Sometimes you don't have to travel far to discover a special place. Hidden gems are often as close as your own backyard, or in my case, the next town over. Last summer my family and I decided to spend the day in the nearby town of Marblehead. We took a low-tide hike to Crowninshield Island and dined on delicious brunch fare at the Driftwood Restaurant. In between stops we wandered off the beaten path and discovered scenic Chandler Hovey Park.
This beautiful 3.74-acre park is located on the tip of Marblehead Neck. It was named after local Chandler Hovey, who bought the property from the Coast Guard back in 1948. Hovey donated the park to the town and it now serves as a gorgeous recreation spot.
While the scenery was amazing, our favorite aspect of the park was the historic Marblehead Lighthouse. It was built in 1896 and is actually the second lighthouse to sit on this spot. The Marblehead Lighthouse is particularly special because it is a rare pyramidal-skeleton tower made from cast iron.
If you are a lover of lighthouses, I highly recommend checking it out!
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After we strolled around the grounds, my husband and I relaxed for a while in these strategically placed swings while the kids ran around and played. We watched as locals cast fishing rods from the rocks and observed the boats and kayaks coming in and out of the harbor. We made plans to come back with a
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What gems are hiding in your hometown? To find out more about Chandler Hovey Park, please visit the Town of Marblehead website. If you want to see even more Massachusetts lighthouses, I suggest taking this scenic road trip.
There's nothing quite like Massachusetts in the fall. It's no wonder why people from all over the world visit to view the leaves changing into vibrant colors during this time of year. With its varied landscapes of mountains, valleys, and coastal plains, as well as numerous parks and historic sites, there are plenty of gorgeous spots to enjoy fall foliage in MA. Here are some of the best places to visit in Massachusetts in the fall.
Fall in Massachusetts may be the best time to visit Old Sturbridge Village, an open-air museum depicting 18th and 19th-century rural life in New England. With over 200 acres of trees, farmland, and historic buildings, just to see the crimson, amber, and gold leaves around the property is nothing short of spectacular.
In 2021, Mount Greylock State Reservation was given the honor of being named the "Best State Park in Massachusetts" by Travel + Leisure. Encompassing 12,000 acres of hills and towering trees, you can hike along more than 70 miles of hiking trails and get colorful views of fall foliage in Massachusetts just like this one.
As the site of the first battle of the American Revolutionary War, Minute Man National Historical Park is 970 acres of forests, meadows, fields, wetlands, and historical structures dating back hundreds of years. A great place to visit in MA in the fall, you'll be treated to a colorful backdrop of foliage.
The summer beach crowds are gone, leaving this part of the state with peace, quiet, and gorgeous views of the fall colors. Cape Cod is one of the last places in the state to reach peak colors, so plan a visit later in the season. For even more color, visit one of the many crimson cranberry bogs of MA in the fall. Read about all the scenic views Cape Cod has to offer visitors.
Boston gets its fair share of leaf-peeping opportunities during the fall in MA, especially in the Public Garden. Bundle up and take a stroll to enjoy the colorful views around this historic botanical garden which was established in 1837. Discover more about the
If you happen to find yourself in the seaside city of Newburyport in the fall, do yourself a favor and spend some time at Maudslay State Park. With 16 miles of trails, you can explore the forest in all its autumn splendor.
While there's no arguing that the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls is gorgeous in the spring and summer, there's something even more spectacular about it in the fall. With seasonal flowers and the surrounding hills ablaze in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows, it's one picturesque place for fall foliage in Massachusetts that you have to see for yourself. Read more about the
Set along the slopes of Lenox Mountain, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has 1,000 acres of wetlands and forest for some incredible fresh air and fall hiking. It's one of the best places to visit in MA in the fall. Find out what else you can do during a visit to Lenox in our feature article.
Covering an area of nearly 39 square miles with 181 miles of shoreline, Quabbin Reservoir is a must-visit location any time of year. But during the fall in MA, it's especially breathtaking as the leaves of acre upon acre of deciduous trees transform into a colorful array of red, yellow, and orange hues. Check out this hike at Quabbin Reservoir to the observation tower.
We know there are many other gorgeous places to enjoy fall in Massachusetts. What are some of the best places to visit in Massachusetts in the fall that you have discovered? Please tell us in the comments!
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Wondering about some of the other seasons? Check out things to do in the winter, spring, and summer! And if you are planning a fall getaway in Massachusetts, consider the beautiful Berkshires. This cute cottage is surrounded by an old-growth forest that comes alive in the fall.
Check out more of America's best fall foliage destinations in this quick video:
Have you ever found yourself wishing to stumble into a natural haven that felt like it was all your own? Massachusetts is covered in state parks and gardens that are quite beautiful but can feel a bit crowded sometimes. Luckily, there are still pockets of hidden natural beauty to be found, and this spot feels like an undiscovered gem, like a secret garden in Massachusetts.
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A visit to the Polly Hill Arboretum in Massachusetts is a beautiful experience and very affordable. Read on to learn more about this special place on Martha's Vineyard and how to see it for yourself.
Polly Hill is a non-profit horticultural and botanical garden on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. The arboretum has been around since 1958 and includes over 60 acres of gorgeous native and exotic plants.
The visitor center is a great place to start on your journey through the gardens. Hop onto a guided tour or grab a map and embark on a self-guided exploration of the gardens.
You can wander beautifully landscaped paths through rare trees and shrubs from around the world, relax against stone walls bordering lush meadows and fields, and take in the heavenly scent and sight of Polly's famous North Tisbury azaleas. There are plenty of cozy nooks to explore, and there are outdoor fireplaces for when the weather gets crisp in the fall.
Nature lovers will absolutely delight in the National Stewartia collection of camellias, hollies, rhododendrons, crab apples, conifers, magnolias, and other gorgeous plants. There's also a Louisa dogwood Allen, a perennial border, a monkey puzzle tree, and a breathtaking collection of Julian Hill magnolia. One visit here and you'll think it's the prettiest garden to visit in Massachusetts.
You can visit anytime between sunrise and sunset, so scheduling shouldn't be too much of an issue. The gardens only charge $5 per person, which is far less than most other botanical gardens and arboretums in the state. For the amount of beautiful land and stunning scenery you'll get to experience, the ticket price is very reasonable.
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For those who have never traveled to the island before, it's a simple 45-minute ferry ride from Woods Hole. The journey itself is very scenic, and there's nothing like seeing the picturesque coast of the Vineyard from the sea.
If you're ever wandering around the island after a beach day and want to escape into a bit of greenery and shade, the Polly Hill Arboretum, a secret garden in Massachusetts, maybe just the natural paradise you're looking for. Find it at 809 State Road, West Tisbury. This is one of the best gardens in Massachusetts that you're sure to fall in love with!
