Things to do in Massachusetts, United States: The Best Outdoor Activities

June 17, 2021 Sachiko Swiger

Discover the best top things to do in Massachusetts, United States including Cape Cod National Seashore, Shining Sea Bikeway, Cape Cod Provincelands Trail, Kalmus Beach, Minuteman Trail Bikeway, Cape Cod Rail Trail, Herring Cove Beach, Norwottuck Rail Trail, Madaket Beach, Coast Guard Beach.
Restaurants in Massachusetts

1. Cape Cod National Seashore

99 Marconi Site Rd, MA 02667-8142 (508) 255-3421 https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 625 reviews

Cape Cod National Seashore

Over 40,000 beautiful acres of protected beach and dunes, stretching from Chatham to Provincetown.

Reviewed By StacyInDC2012 - Alexandria, United States

During our visit to Cape Cod National Seashore we enjoyed relaxing beach time at Marconi Beach, complete with several seal appearances just beyond the waves and then hiked in the white cedar swamp. The park wasn’t very crowded as we were there during the week just after Labor Day. Loved the visit and the fact that it gave us the opportunity to both be active and relax.

2. 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.

3. Cape Cod Provincelands Trail

Route 6 north toward Provincetown, Provincetown, MA
Excellent
80%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 264 reviews

Cape Cod Provincelands Trail

Reviewed By CherryTravels17 - New Jersey, United States

My husband and I ran the Provincelands Trail. We took advantage of the free parking at the Visitor Center, where we started/ended our run. The views from the Visitor Center were breathtaking. The path was beautiful and not crowded; this is a must-do for active travelers visiting P-town!

4. Kalmus Beach

Hyannis, MA
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 394 reviews

Kalmus Beach

Its convenient location makes Kalmus one of the Hyannis area's most popular beaches.

Reviewed By Cwhite472

My 8yr old and 4 1/2yr old loved this beach. Clean, beautiful and quiet. Lots of seashells and plenty of space to walk around and distance yourself from other visitors. People around were very friendly

5. Minuteman Trail Bikeway

+1 781-316-3090 http://www.minutemanbikeway.org/
Excellent
58%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Minuteman Trail Bikeway

This 10-mile paved path covers part of the route of Paul Revere's midnight ride.

Reviewed By oldbiker52

The Minuteman rail trail runs from Bedford to Cambridge, Ma. 12 miles one way. It is a very well maintained trail rich in history. The trail runs along the side of Lexington green the site of the Revolutionary battle. Bedford, Arlington and Cambridge are also rich with history. There are two addition trails that start in Bedford. One of which leads to the Old North Bridge in Concord five miles away. Definitely worth the ride or hike.

6. Cape Cod Rail Trail

MA +1 508-896-3491 http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/cape-cod-rail-trail.html
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 445 reviews

Cape Cod Rail Trail

This bike path runs 25 miles, from Dennis to Wellfleet.

Reviewed By O8419NOadamw

For a family of 5 it is a great mostly straight long mostly very flat bike trail through a forest. It is an easy ride and great for young riders as my nine year old was able to go 17 miles with relative ease. I could see some complaints as there are some riders who act like it's the tour de france racing through the trail with little regard to others while others could think it is mostly a boring forest scenery. We started in Brewster at the Ocean Edge and the scenery was much nicer west towards Dennis

7. Herring Cove Beach

Provincetown, MA
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 939 reviews

Herring Cove Beach

Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Herring Cove is Provincetown's most popular beach.

Reviewed By robynf699

Herring cove beach is a great place to relax and watch the sunset, there is a brand new parking lot with a mat to walk down to the beach.

8. Norwottuck Rail Trail

446 Damon Rd, Northampton, MA 01060-1818 http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-west/norwottuck-rail-trail.html
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 144 reviews

Norwottuck Rail Trail

Ten-mile bike path on the old tracks of the Boston and Maine railroad.

Reviewed By 180larryp - Northampton, United States

I run on the Norwottuck Rail Trail. It's perfect: clean, scenic, mostly flat-flatty-flat-flat. This trail, this route, this option is one of the reasons I'm so happy to live in the Connecticut River Valley.

9. Madaket Beach

Nantucket, MA 02554
Excellent
70%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 271 reviews

Madaket Beach

Located on the south side of Nantucket, this beach is known for its rough surf.

Reviewed By TheFlyingLatvian - Newton, United States

A delightful experience, visiting Madaket Beach was a treat! Away from the tourist hordes in downtown, it is well worth the trip to the south side of the island. It's beautiful, peaceful, and there's plenty of space to relax and enjoy the booming surf. Added bonus: Millie's restaurant, bar, and market are just a short trot away, and offer all sorts of goodies and treats for beach goers.

10. Coast Guard Beach

Nauset & Doane Rds, Eastham, MA http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/coast-guard-beach-eastham.htm
Excellent
76%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 620 reviews

Coast Guard Beach

A great beach to hike, relax and soak up the natural beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Reviewed By afshesid

Clean water and nice waves both at low and high tide. Would recommend anyone visiting cape to must visit this beach

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.