ButteBag/Eastern Massachusetts

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One of the most populous areas in the United States, Eastern Massachusetts is home to some 4.5 million people. Comprised of five Massachusetts counties, visitors will discover many sites significant to the American Revolution, literature, and politics. Boston has been known as the "Cradle of Liberty" ever since patriots conspired to cast off the yoke of 18th century Britain. Later, the broader region would become central to the abolitionist, temperance, and transcendentalist movements. More recently, it's also where same-sex marriage was first recognized in the U.S. Two political dynasties—Adams and Kennedy—hail from the area; each taking full advantage of its highly regarded academic institutions.

Regions

Merrimack Valley Along the mighty Merrimack river you'll find 19th-century industrial mill towns blended with modern suburbs, rural farms, and quaint orchards.

North Shore A charming collection of wealthy towns and fishing villages; this region's many beaches make it a notable summer destination.

MetroWest As the name implies, this is a collection of commuter suburbs and superb historic attractions just west of Boston.

Greater Boston The most populated region in New England, this is the urbanized collection of towns that tightly surround the eponymous city.

Bristol-Norfolk A collection of forests, rural communities and bedroom suburbs on the way to Providence, Rhode Island.

South Shore Stretching south to the Cape, it's here where you'll find the "Irish Riviera"; a handful of beach communities nestled along the Atlantic.

SouthCoast Discover a deep history of whaling and fishing, Portuguese roots, agriculture, and a once powerful textile industry.

Cities

• 1 Boston — The Hub of the Universe.
• 2 Brockton — The "City of Champions" largely because of its boxing native sons.
• 3 Fall River — "The Spindle City", home of Battleship Cove and Lizzie Borden.
• 4 Lowell — the fourth largest city in Massachusetts, with an industrial background.
• 5 New Bedford — "The Whaling City" inspired Moby-Dick and houses a Whaling Museum.
• 6 Newburyport — Coastal town and popular tourist destination with beautiful natural areas, water activities and fine dining.
• 7 Plymouth — Famous for its Pilgrim history and Plimoth Plantation.
• 8 Rockport — This hotspot features a concentration of seafood, shops, and galleries along scenic Bearskin Neck.
• 9 Salem — Best known for the "Salem Witch trials" and its well preserved American architectural history.

Other destinations

• 1 Adams National Historical Park — Visit the birthplaces of two US presidents and the dawning of the great American political experiment.
• 2 Boston Harbor Islands — Where you can remove yourself from civilization without having to give up good cell phone reception.
• 3 Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site — Visit Fairsted, Olmsted's exqusiste office and personal estate.
• 4 Minute Man National Historical Park — The Old North Bridge is the site of the first battle in the American Revolution.
• 5 Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site — America's earliest ironworks, founded in 1646 and powered by seven large waterwheels.

Talk

As with the rest of the country, English is the lingua franca in Eastern Massachusetts. Being familiar with a second language can still be helpful, however; depending on where you're going. For example in Merrimack Valley, Lawrence is overwhelmingly Hispanic and you may find some basic Spanish knowledge helpful. Along the SouthCoast you'll find strong Portuguese roots. Any knowledge of the language will certainly go a long way towards impressing the locals.

Get in

Flying? Boston Logan International Airport (BOS ^IATA) offers a wide variety of international and domestic carriers, serving over 25 million passengers a year. Logan will be your best bet for finding the most direct and affordable route into the region.

If you're arriving by "iron horse" or the "chariot of the people", check out Boston § Get in to familiarize yourself with North and South Station. These terminals serve thousands of commuters daily, and you'll find a network of light and heavy rail branching out from there.

For drivers, the primary east-west route is I-90. It intersects with inner ring road I-95 and the I-495 outer ring. I-93 slices through Boston connecting back to I-95 before heading up to Lawrence. US-3 connects Lowell from I-495 to I-95, and US-1 takes you from the SouthCoast to Newburyport. I-195 is another southerly ring road connecting Providence to the Cape.

Get around

Many cities and towns in Eastern Massachusetts are connected to Boston by public transit. definitely check if mass transit makes sense for your trip, as the traffic here can be some of the worst in North America. Check out Boston § Get around for all the details. There are no rail connections to the SouthCoast, however; so plan on driving there. You'll find interstates and highways here in good repair, while some arterial and local road conditions may be spotty. The annual frost heaves and constant construction combine to take their toll. Plows are out in force during winter, and snowfall shouldn't greatly impact your trip.

See

Itineraries

• American Industry Tour — When exploring the industrial heritage of the Northeastern United States, why not begin at the beginning?
• Boston Black Heritage Trail — This trail covers ten sites important in American black history scattered throughout Beacon Hill.
• Boston Freedom Trail — Seventeen historical sites in downtown Boston that are crucial to understanding revolutionary era America.

Stay safe

Cars are the only true hazard visitors here are likely to encounter. Roads can be twisting, narrow, and in need of maintenance while sight-lines are often obscured. Drivers may be impaired for several reasons, and distracted driving is a routine occurrence. If you're outside the car, stay visible and act predictably. Stay vigilant and alert when stepping off sidewalks and while crossing streets. Things change by the second! While driving, other motorists may be lost and checking their phone for directions. Ride hail and delivery drivers swarm the region, so be ready for traffic to come to an abrupt stop at anytime.

Generally speaking, you should be fine here taking the same basic precautions you'd take anywhere else. Remember to lock your doors, take your earbuds out, and hide any flashy personal items. In the unlikely event you are the victim of a crime, call 911 immediately to receive assistance.

Go next

• Bristol County (Rhode Island) — Visit the land Massachusetts lost during the great border compromise of 1746.
• Cape Cod and the Islands — The state's premier summer vacation area of beaches, art and antiques.
• Central Massachusetts — Outdoor opportunities abound in this region of contrasts.
• Newport County — Comprised of Aquidneck, Conanicut, and Prudence islands; Newport dominates the county.
• Seacoast (New Hampshire) — New Hampshire really makes the most of its only outlet to the sea.