The Bay State truly has it all: stunning beaches and rugged mountains, world-class museums and cultural centers, and some of the country’s most important historical sites. We can’t think of a better place for an exciting weekend away!

But the sheer amount of things to do can make it hard to decide how to spend your quick getaway.

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The best weekend getaways for couples in Massachusetts

Cape Cod

Stay at:

Harbor Hotel Provincetown

(rooms from $161/night)

Or:

Chatham Bars Inn

(rooms from $419/night)

Cape Cod is the perfect location for a romantic escape in Massachusetts. As a premier New England beach destination, it’s ideal for sunbathing, swimming, boating, seashell hunting, or just relaxing in your B&B. Plus, with over 14 historic lighthouses (more than any other county in America), there are lots of incredible photo opportunities.

Spend your couple’s weekend exploring the more than 40 miles of beaches (either on foot or by biking the 25-mile

Cape Cod Rail Trail

). The 1,100-acre

Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

has plenty of hiking trails and sandy beaches, while

Nickerson State Park

offers inland beaches and ponds (perfect for a romantic picnic).

Martha’s Vineyard

Stay at:

The Lightkeepers Inn

(rooms from $175/night)

Or:

Harbor View Hotel

(rooms from $485/night)

Martha’s Vineyard has long been a prized vacation spot for the Northeast’s upper crust, and if you are in the mood to splurge, it can be the ideal location for your romantic getaway. The main draw, of course, is the beach. So make sure to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf while you’re there, but take time to enjoy other activities as well.

Start with a stroll at the

Polly Hill Arboretum

or a tour of the gingerbread houses (a group of candy-colored Victorian cottages) in Oak Bluffs. Later, take a 2-minute ferry to Chappaquiddick Island, where you’ll find

Mytoi

, a Japanese-style Zen garden. And don’t leave town without a romantic dinner at oceanside

Beach Road

, a favorite of the Obamas.

Pro Tip The best time to visit Martha’s Vineyard is during the “shoulder season” (April and September) when you’ll find fewer crowds and cheaper rates (but all the same island charm).

MORE:

The best castles in Massachusetts to visit

The best weekend getaways for families in Massachusetts

Nantucket

Stay at:

The Village Inn Cape Cod

(rooms from $169/night)

Or:

76 Main

(rooms from $269/night)

Nantucket has a reputation for being “snobby,” but in reality, it’s a warm and welcoming spot for a lovely family getaway. Although it’s known for its beaches, the island has plenty more. For example, 36 miles off the coast there is a boatload of maritime history, and you can learn about it at the

Whaling Museum

Other family-friendly activities include visiting one of the three

historical lighthouses

, yacht watching at the Straight Wharf, or taking a

Critter Cruise

, on which kids can fish and catch and handle crabs and lobsters. When you want to play in the sand, the island’s Children’s Beach offers wave-free swimming, a large, grassy field, and a fun playground.

Sturbridge

Stay at:

Econo Lodge

(rooms from $82/night)

Or:

La Quinta Inn & Suites

(rooms from $129/night)

Smack dab in the middle of Massachusetts, Sturbridge is one of the coolest historic village museums in the country. When you visit

Old Sturbridge Village

, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time. Designed to replicate life in the early to mid-1800s, the town offers the chance to get up close and personal with historic homes, shops, and other buildings (moved here from around the state).

The kids will love watching costumed historians as they dye wool, turn pots, spin flax, saw logs into boards, and cook meals over the hearth—they may even be asked to join in on some activities. Various

dining options

in the village offer kid-friendly fare, from mac n’ cheese and chicken fingers to ice cream and baked goods.

MORE: 8 pro tips for long car rides with kids

The best weekend getaways for music lovers in Massachusetts

Boston

Stay at:

Ramada by Wyndham

(rooms from $127/night)

Or:

The Godfrey Hotel

(rooms from $309/night)

If you’re a music fan, Boston is the place to be. The Bay State has a rich musical history and is (or was) home to many well-known artists, including The Cars, Aerosmith, Pixies, and (of course), Boston. These days, the city tends to draw a younger crowd and is an excellent place to hear up-and-coming bands or learn about the latest trends in sound.

Classical music plays a vital role in Boston life because of its colleges of music and conservatories (such as the

Berklee College of Music

) and the

Boston Symphony Orchestra

. In addition, from the smallest clubs to the biggest stadiums, you can find a variety of live music every night. Locals head to the

Paradise Rock Club

Royale

, and

The Red Room @ Cafe 939

when they need a music fix.

The Berkshires

Stay at:

Maple Terrace Motel

(rooms from $89/night)

Or:

Seven Hills Inn

(rooms from $117/night)

From folk to bluegrass to (of course) classical, the Berkshires are synonymous with music. Most notably, perhaps,

Tanglewood

(a music venue in the towns of Stockbridge and Lenox) has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1938.

You're likely to find a music festival no matter what time of year you head to the beautiful mountain region. The Tanglewood Music Festival is one of the most popular, with over 50 concerts by a full orchestra, soloists, or chamber groups. Other big draws include the Tanglewood Jazz Festival,

South Mountain Concerts

Aston Magna Music Festival

, and Williamstown Chamber Concerts.

MORE: 9 best road trip destinations for music lovers in the US

The best weekend getaways for foodies in Massachusetts

Boston

Stay at:

DoubleTree by Hilton

(rooms from $163/night)

Or:

The Verb Hotel

(rooms from $259/night)

Boston’s food scene is, in a nutshell, eclectic. Visitors love Little Italy and Chinatown, and excellent seafood can be found all over the city. Korean and Taiwanese food, Dominican, West Indian, and Vietnamese are all quite popular, as well

Must-stops on any foodie tour include

Bow Market

(home to 15 different eateries), trendy BBQ spot

Sweet Cheeks

, and globally-inspired

ReelHouse

. And, of course, no trip is complete with a visit to Bean Town classics

Bova’s Bakery

or the

Green Dragon Tavern

, open since 1654.

Great Barrington

Stay at:

Briarcliff Motel

(rooms from $130/night)

Or:

The Barrington

(rooms from $288/night)

As a popular weekend destination for city dwellers, Great Barrington understandably has some top-notch eateries. Many of the most popular restaurants are farm-forward and celebrate local ingredients and seasonal menus. Head over to “Restaurant Row” (Railroad Street) for your pick of impressive establishments.

Don’t miss farm-to-table restaurant

Prairie Whale

Bizalion’s

for local ingredients and imported specialties, or

Marjoram & Roux

for pastries and brunch. If you'd rather pack your lunch and head out for a picnic, stop by

Berkshire Food Co-op

for everything from seafood to produce. And don’t forget to go to

SoCo Creamery

for made-from-scratch ice cream when you’re done!

MORE:

Essential American roads for your summer drive

The best outdoor weekend getaways in Massachusetts

Southern Berkshires

Stay at:

October Mountain State Forest Campsites

(sites from $17/night)

Or:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

(rooms from $118/night)

If you prefer the solitude of the mountains to the hustle and bustle of the city, the Southern Berkshires is the place for you. Located in the Western part of Massachusetts, the Berkshires are known for outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, and fishing. In colder months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular.

Take a short, easy hike to

Bash Bish Falls

, the highest single-drop waterfall in the state, or walk a portion of the

Appalachian Trail

as it goes through Sage’s Ravine. If you prefer water sports, you can swim, kayak, canoe, water ski, and more at

Lake Mahkeenac

. And if you like your outdoor activities to be a bit more relaxing, you can book a visit to the famous

Kripalu Center for Yoga

for various workshops.

Quincy

Stay at:

Best Western Adams Inn

(rooms from $144/night)

Or:

Residence Inn

(rooms from $208/night)

Beautiful

Quincy

, MA, boasts 27 miles of coastline, including 11 beaches and numerous trails bordering rivers and lakes. Not a fan of the water? The city also has 52 parks with bike and jogging trails, tennis courts, baseball fields, golf courses, and plenty of spots to picnic.

Take a dip or fly a kite at Wollaston Beach (the largest Boston Harbor beach), go birding at

Squantum Point Park

, or rock climbing at

Quincy Quarries Reservation

. If you want to work some history into your outdoor adventure, tour the

Adams National Historical Park

, home to presidents John and John Quincy Adams.

MORE:

Odd roadside attractions for your summer road trip

The best weekend getaways for history buffs in Massachusetts

Concord

Stay at:

Best Western

(rooms from $133/night)

Or:

Residence Inn

(rooms from $259/night)

There are few towns in America with as much history as Concord. The city is perhaps best known as the site of the first organized armed resistance to British rule and “the shot heard round the world.” Still, it was also the home to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, a center of anti-slavery activity, and much more.

You can explore the city’s history through museums, walking tours, and dozens of historical sites during your visit. Popular spots include the

Ralph Waldo Emerson House

, Old Hill Burial Ground,

Minute Man National Historical Park

, and the

Walden Woods Project

Salem

Stay at:

Best Western Plus

(rooms from $127/night)

Or:

The Salem Inn

(rooms from $239/night)

Salem

is a town with a notorious history, well-known worldwide as the site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the late 1600s. Because of this, many sites in town dive into this dark period of history—but that’s not all it has to offer. Salem also offers a wealth of information on maritime history, Puritan living, and historical art.

Adventurous souls will love the

Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

or the Salem Village Witch Hunt Tour, while literary fans will enjoy the

House of Seven Gables

, the setting for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel of the same name. And, of course, you can’t miss the famed

Peabody Essex Museum

, with one of the best collections of maritime art and history in the state.

MORE:

What is the best time to travel to Salem?

The best cheap weekend getaways in Massachusetts

Rockport

Stay at:

Rockport Inn & Suites

(rooms from $103/night)

Or:

Ocean House Hotel at Bass Rocks

(rooms from $113/night)

Massachusetts getaways tend to lean to the more expensive side; still, Rockport offers a rare budget-friendly opportunity. Just an hour north of Boston, the town’s beaches and historic city center provide plenty of entertainment at a fraction of the price of some of the more well-known locales.

Scramble across the ledges and explore tide pools at

Halibut Point State Park

for some outdoor fun, or visit the

Twin Lights on Thatcher’s Island

. If you’re more of an indoors type, check out the

Rockport Art Association & Museum

or stroll

Bearskin Neck

for shopping, restaurants, and more.

Northampton

Stay at:

Econo Lodge

(rooms from $96/night)

Or:

Quality Inn & Suites

(rooms from $125/night)

Northampton

is an adorable small town in a beautiful mountain setting, and visiting won’t break the bank. There are tons of natural attractions to enjoy, but the city also has a thriving music and arts scene and plenty of hip restaurants.

Tour the

Botanic Garden of Smith College

for a donation of just $2, or take a bike ride down the 10-mile

Norwottuck Rail Trail

(former Boston and Maine Railroad). Later, window-shop

Thornes Marketplace

, home to over 25 independently-owned local shops and restaurants, and grab a cone from Herrell’s Ice Cream while you’re there!

Pro Tip Northampton is known for being a Bohemian college town and LGBTQ mecca. The well-loved Pride parade and festival draws more than 40,000 visitors annually, and other events occur throughout the year.

MORE: Highway driving tips for safe and smooth travel

Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)

Veteran road trippers know that some things just make travel easier: taking regular breaks, packing an emergency kit, and having plenty of snacks. They also understand the value of reliable

car insurance

Whether renting a vehicle or driving your family car, being protected on the road is more important than anything else. Luckily, Jerry, the nation’s top car insurance

super app

, can ensure you have all the coverage you need (and at the best price).

If you’re hesitant to switch plans or insurance providers because you’re worried about the work involved, don’t be.

Jerry

does all the paperwork for you and can even help cancel your old policy! And if you have any questions along the way, just text one of our agents through the app. They will always be there to assist you.