Eastern Massachusetts

Travel Guide

Trinity Church Boston showing heritage architecture, a city and a garden
Boston Public Garden showing signage and a park as well as an individual male
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum featuring a garden and heritage elements
Old South Church featuring heritage elements, interior views and a church or cathedral
Boston Public Library which includes interior views
Flavors of the sea fill the air here, from bustling, historic Boston to the beaches and towns of the North Shore and Cape Cod.

Visit Eastern Massachusetts to find some of the United States’ oldest towns. In this historic region suffused with a seafaring past, the ocean is everywhere, from food to vacation destinations. Spend a week traveling between heritage sites and beaches or get immersed in the bustling metropolis of Boston, the state capital.

Boston’s 400-year history provides a great introduction to the whole region. Follow the history of the American Revolution along the Freedom Trail to Faneuil Hall and the Paul Revere House. Cross the Charles River to admire the historic buildings of Harvard University. See the fruits of Boston’s cultural might at the Museum of Fine Arts and the unique, beautiful Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Head to the sea, to the working ports and sandy beaches of the North Shore, where Salem evokes the witch trials and literary heritage of Nathaniel Hawthorne. See the birth of America in Plymouth, where the Pilgrims first landed.

In the summer, hop on a ferry or drive to Cape Cod and the sun-soaked delights of Provincetown, right on its tip. Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island, where Boston’s elite have been summering for centuries, to enjoy long walks along the windy coast.

Eastern Massachusetts is the most urbanized part of the state, fairly easy to travel around by both auto and public transportation. Boston’s Logan International Airport is one of the largest in the United States. Boston is easily navigable by subway and bus. Commuter rail and ferry connections offer many connections to the North Shore and Cape Cod. Rent a car for exploring smaller towns. Martha’s Vineyard and other islands are accessible by ferry or plane.

End a trip to the Bay State with an authentic Eastern Massachusetts experience, eating lobster, clam chowder and fried clams along Boston Harbor, watching boats operating as they have been doing for centuries.

Where to stay in Eastern Massachusetts

Downtown Boston which includes night scenes and a city as well as a small group of people

Downtown Boston

4.5/5(2,415 area reviews)

Densely packed with highrise buildings, this area boasts landmarks like Custom House Tower and is close to Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, and the Old State House. Find headquarters of major banks, hotels, and investment firms here.

Downtown Boston
Back Bay featuring a city, heritage architecture and street scenes

Back Bay

4.5/5(3,595 area reviews)

Victorian brownstone homes and cultural institutions like the Boston Public Library define this area. Shop at Newbury Street, Prudential Center, and Copley Place, or explore sights like Trinity Church and the John Hancock Tower.

Back Bay
Seaport District which includes a city, a river or creek and a high rise building

Seaport District

4.5/5(1,075 area reviews)

Experience a transformed industrial area with office towers, innovation labs, and 78 restaurants. Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art and easily access Downtown Boston via the Evelyn Moakley Bridge.

Seaport District
Beacon Hill which includes landscape views

Beacon Hill

5/5(43 area reviews)

Historic Federal-style rowhouses, gaslit streets, and brick sidewalks create a charming atmosphere. Explore the Boston African American National Historic Site, shop on Charles Street, and easily access MBTA stations.

Beacon Hill
Nantucket which includes a marina, boating and a bay or harbor

Nantucket Town

5/5(50 area reviews)

Discover the charm of Nantucket, a historic New England seaport town, with its museums like the Nantucket Whaling Museum and picturesque landscapes. Enjoy local shops, restaurants, and explore key localities such as Surfside and Siasconset.

Nantucket Town
Boston Harbor which includes performance art, music and a bay or harbor

North End

4.5/5(330 area reviews)

Indulge in Italian cuisine at numerous restaurants and bakeries, explore historic sites like Old North Church and Paul Revere House, and enjoy performances at NEMPAC and Improv Asylum Theater. Easily accessible via MBTA lines, buses, and ferries.

North End
Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

4 out of 5
450 Summer Street, Boston, MA
$218 nightly
The price is $254 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$254 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Boston. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,774 reviews)
"The Omni Hotel chain is great, we had an enjoyable stay, other than having a time limit for the swimming pool. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to have a child and wife that wanted to spend time at the pool, only to be told that the pool is full and you have to be put on a waiting list to ..."

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport
Hilton Boston Park Plaza

Hilton Boston Park Plaza

4 out of 5
50 Park Plaza, Boston, MA
$196 nightly
The price is $228 total per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
$228 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this historic hotel in Boston. Enjoy 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,204 reviews)
Great location
"Great location in downtown Boston to subway & freedom trail! Beds were very comfortable!"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Hilton Boston Park Plaza
citizenM Boston North Station

citizenM Boston North Station

4 out of 5
80-120 Causeway Street, Boston, MA
$174 nightly
The price is $203 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$203 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Boston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,611 reviews)
"Clean... Very friendly"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

citizenM Boston North Station
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Premier Suites - Bay Village

Premier Suites - Bay Village

2 out of 5
1-3-5 Cortes Street, Boston, MA
Stay at this aparthotel in Boston. Enjoy free WiFi and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Copley Square and Boston Common are located nearby.
6/10 (191 reviews)
"Responsive helpful hosts"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Premier Suites - Bay Village
Maverick Suites at 28 Fenway

Maverick Suites at 28 Fenway

3 out of 5
28 Fenway, Boston, MA
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Boston. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and concierge services. Popular attractions Fenway Park and Copley Square are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (250 reviews)
"I enjoyed my stay here very much. My room was very clean and had all the amenities needed for my stay. I loved how close it was to Fenway park and all surrounding shops. Would definitely recommend and would stay there again if I ever visit Boston again!"

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Maverick Suites at 28 Fenway
Temple Place Suites

Temple Place Suites

2.5 out of 5
29 Temple Place, Boston, MA
Stay at this apartment in Boston. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Boston Common and Faneuil Hall Marketplace ...
6.8/10 (256 reviews)
"Nice place at an affordable price. Just an fyi - you WILL share a bathroom with others."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Temple Place Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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