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Massachusetts is more than the Red Sox, the Freedom Trail, or Plimoth Plantation. Its culture has many levels, and visitors to the Bay State can journey beyond the historic sites of Boston to the oldest seaport in America, where the fishing industry is still a staple of Gloucester's economy. They can explore the funky arts of Cambridge, or travel across the state and take in the theater and concerts of North Adams. There are historic homes and mansions scattered throughout the state, such as those of Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson. There is the Kennedy Library in Boston, and the sand dunes of Provincetown. And of course, there is the Massachusetts culture - the arts, food, and shopping - all worth a sample.

Old "Bean Town" is New England's hub of business, culture, dining, and nightlife. It marked its place in the nation's early history when the Pilgrims' settlement grew into the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritan ideals lingered decades longer, giving birth to phrase, "Banned in Boston." Today, the Freedom Trail marks spot significant in Boston's early history, including the Bunker Hill monument, the Old Granary Burial Ground, and the Old North Church.

The city known for its individualism, liberalism, and creative expression is right across the river from Boston. Centuries ago, Gen. George Washington took control of the colonial troops on Cambridge Common and and made his headquarters nearby while plotting the fight against the British. Today the spicy foods, nightlife, arts, and many ethnic fairs and festivals are prime attractions. Harvard Square and the city's many other neighborhoods, all filled with small shops and eateries, each retain their unique personalities. Harvard University and MIT, both based in Cambridge, heavily influence the city's culture and business climate, as is evident by the many bookstores and tech startups in the area.

Every May, Cape Cod wakes up after a winter slumber. Thousands of padlocked restaurants and shops are opened and aired out for a busy summer season. Visitors come for the beaches, lighthouses, lobster, shopping, and arts. Two main routes run through the Cape. 6A, called Old King's Highway traces the northern coastline and is packed with gift and artist shops and traditional New England-style bed & breakfasts and inns. Route 28, further south, connects to the beaches overlooking Nantucket Sound. The waves are bigger along the southern coast, and the Hyannis area is where many of the Cape's nightclubs are located. Also along the southern coast, the Cape Cod National Seashore, a 90-mile federally protected stretch of coastal land, trails, and beaches, runs from Chatham to Provincetown through quieter towns.

Salem's witches, rocky coastlines, whale watches, seafood, historic sites, and art colonies are some of what comes to mind when thinking about the North Shore. The area about 40 miles north of Boston was once Salem Village, but is now a mix of working-class and suburban neighborhoods, fishing towns, and mansions that serve as summer vacation resorts for the wealthy. It is the home of Rocky Neck Art Colony, the first working artists colony in America, and Gloucester, America's first seaport.

The region sandwiched between the Cape and Boston has a mix of cultures. It has lighthouses, beaches, business centers, and a close proximity to Boston's nightlife and arts. It is where the Pilgrims settled centuries ago, and today Plymouth Rock, Plimoth Plantation, and the Mayflower stand as memorial to the nation's past and serve as an educational tool for children and adults alike. The beach towns near Cape Cod are also summer vacation spots for many families.

The towns of Central MA, which was the birthplace of John Chapman - known better as Johnny Appleseed - are still favorites for spending a fall afternoon apple picking. With its small antique and country stores, fresh fruit stands, and abundance of trees and farmland, the area also is a good location for foliage drives or hayrides. Worcester, the state's second largest city, sits in the center of this area, and the Old Sturbridge Village offers a glimpse into a way of life long past for most.

The Berkshire mountains, arts, and small-town life make Western Massachusetts a desirable vacation spot. Attractions include the Norman Rockwell Museum, the small town of Shelburne Falls with its "Bridge of Flowers," and the historic Mohawk Trail. The area is also a center for arts, with Mass MoCA and the Tanglewood with the Boston Pops big attractions.