It’s good to get the ol’ blood pumping once in a while. Massachusetts is full of exciting places to explore and chances to get a healthy hit of adrenaline. Below, are the best adventures in Massachusetts that are sure to appeal to your inner daredevil. We’ve included options for people of all ages and activity levels (i.e. don’t worry if you’re not a mountaineer survivalist triathlon champion) so that everyone can get in on the fun.

  1. Let your stress drift away at Essex River Cruises (Essex)

Facebook/Essex River Cruises

Facebook/Essex River Cruises

Facebook/Essex River Cruises Sit back and relax on a narrated sightseeing cruise on the pristine sheltered water of the Essex River. Treats and drinks are served on board as you take in the serene views all around. When mealtime rolls around, passengers are treated to a classic New England clambake, lobster lunch, or barbecue on a secluded beach. Tours range from longer excursions to 1.5-hour-long trips. They also offer seasonal cruises, such as the Fall Foliage, Cider, and Donuts Cruise. For more information, click here.

  1. Discover hidden gems in the city with Urban AdvenTours (Boston)

Urban AdvenTours You don’t need to leave the city to have a bona fide adventure. Wheel around Boston with Urban AdvenTours and see the city like you’ve never seen it before. On their classic City View tour, you’ll discover sites and neighborhoods to explore that you may have missed during your pedestrian rambles. You’ll explore the unique character and charm of each community up close in a way that’s only possible by bicycle. The City View tour is $55 per guest and includes an individually-fitted bike, helmet, water, and a friendly and knowledgeable guide who will lead you on your travels. The tour is 2.5-3 hours long and covers 10-12 miles. From the bustling streets of downtown to the serene bike paths on the Charles River, you’ll really get up close and personal with our state’s capital city. For more information, click here.

  1. Conquer the trees at Ramblewild (Lanesborough)

Ramblewild.com

Ramblewild.com

Ramblewild.com One of the best adventures in Massachusetts, Ramblewild is like the treehouse you always wanted as a kid, but on serious steroids. Test your limits and rediscover your inner child by climbing, leaping, and carefully walking through aerial trails in a hemlock grove with over 130 individual elements on eight individual courses. This is an exhilarating, challenging, inspiring adventure that only nature could deliver. This place is great for kids and people who might want to try something a little on the scary side, but with plenty of support and instruction. Don’t worry: you’re harnessed in the whole time! For more information, click here.

  1. Have a totally unique crafting day at The Eliot School (Jamaica Plain)

Facebook/Eliot School

Facebook/Eliot School

Facebook/The Eliot School Ever wanted to learn how to bind your own books? Apply special effects make-up? How about creating your own wine glasses, building your own wooden furniture, or even crafting a corset? If an adventure in creativity and creation is what you’re after, then The Elliot School has just what you need. Sign up online or over the phone for one of their MANY amazing workshops and classes. For more information, click here.

  1. Get spooked at Dead of Night Ghost Tours (Plymouth)

Flickr/MOTT

Flickr/MOTT Explore the pilgrim resting places and burial grounds of one of the oldest towns in America. Learn about burial customs and traditional ghost stories. Bring a camera, and, if you’re lucky, capture the image of a creeping spirit. It’s perfect for those looking for a little jolt of the shivers but don’t necessarily need to be scared out of their minds. Plus, you get to carry a cool lantern. For more information, click here.

  1. Float across western Massachusetts with Misty River Ballooning (Florence)

Misty River Ballooning

Misty Valley Ballooning See the Pioneer Valley like you’ve never seen it before: from the basket of an actual hot air balloon. As you float quietly above the valley, you can watch the Connecticut River peacefully wind its way south below you. On a clear day, you can see the Berkshire Hills as well as the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. After your flight, you’ll enjoy a traditional champagne toast and light snacks. Sounds like an adventure worthy of a fairytale to me. For more information, click here.

  1. Soak up some forest magic at the March Cataract Falls (Adams)

Flickr/cerebros1: trying to get back in after a long time Sometimes the journey really is all about the destination. You’re just one mild hike away from the beauty and majesty of the March Cataract Falls at Mt. Greylock State Park. Pack a picnic and definitely bring your camera along because this is truly one of the best adventures in Massachusetts, and you’ll want to remember your visit. For more information, click here.

  1. Enjoy an invigorating day hiking the Mt. Greylock Ramble (Lanesborough)

Flickr/MOTT Don’t feel like hiking all the way to the summit? No problem. Grab a friend (or a few) and some trail mix and spend the afternoon walking one of the many Mt. Greylock trails. The Ramble rewards explorers with its wild and rugged scenery, yet remains accessible and fun for all ages and activity levels. For more information, click here.

  1. Be a kid again at the Boston Children’s Museum (Boston)

Flickr/Dave Levy

Flickr/Dave Levy More than just a bunch of exhibits, this place is a massive educational playground that has to be seen to be understood. Even if you don’t have children, you can still join in on the fun. The museum has “adults only” nights when grown-ups can check out everything from a room full of gigantic bubbles to immense climbing structures and an actual two-story Japanese silk merchant’s house (transported all the way from the city of Kyoto). Try your hand at building block-bridges and giant forts, party all night on a light-up interactive dance floor, indulge in “adult” snow cones, get messy with paint, and play giant games of chess. Tickets sell out really fast, so check their website periodically to make sure you don’t miss out. For more information, click here.

Though we think these are among the best adventures in Massachusetts, there are plenty of other fun things to do in Massachusetts. What do you think are the best adventures in Massachusetts? Did we mention your favorite Bay State adventure?

Facebook/Essex River Cruises

Sit back and relax on a narrated sightseeing cruise on the pristine sheltered water of the Essex River. Treats and drinks are served on board as you take in the serene views all around. When mealtime rolls around, passengers are treated to a classic New England clambake, lobster lunch, or barbecue on a secluded beach. Tours range from longer excursions to 1.5-hour-long trips. They also offer seasonal cruises, such as the Fall Foliage, Cider, and Donuts Cruise. For more information, click here.

Urban AdvenTours

You don’t need to leave the city to have a bona fide adventure. Wheel around Boston with Urban AdvenTours and see the city like you’ve never seen it before. On their classic City View tour, you’ll discover sites and neighborhoods to explore that you may have missed during your pedestrian rambles. You’ll explore the unique character and charm of each community up close in a way that’s only possible by bicycle. The City View tour is $55 per guest and includes an individually-fitted bike, helmet, water, and a friendly and knowledgeable guide who will lead you on your travels. The tour is 2.5-3 hours long and covers 10-12 miles. From the bustling streets of downtown to the serene bike paths on the Charles River, you’ll really get up close and personal with our state’s capital city. For more information, click here.

Ramblewild.com

One of the best adventures in Massachusetts, Ramblewild is like the treehouse you always wanted as a kid, but on serious steroids. Test your limits and rediscover your inner child by climbing, leaping, and carefully walking through aerial trails in a hemlock grove with over 130 individual elements on eight individual courses. This is an exhilarating, challenging, inspiring adventure that only nature could deliver. This place is great for kids and people who might want to try something a little on the scary side, but with plenty of support and instruction. Don’t worry: you’re harnessed in the whole time! For more information, click here.

Facebook/Eliot School

Facebook/The Eliot School

Ever wanted to learn how to bind your own books? Apply special effects make-up? How about creating your own wine glasses, building your own wooden furniture, or even crafting a corset? If an adventure in creativity and creation is what you’re after, then The Elliot School has just what you need. Sign up online or over the phone for one of their MANY amazing workshops and classes. For more information, click here.

Flickr/MOTT

Explore the pilgrim resting places and burial grounds of one of the oldest towns in America. Learn about burial customs and traditional ghost stories. Bring a camera, and, if you’re lucky, capture the image of a creeping spirit. It’s perfect for those looking for a little jolt of the shivers but don’t necessarily need to be scared out of their minds. Plus, you get to carry a cool lantern. For more information, click here.

Misty River Ballooning

Misty Valley Ballooning

See the Pioneer Valley like you’ve never seen it before: from the basket of an actual hot air balloon. As you float quietly above the valley, you can watch the Connecticut River peacefully wind its way south below you. On a clear day, you can see the Berkshire Hills as well as the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. After your flight, you’ll enjoy a traditional champagne toast and light snacks. Sounds like an adventure worthy of a fairytale to me. For more information, click here.

Flickr/cerebros1: trying to get back in after a long time

Sometimes the journey really is all about the destination. You’re just one mild hike away from the beauty and majesty of the March Cataract Falls at Mt. Greylock State Park. Pack a picnic and definitely bring your camera along because this is truly one of the best adventures in Massachusetts, and you’ll want to remember your visit. For more information, click here.

Don’t feel like hiking all the way to the summit? No problem. Grab a friend (or a few) and some trail mix and spend the afternoon walking one of the many Mt. Greylock trails. The Ramble rewards explorers with its wild and rugged scenery, yet remains accessible and fun for all ages and activity levels. For more information, click here.

Flickr/Dave Levy

More than just a bunch of exhibits, this place is a massive educational playground that has to be seen to be understood. Even if you don’t have children, you can still join in on the fun. The museum has “adults only” nights when grown-ups can check out everything from a room full of gigantic bubbles to immense climbing structures and an actual two-story Japanese silk merchant’s house (transported all the way from the city of Kyoto). Try your hand at building block-bridges and giant forts, party all night on a light-up interactive dance floor, indulge in “adult” snow cones, get messy with paint, and play giant games of chess. Tickets sell out really fast, so check their website periodically to make sure you don’t miss out. For more information, click here.

These aren’t the only adventures you can have in Massachusetts. Read about another here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 35 Dodge St, Essex, MA 01929, USAAddress: 103 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110, USAAddress: 110 Brodie Mountain Rd, Lanesborough, MA 01237, USAAddress: 24 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, USAAddress: 31 North St, Plymouth, MA 02360, USAAddress: 82 Bliss St, Northampton, MA 01062, USAAddress: 30 Rockwell Rd, Cheshire, MA 01225, USAAddress: 308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Adventures In Massachusetts April 09, 2021 Daniella DiRienzo What are the best parks in Massachusetts? There seems to be no shortage of amazing parks in Massachusetts. One that shouldn’t be missed is Sandy Point State Recreation in Ipswich, which encompasses 77 acres at the tip of Plum Island. The breathtakingly beautiful coastal park boasts a sandy beach and some great swimming, but that’s not all. The park is also known for its incredible fishing and hunting opportunities. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton is another park that’s brimming with perks. Home to Wachusett Mountain, it’s most known for its skiing opportunities; however, the 3,000-acre park has so much more to offer. For instance, you can actually drive to the top of the mountain’s 2,006-foot peak, where you’ll be met with panoramic vistas. Biking and hiking opportunities are also plentiful – and a great choice when the weather is nice. What are some other fun things to do in Massachusetts? There are tons of fun things to do in Massachusetts, no matter your interests. If history is your thing, you’ll definitely want to check out the Freedom Trail. Combining history and the outdoors, the 2.5-mile trek leads to more than a dozen historical sites, including the Paul Revere House and the Old State House. When it comes to fun things to do in Massachusetts, whale watching is definitely high on the list. During whale watching season, which runs from April – October, you can hop aboard a boat tour and catch a glimpse of the majestic creatures in their natural habitat. If you’re looking for natural beauty of another kind, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Bash Bish Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in the state. Accessing the waterfall requires just a short 2/3-mile hike. Where else can I enjoy outdoor recreation in Massachusetts? When looking to enjoy the great outdoors, the Cape Cod Trail is a great choice. Spanning 22 miles, the former railroad track, runs through several towns and the 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park. The gardens at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich is also a great option for outdoor fun. Open seasonally, the gardens boast bountiful blooms as well as several special areas, like the McGraw Family Garden of the Senses. Another garden that shouldn’t be missed is the Boston Public Garden. The oldest botanical garden in the U.S., it’s the perfect place to soak up some of Boston’s charm, while enjoying vibrant blooms. Belkin Family Lookout Farm in Natick is another great destination when seeking to enjoy a day outdoors. A great visit for all ages, the farm offers everything from fruit picking and farm animals to hayrides and activities that will keep kids (and kids at heart) entertained. Even better, there’s a train that traverses the property, making it easy to enjoy all of the farm’s perks.      

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Adventures In Massachusetts

April 09, 2021

Daniella DiRienzo

What are the best parks in Massachusetts? There seems to be no shortage of amazing parks in Massachusetts. One that shouldn’t be missed is Sandy Point State Recreation in Ipswich, which encompasses 77 acres at the tip of Plum Island. The breathtakingly beautiful coastal park boasts a sandy beach and some great swimming, but that’s not all. The park is also known for its incredible fishing and hunting opportunities. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton is another park that’s brimming with perks. Home to Wachusett Mountain, it’s most known for its skiing opportunities; however, the 3,000-acre park has so much more to offer. For instance, you can actually drive to the top of the mountain’s 2,006-foot peak, where you’ll be met with panoramic vistas. Biking and hiking opportunities are also plentiful – and a great choice when the weather is nice. What are some other fun things to do in Massachusetts? There are tons of fun things to do in Massachusetts, no matter your interests. If history is your thing, you’ll definitely want to check out the Freedom Trail. Combining history and the outdoors, the 2.5-mile trek leads to more than a dozen historical sites, including the Paul Revere House and the Old State House. When it comes to fun things to do in Massachusetts, whale watching is definitely high on the list. During whale watching season, which runs from April – October, you can hop aboard a boat tour and catch a glimpse of the majestic creatures in their natural habitat. If you’re looking for natural beauty of another kind, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Bash Bish Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in the state. Accessing the waterfall requires just a short 2/3-mile hike. Where else can I enjoy outdoor recreation in Massachusetts? When looking to enjoy the great outdoors, the Cape Cod Trail is a great choice. Spanning 22 miles, the former railroad track, runs through several towns and the 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park. The gardens at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich is also a great option for outdoor fun. Open seasonally, the gardens boast bountiful blooms as well as several special areas, like the McGraw Family Garden of the Senses. Another garden that shouldn’t be missed is the Boston Public Garden. The oldest botanical garden in the U.S., it’s the perfect place to soak up some of Boston’s charm, while enjoying vibrant blooms. Belkin Family Lookout Farm in Natick is another great destination when seeking to enjoy a day outdoors. A great visit for all ages, the farm offers everything from fruit picking and farm animals to hayrides and activities that will keep kids (and kids at heart) entertained. Even better, there’s a train that traverses the property, making it easy to enjoy all of the farm’s perks.      

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There seems to be no shortage of amazing parks in Massachusetts. One that shouldn’t be missed is Sandy Point State Recreation in Ipswich, which encompasses 77 acres at the tip of Plum Island. The breathtakingly beautiful coastal park boasts a sandy beach and some great swimming, but that’s not all. The park is also known for its incredible fishing and hunting opportunities. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton is another park that’s brimming with perks. Home to Wachusett Mountain, it’s most known for its skiing opportunities; however, the 3,000-acre park has so much more to offer. For instance, you can actually drive to the top of the mountain’s 2,006-foot peak, where you’ll be met with panoramic vistas. Biking and hiking opportunities are also plentiful – and a great choice when the weather is nice.

What are some other fun things to do in Massachusetts?

There are tons of fun things to do in Massachusetts, no matter your interests. If history is your thing, you’ll definitely want to check out the Freedom Trail. Combining history and the outdoors, the 2.5-mile trek leads to more than a dozen historical sites, including the Paul Revere House and the Old State House. When it comes to fun things to do in Massachusetts, whale watching is definitely high on the list. During whale watching season, which runs from April – October, you can hop aboard a boat tour and catch a glimpse of the majestic creatures in their natural habitat. If you’re looking for natural beauty of another kind, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Bash Bish Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in the state. Accessing the waterfall requires just a short 2/3-mile hike.

Where else can I enjoy outdoor recreation in Massachusetts?

When looking to enjoy the great outdoors, the Cape Cod Trail is a great choice. Spanning 22 miles, the former railroad track, runs through several towns and the 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park. The gardens at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich is also a great option for outdoor fun. Open seasonally, the gardens boast bountiful blooms as well as several special areas, like the McGraw Family Garden of the Senses. Another garden that shouldn’t be missed is the Boston Public Garden. The oldest botanical garden in the U.S., it’s the perfect place to soak up some of Boston’s charm, while enjoying vibrant blooms. Belkin Family Lookout Farm in Natick is another great destination when seeking to enjoy a day outdoors. A great visit for all ages, the farm offers everything from fruit picking and farm animals to hayrides and activities that will keep kids (and kids at heart) entertained. Even better, there’s a train that traverses the property, making it easy to enjoy all of the farm’s perks.