8 Best Fall Activities to Do in Massachusetts (2022 Updated)
When autumn falls in Massachusetts, the foliage is at its most beautiful. In addition to visiting historic sites, fall foliage is also the perfect excuse to go rowing. You can catch the Head of the Charles Regatta, which attracts over 11,000 rowers and huge crowds on the banks and on bridges. You can watch the race from either the Cambridge or Boston side of the river. If you can’t get to the races themselves, you can still take in the beauty of the leaves by watching from the bridges.
Davis Farmland
- Address : 145 Redstone Hill Rd, Sterling, MA 01564, United States
- Tel : +1 978-422-6666
- Email : [email protected]
If you want a family-friendly destination in Massachusetts, consider visiting the Davis Farmland. Opened late last year, this farm is packed with activities for all ages. It’s perfect for a day out with the family, as it features plenty of baby animals and rides for both adults and children. This fall, the farm will be more exciting than ever, with activities including a giant corn maze, paint ball, obstacle courses, and farm swings.
If you love corn, you’ll love the Davis Mega Maze, an 8-acre corn maze. The maze is designed to challenge and entertain, offering three-dimensional topology and challenging pathways to make it more fun. The festival also includes live music and award-winning Kansas City barbecue. The farm’s Mega Maze is part of the Davis Farmland Discovery Farm, which includes other activities like a petting zoo, adventureland, and the Safari Hayride.
Battleship Cove
- Address : 5 Water St, Fall River, MA 02721, United States
- Tel : +1 508-678-1100
- Email : [email protected]
- Hours of Operation : Everyday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
In addition to the battleships and submarines in the harbor at Battleship Cove, you can go on a guided tour of the museum and its various decks. There is also a snack bar on site. Earlier this year, the museum moved from Pawtucket to a new location, but if you’d like to see more, the new location has special programs every day.
If you’re a World War II buff, you can tour the USS Massachusetts, a WWII-era battleship. There are also other ships on display, including the WWII submarine Lionfish, the destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., and the frigate Hancock. There are exhibits on the history of Fall River and the harbor, and you can even ride a carousel!
If you’re traveling with kids, there are many other things to do in the region that will delight children. While at the USS Massachusetts museum, you can play with kites and other nautical toys. If you’d like to grab lunch after exploring the museum, you can grab a quick bite at the Carousel building inside the museum. Otherwise, you can explore the rest of Fall River’s historic sites, like Fall River Heritage State Park, adjacent to the USS Missouri.
Southwick’s Zoo
- Address : 2 Southwick St, Mendon, MA 01756, United States
- Tel : +1 508-883-9182
- Email : [email protected]
When the weather turns crisp and the days start to get shorter, Southwick’s Zoo is a must-see for fall-loving families. This zoo has live animal presentations and hands-on activities in its Earth Discovery Center. During your visit, you can feed frogs, pet snakes, and observe a moody iguana. During the colder months, you can explore the animals’ habitats and learn about conservation.
There are many things to do in Southwick, Massachusetts. A large petting zoo will delight young children, while a giraffe encounter will thrill the adults. Families can also explore the zoo’s gift shop and concessions. Visitors can take part in a variety of seasonal events, including the Festival of Illumination. In addition, there are events and celebrations at the zoo throughout the year.
Franklin Park Zoo is part of Zoo New England and has dozens of animal exhibits. Among the many birds you can view at Franklin Park Zoo include ocelots, spotted hyenas, and more. The largest zoo in New England is Southwick’s Zoo, which has 150 species. You can feed giraffes and parrots and even touch rhinos.
Old Sturbridge Village
- Address : 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA 01566, United States
- Tel : +1 800-733-1830
- Email : [email protected]
- Hours of Operation : Wed – Sun 9:30 am to 5:00 pm ; Mon – Tue Closed
Located midway between Boston and Hartford, the small town of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, is the perfect fall getaway for couples, families, and groups. With its historic architecture and unique outdoor attractions, Old Sturbridge Village is a must-see for fall foliage. You can enjoy the beautiful foliage, stroll the village streets, or explore the village’s many buildings and gardens. This historic attraction is also ideal for weddings.
Old Sturbridge Village is a living museum that relives life in rural New England from the 1700s to 1830s. It covers more than 200 acres and includes 59 antique buildings, three working waterpowered mills, and a working farm. The actors in this museum are not hokey; they actually know how to do the tasks of the 1800s.
Fall is a time for apple-picking, pumpkin carving, and a trip to the state’s biggest farm fair. Visitors can sample heirloom and traditional apples, enjoy cider, and make scented apple sachets. Old Sturbridge Village is one of the 8 best fall activities in Massachusetts, and the apple festival at Old Sturbridge is a highlight.
Minute Man National Historical Park
- Address : 250 N Great Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773, United States
- Tel : +1 978-369-6993
- Email : [email protected]
- Hours of Operation : Everyday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
To experience the history of the Revolutionary War, you should go to Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts. It’s located in the historic town of Concord, where the first deliberate skirmish in the war took place. Minute Man is managed by the National Park Service, and you can learn all about the battle at two visitor centers. During the summer, you can even participate in a living history program and hike along the Battle Road Trail.
The park is home to a replica of the famous tavern where colonial militiamen fired at British soldiers at the North Bridge. The militia members who lived in the area were obligated to train and keep muskets and firearms close at hand. This is how the militia earned the nickname of “Minute Men” and continues to impact the culture of the National Guard today.
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation
- Address : 198 Purgatory Rd, Sutton, MA 01590, United States
- Tel : +1 508-234-3733
- Email : [email protected]
- Hours of Operation : Everyday 6:30 am to 7:00 pm
If you love the outdoors and hiking, then one of the best fall activities in Massachusetts is a trip to the Purgatory Chasm State Recreation Area. This geological preserve in Sutton, Massachusetts, features a deep chasm filled with giant boulders. Hiking trails and rock climbing areas make this state park an ideal destination for all ages. During the fall, you can explore the area and learn about the area’s geology.
There are short hikes and rock-climbing opportunities at Purgatory Chasm, a quarter-mile-long gorge carved by glaciers 14,000 years ago. The area’s granite walls are full of crevices, ledges, and caves, and rock climbers will love exploring the intricate details. If you’re a family with kids, you can take advantage of the park’s playground and grilling area.
The craggy mountain in the park is a great place to spend some time hiking or bicycling. The park features miles of trails and sixteen ponds, and you can even try your hand at fishing or canoeing! There’s even a natural bridge here. In addition to hiking, cross-country skiing, and fishing are all popular activities at the Reservation.
Bridge of Flowers
- Address : 22 Water St, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, United States
- Tel : +1 508-378-1400
- Email : [email protected]
If you’re looking for a place to take your family for a day trip, consider taking in the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. It’s a free attraction open every day of the year from April to October. Although it may be a bit early for fall foliage in this part of Massachusetts, it’s still a wonderful sight to see. And if you’ve never visited, the Bridge of Flowers was first opened in 1907.
In addition to the Bridge of Flowers, you’ll want to check out the Glacial Potholes, a natural marble bridge formed by erosion. If you’re a fan of fall foliage, don’t miss the old Indian hiking trails, state parks, and arts and crafts attractions along the trail. In addition to visiting a few sites, you’ll want to check out the fall foliage villages in nearby towns.
Plimoth Patuxet Museums
- Address : 137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States
- Tel : +1 508-746-1622
- Email : [email protected]
- Hours of Operation : Everyday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
While many fall-themed attractions are available in Massachusetts, one of the most unique experiences is a visit to Plimoth Patuxet Museum, which was established in 1947 by a Boston stockbroker. The museum started as two English cottages and a fort on the Plymouth waterfront. It has since grown to include the Mayflower II, the Plimoth Grist Mill, and the Hornblower Visitor Center. During your visit, you can learn about the early days of Plymouth, which dates back to the early 1630s.
If you’re looking for a unique experience this fall, Plimoth Patuxet is the place for you. The museum recreates the lifestyle of the Wampanoag Native Americans of the time. You’ll see them fishing, harvesting wild foods, and working on their land. There’s even a wetu – a traditional house made of saplings – with three fire pits. You’ll have the opportunity to try out local foods cooked over an open fire and learn about the daily routines of the Wampanoag people of Massachusetts.
