Southeast Massachusetts

Travel Guide

Southeast Massachusetts showing a river or creek, fishing and autumn colours
Plymouth which includes street scenes
Southeast Massachusetts showing autumn leaves
Southeast Massachusetts as well as an individual male
Southeast Massachusetts

Unmissable purely for its history, this region also offers spectacular coastal scenery and a rich cultural community.

Remember the brave Mayflower Pilgrims and learn about what life was like for the new arrivals in Southeast Massachusetts. Leap forward in time to discover a proud maritime existence and explore the area’s excellent galleries and museums.

The perfect place to start your visit to Southeast Massachusetts is PlymouthOpens in a new window, where a hundred or so weary travelers arrived in 1620. The towering 81-foot (25-meter) National Monument to the ForefathersOpens in a new window welcomes you, with Plymouth RockOpens in a new window nearby. Take a look inside majestic 17th-century houses and join a guided tour of Plymouth Plantation.

To see more recent history, drive southwest to Fall River State Heritage Park. In an area of just 8 acres (3 hectares), admire the planet’s largest collection of U.S. naval vessels, including various submarines and the World War II battleship U.S.S Massachusetts.

For your own maritime experience, try canoeing and kayaking in Westport and Dartmouth or find spectacular windsurfing conditions at Horseneck Beach on the south coast.

Undoubtedly one of the finest seaside cities in the state is New Bedford, a 30-minute drive across the state line from ProvidenceOpens in a new window, Rhode Island. The charming port is alive with the cries of gulls as trawlers unload the day’s catch and ferries set sail for Martha’s Vineyard. Wander along the cobbled streets to discover scenic restaurants serving delicious fish, mussels and oysters from lunchtime through evening.

Find eclectic art in downtown galleries. Marvel at magnificent sculpture and oil paintings at Gallery X and the New Bedford Art Museum before you end your day enjoying a ballet or theater performance.

Southeast Massachusetts is defined as bordered byBostonOpens in a new window to the north and Rhode Island to the west. Among the main urban areas are New Bedford, Plymouth, Brockton and FalmouthOpens in a new window. New Bedford hosts many of the year’s best events. Join the Folk Festival at the start of July and the Working Waterfront Festival taking place during the final week of September.

Where to stay in Southeast Massachusetts

Nantucket showing boating, a bay or harbour and a marina

Nantucket Town

While visiting Nantucket Town, you might make a stop by sights like Nantucket Community Sailing and Nantucket Atheneum.

Nantucket Town
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Bass River

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Bass River, Pirate's Cove Mini Golf and Cultural Center of Cape Cod are top sights worth seeing.

Bass River
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Katama

While visiting Katama, you might make a stop by sights like South Beach and Katama Plains Natural Heritage Area.

Katama
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Falmouth Heights

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Falmouth Heights, Falmouth Heights Beach and Island Queen Ferry are top sights worth seeing.

Falmouth Heights
Nantucket showing boating, a bay or harbour and a marina

Downtown Nantucket

If you're spending some time in Downtown Nantucket, Nantucket Atheneum and Whaling Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Nantucket
Nauset Beach showing a beach as well as a couple

East Orleans

East Orleans is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Nauset Beach and Cape Cod National Seashore.

East Orleans
Nantucket Inn
Nantucket Inn
3.5 out of 5
1 Miller Lane, Nantucket, MA
The price is S$662 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$662
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly resort in Nantucket. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (484 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Nantucket Inn
Iris Hotel Cape Cod
Iris Hotel Cape Cod
3 out of 5
291 Jones Rd, Falmouth, MA
The price is S$318 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$318
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Falmouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Woods Hole Ferry Terminal ...
8/10 Very Good! (42 reviews)
"Very nice rooms. Clean and up to date. Id stay there again."

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 2025

Iris Hotel Cape Cod
Cape Sands Inn
Cape Sands Inn
2.5 out of 5
149 Main St - RT 28, West Yarmouth, MA
The price is S$175 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$175
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly motel in West Yarmouth. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and a sauna. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Problem with finding a parking spot upon return from. Not certain why there was not a spot for every room. Had to park in a spot marked for compact cars only parking spot. Went out at 5 am to move car to available open spot."

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Cape Sands Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sandcastle Resort and Club
Sandcastle Resort and Club
3 out of 5
929 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Provincetown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,044 reviews)
"Love the location, front desk staff were the BEST! Our room was spacious, clean and complete with a full kitchen. Added Bonus of being on the bus route! Wish the pool and ocean front rooms came with Air Conditioning. Main building only has AC, that being said main building was great. We will be ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Sandcastle Resort and Club
Holly Tree Resort
Holly Tree Resort
3 out of 5
412 Main St, Route 28, West Yarmouth, MA
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in West Yarmouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Cape Cod Inflatable Park and Hyannis ...
9/10 Wonderful! (345 reviews)
"Love the pools and how close it is to everything , it’s literally in the center of the cape so even a ride to Provincetown is only a little over a hour, the room was big with two bathrooms, air conditioning worked great nice little barbecue area with basketball court and playground and the front ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Holly Tree Resort
Edgewater Beach Resort, a VRI resort
Edgewater Beach Resort, a VRI resort
3.5 out of 5
95 Chase Avenue, Dennis Port, MA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Dennis Port. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a private beach. Popular attractions Cape Cod Inflatable Park and Pleasant ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (281 reviews)
"Beautiful property"

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

Edgewater Beach Resort, a VRI resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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