Massachusetts is known for its many colleges and universities, including Harvard University, the nation's first higher education institution (founded in 163). Massachusetts is famous for its colonial history, as well as its important role in the American Revolution. It is a progressive state that has recorded several “firsts” throughout history, including the first state constitution. Massachusetts is also known for its diverse landscape, including mountains, forests, and coastal areas.
The state is home to several large metropolitan areas, including Boston, Worcester, and Springfield. The beautiful foliage of New England, elite schools like Harvard, Cape Cod and the Islands, and the impossible Boston accent come to mind when people think of Massachusetts. Clearly, there's no shortage of history in Massachusetts, and the city of Salem is particularly interesting. At almost any time of the year, you can find people dressed in spooky outfits, and many horror and Halloween movies have been filmed in Salem over the years.
Ah, the Boston accent is one of the things Massachusetts is known for. If you know what it sounds like, it's unmistakable. Cape Cod is a well-known part of Massachusetts, but it seems like a completely different state. Locals simply know it as “the Cape”.
As soon as you cross the Cape Cod Canal, you'll be transported to a world of grassy beaches, crab shacks and fishing culture. While Cape Cod is mostly considered a summer destination, those who live “in the Cape would say it's even more charming out of season. There's something eerily romantic about the cold wind and snow dust on the beach, and it's so quiet that you can usually hear the sea breeze blowing on the coastal grass all day and night. Of course, if cold weather isn't your thing, the cape is bustling with activity during the summer, there's no shortage of things to do, just be prepared for the crowds.
Falmouth, Chatham and Provincetown are popular Cape Cod destinations that never disappoint. Known as “leaf gazebos,” people who visit to see the foliage can see this beautiful display across the state, from Cape Cod to the New York border. Sports in New England are HUGE business. Last but not least, the Red Sox.
Founded in 1901, the team is more than 100 years old. They play at Fenway Park, a stadium recognizable by people from all over the world. The Red Sox have won a total of nine World Series championships, tied for third place by any MLB team. Whether you're a sports fan or not, attending a home game for one of these teams should be at the top of any local or away list.
Although they live in the forest, huge flocks of turkeys (also known as “turkey rafters”) hang out regularly in residential areas. In fact, it's not uncommon to see 20 bucks or more in someone's yard. Only second to Wisconsin in blueberry production, Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts have thousands of acres designated for blueberries. They grow in wetland areas called swamps, where blueberries seem to float, and it's fascinating to see them when they're ready to harvest.
The company Ocean Spray is headquartered in Massachusetts, and they have turned the Massachusetts blueberry producer into a familiar image. Beautiful summer weather can quickly turn into sweltering, with temperatures close to 100 degrees and oppressive humidity. Fall and spring are generally pleasant, but a snowstorm that falls on a foot of snow and causes widespread power outages can appear seemingly out of nowhere in April or October. People in Massachusetts have learned to adapt to climate change, and something like a snowstorm isn't necessarily seen as a reason to change any plans.
Seasonal changes also make all climates relative: you'll see people outside in sandals and shorts when temperatures hit 50 in spring, but 50 in autumn feel cold after the hot summer and make people run for their fall jackets. Cape Cod is one of the most famous parts of Massachusetts. It is known for its seemingly endless beaches, its quiet and coastal lifestyle and its fishing culture. Because of its 64 km of beaches, Cape Cod is a popular summer destination, but the wonderful views are available all year round.
Some would even say that there is something even more special about going there in a cold, foggy climate. Massachusetts is one of the largest university destinations in the country for domestic and international students. The state is home to 114 colleges and universities, including some of the oldest and most famous institutions in the country, such as Harvard College and MIT. Although not the highest in terms of students per capita, more than 5% of the state are enrolled college students; during the school year, a quarter of the city of Boston are college students.
Although there were some versions of the first public libraries in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York, Massachusetts is home to the country's first true public library. One of the most famous events in Massachusetts history occurred in Salem between February 1692 and May 1693. The Massachusetts Constitution was ratified in 1780 while the Revolutionary War was ongoing, four years after the Articles of Confederation were drafted and eight years before the current Union The State Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788. The Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, the Shaolin Meditation Temple in Springfield and the Insight Meditation Center in Barre are examples of non-Abrahamic religious centers in Massachusetts. If you're a fan of coffee or donuts (or both), make sure to stop by Dunkin Donuts while you're in Massachusetts.
Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and is located right in Massachusetts. There is also a recreational home in Wampanoag, which gives visitors a glimpse into what life was like for the natives who lived in Massachusetts when English settlers began arriving. The largest ancestry group in Massachusetts are the Irish (22.5% of the population), who live in significant numbers across the state, but make up more than 40% of the population along the south coast in Norfolk and Plymouth counties (in both counties overall, Irish Americans represent more than 30% of the population). While road maintenance in Massachusetts leaves much to be desired, it's true that it's hard to avoid these problems in such a difficult winter climate.
Today, Massachusetts is home to a number of major railroads, including Amtrak and the MBTA commuter rail. Outside of Boston, Amtrak connects several cities in Massachusetts, along the aforementioned Acela, Northeast Regional, Lake Shore Limited and Downeaster lines, as well as other routes in central and western Massachusetts. Protests such as the Boston Tea Party led the British to close the port of Boston and assume direct control of Massachusetts Bay. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts.
Many Massachusetts residents head to the Berkshires every year to experience a trail walk without having to travel too far from home. The Mohawk Trail is a historic Native American trail that stretches approximately 2,500 miles from the Hudson River Valley to central Massachusetts. . .
