Massachusetts, the Bay State, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and offers several coastal towns to explore. From beaches to the harbour, Massachusetts Coastal Towns have everything for group travel. While names like Provincetown and Nantucket are on everyone’s travel maps, this blog invites you to explore all the popular and small Coastal Towns in Massachusetts. If you want to slow down or explore beaches near the coastal towns, these coastal towns offer several beaches that suit your journey. From Provincetown to Gloucester, beach travel destinations across these coastal towns always bring a peaceful journey.
What to Expect From This Blog:
- Popular and small towns
- Fishing villages, lighthouses, and fishing ports
- Beaches, historical places, and the best restaurants
Explore Best Coastal Towns in Massachusetts
The Bay State is one of the best visitor attractions in the USA; travellers are often attracted by its coastal towns, American history, and beaches.
Nantucket
This small island of Cape Cod, once known as a whaling center in the 18th and 19th centuries, is now regarded as the National Historic District. Visitors visit the island in good numbers every year to experience its Whaling Museum, lighthouse, and beaches. If you are visiting the town, then you can book a sailing boat to enjoy the bay and a Massachusetts Charter Bus to explore the town.
Best Attractions of Nantucket
Whaling Museum
The Whaling Museum presents the maritime and whaling history of South Coast Massachusetts. It tells the history of the island over 4 centuries with its exhibitions in 9 galleries that hold thousands of artworks and treasures on display. According to the Nantucket Historical Association, the museum keeps a massive Fresnel lens and a candle factory that was restored in 1847. But the center of attraction is the 46-foot sperm whale skeleton.
- Location: The museum is located at 13 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
- Ticket: The ticket price is $23 for adults, $20 for seniors (65+) and $5 for students(6-17).
Brant Point Lighthouse
Brant Point Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouse of USA that was established in 1746. Here, you can do photography and watch the sailing boats that pass near the lighthouse.
Beaches
Nantucket offers numerous beaches. For light waves, you can visit the North Beaches, Jetties, Steps Beach, Dionis, and Brant Point. For water activities, you can move to Cisco, Surfside, Nobadeer, and Tom Nevers Beach.
Travel Tips:
- Pick up your flight and reach Boston Logan International Airport.
- Then rent a car, minibus, or shuttle bus and travel to Hyannis.
- Car rental charges $50–$120 per day + fuel.
- A minibus may charge $15–$40 per person.
- The shuttle bus will charge $25–$50 per person.
- After reaching Hyannis, book a ferry and reach Nantucket.
- The standard ferry may charge $25–$50 one way and will take 2 hours to reach you in the town.
- The high-speed ferry may charge $50-$100 per person and land you within an hour.
If you want to travel by air, then you can travel by airline from Boston and land at Nantucket Memorial Airport. The price will be $100–$300 per person.
Provincetown
Provincetown gonna be the best town to visit from your list, as it offers many beaches, commercial streets, and many more to explore. June to October are the best times to visit this location. It will take a minimum of 3 days to explore all the locations of this town.
Things to Do in this Little Town
- Start your day by enjoying the Beach.
- Herring Cove Beach- Experience the sunset view with calmer and warmer water.
- Race Point Beach- The best place to enjoy whale watching with your families.
- Long Point Beach- It is best known for bird watching.
- Visit the commercial streets, the main attraction of Provincetown. It offers the best experience by providing the best seafood restaurants, boutique shops, and a beautiful art gallery.
- If you love adventurous journeys, then have a bike ride through the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Travel Tips:
- If you have arrived in Boston and want to visit
- Then book a ferry from Boston Harbor to Provincetown. The fare will range from $90 to $110 per person.
- If you want to travel by bus, you can book a minibus for your group that charges $45–$75 per person.
- Air transportation is also available to Provincetown Municipal Airport. The ticket price ranges from $120–$300 for one-way travel.
Rockport
Rockport is widely known as “Fishing Village”, as its economy and culture were built around its fishing industry. The town gives small-village charm despite being surrounded by the conveniences of the modern world.
- Visit Motif No. 1, the little red fishing shack present in Rockport Harbor, as the center of attraction for photographers.
- If you are in Rockport, then don’t miss out on the Front Beach. Because the location offers a mesmerizing view of the Atlantic Ocean, calm water, and a suitable environment for swimming.
Travel Tips:
- If you are in Boston, then you can easily travel by rental car or rental bus.
- The car rentals may charge $50-$150, while rental buses charge $25-$60.
Gloucester
If you are looking for a typical coastal town group trip, then Gloucester is the perfect destination for your group. The town offers everything, with delicious seafood, beaches, and a fishing history.
- Beaches: Wingaersheek Beach, Good Harbor Beach, and Half Moon Beach are the best family-friendly beaches and also the best for doing water activities.
- Whale Watching: Go for whale watching to Cape Ann Whale Watch and 7 Seas Whale Watch.
- Seafood: Visit The Lobster of Gloucester, Seaport Grille, Turner’s Seafood, and Tonno for the best seafood.
Best Small Coastal Towns in Massachusetts
When you are planning for a trip to a coastal town in Massachusetts, most visitors have Provincetown, Gloucester, or Nantucket on their travel map. But the Massachusetts coastline has some of the small coastal towns that remains fewer crowded and can be the best destinations for your summer getaway.
Manchester-by-the-Sea
If you’re looking for a peaceful summer trip, then Manchester-by-the-Sea is the best destination with fewer crowds. This small town remains lesser known compared to the other coastal towns of Massachusetts. This place is also known for “Singing Beach” that creates a singing sound when its sand rubs with each other. A movie titled “Manchester by the Sea” was named after this town, was released in 2016, and won two Academy Awards in 2016.
Marblehead
Marblehead is one of the most historic coastal towns in Massachusetts. The town is well known for its harbor, architecture, and maritime heritage.
- Visit “Old Town Marblehead” to explore the historic homes of the district. The district is also home to local shops and cafes that offer local dishes and New England dishes.
- Visit the Marblehead lighthouse, which is well-known as a photography destination.
Newburyport
Newburyport is a city, but is regarded as a coastal town because of its typical maritime harbour and its waterfront view. It is located on the riverbank of the Merrimack River.
Travel Tips: Take your flight and land at Boston Logan International Airport, rent a charter bus, and reach the town within one hour.
Travel Tips for a Coastal Town Getaway
A small travel plan can make your coastal town trip more satisfying. From planning the best time to visit to choosing the best destination, these travel tips will help you enjoy the most in a Massachusetts coastal town trip.
- The Coastal Towns in Massachusetts are best visited between June and September.
- All the main towns are accessible by rental minibus and charter bus rental, but the real magic lies in exploring the beaches and commercial streets on foot.
- Plan your travel budget and avoid spending for over enjoyment.
- Do water activities with a safety harness.
- Respect the local historic places and avoid causing any damage to monuments and the locals’ sentiments.
Ready to explore Coastal Towns in Massachusetts? Don’t think twice and make your plan and fly to Massachusetts to explore its historic villages and wonderful beaches. We hope this guide will be helpful for your coastal town getaway.