Cape Cod, Massachusetts is the hook that juts out from the easternmost portion of the mainland. It has 400 miles of shoreline and features some of the most popular summer vacation destinations in New England. Cape Cod is composed of a several quaint towns, most notably Hyannis, home to the Kennedy compound, and the commercial center of the Cape. Falmouth, Chatham and Provincetown at the very tip of the Cape, are also well-known towns, each with their own distinctions.

Neighboring towns Lexington and Concord are known as being the site of America's first battle with the British at the start of the Revolutuionary War. Lexington is primarily suburban, while Concord remains the quiet country town of its origins. Concord is a town of literary history. Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson once lived here and Henry David Thoreau's Walden Pond is just south of Concord.

Gloucester is a fishing town and one of the oldest settlements in New England. The movie, A Perfect Storm, was based in Gloucester. Located along the coast of Gloucester on Cape Ann is an artists' colony called Rocky Nest, the Hammond Castle Museum featuring European art, and Beauport Mansion, an artful backdrop for local concerts and events. There are several whale watching boats shuttling tourists out to prime locations for whale spotting. The local area beaches like Wingaersheek in Gloucester, and Pebble and Long Beach in nearby Rockport draw thousands of visitors each year.

Lowell is a diverse city populated by immigrants from England, Canada, Poland and Ireland in the early 1900's. Lowell was the first American city to be named a National Historic Park. A cluster of buildings in the center of town, connected by the trolley and canal boats comprises Lowell National Historical Park.

Plymouth, Massachusetts was the final landing site of the Mayflower, a replica of which stands in Plymouth harbor. Also home to Plymouth Rock, the town receives visitors by the droves looking to learn more about the history of early settlers and the original colonies. One way the area keeps the past alive is through Plymouth Plantation, a living-history tribute to the Pilgrims and the Indians.

Salem is most noted in history for the Salem witch trials that took place in 1692. It is a commuter suburb of Boston, located along the northern shores of the state. An area rich in maritime heritage, Salem has beautiful architecture and a diverse population. The House of the Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, is located in Salem; and is one of the oldest mansions still standing in New England.

Worcester is the second largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the fastest growing. It serves as a crossroads between several major New England cities including Providence, Hartford and Boston. The Worcester Art Museum is notable as the city's main attraction. Worcester is also home to the American Antiquarian Society which holds more American material published before the early 1800s than the Library of Congress. Shopping and dining options are available in the downtown area, and new developments are cropping up all over downtown including a Broadway theater project.