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THE BERKSHIRES
Category: Destinations
These mountains located roughly three hours west of Boston are Massachusetts’ answer to New York’s Catskills. Part of the Appalachian Trail, the Berkshires are considered a top cultural resort location, home to numerous antique shops, art galleries, spas, spots for boating, scenic biking and hiking, as well as Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home and a venue for jazz and popular concerts.
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BLUE HILLS RESERVATION
Category: Destinations
Reservation Headquarters, 695 Hillside St., Milton, 781-828-5170. Covering over 7,000 acres in the suburbs of Boston, Blue Hills Reservation offers a scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. With campgrounds, fishing, hiking and mountain biking among the activities, Blue Hills is a popular destination year-round. The reservation also offers a number of fun winter activities including ice-skating, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing on the 635-foot-high Great Blue Hill. The 22 hills provide scenic views of over 125 miles of trails for any outdoor enthusiast.
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CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS
Category: Destinations
One of the nation’s most beloved tourist destinations, Cape Cod has 559.6 miles of coastline for swimming, kayaking, sailing and snorkling. There’s also the uber-wealthy islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, which provide the perfect balance of ritzy indulgence and traditional old New England whaling and merchant culture.
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LOWELL
Category: Destinations
Ever since the Industrial Revolution in America was sparked there, Lowell has been a city on the cutting edge. Though no longer a textile-production hub, Lowell is now known for its concentration of museums and galleries, including The Brush Art Gallery and the Whistler House Museum of Art, as well as historical institutions such as the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, the American Textile Museum, and the New England Quilt Museum. And for baseball lovers, the Lowell Spinners—the Red Sox A team—offer an affordable way to glimpse future stars.
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NASHOBA VALLEY SKI AREA
Category: Destinations
Westford, 978-692-3033. Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat & Sun 8:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Lift tickets: $26–40. Group rates (15+) available. Nashoba Valley Ski Area offers skiing and snowboarding as well as New England’s largest snow-tubing park. There are over 15 ski trails, varying in levels from beginner to advanced, with both private and group lessons available for skiers at any level. Those looking to snowboard can take advantage of Nashoba Valley’s extensive terrain park which includes rails, boxes and a feature jump. For something a little different, visitors can head over to the 15-lane snow-tubing park ($20 for 2 hours), which provides fun for all ages. An on-site restaurant and a Marriott hotel located just two miles away offer a chance to relax and rejuvenate between activities.
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NEWPORT, R.I.
Category: Destinations
About 90 minutes south of Boston lies the affluent seaside community of Newport, best known for its concentration of meticulously preserved mansions. The expansive estates range from the Versailles-inspired Marble House, to the High Victorian Chateau-sur-Mer, to the Italian-villa style Chepstow. Newport is also home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and has a busy harbor rife with boats available for rent or charter.
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NORTH SHORE
Category: Destinations
Just north of Boston, the North Shore encompasses Cape Ann, Beverly, Salem, Swampscott, Marblehead, Newburyport and many of Massachusetts’ other well-kept secrets. The area offers sandy beaches, deep sea fishing trips, historic houses and art festivals. Less than an hour from the city of Boston, the North Shore is a relaxing region where visitors can sample Massachusetts’ rich maritime heritage.
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PLYMOUTH
Category: Destinations
The site of the Pilgrims’ 1620 landing is still marked by Plymouth Rock, and the surrounding area is dotted by historical museums that celebrate the town’s origins. Plimoth Plantation offers visitors a chance to step into a Pilgrim village from 1627 and explore the Mayflower II, a replica of the ship that dropped anchor in Plymouth Harbor nearly four centuries ago. Other favorite stops for history buffs include the 1749 Court House & Museum and the Plymouth National Wax Museum. Plymouth’s coastal location also provides it with some lovely seashore spots, such as White Horse and Nelson beaches.
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PROVINCETOWN
Category: Destinations
Located on the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown marches to its own beat. This New England fishing village and prominent art colony is home to a thriving gay community, and is also where playwright Eugene O’Neil penned some of his best work and Thoreau completed his walk around the Cape. Provincetown boasts miles of beaches, a charming and eclectic shopping district, trails for hiking and biking and whale watches for those looking to escape the busy city.
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SALEM
Category: Destinations
This North Shore town will always be known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, but Salem also boasts a bustling wharf with many bars and restaurants, and is regarded as an up-and-coming enclave for the young and trendy. Fans of spooky stuff can visit the New England Pirate Museum to see what life was like when Blackbeard roamed the high seas, or tiptoe through the Salem Witch Museum or Witch Dungeon Museum. On Halloween, the city transforms into one giant party for ghosts and ghouls, but 365 days a year, Salem is a charming place to explore and enjoy.
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