Old wooden covered bridges are neck-and-neck with painted red barns when it comes to classic New England charm. Contrary to what you might think, these covered bridges in Massachusetts were not constructed to shelter travelers from the elements. The roofs and siding were actually built to protect the structure from the harsh New England weather and ensure they'd last as long as possible. The covered bridges' roofs and sides were easy to replace. They kept wind, rain, snow, and sleet from the heavy beams and timbers that supported the bridge load.
Not all New England wooden bridges were covered and only a few original covered bridges remain. As they fell apart and needed repairs, they were replaced by newer concrete and steel bridges, which are hardier and don't need wooden covers to protect them. This fact has made these places even more rare and interesting over the years! If you like rare structures and have been searching for "covered bridges near me," you now have some great places to go. Check out the best covered bridges in Massachusetts. Which one is your favorite? Please let us know in the comments section! We love hearing what you think. Did we miss any of your favorite Massachusetts covered bridges?
If you are planning a fun road trip to see some of these bridges, take a look at Vrbo to find places to stay that feature local charm.
The Man-Made Wonder in Massachusetts Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem
Are you a lover of covered bridges? If so, you definitely need to visit the historic Burkeville Covered Bridge in the little town of Conway, Massachusetts.
You don’t typically hear a lot of chatter about Conway, Massachusetts. You might not even know where it is. This beautiful small town located in Franklin County has a population of less than 2,000 people. Conway is rich in agriculture and has many opportunities for outdoor fun. And there is one more thing you may want to know about Conway. This rural hideaway is home to Burkeville Covered Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Massachusetts.
I just love covered bridges. When I was younger, my father and I tried to visitevery covered bridge in New Hampshire. Although we barely made a dent in the list, these tripshold important memories for me. I adoringly captured photos of these bridges, which I now store in a personal scrapbook that I peruse every now and then.
While Massachusetts does not have as vast of a collection of authentic covered bridges as its neighbor to the north, the state does have its share of beauties, and the Burkeville Covered Bridge is no exception. The bridge, which is located in the former industrial village of Burkeville, was built around 1870. It replaced the site’s original bridge which was heavily damaged by flooding. Despite years of damage from hurricanes, floods, and snow, the Burkeville Covered Bridge remains an iconic fixture in Conway. In 1988, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it later underwent a major restoration in 2005.
The bridge is extra special because it is one of only a handful of surviving 19th-century covered bridges in Massachusetts. The architectural design of the bridge is also extremely unique. It is rare to find a combination of iron truss and timber design like this one.
A visit to Burkeville Bridge is a must-do when you are in Conway. While it may be closed to vehicular traffic, you can walk or bike through. I suggest spending some time marveling at the interior’s architecture and taking lots of photos from all angles. The quaint church beyond the bridge makes a picturesque backdrop.
Have you taken a trip to see the Burkeville Covered Bridge? How did it compare to other bridges you have visited? For more covered bridge fun, head to Ware to see the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge in Massachusetts. To visit multiple bridges in one day, take this scenic Massachusetts Covered Bridge Day Trip. For more information on covered bridges throughout the region, check out the book, New England Covered Bridges by Harold Stiver.
Are there attractions in your town that you have passed up because you thought they were just for tourists? There are plenty of these in my city of Salem, Massachusetts, as well as in my old stomping grounds of Boston. When I lived in the city during my younger years, I guess I was too busy frequenting other establishments to be overly concerned with history. Unfortunately, I never took full advantage of my surroundings and failed to visit many of the significant sites scattered throughout the city. Fast forward several years, and my teen is now studying the Revolutionary War in school. Being older and wiser, I decided that now is the time to immerse ourselves in history by visiting some of the iconic local landmarks located only miles from our home. This past summer, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum was the first stop on our history bucket list.
On a sunny day in July, we boarded the Red Line and rode the T to South Station. The Tea Party Museum is located right on Griffin’s Wharf, just a quick walk from the MBTA station. I bought tickets online in advance, so we were able to join our tour group upon arrival. We quickly found ourselves transported to December 16, 1773, as a period-clad guide handed us character role cards and led us into a replica colonial meetinghouse. My daughter and I found seats on the bench and took on the personas of angry colonists, as we listened to the words of our enthusiastic leader, Samuel Adams, who led us in a heated town meeting filled with plans for revenge against the British.
When the meeting concluded, it was time to do some “damage.” Our history lesson continued as our guide led us out to the wharf, and we boarded the replica 18th-century tea party ship. Once onboard, we learned even more about the Sons of Liberty and the history behind the historic tea party. We were also given the opportunity to throw replica boxes of tea into the harbor. This was definitely a highlight of the visit! I felt like such a rebel, as I hoisted the block overboard and listened to it make a satisfying splash when it hit the water below.
A woman with a pink hat throws a replica box of tea off a boat into the Boston Harbor at The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum in Boston.
We finished destroying the tea and headed back inside the museum, where we enjoyed some interesting 3D exhibits and viewed artifacts linked to the time period. The whole experience was so fun and educational, I’m really not sure why I waited so long to visit!
By the time we finished the tour, it was nearing lunch, and our stomachs were starting to rumble with hunger. We made our way to the museum’s snack bar (which sells soups, sandwiches, beverages, and sweets) and purchased some lunch. And because a day at the Tea Party Museum wouldn’t be complete without sampling some tea, we each bought a cup - an endless cup, to be exact.
We grabbed our tea cups, chicken salad sandwiches, and New England Clam Chowder, and headed into the adjoining Abigail’s Tea Room, where we chose a table with water views and easy access to the room’s tea station. There were five teas available to try, and each represented a historic flavor tossed overboard on that historic December night. In between trips to the tea station, we savored our food, debated our favorite tea blends, and enjoyed some of the tea room’s old-fashioned board games. It was like truly taking a trip back in time.
A quick stop at the museum's gift shop rounded out our museum visit. We jumped back on the T with a little bit more knowledge and another wonderful family memory. Now onto our next adventure!
Have you visited the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum? If so, please tell us all about your adventure. If you are wondering where to learn about the Boston Tea Party and would like to find out more info about visiting the museum, head to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum website and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Facebook page. You can purchase tickets to the museum through Viator. For more fun and unique things to do in Boston, visit the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
