Your Ultimate Guide To Summer Fun In Massachusetts

The Bay State is a delightful place to be. While summer can get hot and humid, there are so many ways to cool off. Between the ocean and the bays beaches and water sports are plentiful, not to mention the gorgeous summer sunsets, the festivals, and the charming towns that come alive this time of the year. Are you ready to spend time exploring the state this summer? Well, I’m here to tell you some of the best things to do in Massachusetts in summer.

Best Summer Vacation Destinations In Massachusetts

The Bay State has some incredible summer vacation destinations. Whether it’s sitting on the sand by the ocean, bay, river, or lake, camping, or exploring, these places offer plenty of enjoyable Massachusetts summer activities:

Nantucket, MA, USA

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Location: Nantucket, MA

Popularity: A very popular island to visit during the summer months. It's best to book your ferry tickets in advance.

Need to know: This is a fantastic island for biking so I suggest you bring a bike with you or rent one when you get there.

Nothing says quintessential New England summer quite like Nantucket. Around 14,000 people live here full-time, but the population increases to 80,000 or more every summer. To say it's a popular summertime destination is an understatement! The island is so scenic with pristine beaches, a downtown area with shops and restaurants and things to do, and then there are the sunsets that will make you believe that visiting is one of the most romantic things to do in Massachusetts in summer.

Provincetown, MA, USA

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Location: Provincetown, MA

Popularity: One of the most popular resort communities on Cape Cod.

Need to know: Parking can be rather tough to find in the summer months. However, my family usually has luck at McMillan Wharf which is also slightly more affordable than other pay lots. There's also parking around Pilgrim Monument but you will pay a premium. Another option is to try and find street parking a little off the beaten path, perhaps closer to Truro if you don't mind the walk to the popular spots in town.

I must admit, Provincetown holds a special place in my heart. Off-season, the town is quiet but in the summer, the population increases by tens of thousands of visitors who wish to enjoy their summers here. And it's so much fun! There are events on the weekends, a film festival, whale watch tours, kayaking, historic sites, shopping, dining, and general sightseeing. We often find ourselves at Pilgrim Monument, Whalers Wharf, Cabot's Candy, Scott Cakes (best cupcakes ever!), The Crown & Anchor for drinks at the outdoor bar, and perhaps dinner at Fanizzi's Restaurant, just to name a few. However, the dining and shopping options are seemingly endless. Oh, and there are drag shows you can see and even a movie theater in town. I love the eclectic community here!

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Rockport, MA, USA

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Location: Rockport, MA

Popularity: Very popular during the summer.

Need to know: While it can get crowded during the summer, it's a great alternative to Cape Cod and a way to avoid the Cape's Route 6 summer traffic.

Rockport is another seaside town that fills with visitors once summer rolls around. Whether it's a day trip from Boston you're after or a weekend getaway, Rockport seems so secluded from city life. It's quaint and quiet and oh-so-lovely here! While it has a completely different feel than the towns on Cape Cod, I love it just the same. I suggest you take a hike through Halibut Point upon your visit as well as visiting the shops, galleries, and eateries in the Bear Skin Neck part of town. The seafood options are to die for here as well.

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Best Beaches To Visit In Massachusetts This Summer

Growing up in New England, Cape Cod was a big summertime destination for my family. And guess what? It still is! Now that my dad lives here full-time, I spend part of my summers here and still can’t get over how gorgeous the peninsula’s beaches are. Aside from the Cape, Massachusetts has many other beaches along the coast. Here are a few favorites:

Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, MA 02642, USA

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Location: Eastham, MA

Popularity: The parking lot fills quickly and so does the sand on hot days during July and August.

Need to know: There are a few parking options for Coast Guard Beach. Eastham residents are allowed to park in the lot closest to the beach. Other than that, you must pay to park at the Little Creek Shuttle Staging Area close to the Salt Pond Visitor Center and take a shuttle. Another option is to park at Salt Pond Visitor Center and walk or bike to the beach. There are no parking restrictions between September and May so, during that time, anyone can park in the beach lot.

Coast Guard Beach is the next beach over from Nauset Beach in Eastham. While Nauset is a town beach, Coast Guard is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. This is one of my favorite beaches on the Cape and I often stop here on my bike rides just to listen to the waves crash along the shore and dip my toes in the Atlantic. This beach is quite beautiful and you'll see the former Coast Guard Station standing watch over the shoreline. There are bathrooms as well as showers here for your convenience, and lifeguards are on duty during the season.

Singing Beach, 119 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944, USA

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Location: Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

Popularity: This unique beach is a popular spot in town.

Need to know: Between Apr. 15 and Jun. 20, only Manchester-by-the-Sea residents can park at the beach and they must have a resident beach sticker. Between Jun. 17 and Labor Day during the week only and not on holidays, non-residents can pay a $30 fee to park at Singing Beach, and that's only if there is staff present. If you prefer to walk, residents and non-residents alike must pay a $10/person fee.

Some say "squeaking" while others say "singing," but whatever you call it, the sand here at Singing Beach makes noises when friction is placed upon it. Singing Beach is just one of a handful of beaches around the world where the sand "sings." This anomaly is just one reason why people from all over New England come to visit. The beach is only a half-mile long and worth a stop this summer.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, 1 Beach Rd, Salisbury, MA 01952, USA

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Location: Salisbury, MA

Popularity: This beach welcomes over one million visitors each year.

Need to know: There is a daily parking fee of $14/MA resident and $40/non-resident between May 25 and Oct. 14.

While Cape Cod seems like the obvious choice for beach-goers in the summer, there are so many other beautiful beaches to lay out on a hot day. One such stretch of sand is at Salisbury Beach State Reservation. This state-owned beach on the Atlantic also offers more than sand and swimming. Horseback riding is a popular activity here as are fishing and boating. But if you want to feel the true relaxation that only spending time by the sea can give you, I suggest you reserve one of the 484 campsites here for at least one night, if not longer.

Parks To Visit In Massachusetts This Summer

With over 150 state parks, there are endless ways to spend time outdoors in the summer. The state’s park system offers everything from hiking and biking to camping and picnicking. Looking for a park to spend some quality and fun things to do in Massachusetts in summer? Check out the following:

Public Garden, Boston, MA 02116, USA

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Location: Boston, MA

Popularity: This park is bustling with activity throughout the summer and is beloved by residents and tourists alike.

Need to know: Free to visit

One has never truly lived until spending time at the Boston Public Garden if only for a ride on one of the famous swan boats, an attraction that's been in operation for over 100 years. However, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the park during the season. Now, as the first botanical garden in the country, established in 1837, you can explore the Victorian-era gardens filled with colorful flowers as well as exotic plants and trees all maintained by the Parks Department. Taking a stroll along the walkways is a relaxing experience within this city oasis. You may also want to have a picnic here on a lovely sunny day. If you're looking for family things to do in Massachusetts in summer, coming here is a requirement.

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Walden Pond State Reservation, 915 Walden St, Concord, MA 01742, USA

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Location: Concord, MA

Popularity: Popular for those looking to cool off during the summer along with those who are fans of the works of Henry David Thoreau who wrote about this body of water.

Need to know: There is a daily parking fee of$8/MA residents and $30/on-residents. parking passes must be purchased online ahead of time on Mass.gov

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I've been to Walden Pond several times throughout my life with my father who is both a history and literature buff. Created by glacial meltwater, Walden is one of the deepest ponds in the state at 102 feet deep. It is quite beautiful and you can take a trail that circumnavigates the pond. Discover for yourself why famed author Henry David Thoreau was so entranced by Walden Pond that he wrote an entire book about it and lived here as well.

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Bash Bish Falls State Park, Falls Rd, Mt Washington, MA 01258, USA

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Location: Mt. Washington, MA

Popularity: This is quite a popular natural attraction in Massachusetts.

Need to know: Bash Bish Falls is closed for construction until July 2024.

Straddling the Massachusetts-New York state line, a trip to the Bay State's tallest waterfall is a must in the summer months. Bash Bish Falls is a must-see natural wonder in Western Mass. With a cascade of 80 feet into a pool below, the view is jaw-dropping! And, although it may be tempting, swimming is strictly prohibited. Once the trail to the biggest waterfall in Massachusetts reopens this summer, make plans to visit.

Best Free Summer Activities In Massachusetts

Life is expensive enough and, luckily, some fun things don’t cost a penny. Here are a few free things to do in Massachusetts in summer:

Cape Cod Rail Trail, Orleans, MA, USA

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Location: Multiple towns from Wellfleet on one end to South Dennis on the other.

Popularity: This is most popular mid-morning through mid-afternoon on weekends and not as busy during the week.

Need to know: This multi-use path is 27 miles long with several small parking lots along the way. You can choose where you'd like to pick up the trail.

During the summer months, you’ll find me here on the Cape Cod Rail Trail as I happily peddle along this former railbed-turned-multi-use path. If you'd like to bike its entire length in one day, you'll find a parking lot on either end — one in Wellfleet and one in South Dennis. While the bike path is 27 miles long, there are plans to expand it in the future.

Freedom Trail, Freedom Trl, Boston, MA, USA

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Location: Boston, MA

Popularity: This is one of the most popular activities in Boston.

Need to know: The Freedom Trail is 2.5 miles long.

The most popular outdoor attraction in the Bay State happens to be the Freedom Trail. In fact, people from all over the globe come to Boston to walk it. Marked by red brick, the trail meanders through the city leading visitors to 16 sites of historical significance like the Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, and Paul Revere's House. If you love history, especially Revolutionary War history, taking this trail is a must.

Rose Kennedy Greenway, Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02109, USA

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Location: Boston, MA

Popularity: This is a fairly popular public park in Boston.

Need to know: The Greenway is 1.5 miles long and runs through the middle of the city. The best way to get to it is by subway.

Boston has some great free attractions, and here's another one — the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Not only does this city park have gardens and fountains but a carousel and public art pieces along the way. The website for the Greenway also has a calendar of events like yoga and exercise classes, food trucks, art markets, and so much more.

Best Summer Events And Festivals In Massachusetts

Summertime usually means outdoor festivals, concerts, and other incredibly fun events. From a sand-sculpting contest to a town fair and a folk festival, here are some of the best summer events in Massachusetts:

Revere Beach, Revere, MA 02151, USA

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Location: Revere, MA

Popularity: Nearly a million people attend this multi-day festival.

Need to know: The event take place in mid-July over the course of three days and is free to attend.

Each summer for the past two decades, people from all over the world have flocked to Revere, Massachusetts to attend the Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival. Watch as talented artists sculpt piles of sand into incredible works of art that look as though they belong in a museum. On festival days, there are amusement rides, food trucks and vendors, live music, and fireworks. Will you attend this year's festival?

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Lowell Folk Festival/Facebook

Location: Lowell, MA

Popularity: People from all over the world come to Lowell to enjoy this event.

Need to know: This event is free to attend and it takes place over the course of three days in late July.

Not only is this summer festival family-friendly but it's free! So if you're looking for cheap things to do in Massachusetts in summer, you can't go wrong with this event. As the oldest free folk festival in the country, The Lowell Folk Festival draws crowds from around the world. Between the music, international food vendors, and fun, this is one event you can't miss!

Marshfield Fair, 140 Main St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

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Location: Marshfield, MA

Popularity: This is a much-anticipated annual fair.

Need to know: This fair is held in mid-August over the course of 10 days. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time.

Each August, the Marshfield Fairgrounds becomes the place to be for the Marshfield Fair. There are rides and games, fair foods, and special events. This much-anticipated event draws tens of thousands of people to Marshfield for some summertime fun. Come one, come all to the Marshfield Fair!

What are some of your favorite things to do in Massachusetts in summer? If a road trip is in your summer plans, check out our Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List for everything you need.—