Of the six New England states, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ("Mass" to locals) is the largest New England state by population (6.75 million), half of whom live in the Boston area (map). The state also boasts the most top tourist attractions in the region.

Getting to Massachusetts

Here's how to get to Massachusetts, and how to get around.

Here's full information on travel from New York City to Boston.

If you fly to New England you'll probably land at Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS). Here's more on Boston transportation.

As for distance, it's 270 miles (435 km, 4.5 hours) by road from Provincetown, on the tip of Cape Cod in the east of Massachusetts, to Williamstown, at the northern end of the Berkshire Hills on Massachusetts's western border with the states of New York and Vermont.

Boston & Cambridge

Capital of Massachusetts and unofficial "capital" of New England, Boston is the region's largest city and the hub of transportation, commerce and society. Follow Boston's famous Freedom Trail to trace the founding of the American republic. Its fine art museums are among the world's best, its public parks (Boston Common, Public Garden and Emerald Necklace) and harbor islands beautiful, its duck tours a quirky favorite. The New England Aquarium, Boston Children's Museum and Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum are favorites with kids in Boston.

The neighboring city of Cambridge is America's most distinguished university town, boasting Harvard, MIT and several other universities and colleges. More...

Lexington & Concord

These two pretty, historic towns were where the American Revolutionary War began. Today they're favorite get-out-of-the-city destinations for walkers, bikers, history buffs and shoppers. More...

North Shore

Historic Salem, Marblehead, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich and Cape Ann are prime getaway areas for Bostonians and their friends for walks, beaches, lobsters and clams, and shopping (especially antiques). More...

South Shore

New England—and indeed America—began here when the Pilgrims stepped ashore on Plymouth Rock in 1620. Relive that founding experience at Plimoth Plantation, on the Mayflower II, and in the museums of Plymouth. In Quincy, visit the church and homes of early presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. More...

Cape Cod

Long one of America's favorite summer resorts, Cape Cod's charming seaside towns such as Falmouth, Hyannis, Chatham, Orleans, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown are packed in warm weather, as is Cape Cod National Seashore. More...

Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard

These two islands have been popular resorts ever since the whaling trade declined. Nantucket is smaller and pricier, "the Vineyard" is larger and more diverse. More...

New Bedford & Fall River

Southeastern Massachusetts offers lots of maritime history: New Bedford is all about whaling, and Fall River has the world's largest naval ship exhibit, including the World War II-era battleship USS Massachusetts. More...

Worcester

Massachusetts's second-largest city has lots of colleges, an industrial base, and fine museums. More...

Sturbridge

Old Sturbridge Village takes you back to the New England of the early 1840s, and there are antique fairs and Russian icons nearby. More...

Pioneer Valley

The Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts is home to five famous colleges, Massachusetts' third-largest city (Springfield), scenic beauty, and lots of history. More...

Springfield

Talk about inventions! The internal combustion auto, the motorcycle, the monkey wrench, ice skates and the game of basketball were all invented here, but people visit today for Springfield's excellent museums. More...

Berkshire Hills

The north-south range along Massachusetts' western border with New York state is a popular summer resort area and summer home to arts organizations such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. More...

—by Tom Brosnahan

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