The history of the United States can’t be told without referring to Massachusetts. Throughout time, the state helped mold some of the most vital people in history, like Paul Revere. Without him, there’s no telling what would have happened during the war. He lit lanterns to signal other militia members that the British were coming.
Thanks to him, Massachusetts has become known for countless other things, like having the first library in the United States. It’s no secret that education in states like Massachusetts is taken more seriously than in other parts of America. Schools like Harvard and MIT are among the most well-respected in the world.
Massachusetts is also known for amazing food like clam chowder and creating Dunkin’ Donuts. It’s easy to spot a Boston accent the second you hear it, which is another thing Massachusetts is known for. The sports teams in the state are some of the most consistent in the world. All of these lovely factors were because one man signaled the troops that the enemy was coming.
Dozens of historical places and towns, like Concord, commemorate these events. This is where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired. It’s hard to find other states that offer the same level of history, beautiful scenery, and sports that Massachusetts has. For more Massachusetts coverage, click here to read about the most popular sports teams in the Bay State.
To help gather this list of what Massachusetts is known for, 24/7 Tempo consulted different travel websites. These include World Atlas, New England Explorer, and 1KeyData.
Revolutionary War
Massachusetts is known for being the site where multiple historical moments took place during the Revolutionary War. Concord is where the shots heard around the world went off, signaling the start of the war. It’s also where Paul Revere rode to the Old North Church where he lit lanterns signaling how the British were coming. That was important because it gave the army the knowledge that they were coming by land or sea.
The New England Patriots and Other Sports Teams
Boston has some of the best sports teams in the world. The city’s won more championships since 2000 than any other place. Tom Brady led the Patriots to six Super Bowls. The Boston Red Sox finally broke their curse and won four World Series since then. The Boston Bruins won a Stanley Cup while playing two other finals in that time. To top it off, the Boston Celtics won the 2008 NBA championship while also having been to two other finals.
First Library
Having access to books is how plenty of people learn and spend their free time. Massachusetts is where the first library in the United States opened, so people could have access to various books. The Franklin Public Library in Franklin, Massachusetts opened its doors in 1790. It’s still in service today. The town was named after Benjamin Franklin, who was a key part of American history.
Boston Accents
Accents are how you can tell what part of the world someone is from. A Boston accent is easily noticed the second someone opens their mouth to talk. People are proud of their accents since they represent where they grew up. The northeast is filled with different accents, but Boston dialects stand out among the rest.
Harvard and Other Colleges
Education in Massachusetts is important to just about everyone who lives there. That’s why colleges like Harvard, Boston College, MIT, and many more are constantly ranked among the world’s best places to learn. The people who live in Massachusetts are proud of the options they provide to both local students and those coming in from abroad.
Clam Chowder
WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 25: An unidentified employee works at a Vie de France restaurant, as a sign shows that New England clam chowder is the customers leading choice of soup October 25, 2004 in Washington, DC. Every four years before the presidential elections, the French style chain restaurant would feature soups representing different presidential candidates for their customers to choose in encouraging people to vote. The New England clam chowder which represents Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) has been leading the Texas chili which represents Republican candidate U.S. President George W. Bush for three weeks so far this year. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
There’s nothing more appetizing than getting a fresh bowl of New England clam chowder when visiting Massachusetts. This delicious soup is a well-known and beloved delicacy throughout the region. It’s easy to get fresh ingredients to make the soup, which is why it tends to taste better in Massachusetts.
Plymouth
Getting to see what life was like hundreds of years ago is fascinating to many people. Plymouth, Massachusetts offers a unique experience that allows guests to go back in time and take note of how people used to survive. What’s more interesting is seeing how people of the past dealt with the cold winters of Massachusetts. Keep in mind that their homes didn’t have automatic heat like they do today.
Salem Witch Trials
Few moments in history are as memorable as the Salem Witch Trials. During the 1600s, there was concern over witches taking over. To test if someone was a witch, they’d either bury them in rocks, drown them, or murder them with other forms of torture. If the person died, then they weren’t a witch. Since they were dead, it was too late to allow them a fair trial. If they survived, they were a witch, and they were then executed. It was a no-win situation for those accused of being a witch.
Oysters
Another delicious food that’s beloved in Massachusetts is oysters. The way you cook them differs based on what part of the country you’re in at that time. In Massachusetts, the way oysters are cooked and served has become legendary. They are shucked and salted. The food from the Cape Cod region of the United States is incredibly common.
Cape Cod
Visiting Cape Cod is one of the best ways to spend a weekend. That’s because the beauty that comes with this area is truly second to none. There’s no better place to relax and unplug from the stresses of the real world. It’s one of the most common places to go in the summer season since there’s loads of water access and outdoor activities.
Turkeys
It makes sense that many people associate pilgrims with Massachusetts. Turkeys likely come to mind when thinking about pilgrims, and with good reason. Massachusetts is a state where many of these birds live. It’s also one of the reasons turkey is commonly served with Thanksgiving dinner because that’s what pilgrims ate at the time.
Historic Towns
People who love American history thoroughly enjoy going to Massachusetts. It seems like everywhere you turn, there’s another historic town sitting right there. Places like Boston, even in the populated downtown region, have so many structures still standing from before the United States was a country. Concord is filled with monuments with history about the first shots of the war.
Cranberries
Turkeys aren’t the only thing you can find in Massachusetts when it comes to food. Cranberries grow all over the state as a delicious snack to eat. Like turkey, cranberry sauce is commonly associated with both pilgrims and Thanksgiving dinner. The fact that there are cranberry fields all around the state makes it clear as to why pilgrims incorporated cranberry sauce at the first Thanksgiving feast.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ Donuts is one of the most popular places for people to start their day. The worldwide franchise got its start in Massachusetts. The simple menu and delicious products have turned it into a beloved breakfast stop. In Massachusetts, it seems that there’s one of these stores on every corner. The crazy part is that no matter which one you go to, they’re always busy.
The Weather Offers All Four Seasons
The Hallmark Channel has created a vision of what life is supposed to look like. In Massachusetts, the scenery during each time of year matches up to what Hallmark depicts. The spring and summer are filled with people outdoors while soaking up the sun. The fall ambiance is divine thanks to the changing colors of the leaves. Winters are filled with snowy weather and warm hangout sessions near fireplaces.
Paul Revere
Not only was Paul Revere born in Massachusetts, but he’s also responsible for one of the most memorable moments in history. The natives helped the colonies know how the British would arrive to fight. Before that, Revere had a job as a silversmith and engraver. His work was so well-liked that before his ride, he would have gone down in history for the silversmith work he did.
Boston Cream Pie
Food is a big part of Massachusetts’ culture. One dessert people adore is a Boston Cream Pie. This cake is filled with cream on the inside, making anyone who eats it feel full, quickly. The popularity of this food spread rapidly throughout the nation. Now, it’s available at nearly every dessert shop around the US.
Mark Wahlberg
Few actors have taken the world by a storm like Mark Wahlberg. While he had a troubling past, he’s done what he can to move beyond that. Wahlberg is always at Boston sporting events, repping his hometown teams as much as he can. His movies usually end up being classics since he’s one of the few actors who can handle comedy, action, and every genre in between.
The Berkshires
The Berkshires is an area of Massachusetts that’s close to the New York border. This part of the state has cliffs and mountains that would make just about anyone take a step back to admire them. The hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities easily done in this part of the state are incredible. These are reasons the Berkshires stand out from the bulk of the rest of the western region.
Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful island off the coast of Massachusetts where the wealthy are known to have property. This is a place where elite folks spend their time. Like Cape Cod, this is a great place to unplug and take a deep breath. While there, people love to fish, hike, and listen to the waves crash against the beach. For more Massachusetts material, click here to read about the biggest musicians from the state.