This Road Trip Takes You To The Best Historical Sites In Massachusetts

Love history? Massachusetts is the perfect state to indulge that love. The Bay State is packed with historic sites and this road trip will take you to some of the best. This road trip involves about seven and half hours of total drive time, so you might want to plan on breaking it up with a stay in a historic bed and breakfast or hotel while you tour some of the most best historical sites in Massachusetts.

Click here to view an interactive map and driving directions for this road trip.

1. House of Seven Gables, Salem

The House of Seven Gables is a spooky-looking spot built in 1668. It’s one of the oldest timber-frame homes in North America and the setting for the 1851 novel "The House of the Seven Gables" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Today, you can explore the interior and learn about the history of the home in the estate’s museum. (115 Derby St., Salem)

2. Bartlett Farm, Salisbury

Bartlett Farm in Salisbury is one of the oldest farms in the country. It was first started in 1659 and has been owned and operated by 11 generations of the Bartlett family ever since. Stop by and grab a bushel of yummy product or maybe indulge in some of their tasty homemade fudge. (96 Main St., Salisbury, Mass.)

Want to learn more? Check out our previous article here.

3. Bridge of Flowers, Shelburne Falls

The Bridge of Flowers links the towns of Shelburne and Buckland. It was once a functioning trolley bridge, but locals have transformed the bride into a floating garden. Stop by in the spring to revel in the blooms that extend right over the water. (22 Water St., Shelburne Falls, Mass.)

Want to learn more? Check out our previous article here.

4. Veterans War Memorial, Mount Greylock State Reservation

The beautiful Veteran’s War Memorial in Mount Greylock State Reservation is a sight that every Bay Stater should see. You can drive or hike to the top of Mount Greylock to check it out.

Want to learn more about the reservation? Check out our previous article here.

5. The Mount, Lenox

The Mount in Lenox is the former home of legendary writer Edith Wharton. It’s a Gilded Age mansion that’s open to the public for tours and surrounded by verdant green gardens. Stop by for a jazz night or art exhibition, or simply visit for a stroll around the grounds. (2704, 2 Plunkett St., Lenox)

For more information about the charming town of Lenox, check out our previous article here.

6. Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord

This stunning park in the old town of Concord is the perfect place to soak up the beauty of nature and a bit of local history at the same time. This lovely green space was actually the site of the battle of Concord and Lexington during the Revolutionary War. You can also take a guided tour of the park and enjoy educational exhibits. (74 Liberty St., Concord)

Learn more by checking out our previous article here.

7. Old State House, Boston

Old State House in Boston was first built in 1793. It’s the oldest surviving public structure in the city. In fact, the Boston Massacre unfolded right beneath the east balcony of the State House. History buffs will also love learning about the city’s past in the state house’s educational center and museum. (206 Washington St., Boston)

8. Plymouth Rock, Plymouth

Perhaps the most iconic rock in the state, you’ll find this famous boulder in Pilgrim Memorial State Park on the shores of Plymouth Harbor.

Learn more about Plymouth in our previous article here.

Click here to view an interactive map and driving directions for this road trip. If you love history, enjoy a pint at this haunted bar that’s been around since before Massachusetts was even a state. How many of these historical sites have you visited? Let us know in the comments below!