I love the beach. I love traveling to the Caribbean and the Southern United States for vacation. However, in the summer, my home state of Massachusetts is a fantastic destination for beach vacations. There are so many beautiful Massachusetts beach towns, featuring wonderful beaches, delicious restaurants, and fun shops for families – here are some of the best places to visit in the summer months.
Martha’s Vineyard
This seven-mile island features six different towns. Three (Aquinnah, West Tisbury, and Chilmark) are slower-paced and fairly rural, while the other three (Edgartown, Tisbury, and Oak Bluffs) are more popular vacation towns.
Provincetown
Located on the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is an eclectic, lively town with lots to offer. This popular destination is one of the most beautiful coastal towns on Cape Cod.
In addition to beaches, you’ll also find shops, restaurants, and museums, including the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. Some of the best beaches in Massachusetts can be found in Provincetown. See things to do in Provincetown here.
Falmouth
Falmouth MA is just one of the many Massachusetts beach towns located on Cape Cod. It offers one of my favorite beautiful MA beaches – Old Silver Beach in addition to other beaches, like Wood Neck Beach, Falmouth Heights Beach, and Chapoquoit Beach. There are also some small islands, like Washburn Island. See things to do in Falmouth here.
Yarmouth
Another great spot for spectacular beaches is Yarmouth, which includes South Yarmouth, Yarmouth Port, and West Yarmouth. There are lots of beaches in Yarmouth – our favorites are Smuggler’s Beach and Seagull Beach along Nantucket Sound, as well as Gray’s Beach on the north side offering a boardwalk and calmer waters.
Nantucket
Located off the coast of Cape Cod, and adjacent to Martha’s Vineyard, the smaller island of Nantucket is both an island and a town. Like Martha’s Vineyard, you’ll need to take a plane or a ferry to access it. As a small island, parking can be a bit difficult in Nantucket. As a result, I’d recommend leaving your car on the mainland and staying in town.
Boston Harbor Islands
The Boston Harbor Islands are a bit of a hidden gem in Boston. This collection of islands is right in the harbor and is an easy ferry ride from Boston. It’s a state park, and you’ll want to do some research before deciding which one(s) to visit for the day. This collection of islands is strictly for day visits only (except in some cases, where camping may be allowed). On the islands, you’ll find hiking trails, forts to explore, beaches, children’s nature programming, and scenic views of the city.
Duxbury
Duxbury MA is located on Cape Cod Bay but isn’t a Cape Cod town. It’s home to Duxbury Beach, a gorgeous beach that isn’t too far of a ride from Boston. You could even visit as a day trip from a longer Boston vacation. There aren’t many hotels right in Duxbury, but it’s pretty close to Plymouth (home to Plimoth Patuxet) and Kingston. Popular hotels include the following:
Chatham
Chatham is another gorgeous Cape Cod town. Located on the “elbow” of the Cape, Chatham is a popular summer vacation destination for families. It’s one of the best towns in Massachusetts. One of the most popular attractions in Chatham is the Chatham Lighthouse and the fish pier. There are also beaches, as well as shops and restaurants.
Gloucester
Gloucester Massachusetts is famous for its fishing, but it also boasts several popular, beautiful beaches. It’s located on Cape Ann, north of Boston. If you are visiting the Boston area, or are from the area, the Gloucester beaches can be a great day trip option. See more info about Massachusetts Beach Towns here.