Massachusetts: Boston, Witches, and A Rock
Capital: Boston
Largest City: Boston
Population: 7 million
Admitted: 1788
Massachusetts, a state on the eastern seaboard, has an extensive history that dates back before the United States began. The largest city and capital, Boston, is the reason why most people visit Massachusetts. It's most notable for being home to the Boston Marathon which has taken place since 1897. I visited Massachusetts for the first time in May of 2017.
Boston and Walden Pond
Our visit in May of 2017 began with Boston. We walked on the Freedom Trail which is a 2.5 mile long footpath that takes you to different spots related to the American Revolution. Our favorite was Granary Burying Ground where some of the notable founders are buried included Paul Revere and John Hancock.
After walking along the Freedom Trail, we dined at Union Oyster House for lunch. They date back to 1826. Besides being open for a long time, they are notable for having a booth where John F. Kennedy sat when he dined there. We ate Boston Baked Beans while there because it's a must to eat baked beans while in Boston.
Along my quests towards going to all fifty states, I have started collecting a key chain from every state or country I visit. One of my requirements is very simple -- it has to have the state or country name on it. On this trip to Boston, we had problems finding a key chain that said "Massachusetts." We went to a state museum and they had multiple different types of key chains. Every single one said Boston! We searched what felt like all over the state on this trip. To find a Massachusetts key chain, I decided to use a truck stop, which I found helpful previously. To do this, we had to enter a toll road just to get one. At the gas station, they had only one key chain that said Massachusetts (and it's not even cute). Needless to say, I have discovered easier hacks beyond this 2017 Boston trip without having to drive multiple different places.
Besides Boston, we also went to Walden Pond in Concord. Writer, Henry David Thoreau, had a cabin at Walden Pond. There, you can see the pond and visit the cabin. Today, the pond is used for recreational activities like fishing and swimming.
Not too far away from Walden Pond is Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Famous writers including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louise May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson are buried there.
Plymouth and Salem: A Rock and Witches
In October of 2021, we returned to Massachusetts. The main point of the trip was to see Salem. However, we first stopped in Plymouth. Plymouth is a nice town that sits on the water. It is most notable for having a rock where supposedly the Mayflower landed when the Pilgrims came. The rock is surrounded by a security fixture. The rock also has a lot of controversy as historians aren't even sure it's the correct rock.
After Plymouth, we went to Salem. Salem is where the famous Salem Witch Trials took place is the 1690s. They have a lot of cheesy, expensive museums related to witches along with shops and sculptures to see. Honestly, my husband and I were ready to leave after a few hours, but we had a ghost tour booked. The ghost tour was enjoyable and worth staying for.
At the end of our trip, we stopped at Mount Greylock, which is the highest point at 3,491 feet.
Final Thoughts
Massachusetts is a beautiful state to visit with a lot of well-known history. I really enjoyed my time there and would not mind returning to further explore what else the state has to offer.
Comments