What’s New
• MA GREEN: This Consumer Green Guide provides online information about travel businesses' environmental practices and informs visitors of the attractions, lodgings, restaurants and other companies who have environmental programs.
Also, land and wildlife conservation efforts provide opportunities to enjoy landscapes and view wildlife. Details at: ww.massvacation.com/MAGreen.
• LGBT iPhone Application: New technology tailored to the LGBT market to enable easy trip planning. Features accommodations, attractions, nightlife, events, hotspots, and the latest on the state’s LGBT scene. Details at: www.massvacation.com/rainbow or on iTunes at: http://tinyurl.com/ydr9q3w.
Attractions
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Shrine to the popular sport invented by Canadian Dr. James Naismith in 1891. Springfield.
• The Irish Heritage Trail: Five-kilometre, self-guided walking tour chronicles the vibrant history of the Boston Irish.
Tim Crafft/MOTT• Salem Witch Museum: This museum re-creates the drama of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Salem.
• Boston’s Freedom Trail: Four-kilometre red-brick walking trail of 16 historic sites from the Colonial and Revolutionary eras.
• Plimoth Plantation: 17th-century living at the re-created Pilgrim Village, native homesite and onboard the Mayflower II. Plymouth.
• Concord Museum: Features Paul Revere’s signal lantern from the Old North Church, Henry David Thoreau’s belongings from Walden Pond and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s study. Concord.
• MASS MoCA: One of the worlds’ premier centres dedicated to new art. North Adams.
• Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA): Exhibitions and programs provide access to contemporary art, artists, and the creative process. Boston.
Events
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March), Boston.
• Cape Cod Maritime Days (May).
• Western Mass Highland Games and Celtic Festival (June), Western Massachusetts.
• Nantucket Film Festival (June), Nantucket.
• Boston Haborfest (July), Boston.
• Tanglewood – Summer home of the BSO (Summer), Lenox.
• Provincetown Jazz Festival (August), Provincetown.
• The Big E (September), Springfield.
• Haunted Happenings (October), Salem.
• Christmas in Edgartown (December), Martha’s Vineyard.
Places
• Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet: National Park comprises shoreline and inland landscape including a 64-kilometre stretch of pristine sandy beach.
• The Berkshires: An unbeatable array of visual and performing arts experiences and outdoor adventure in a rural setting.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/masstravel/• Nantucket Island: National Historic District has changed little architecturally since the 17th century. Fine beaches, boutiques, galleries and restaurants abound.
Hidden Gems
• North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival: A celebration of the artistic, agricultural and cultural bounty of the region.
• Black Heritage Trail: Explores the history of Boston’s 19th-century African American community.
• Worcester Art Museum: One of America’s leading small art museums.
Did You Know?
State Motto: By The Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty
State Flower: Mayflower
State Bird: Black-Capped Chickadee
Fast Facts
Region: NEW ENGLAND
Direct Flights: Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines
Cruise Lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Classic International Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Hapag Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen Cruises, Phoenix Seereisen, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Saga Holidays
Sales Tools: Getaway Guides, maps, images and b-roll
Info: Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
(416) 935-1896
www.massvacation.com