We here in Massachusetts love visitors. Tourism is a big deal in this state, and we love showing travelers just how amazing our home really is. Of course, that means that there are a few things the rest of the country really needs to know about Massachusetts. Check out this informational guide to the things Bay State natives truly wish you understood about their state, because it’s time we set the record straight.

1. Dunkin’ Donuts may be a nationwide chain, but it will always be a local business to us.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
It was founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, and we’re pretty such it will overtake Starbucks one of these days.
2. There’s an entire state attached to Boston. Go see it.
Flickr/tweber1
And we don’t just mean the Cape. Head out west to explore central and western Massachusetts. While you’re at it, go party up north with the witches in Salem. There’s so much more to this state than Boston.
3. But Boston is the best.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
We’re more likely to call it Titletown than Beantown, but there’s truly no pride like Boston pride. The sports teams are legendary, the schools are unrivaled and the drivers are sociopaths. We wouldn’t change a thing.
4. Chowder, baked beans and lobster rolls are life.
Flickr/wEnDy
The rumors are true: we do have the best seafood around, and aren’t shy about sharing with friends and newcomers.
5. We actually have really diverse political views around here.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
Massachusetts may be known as the bluest state in the nation, but there’s definitely room in here for all sides to be heard.
6. We’re extremely proud of our place in American history. Like, ridiculously proud.
Flickr/Mike Mahaffie
In some towns, every other building is a historic site. Boston is nicknamed the "Cradle of Liberty," and we take our role in the American Revolution and the founding of the nation pretty seriously. Sorry, Philadelphia.
7. We call it soda around these parts.
Flickr/Wil Taylor
Asking for pop sounds old-timey and strange here. We’ll obviously know what you mean as we’re not aliens, but you might get a weird look.
8. Winter can be a drag, but it also means views like this:
Flickr/Liz West
We love to complain about the snow almost as much as we love to admire it.
9. The Cape and Islands are great, but the North and South Shores have so much to offer, too.
Flickr/6SN7
Summer fun by the sea doesn’t have to happen on Cape Cod. You’d be remiss to overlook amazing coastal spots like Salisbury, Gloucester and Newburyport that aren’t part of "the arm." Cohasset and Hull are great summer spots as well.
10. The beauty of our state is so diverse.
Flickr/MOTT
You’ve got rolling farmland, dense forests and dramatic mountains to the west, dazzling beaches and seascapes to the east, and cozy towns in the middle. Nature comes in almost every flavor here, and we’re not too sore about our lack of desert.
11. Our small towns are pretty much the definition of charming.
Flickr/MOTT
The town of Stockbridge inspired Norman Rockwell, the artist who essentially invented small town American quaintness. P.S. Stockbridge is still gorgeous.
12. Sometimes we don’t use our blinkahs.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
But we’ll get mad if you don’t use yours. We know this is irrational and we want to change but it’s in our blood.
13. We’re up to our ears in arts and culture.
Flickr/Timothy Jarrett
Tanglewood, MASS MoCA, the galleries of P-town, the Boston arts scene and everything in between. We know how to enjoy the beautiful things.
14. We’ll defend our state until the last.
Flickr/Patrick Franzis
Massachusetts natives are a loyal bunch. While we may gripe and groan about winter potholes and long lines at Dunks, we’ll always be proud to be from the Bay State.

If you liked this, see if how you do at these 16 weird questions that only Massachusetts natives can answer.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Related Articles