United States including Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, The Clark Art Institute, The Jenney, Lizzie Borden House, Shining Sea Bikeway, Ozzie's Glass Gallery, Heritage Museums & Gardens, Highland Light, Halibut Point State Park, Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob).
Restaurants in Massachusetts

1. Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House

75 Eastern Point Blvd, Gloucester, MA 01930-4433 +1 978-283-0800 [email protected] http://www.historicnewengland.org/historic-properties/homes/Beauport
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 240 reviews

Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House

Also called the Beauport Sleeper-McCann House, this fantasy mansion of more than 40 rooms is perched on the rocks overlooking Gloucester Harbor.

Reviewed By george4880 - Bradford, United States

Very interesting house. Room after room kept the way Sleeper designed it. Lots of his collections and recycled floors and walls etc. With Covid only four people to a tour which was great. Unfortunately the gardens were neglected due to the museum not being allowed to open. Great view of the water.

2. The Clark Art Institute

225 South St, Williamstown, MA 01267-2878 +1 413-458-2303 http://www.clarkart.edu/
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,378 reviews

The Clark Art Institute

The Clark Art Institute is best known for its French Impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and especially Pierre-Auguste Renoir, with more than thirty paintings by the artist. The collection is also rich in American paintings by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, George Inness, Frederic Remington, and Mary Cassatt; Italian and Northern Renaissance masterpieces; portraits and landscapes by European masters; and an extraordinary collection of silver, porcelain, and furniture. An active program of special exhibitions brings great works of art from around the world to the museum. Designed by renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, the recently opened Clark Center is the centerpiece of the Clark's campus. The center includes special exhibition galleries as well as retail and dining spaces. It overlooks a dramatic three-tiered reflecting pool, integrating indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a stunning visual connection to the woodland surroundings and other buildings located on the campus. This sweeping new landscape design transforms the Clark's 140-acre campus and underscores new sustainability initiatives. In 1950 the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute was founded as a permanent home for the private art collection of Sterling and Francine Clark. In 1955 Sterling-who was an avid horseman with strong family ties to Williamstown and Cooperstown, New York-and his wife Francine presided at the official opening of the museum, sharing their magnificent yet little-known collection with the world for the first time. Since the founding, the museum has gained international stature for the quality of its collection, innovative special exhibitions, and Research and Academic Program.

Reviewed By ogerkan - New York City, United States

The Clark is a pretty special place. The building itself and the grounds are amazing. The story of the Clark's and their passion for collecting fine art is inspiring. The Renoirs (20 or so) are amazing and are mostly presented superbly in a large hall. There are Monets, Pissaros, a Van Gogh, Degas and Rodins scattered around as well. Nice cafe and gift shop on the premises round it out.

3. The Jenney

48 Summer St, Plymouth, MA 02360-3456 +1 508-747-4544 [email protected] http://www.thejenney.org
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 499 reviews

The Jenney

Historic Plymouth Tours and Educational Programs. Your journey into history begins here. Discover Plymouth's History - a Walking Tour: Hear about the people, places, and events that shaped the beginning of our country as you walk through the historic district of Plymouth. Forefathers Monument Tour - This hidden gem is the largest free standing solid granite monument in our country. The faith of the Pilgrims will become real to you as you learn what each of the five statues represents. Business Not as Usual - Pilgrim Economics and Conversations with a Pilgrim: Our guides help visitors learn all aspects of the Pilgrim family including economics, education, government, and faith. All tours require a reservation. Visit our website for tour times and information. Open seasonally.

Reviewed By E9625YOjonathanm - Tuxedo Park, United States

If one didn't know better, it would be easy to believe that Leo Martin was the 103rd Mayflower pilgrim (or perhaps the 105th depending on how you count, but let Leo explain that to you himself). It was a true pleasure to spend time with someone so dedicated to helping us truly understand what we thought we already knew. The museum itself has an abundance of simple, well-presented information. It is not an exhibit of artifacts, but one focusing on the ideals and principles that helps puts the events of 1620 and beyond in perspective. Although it is possible to visit the Jenney Museum without taking advantage of one of the excellent tours, my wife and I highly recommend the Plymouth walking tour which covered a remarkable amount of ground in a little over an hour. Stops included Town Brook, Brewster Gardens, Leyden Street, Burial Hill, and of course, the Rock in all its glory (again I encourage you to experience Leo's commentary for yourself). Leo's presentation was a near-perfect combination of fact, philosophy, anecdotes, and witty commentary. At the conclusion I felt that I didn't just know about the Mayflower pilgrims, but that I knew the Mayflower pilgrims. This was truly the highlight of our visit to Plymouth!

4. Lizzie Borden House

230 2nd St, Fall River, MA 02721-2006 +1 508-675-7333 [email protected] http://www.Lizzie-Borden.com
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,079 reviews

Lizzie Borden House

Reviewed By 152acaciaw

Our family is visiting the area from Las Vegas and we are a bunch of true crime lovers so we just had to go to the Lizzie Borden house! The tour exceeded our expectations! Our tour guide, Sue, was so awesome! You could tell she truly enjoyed what she does! She had such a cool enthusiasm and all of the small details made the tour truly special! She gave a great narration and then let us tour the rooms after each section. We are definitely going to come again for the nighttime tour to hear all of her paranormal stories!! Definitely worth the visit! Hope they open Maplecroft by the next time we return! Thank you, Sue!!

5. Shining Sea Bikeway

Falmouth, MA +1 508-548-8500 http://www.shiningseabikeway.com
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,029 reviews

Shining Sea Bikeway

Reviewed By MingO_11 - Boston, United States

This is arguably the most scenic bike trail in Cape Cod. It has almost everything Cape Cod bike trails have to offer: the marsh, the cranberry bog, picturesque cape towns, and of course the shining sea. A few tips: Near the Woods Hole terminus of the trail, there is a very good bakery called Pie in the Sky, which is a good stop to refuel. Also from there, the Nobska lighthouse is close by (~1 mile away), which also worth a side trip.

1670 Pleasant St, Lee, MA 01260-9702 +1 413-822-4830 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/OzziesGlass/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 69 reviews

Ozzie's Glass Gallery

Reviewed By k2boggy - Mesquite, United States

The glass work was absolutely beautiful. The owner explained the different types of glass, had specialty glasses for us to wear to see the colors as he made the glass pieces.

7. Heritage Museums & Gardens

67 Grove St, Sandwich, MA 02563-2110 +1 508-888-3300 [email protected] http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 913 reviews

Heritage Museums & Gardens

You can enjoy more than 70 acres of gardens after visiting the art and history museums at the Heritage. Please note we will be opening for the 2019 season on Saturday, April 27th

Reviewed By mystery1reader - Boston, United States

Check out the great sundial made by a Mass man —Jim MOSS Historical notes to surprise and inform through out the relaxing paths 2020 detailed toy game - many Massachusetts produced games — Milton Bradley was a prince of a man Helpful friendly staff And !! There are regular small trams to take rides all around The antique cars are top notch Very well taken care paths with splendid variety of flowers ???? I Great place Reminds me of DC S gardens in upper Georgetown Or our ARBORETUM IN JAMAICA PLAIN

8. Highland Light

27 Highland Light Rd, Truro, MA 02652 +1 508-487-1121 http://www.highlandlighthouse.org/
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 341 reviews

Highland Light

This lighthouse was the first light sailors glimpsed when reaching this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Reviewed By iheartbigpapi - Boston, United States

You can’t pass up seeing the first light house in Cape Cod, which was commissioned by then President George Washington and built in the late 1700s.

9. Halibut Point State Park

Gott Ave, Rockport, MA 01966 +1 978-546-2997 [email protected] http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/halibut-point-state-park.html
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 725 reviews

Halibut Point State Park

Scramble across ledges scarred by the granite industry and examine tide pools teeming with marine life.

Reviewed By hmuchas - Charleston, United States

Wonderful walk around an old granite quarry with markers explaining the process of extracting granite in the days before electric drills and heavy equipment.

10. Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob)

Quissett Harbor Rd., Falmouth, MA 02543 +1 508-548-8484 [email protected] http://www.saltpond.info/knob.shtml
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 238 reviews

Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob)

Before you go.. there is very limited parking. Please try to walk or bike there for a visit. No large gatherings, events or functions are allowed on the Knob property. Nature trails run among the beach, rock and trees of this hidden shelter. Please leave the property as you found it. Dogs are allowed but only on leash. Please clean-up after your dog. This is a non-smoking property.

Reviewed By johnmN719YN - Mashpee, United States

You won't just discover this place. Even when you park, you will have to search for the path through the "tunnel" to entrance. A very unique vista of buzzard bay all year round.TAKE THE RIGHT ST THE FORK!

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