Massachusetts, a state on the east coast of the United States, is best known for its capital, Boston. It is considered the cradle of the American nation because it was in Plymouth, on the Cape Cod peninsula, that the Mayflowerimmigrants landed in 1620, one year before the appearance of Thanksgiving (which the whole country will celebrate on Thursday, November 24). But since colonial times, the state has prospered and become a cultural and artistic hub in its own right, with spectacular scenery, friendly people and a typical New England lifestyle.
A great wealth ofhistorical and cultural wealth
Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, has long been a beacon for the region. It is a true reflection of the state it represents: historic, intellectual, gourmet and friendly. The best way to discover it is on foot. This is especially true for the Boston Common and Downtown neighborhoods, which contain most of the historic sites. To avoid getting lost, follow the Freedom Trail, a 4 km walk that links the 16 main sites and monuments dating from the colonial and revolutionary periods. Don't forget the other main attractions of the city when planning your visit, including the Skywalk Observatory, the Museum of Science or the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
Fortunately, culture extends far beyond Boston's borders. Art is everywhere in Massachusetts. To make sure you don't miss any of the most iconic works, the state tourism office has created the Masterpiece Trail, which lists each of the works in every corner of the state. Art lovers can spend days in the lush western Berkshires. Visit the Clark Art Institute, home to more than 9,000 works of art, MASS MoCA or the Norman Rockwell Museum, for which the region is famous. Exploring Massachusetts is also an opportunity to learn more about the Kennedy family, which originated in the state. In Hyannis, the clan's favorite vacation spot, you can follow the Kennedy Legacy Trail and visit the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. In Boston, the JFK Museum & Library also pays tribute to the former American president.
The richness of Massachusetts extends to its gastronomy, typical of New England. It is a paradise for the taste buds, especially those who love seafood and fish. Lobster and clam chowder are the undisputed kings.
Festivities galore
Massachusetts is not only worth a visit for its historical interest: it's a young, progressive and vibrant state where there's always something going on. Music festivals are plentiful and varied, like the Boston Salsa Festival in August or the Boston Calling Music Festival in May. There is something for everyone. The Berkshires are once again the talk of the town, this time for their musical wealth. Several festivities are organized throughout the summer, starting with the Tanglewood Festival, which is held between June and early September in the small town of Lenox. More than 350,000 people gather there each year to enjoy jazz and classical music concerts or choreographic performances. The Boston Symphony Orchestra comes to treat music lovers on this occasion.
Aside from music, Massachusetts residents are avid sports fans. They love the Red Sox in baseball, the Celtics in basketball, the Bruins in field hockey and the Patriots in soccer. On game nights, the atmosphere is simply over-the-top, and hearing the roar of Red Sox fans at Boston's Fenway Park is an incomparable experience.
Finally, to celebrate Halloween in an original and typically American way, head to Salem, less than an hour north of Boston. This is where the famous witch trial was held in 1692, and it's fair to say that the city has no intention of burying its gloomy past. Even when it's not Halloween time, Salem's museums, like the Salem Witch Museum, give an excellent idea of the events that took place here.
Massachusetts by the sea
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Massachusetts is a seaside destination in its own right. The Cape Cod Peninsula, with its beautiful scenery and unparalleled lifestyle, is especially popular during the summer months. While the beaches in the northern part of the state are pretty and picturesque, including Revere Beach just above Boston and Long Beach on Cape Ann, the beaches on Cape Cod are simply stunning. Coast Guard Beach, not far from Eastham, is sometimes considered the best family beach in the United States. You can even see seals when they deign to poke their heads out of the water. Each of the fifteen cities and towns that make up Cape Cod has its own charm, but Provincetown, at the northern tip of the peninsula, is the artistic and cultural center.
For the lucky ones, Massachusetts is also the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, off Cape Cod. Each year, in the summer, tourists mingle with the wealthy population who own beautiful year-round homes there. Martha's Vineyard, in particular, has been home to America's finest over the decades, starting with the Kennedys in 1979 when Jacky decided to buy a home there. The island's wilderness, dramatic cliffs and waters suitable for all kinds of water activities make it the playground of choice for the area's wealthy residents. The identity of Massachusetts is inseparable from its maritime heritage
Abundant Nature and Indian Summer
While Boston has no shortage of green spaces, starting with the Boston Common, which is the oldest public park in the United States, you'll have to get out of town and explore Massachusetts by car to truly appreciate the abundance of nature and its importance in the lives of its residents. If the sheer variety of landscapes weren't impressive enough, it's worth noting that the Indian summer here takes on rather incredible proportions. Between the beginning of October and November, this typical North American phenomenon takes over the whole of Massachusetts, whose landscapes are set ablaze. From the wheel of a car or from the window of a room, visitors who are lucky enough to be present for this spectacle can admire the contrast between the autumn foliage, the brilliant blue sky and the immaculate whiteness of the Protestant churches. Fall is undoubtedly the most spectacular season to visit the region, as well as one of the most pleasant
Thanksgiving, the American holiday par excellence
For the most important holiday in the United States (even more than Christmas or the 4th of July), festivities are organized everywhere. But Thanksgiving is above all a family holiday. Parades, with giant inflatable balloons and costumes, are organized for the occasion. This holiday commemorates the arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers in the New World. They disembarked from the Mayflower in 1620 and came from England. They were able to survive their first harsh winter in the present city of Plymouth (Massachusetts) thanks to the help of the local Native Americans, the Wampanoags. The Wampanoags offered them food and taught them to grow corn, hunt and fish. In the fall of 1621, the harvest was good and the Pilgrims organized a great feast to express their gratitude to the Wampanoags, who were invited, and to God, for the rejoicings brought since their arrival in the New World. Game, corn and of course turkey were eaten, giving birth to the tradition of Thanksgiving, which became a holiday under Lincoln in 1863. The tradition, dear to Americans, continues: the whole family gathers around a good meal which, apart from the turkey which remains the central piece, has changed and is much more copious than in the beginning. Mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin or pecan pie are traditionally on the menu. A real folklore now surrounds the tradition. Every year, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the American president exercises his right to pardon a turkey during a traditional ceremony! Not to be missed
Smart info
When is it celebrated? All year round. Spring for the region's renaissance, summer for festivals and swimming, fall for Indian summer and Thanksgiving (Thursday, October 24, 2022), and winter for the snowpack
Getting there. Average price of a flight from Paris to Boston: about 750 €. Air France, Delta and Norwegian Air offer direct flights from Paris-CDG
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