Tours and Sightseeing

Go whale watching from mid-April to mid-October; tours run out of Boston, Gloucester, Plymouth, Provincetown, Quincy, Barnstable, Newburyport, and Nantucket Island.

It’s “Lights, camera, action!” choose from the Boston TV & Movie Sites bus tour, a three-hour tour of over 40 filming locations from your favorite TV and movies or the Boston Movie Mile, a 1.5 walking tour of over 25 locations courtesy of On Location Tours. On Roxbury Tours, discover the rich history of Roxbury through visiting more than 17 historic sites, some dating back to 1630. While you're there, discover the diverse flavors of innumerable ethnic restaurants and a vibrant art community. Nothing is more romantic than a gondola ride aboard Gondola di Venezia, a serene escape down the Charles River that showcases skyline views of Boston and Cambridge from an authentic gondola built in, and shipped from, Venice, Italy. Essex River Cruises & Charters provides daily narrated cruises along the scenic Essex River. Discover the "hidden river," located in a salt marsh estuary, surrounded by natural beauty. Board the Liberty Ride to learn about the historic sites and attractions along the historic Battle Road as costumed guides recount the events of April 19, 1775. Step on and off tours throughout the day in Concord and Lexington.

Entice all of your senses at Russell Family Farms/Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, a family-owned vineyard producing chardonnay, rosé, and Riesling. Don't leave without enjoying a fascinating tour and a spectacular tasting. Lobster Tales lets you live the dream of becoming a New England fisherman for a day. This unique hands-on lobstering excursion out of Plymouth Harbor lets you haul up lobster traps-just like the old salts have for generations-to see how lobsters are harvested in their natural environment. Art's Dunes Tours in Provincetown offers a one-hour narrated tour of the outermost beaches and dunes on the Provincetown Cape Cod National Seashore. Even better, book a Clambake Dune Tour, which includes a traditional New England Clam Bake served picnic-style. Visit the African-American Heritage Trail for a guided cultural tour chronicling the formerly unrecognized experiences of African-American people on Martha's Vineyard across 17 historic sites islandwide. Shearwater Excursions Eco-Tour takes you into the ecosystem in and around the bays, inlets and shores of Nantucket Island and the outer islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget. Seal cruises and whale watches are also available.

Nashoba Valley Winery is a stunning hilltop orchard overlooking the charming town of Bolton in the heart of apple country. More than 20 different varieties of wine, handcrafted beers and distilled spirits include a range of sparkling, fruit, dry, semi-sweet and dessert wines. The Lady Bea Cruise Boat in South Hadley provides narrated educational and themed cruises throughout the summer. Relax in the climate-controlled, 49-passenger cabin while learning about the scenic Connecticut River or sit outside to bask in the sun as you cruise along. Hop aboard the Quinnetukut II, Northfield Mountain's 60-seat riverboat, and cruise along the Connecticut River. This one-mile cruise with live narration takes you through the enchanting French King Gorge and on to historic Barton Cove, home to nesting bald eagles and the site of a former dinosaur-track quarry. Berkshire Sightseeing & Backroad Tours offers a two-hour historical narration of the Berkshires, Lenox, Stockbridge and Pittsfield. Wind your way through the eccentricities of the region: rustic woods and cottages, vaudeville homes, and the historic houses of legendary writers Hawthorne and Melville.

Find Lodging Options for Massachusetts

More Discoveries