Massachusetts Points-of-Interest

Information sources: A=AAA Travel Guidebook, AC=AAA Camping Book, H= Highways magazine (Good Sam Club), L=loop tours book (Readers Digest, hardbound), X=Xerox copy, T=1992 Texas travel soft-cover book, NOTE: Key to map-location numbering system: A=2005 trip B=2006 trip C=2007 trip No letter = 2008 trip & later trips NOTE: Info may NOT contain CURRENT phone numbers, prices, times of operation, etc. due to publication dates for info sources. ALWAYS check with the attraction / location / venue for updated info rather than drive to the location and be very disappointed !

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston (A100-134)

2007

MA001 B Hiking & biking trails (A88) Minute Man Rail Trail is near Boston. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is perfect trail for biking and stretches 25 miles between towns of Dennis and Wellfleet. MA002 !B USS Constitution [Gem site] (A111), at Pier One, was launched in 1797; guided half-hour tours of top two decks start at 10:30AM. Allow an additional half-hour for security check. MA003 !B USS Constitution Museum contains hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to command the ship during battle; daily 9-5, FREE. MA004 B Faneuh Hall (A111) A historic complex of buildings with shops, restaurants, etc. [Gem site] built in 1761. Open 9-5 and later for some shops. MA005 B John F. Kennedy Library & Museum [Gem site] (A112) nations official memorial to the 35th president, has 25 multi-media exhibits and period settings, $10. MA006 B Museum of Science (A114) [Gem site] features more than 550 interactive exhibits about natural history, physical science, medicine, technology, and astronomy. $14. MA007 B New England Aquarium (A114) [Gem site] M-F 9-5, $14. MA008 B Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruises (A117) Get AAA discount with Spirit of Boston Harbor Cruises 617.227.4321 and 877.733.9425. MA009 B Boston bus sightseeing tours (A117) on Massachusetts Bay Lines, 60 Rowes Wharf, 55minute round-trip, narrated, $11. MA010 B Beantown Trolley (A118) trip encompasses 2-hour trolley tour and 1-hour harbor cruise. $26, or 2 days for $32. (AAA discount possible). MA011 B Old Town Tours provide 1-hour, 40-minute narrated tour featuring over 100 points of interest. Tickets include 45-minute harbor cruise or admission to the Whites Of Their Eyes re-enactment. $26, $24 for seniors with ID (no age listed). MA012 B Freedom Trail Walking Tour (A118-125) The entire tour is outlined in the AAA book and you follow the directions and read the locations out of the book. NOTE: A hand-held digital audio tour is available at the Boston Common Visitor Center (in Boston Common, near Tremont St) for $15. 617.357.8300. MA013 B Amesbury (A135) Lowells Boat Shop: Said to be the countrys oldest continually operating boat building facility; also know as birthplace of the dory (type of boat). A livery is available for visitors to try out some of the boats on an hourly rate. Allow 30 minutes. Boat shop: Wed-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-4. Livery: Th-Fri 4-7, Sat 9-5, Sun noon-4 (memorial Day Labor Day). $5; $4 over 59 yrs & students with ID. Ph: 978.388.0162. MA014 B Arlington (A135) Minuteman Bike Trail is popular with cyclists in summer. Its 11.2 miles long, beginning in Cambridge at Alewife T Station, and continues through Arlington, Lexington and Bedford. MA015 B Brookline (A137) Larz Anderson Auto Museum at 15 Newton St., in Larz Anderson Park overlooking Boston, is in a historic castle-like carriage house. Museum features changing exhibits that focus

Boston vicinity (A135-158)

Massachusetts Points-of-Interest

on the social impact of the automobile. Special events occur in spring and summer. Guided tours available by appointment. Museum open Tues-Sun 10-5, closed Mondays. $5 admission. MA016 B Cambridge (A138) Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, [Gem site] (AAA discount) houses three museums, especially a collection of glass flowers representing 840 plants. Open daily 9-5. $7.50 for all 3 museums; free to all on Sundays 9-noon year-round, and Wed 9-5 Sept-May. Ph: 617.495.3045. See A111 for color ad. MA017 B Concord (A140) Concord Guided Walking Tours (AAA discount) offers 2-hour historical walking tours of Concord on weekends mid-April thru Nov 1st, led by licensed guides. Ph: 978.287.0897. MA018 B Concord (A141) Concord Museum [Gem site] (AAA discount), junction Cambridge Trnpk & Lexington Rd., has 5 period rooms, 13 historic & decorative galleries, introductory film Exploring Concord, and more. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-5, Apr-Dec. (Other hours during the year.) $8 admission. Ph: 978.369.9609. MA019 B Dedham (A141) Fairbanks House, 511 East St., at Eastern Ave., built in 1636 and said to be oldest frame house in North America. Guided 45-minute tours given Tues-Sat, 10-5, Sun 1-5, in May-Oct. Last tour begins 1 hour before closing. $5. Ph: 781.326.1170. MA020 B Essex (A141) Essex River Cruises & Charters, 35 Dodge St., offers 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise viewing coastal life, shipbuilding, fishing & clamming. A 2-hour cruise is also available open weekend mornings. Cruises depart every 2 hours daily, 11-7, May-Oct. Schedule may vary; phone ahead. $21. reservations are recommended. Take credit cards. Ph: 978.768.6981 or 800.748.3706. MA021 B Gloucester (A142) 1) Cape Ann Historical Museum [Gem site], 27 Pleasant St. Historical displays, decorative items, maritime artifacts & photographs, paintings. Allow open hour min.; Tues-Sat 10-5, Mar-Jan. $6.50 Ph: 978.283.0455 2) Harbor Tours Inc., 9 Harbor Loop, offers 2.5-hour scenic Cape Ann Lighthouse Cruise as well as 75-minute cruise that includes lobstering demonstration. Lighthouse cruise daily at 2:30PM, midJune-Labor Day, $21 seniors. Lobstering cruise daily at 1PM, mid-June-Labor Day, $12. Reservations required 978.283.1979. MA022 B Lexington (A145) Town is a historical site of first conflict of Revolutionary War. Lexington Visitors Center is at 1875 Massachusetts Ave., Ph: 781.862.1450. MA023 B Lowell (A147) 1) American Textile History Museum [Gem site], located off Lowell Connector exit 5B, follow signs to 491 Dutton St., allow 1.5 hours minimum, Tues-Fri 9-4, Sat-Sun 10-5, $6, ph: 978.441.0400. Visitor Center at 4246 Market St., 2) Lowell National Historical Park [Gem site], located off Lowell Connector exit 5B, follow signs to Visitors Center at 246 Market St., looks at cotton textile mills, workers housing, 5.6-mile power canal system, industrial exhibits, 20-minute video. Guided walking tours available. Boat and trolley tours offered several times daily. Park open Mon-Sat, 9-5, Sun 10-5. Park admission is free; boat & trolley tours = $6. Reservations required for boat & trolley tours. Ph: 978.970.5000. 3) Boott Cotton Mills Museum, [Gem site], 115 John St., two floors of exhibits chronicle age of textile mills within the Industrial Revolution. Allow one hour minimum. Mon-Sat 9:30-5, Sun 11-5, $4. MA024 B Marblehead (A147) Area has more than 200 houses built before American Revolution. View of ocean, harbor, islands, and Marblehead can be enjoyed from Crocker Park, off Front Street downtown, and Chandler Hovey Park at end of Harbor and Ocean avenues. Also, self-guiding tours with maps available from information booth at Pleasant Street (Memorial Day Oct 31). MA025 B Minuteman National Historical Park (A148-149) Visitors Center is on Airport Road at State Road 2A. Has 25-minute multi-media presentation detailing events of April1775. Maps available for tours of the park. Daily 9-5, Apr-Oct. Free Ph: 781.862.7753.

Massachusetts Points-of-Interest

MA026 B Neponset (A150) Phillips Candy House, 818 Morrissey Blvd, offers guided tours of the oldfashioned candy house. Allow 30 minutes. Tours given Mon-Thurs 9-1, Free, but reservations required. Ph: 617.282.2090 or 800.722.0905. MA027 B Quincy (A150-151) USS Salem and US Naval Shipbuilding Museum, off I-93 exit 12, then 4.8 miles south on SR3A to north end of Fore River Bridge. Visitors may tour the ship and visit museums on board. Vessel is said to be worlds only preserved heavy cruiser gunship. Daily 10-4, May-Sept, Sat-Sun rest of the year. $6; over 60 $4. Ph: 617.479.7900. MA028 B Salem (A152-155) 1) Salem Trolley Inc offers 1-hour narrated tours of Salem and shuttle service to major sites and attractions. Allow one hour minimum. Daily 10-5, Apr-Oct. $10, over 60 = $9. Good all day. Ph: 978.744.5469. 2) Salem Witch Village (AAA discount) at 282 Rear Derby Street, features guided tours through an indoor labyrinth that explains the history of witchcraft and how it has been perceived from Medieval times to the present-day. Daily 10-9, July-Aug, 10-6, Mar-June and Sept-Oct, $6, seniors = $5.50, Ph: 800.298.2929. MA029 B Waltham (A156) Charles River Museum of Industry (AAA discount) at 154 Moody St., housed in 1814 textile mill, features permanent and changing exhibits re: American Industrial Revolution, era of steam power, and Waltham Watch Company, and bicycle and auto manufacturing industries along Charles River. Allow 30 minutes minimum. Thurs-Sat 10-5, $4, seniors $2. Ph: 781.893.5410. MA030 B Wenham Museum (A157) Wenham Museum, on SR1A at 132 Main St., includes 1690 house, furnishings from 17th-19th century, costume & textile exhibit, collection of dolls, dollhouses and toys, a train room, and much more. Allow one hour minimum. $5. Ph: 978.468.2377.

Cape Cod vicinity (A160-173)

MA031 !B Brewster (A161) Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (AAA discount) at 869 SR6A, 2 mi. west of SR124, has 2 floors of exhibits, library, and nature trails. Allow 1.5 hours. Mon-Sun 10-4, June-Sept, Wed-Sun, noon-4 rest of year. $7, senior citizens $6. Ph: 508.896.3867. MA032 B Buzzards Bay (A161) Cape Cod Canal, .2 mi south of Main St., on Academy Drive, is a 17.4mile link between Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. Features 13.5 miles of paved walking and bicycling paths. A visitors center in Sandwich has films and exhibits about the canal. Field office open Mon-Fri 9-4; photo ID required upon entry take drivers license for both of us. Ph: 508.759.4431, or 508.833.9678 for visitor center. MA033 !B Cape Cod National Seashore (A164) Nature trails, high cliffs with view of beach and ocean, guided walks, lectures, self-guiding nature trails, picnic areas, and 3 paved bicycles trails. Admission is free but theres a $10 parking fee charged at the beaches during summer thru Columbus Day (Oct). There are visitors centers in Provincetown and Eastham. MA034 B Dennis (A165) 1) The Cape Playhouse off SR6A continues to offer first-rate theatre every summer including plays, comedies, mysteries and musicals. Ph: 508.385.3911. 2) Cape Museum of Fine Art displays the works of 20th-century Cape Cod artists year round. MA035 B Hyannis (A167-168) 1) Cape Cod Duck Mobiles depart from 437 Main St., with 45-minute narrated tours in amphibious vehicles, with approx. 20 minutes spent on the water. Daily on the hour, 10-5 weather=permitting, $16, seniors = $12. Ph: 508.790.2111 or 888.225.3825. 2) Hy-Line Cruises at Ocean Street Dock, offers 1-hour tours of Hyannis Harbor, depart daily 9-7:30 mid-June Labor Day, from 10-4:15, mid-Apr-mid-June, and day after Labor Day Oct 31. Harbor tour = $12. Ph: 508.790.0696 (see color ad on A168). MA036 !B Provincetown (A169-170) Portuguese Princess Excursions leaves MacMillan Pier and Fishermans Wharf offering 3-hour naturalist conducted tours. Food available. Fare = $19-22, over 60 = $17-19. Reservations required. Ph: 508.487.2651 or 800.442.3188. See color ad A170.

Massachusetts Points-of-Interest

MA037 B Sagamore (A170) The Pairpoint Glass Company on SR6A next to the Sagamore Bridge produces glass in the manner used in 1837. Demonstrations and viewing of glass-making / blowing given Mon-Fri 9-4 May-Dec. Free. Ph: 508.888.2344, or 800.899.0953. MA038 B Sandwich (A170-171) 1) Heritage Museum & Gardens [Gem site] at Grove and Pine streets off SR130 is a complex of 100 acres of landscaped grounds and several buildings with exhibits pertaining to American history. The Round Stone Barn displays the J.K.Lilly III Antique & Vintage Car Collection with autos dating from 1899. Also gardens, nature trails, and a mill. Food available. Daily 9-6, May-Oct. $12, over 60 = $10. Ph: 508.888.3300. See color ad on A171. 2) Sandwich Glass Museum [Gem site] 129 Main St (SR130) preserves and displays more than 5,000 pieces of glass manufactured in Sandwich from 1825-88. See glass coloring, blowing, pressing, and cutting demonstrated. Guided tours available. Allow one hour minimum, daily 9:30-5 Apr-Dec. $4.50, seniors = $3.50. See color ad starting on A482. MA039 B South Wellfleet (A171) Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, off US6, .5 miles north of Eastham/Wellfleet town line, is a 1,000-acre nature preserve with 5 miles of hiking trails through various habitats. Daily 8-8 Jun-Aug, daily 8-dusk, Sept 1- Oct 11, Tues-Sun, 8-dusk rest of the year. Admission = $5, over 62 and ages 3-12 = $3. Ph: 508.349.2615. MA040 B Deerfield (A174) 1) Self-guiding tours: booklet of 2-mile walking tour highlighting 88 sites is available from Historic Deerfield. 2) Historic Deerfield [Gem site], off US5 and SR10, is a complex of 15 historic houses and other historic sites. See listing for description of each building / site. The information center, located in Hall Tavern, is open daily 9:30-4:30. $14. Ph: 413.775.7133 or 413.775.7132 for info. MA041 B Fall River (A175) 1) Battleship Cove [Gem site] is off I-195 exit 5, and harbors a collection of historic 20th-century naval ships. See book for details. Daily 9-6 July 4 day before Labor Day; 9-4:30 rest of year. $12, over 65 = $10. Ph: 508.678.1100. 2) Fall River Historical Society AAA discount, 451 Rock St., is a restored 19th-century mill owners mansion containing Lizzie Borden display and memorabilia of Fall River steamships. Tues-Fri, 9-4:30, Sat-Sun 1-5, June-Sept. $5. 508.679.1071. 3) Marine Museum at 70 Water St., relates the history of steam transportation through lithographs, models, paintings, photographs, etc. Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat noon-5, Sun & some holidays noon-4, $5, senior citizens = $4. Ph: 508.674.3533. MA042 B Lenox (A178-179) 1) The Mount, Edith Whartons Estate & Gardens, 2 Plunkett St., at the south junction of US7 and SR7A. A 42-room mansion built in 1902. Has 3 acres of formal gardens and mansion with restored rooms. Allow 2 hours minimum. Daily 9-5, May-Oct. Last admission is 1 hour before closing. $16. Ph: 413.637.1899 or 888.637.1902. 2) Tanglewood (Music Festival) 197 West St., summer home of Boston Symphony Orchestra, operates from late-June thru early-Sept. Prices vary from $15 to $90. Ph: 413.637.5165, 888.266.1200, or 617.266.1492 for festival schedule. MA043 !B Marthas Vineyard (A179-180) Marthas Vineyard Island Tours provides 2.5-hour sightseeing tours of the island. Ph: 508.627.8687. MA044 B Nantucket Island (A181) Located 30 miles off the mainland, can only be reached by plane or boat. Daily ferry service from Hyannis all year (see A167) and from Marthas Vineyard from early May to late October (see A179). Parking in Nantucket is limited. If you dont like walking, use a moped or bicycle. Town has 4 bicycle paths. Car ferry is available but must have reservations: 508.477.8600. Unsure if camping spots are available, or how expensive they are! 1) Self-guiding tours of downtown available from Nantucket Historical Association, 5 Washington St., Nantucket, 508.228.1894. 2) Nantucket Historical Association maintains 22 historic properties and sites. Walking tours offered Apr 1 Columbus Day (Oct), Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5, Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day.

Massachusetts Points-of-Interest

3) Peter Foulger Museum [Gem site] on Broad Street, depicts history of Nantucket and will combine with the Whaling Museum in Spring 2005 508.228.1894 4) Whaling Museum [Gem site] Broad Street, has exhibits of whaling industry. Price unavailable at press time. MA045 B New Bedford (A182-183) New Bedford Whaling Museum, [Gem site] 18 Johnny Cake Hill, one of the largest museums dedicated to the history of whales and whaling. Giant model of whaling ship, skeletons, whaling boat, orientation film (22 minutes). $10, age 59 & older = $9, says prices vary. 508.997.0046 MA046 B Northfield (A184) 1) Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center, 2 mi. north of SR2 on SR63, is an underground , pumped storage hydro-electric facility topped by 320-acre reservoir. Has hiking, camping, mountain biking, picnicking. Free bus tours of facility. 2) Quinnetukut II Interpretive Riverboat Ride departs from Riverview Picnic Area for 1.5-hour cruise of local history & geography. Departs Wed-Sun at 11, 1:15, and 3, July-Oct. Departure times vary, phone ahead. $9, over 55 = $8. Reservations required. 413.659.3714. MA047 B Onset (A184) Cape Cod Canal Cruises departs from the Town Pier on Onset Bay for narrated 2-hour and 3-hour scenic sightseeing cruises of Cape Cod Canal. Music cruises also offered. Trips depart Mon-Thur at 10, 1:30, 4 & 7; Fri-Sun at 10, 1:30, 4 & 8, mid-June Labor Day, daily at 10 & 1:30, mid-May to mid-June and day after Labor Day to Sept 30. 3-hour = $12, 2-hour = $10. Ph: 508.295.3883. MA048 B Pittsfield (A185) 1) Recreational opportunities include hiking & camping at Pittsfield State Forest. 2) Berkshire Visitors Bureau = 413.743.4500 or 800.237.5747. Self-guiding tours of historic sites, biking & hiking routes available at visitors bureau. 3) Hancock Shaker Village, [Gem site] 5 mi. west on US20 at SR41, a 1200 care restoration of the Shaker community founded in 1783. Village includes 21 buildings, round stone barn, working farm, etc. Guided tours available. Allow 2.5 hours. Admission late-May to late-Oct = $15, rest of year =$12.50. 800.817.1137. See ad on A185. MA049 B Plymouth (A186-187) 1) Cape Cod Cruises departs Mayflower II State Pier, 1.2-hour harbor cruise departs on the hour daily 11-7, June-Sept. A 1.6=hour cruise to Provincetown departs daily at 10, with return trips leaving Provincetown at 6, July-Aug, Sat-Sun, May 20 to June 9. Phone for Sept schedule. AAA discount. Harbor tour = $10, Provincetown & return = $30. Reservation recommended. 508.747.2400. 2) Church of the Pilgrimage, at 8 Town Square, built in 1840, has Roche Pipe organ with 3000 pipes. Free concerts Tuesdays at 8PM July-Aug., Sun morning worship offered at 10. Free. Ph: 508.746.3026. 3) Colonial Lantern Tour departs Gov. Bradford Motor Inn (early tour) or from John Carver Inn (late tour) Covers one mile. Early tour focuses on Plymouth sites. Late tour reflects ghostly lore that colored the towns history. 90-minute tours depart nightly at 7:30 & 9 PM, Apr-Nov. $15. AAA discount. Reservations recommended. 508.747.4161 or 800.698.5636. 4) Mayflower II, moored at State Pier is reproduction of ship bringing Pilgrims to the New World. Allow one hour minimum. Daily 9-5, Apr-Nov. $8. 5) Plimoth Plantation is 3 miles south on SR3A, or take Plimoth Plantation Hwy, exit 4 off SR3S. A living history museum with costumed interpreters. Allow 3 hours minimum. $20, combined with Mayflower II = $22. 508.746.1622. 6) Plymouth Rock [Gem site] on Water Street is the place where the Pilgrims first landed in Dec. 1620. MA050 B Shrewsbury (A189) Hebert Candies, 575 Hartford Trnpk offers factory tours making candy bars. TuesThurs, 10:30 2:30. Free Ph: 508.845.8051 or 800.642.7702 for tour reservations. MA051 B Springfield (A189-190) 1) Indian Motorcycle Museum, off I-291 exit 4 via St. James Ave., at 33 Hendee St. Collections of Indian motorcycles, toys bicycles, and other motor-powered items. Allow one hour. $5, daily 10-4. Ph: 413.737.2624.

Massachusetts Points-of-Interest

2) Springfield Armory National Historical Site, adjoining the Springfield Technical Community College campus on Federal St., Houses one of the most extensive firearms collections in the world. Tues-Sun 10-4:30, hours vary, phone ahead. Free. Ph: 413.734.6478. MA052 B Sturbridge (A192) Old Sturbridge Village [Gem site] on SR20W, .5 miles west of junction I-84, exit 2 and I-90 exit 9. Its a 200-acre recreation of New England rural village. Daily 9-5, May-Oct. $20, over 64 = $18. MA053 B Sutton (A192) Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, located about 4 mi. southeast of Sutton is .5 mi. north on Purgatory Road off SR146. Purgatory Chasm is a fissure about 1/4 mile long and lies between great ledges and averages 40 ft in width and 48-70 feet deep. Picnic areas, hiking trails, visitors center, playground. Open daily dawn to dusk. FREE. Ph: 508.234.3733 or 508.234.9610. MA054 B Wales (A193) Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary at 30 Peck Rd, west off SR19 or east off SR32. Contains rare wildflowers and indigenous flora and fauna; two natural-history museums with various collections, and selfguiding trail. Mon-Sat 9-4 June-Nov. FREE. Ph: 413.267.9654. MA055 B Westfield (A193) 1) Self-guiding tour (walking and driving) of historic area available from chamber of commerce. 2) Stanley Park and Carillon at 400 Western Ave., a 275-acre park with floral, rose, Japanese, and herb & perennial gardens; working mill and water wheel, and 98-foot-high carillon tower. Summer concerts, festivals, and garden workshops. Allow 2 hours. Daily 8-dusk, mid-Apr thru Mon after Thanksgiving. FREE. Ph: 413.568.9312.