Massachusetts Museums

There are so many different kinds of Massachusetts museums. You will find something that strikes your fancy in every corner of the state.

Greater Boston

Boston and the surrounding area

There are many great Boston Museums that you must see when visiting this city.

Museums like the Museum of Fine Arts, located on Huntington Avenue, is one of the best art museums in the country. The Museum of Science is one of the best science museums in the area.

There are many more are of historic significance and cultural greatness all over the city. Places like the Paul Revere House, which is one of those must-see Boston attractions.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, located in the Fenway, is considered by many to be the best museum in Boston.

Take some time at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, a Massachusetts museum where you will find a tremendous collection of artifacts, minerals and botany examples.

Harvard also has a tremendous collection of art, which is housed in three museums. One of these museums in the Fogg Art Museum, which has a wonderful collection of art dating from the Middle Ages to the present.

There are many great museums just outside Boston as well. One place you just can't miss is the Minute Man National Historical Park. It was here that the first shots were fired in the Revolutionary War. You can visit that spot, at Old North Bridge, which is located in the Park.

Just down the street from these two sites, sits Ralph Waldo Emerson's house. If you are a fan of his work, this museum will give you a nice insight into the personal life of this philosopher.

Do you like animals? Make sure to spend about half a day at the Franklin Park Zoo, about a 40 minute train ride from downtown Boston.

Northeast Massachusetts

North Shore, Cape Ann and the Merrimack River Valley

The Museums in Newburyport give you a taste of this area was like in its prime. Visit the Salem Museums, to witness the infamous historic happenings of the region. The most popular of these Witch Museums, is definitely the Salem Witch Museum. It gives a nice, accurate description of what it was like to live in fear of being accused.

When in Salem, make sure to visit the Peabody Essex Museum, a Massachusetts museum that holds some of the nicest collections in the Northeast.

Also, check out the House of Seven Gables, the setting of the famous book by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Make sure to visit Castle Hill, located in Ipswich, one of the area's hidden gems.

Also, a visit to this region would not be complete without a visit to my favorite museum, Hammond Castle.

Lowell, a city located in the heart of the Merrimack Valley, has wonderful Massachusetts museums on textiles and artists from the past and present.

Southeast Massachusetts

South Shore, Bristol County, Cape Cod and the Islands

Southeast Massachusetts is a beautiful area with many beaches and gorgeous ocean views. This is also where Plimoth Plantation, a great living museum, is located.

Interested in Naval History? Make sure to visit Battleship Cove in Fall River, the world's largest collection of historic battleships.

If you are planning a trip to Cape Cod, don't miss the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory, a New England tradition. You should also visit Sandwich, a town that is known for its glass-making business and the Sandwich Glass Museum.

Planning a visit to Nantucket? Make sure to see the Nantucket Whaling Museum, and learn about about the history of the Island.

Central Massachusetts

Metro West, Nashoba Valley and the Blackstone River Valley

Central Massachusetts is a gorgeous part of the state with many things to do. The great Massachusetts museums of this area depict the culture, history and natural resources of the area.

This is especially apparent if you like literature. Visit the Emily Dickinson Museum, it is in the house where she was born and spent most of her life.

Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts, has many museums. Do you like learning about Medieval times? Then make a visit to the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester. It is the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

If you are interested in a nice art museum, visit the Worcester Art Museum. It is a small museum, but has a nice collection.

Make sure to visit the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in Springfield, one of the areas favorite museums.

Are you a history buff? Visit Old Sturbridge Village, a restoration site that shows you what it was like to live in 19th Century New England.

Close to Old Sturbridge Village is the Quabbin Reservoir, a 55,000 acre watershed that holds the water for 40% of Massachusetts residents. Although it's not a Massachusetts Museum, you can visit here and go hiking, bird watching, fishing and more.

Western Massachusetts

The Connecticut River Valley, Mohawk trail region and the Berkshires

This area of Massachusetts is rich in heritage and beauty. The Berkshire museum has a wide array of things in its collection. Here you will find everything from fine sculptures and art to natural history and an aquarium. It also has a wonderful collection about this history of this region.

Want to learn more about this area? Visit the Hancock Shaker Village, where a community of Shakers prospered in the mid-1800's.

Norman Rockwell spent the last 25 years of his life in this area. There is a wonderful museum here that commemorates his illustrations that depict American scenes.

Another great artist that spent time here is Edith Wharton. She built her dream house in Lenox on 113 acres. You can visit this beautiful home, better known as The Mount.