| Everyone knows about Cape Cod and Boston as | | | | |
| great travel destinations. But, there are | | | | as big a holiday as in Boston. Every year |
| lesser traveled gems like Cape Ann and | | | | the Boston Symphony Pops Orchestra plays |
| Western Mass. Below, I have suggested some of | | | | |
| my favorite holiday trips. Explore | | | | outdoors, synchronized with the fireworks |
| Massachusetts and keep coming back for | | | | display along the Esplanade. Travel to |
| more!Gloucester / Rockport - Gloucester and | | | | |
| Rockport are the gems of Cape | | | | Boston for the 4th of July and you will not |
| | | | be disappointed.The Freedom Trail - No Boston |
| Ann. Both towns offer art communities, real | | | | holiday is complete without a trip down |
| fishing communities, great beaches, | | | | |
| | | | the Freedom Trail. A red line known as the |
| whale watches, and more. Gloucester has | | | | Freedom trail circles around the city of |
| recently become famous as the real life | | | | |
| | | | Boston, leading you to some of the most |
| and hollywood home of the Perfect Storm. If | | | | important historical sites pertaining to the |
| you are looking for history (these towns | | | | |
| | | | United States' Independence. Highlights of |
| were founded shortly after the Pilgrims | | | | the walk include, Old Ironsides, Boston |
| landed), great seafood, art, beaches (try | | | | |
| | | | Common, the Paul Revere house, and the Old |
| Good Harbor Beach or Wingaersheek Beach), | | | | State House. You can pick up the |
| festivals such as St. Peter's Fiesta, the | | | | |
| | | | Freedom Trail at any point and walk a part |
| Folklife Festival, or the Fish Festival.... | | | | or walk the whole thing. Travel the |
| visit Cape Ann and be amazed!Salem - Travel | | | | |
| to Salem and learn a little bit about | | | | Freedom trail and realize why Boston is a |
| America's sad and | | | | great city for history and walking.Foliage |
| | | | Tour - Mohawk Trail, otherwise known as Rte. |
| scary past. Due to the hysterics of two | | | | 2, is by far the |
| young girls, the town of Salem (which at that | | | | |
| | | | most popular foliage tour in Massachusetts. |
| | | | Fall is an unbelievably beautiful time in |
| time was actually located in what is now | | | | |
| Danvers) began the Salem witch trials in | | | | New England, and Massachusetts is certainly |
| | | | no exception. No matter where you |
| 1692. Sadly, at that time, persecution of | | | | |
| witches was not uncommon, but these | | | | travel during the fall foliage season, you |
| | | | are sure to seem some amazing colors. |
| trials are among the most famous. 24 people | | | | |
| eventually died as a direct result of the | | | | Apple picking goes hand in hand with leaf |
| | | | peeping, so feel free to get off the beaten |
| Salem witch trials. Today, you can visit | | | | |
| several museums dedicated to this piece of | | | | trail and wander around some of the more |
| | | | rural areas. If you have time, join in a |
| history. Among them are, the Peabody Essex | | | | |
| Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, | | | | hayride and drink some great hot apple |
| | | | cider!Mount Greylock / Appalachian Trail - |
| and the Witch Dungeon Museum. Salem is now a | | | | Mount Greylock has long been the |
| popular destination for present day | | | | |
| | | | inspiration for American writers. Today the |
| witches.National Seashore - Travel to see | | | | protected lands cover 12,000 acres |
| the dunes at Cape Cod's National | | | | |
| | | | including the highest point in |
| Seashore, and you will see a federally | | | | Massachusetts. Features include the Bascom |
| protected sea shore. There are over 40,000 | | | | Lodge, |
| | | | |
| acres of dunes sprawling across 40 miles | | | | over 70 hiking trails, and amazing views. If |
| running the length of Cape Cod. To truly | | | | you are interested in hiking a portion of |
| | | | |
| enjoy the views, the salt air, and the | | | | the Appalachian trail, there is access |
| crashing waves.... rent a bicycle and ride | | | | through this park.You can explore the nature |
| along | | | | and history of Massachusetts for years and |
| | | | never see at |
| an old Indian trail. The ride will also give | | | | |
| you a glimpse of old new England wealth | | | | all. The beach will continue to call you, |
| | | | the foliage with amaze you year after year, |
| and summer spirit as you pass by historic | | | | |
| mansions and towns.Martha's Vineyard - | | | | and the museums and history will keep you |
| Martha's Vineyard as long been a popular | | | | thinking and learning. Enjoy the state |
| holiday | | | | |
| | | | and realize why the locals never need to |
| destination for travelers around the world | | | | leave!Michelle is a travel buff who has |
| and across the continent. Charm is | | | | recently moved away from Hawaii, but is |
| | | | |
| overflowing on this island. Take a ferry | | | | anxiously awaiting the day when she can |
| from Wood's Hole and explore the cranberry | | | | return. In the meantime, she occupies her |
| | | | |
| bogs, sand dunes, and New England | | | | time by helping others compare and select |
| architecture of Martha's Vineyard. For an | | | | vacation options.Your Life Passion - |
| | | | Specialty Travel, |
| alternate trip, check out Nantucket.Pop Goes | | | | |
| the Fourth - Nowhere in the United States is | | | | Guided Tours, Vacation Rentals, Spa Resorts |
| the Fourth of July | | | | and More! |