The next state we’re here to share some great bucket list ideas for is the state of Massachusetts, best known for its bustling cities, beautiful beaches, and charming old colonial architecture. This state in the region of New England in the United States hosts a whole variety of things to do or see for any age or interest range, from bustling city sights to the quiet beaches and small towns peppered along the state.
However, if you’re finding yourself without many ideas when it comes to the best places to see and activities to find in Massachusetts you’ve come to the right place. Even if you’re just a local looking for some fresh ideas and sights, here are some of the top five bucket list ideas for Massachusetts tourists and visitors needing a starting point to look for.
Museum of Fine Arts
Plenty of people on vacation and locals may think a museum would be a more boring location to visit and something that seems to end up on every bucket list idea resource out there for every state that has one. But the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston Massachusetts is truly something you don’t want to spend your lifetime never visiting. It hosts a wide array of exhibits in all kinds of art forms as well as regular shifting events, new displays, and so much more.
It costs about $27 for each adult and $10 for youth aged 7-17 at the moment of writing this article, but you can always check the pricing, current exhibits and events, and even buy tickets online through the MFA website’s ticket portal. Certain days of the year are when the museum opens its doors for free to any Massachusetts residents. Parking and navigation in Boston can be tricky, so be sure to plan ahead and be prepared for a walk to get where you want to be.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston seems to be the place to be when it comes to bucket list destinations in Massachusetts, but the Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a great shopping and eatery option for those that want to get out but also enjoy an indoor mall-like experience in the state. This is a historic landmark from the revolutionary age of our colonies, and today it is a marketplace that spans across three historic buildings.
While there are some yearly events in the marketplace, the most common reason for visiting here is to get some good food, explore the shops and stores, and revel in the historic landmark and all of its prowess. As with most of Boston, it can be tricky to park so you probably want to plan ahead. Just the Faneuil Hall Marketplace alone could be a fun way to occupy yourself or your loved ones for an entire day, at least within their hours of operation. Find more info here.
New England Aquarium
We know, we know, the whole Boston attractions for a bucket list thing gets old. But hey, maybe you could even turn these three ideas into one great trip by planning to stay in or near Boston for a whole weekend or any multiple day trip by booking a local hotel or room. Anyways, the New England Aquarium is a magnificent location to check out for adults and kids (but definitely a favorite for the little ones).
New England Aquarium has a host of different things to see and do with its own Imax theater, a giant ocean tank, multiple touch tanks, hundreds of sea wildlife, many varying events throughout the year, and so much more. Parking is available in nearby parking garages or you can park further and travel through the subway to get there. Tickets for the New England Aquarium can be purchased online or in person, and you can find pricing here.
Six Flags New England
Adventure seekers and thrill lovers would be overjoyed to learn that Six Flags New England, one of the most well-known and impressive amusement parks in New England as well as the region’s largest water park, is located right in Agawam Massachusetts. So buckle up and take yourself or your whole family to Six Flags this season! There are tons of rides, attractions, roller coasters, eating options, and more within the park.
For parking, admission, and food; you have a large number of choices depending on your budget and how often you plan to visit Six Flags New England in the year. You can purchase individual passes and parking, season passes, ultimate season passes with parking and food included, speedy parking passes, and so much else depending on what you want to do within your budget range and to make your entry as easy and stress free as possible. Here’s Six Flag’s website.
Halibut Point State Park
Rockport Massachusetts is the best destination for those of you that enjoy visiting state parks wherever you go and getting more time in nature and experiencing what Massachusetts has to offer for outdoor activities. Halibut Point State Park has tide pools, hiking and walking trails, a gorgeous view that can see as far as Maine on a clear day, picnic spots, and historic experiences and education for all ages.
To visit Halibut Point State Park, it costs only the parking pricing which is $5 for a resident and $20 for a non resident. You can also purchase parking passes for in state or out of state residents if you plan to visit multiple times in the year and want to make the most out of your money. For detailed rules, pricing, and information on the park we recommend checking out the Massachusetts government page for Halibut Point State Park before planning your trip.
Now that you have some ideas, you can plan a trip or get out there in your state to find something new and enjoyable to check out. These are just a few select favorites we want to share for the best range of age groups, price ranges, and interests. But there are truly hundreds of activities, events, destinations, sights to see, and more in Massachusetts that could keep any visitor or local busy for months and even years on end.
Maybe that’s a part of the attraction that brought in the millions of residents that Massachusetts calls its own. Even if you don’t make it there soon, try adding at least one of these top five ideas to your bucket list as a basis for your traveling days of the future.