Somewhere in Massachusetts, a man built the walls of his summer house out of newspaper, and the house is still standing. He even made furniture from rolled-up papers, including a grandfather clock.
I can’t stop thinking about that clock. Somewhere else in the state, you can stand on a glass bridge inside a giant stained-glass globe that still shows the world of 1935.
Those are the places that slip past people who drive the highway, see the big names, and head home thinking they covered it all. Meanwhile, a garden blooms on an old trolley bridge, and a church roof from the 1600s looks like the inside of a ship.
One thing I love about Massachusetts is how easily a simple afternoon drive can turn into discovering something worth remembering. Out of all these places, which one would you visit first?
1. The Paper House
Most people recycle their old newspapers, but Elis F. Stenman decided to live inside his.
Starting in 1922, he built the walls of his summer home out of glued and varnished newsprint.
Stenman was a mechanical engineer who designed machines that made paper clips. So yes, the man clearly had a thing for paper, and he took that hobby further than anyone you know.
The house does have a wooden frame and roof, so it isn’t paper from top to bottom. Still, the walls are made of layers of newspaper, and you can read bits of the old print today.
Then there’s the furniture, which might be the best part. Stenman rolled newspapers into tight logs and used them to build chairs, tables, lamps, and more.
A desk inside is made from papers covering Charles Lindbergh’s famous flight. There’s also a grandfather clock featuring state capitals, though Alaska and Hawaii are missing because they weren’t states yet.
The home even had electricity and running water. For a bathroom, though, it relies on an old-fashioned wooden outhouse, which feels right for a place this quirky.
By 1927, curious travelers were already stopping by for a look. The Stenman family still owns the house and runs it as a small museum.
Plan on a short, fun visit rather than a full day. Bring your reading glasses, because squinting at century-old headlines is half the fun.
The house sits on a quiet road in Rockport, a coastal Massachusetts town known for its harbor and art scene. Pair the stop with a stroll downtown, and you’ve got a pretty great afternoon.
It’s a great reminder that big ideas don’t need fancy materials. Sometimes they just need a lot of patience and a whole lot of glue.
Address: 52 Pigeon Hill Street, Rockport, MA 01966
2. The Mapparium
Few libraries let you walk straight through the planet. At the Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston, a 30-foot glass bridge carries you right across the inside of a three-story globe.
The Mapparium is made of 608 stained-glass panels. Light shines through them, so oceans and countries glow around you from floor to ceiling.
Now for the fun part: the map is frozen in 1935. That’s when the globe was built, using a Rand McNally political map from 1934.
You’ll notice old country names and borders that have long since changed, offering a fascinating glimpse into how the world once looked. It feels like a little history lesson captured in glass.
Next, try the sound. Because of the round shape, voices bounce in surprising ways, and standing at the center gives you full 360-degree surround sound.
Speak quietly and listen to your own voice come right back. It’s strange, a bit spooky, and totally worth trying at least once.
The globe was renovated and reopened in 2002 with new lighting. Today, a light-and-sound show uses 206 LED fixtures to show how the world has changed since 1935.
That show adds a lot of meaning to the visit. You see the old borders, then think about how much has shifted in less than a hundred years.
Kids and grown-ups alike can hunt for their home countries, or the places their families came from. Just remember that some borders look very different now.
The library sits on Massachusetts Avenue near Symphony Hall and the Christian Science Plaza. The plaza’s long reflecting pool makes a nice spot to stretch your legs afterward.
Boston has plenty of famous stops, like old ships and ballparks. This one is quieter and smaller, yet it might be the most memorable room in the city.
Address: 210 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
3. Bridge of Flowers
Trolleys used to rattle across this bridge, and now it carries flower beds instead. The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls is a 400-foot walkway covered in gardens.
The old trolley bridge connects the towns of Shelburne and Buckland over the Deerfield River. In 1929, the Shelburne Women’s Club began turning it into a garden instead of letting it go to waste.
Blooms show up from early spring through late fall. That means the view keeps changing depending on when you visit.
The bridge recently went through a big restoration. It reopened on July 11, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony following in August.
Workers added new railings, better lighting, a refreshed pathway, and a water line for the plants. That last part matters, because thirsty flowers don’t put on much of a show.
The bridge opened for the 2026 season on April 1. Since the work is fairly new, the gardens are still filling back in, so think of your visit as a front-row seat to a comeback.
The bridge is also accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or strollers, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the experience. Take your time, pause often, and enjoy the river below.
The gardens are cared for by volunteers and supporters. Leaving a donation is a nice way to help keep the flowers coming.
While you’re in town, walk down to the glacial potholes near the river. These round holes were carved into the rock by swirling water and stones over thousands of years.
Shelburne Falls is a small village in western Massachusetts, so it makes a relaxing day trip. Pack a snack, slow down, and give yourself time to wander.
Spring and summer visits each bring something different. Coming back in another season is pretty tempting.
Address: 22 Water Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
4. Fruitlands Museum
Back in 1843, a group of dreamers tried to build a perfect community on a Massachusetts hillside. It lasted about seven months, but the place they left behind is still worth a trip.
That group was led by Bronson Alcott, father of Little Women author Louisa May Alcott. Young Louisa lived at Fruitlands with her family during that short experiment.
Today, the 210-acre property is a museum with five collections. Clara Endicott Sears opened it in 1914, and she clearly had big interests.
The original farmhouse is a National Historic Landmark. Standing inside, you can think about how bold that little community must have seemed.
Nearby, the Shaker Museum holds a special title. It was the first Shaker museum in the nation.
The Native American Museum shares the heritage of Indigenous peoples. Its updated exhibition is presented from a Native-centered perspective, which gives visitors a fuller story.
Art fans get their turn too. The Art Museum features Hudson River School landscapes and 19th-century portraits painted by everyday artists of the time.
The museum reopened for 2025 with new exhibits, including one marking 250 years of the Shakers in America. The Wayside Visitor Center adds even more space for classes and exhibits.
Don’t skip the outdoors. Trails wind across the property, and the hillside setting makes a lovely spot for a slow walk.
Bring water and comfortable shoes if you plan to explore beyond the buildings. A snack in the car for the ride home wouldn’t hurt either.
Fruitlands is in the town of Harvard, a quiet country town that isn’t the famous university. Now you won’t mix them up when you plug it into your map.
Address: 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard, MA 01451
5. Historic Deerfield
A whole street of old houses in Deerfield has been saved like pages in a scrapbook. The village of Old Deerfield is a National Historic Landmark District, and Historic Deerfield helps keep its stories alive.
The museum focuses on Deerfield and the wider Connecticut River Valley. It’s history you can stroll through instead of just reading about.
There are eleven historic house museums to explore. Many are seen on guided tours, while two let you wander on your own.
Guided tours are great if you like hearing the backstory. Self-guided houses are perfect if you prefer to linger over small details at your own speed.
The Flynt Center of Early New England Life is the modern museum on site. It hosts rotating exhibits on history, heritage crafts, and decorative arts.
Recent shows have included engraved powder horns from the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Another, called Into the Woods, looks at how early American furniture was made.
Powder horns may sound like a snooze, but soldiers carved them with maps, names, and designs. They’re like tiny carved diaries you could wear on your shoulder.
Historic Deerfield also tells harder stories. Witness Stones honor enslaved people who lived in the town, reminding visitors that history includes many voices.
Other programs explore women in the Arts and Crafts community of the late 1800s. Those women were busy making beautiful handmade work right here.
The village sits in western Massachusetts, surrounded by farmland and hills. Fall is an especially pretty time for a visit, but any season works.
Give yourself at least half a day here. Between the houses and the exhibits, an hour goes by fast.
Address: 80 Old Main Street, Deerfield, MA 01342
6. Old Sturbridge Village
Time travel is real, sort of, at Old Sturbridge Village. It’s the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, and it drops you right into the 1830s.
The village recreates a rural New England town from that era. It spreads across more than 200 acres, so wear shoes made for walking.
You’ll find more than 40 original buildings here. They include homes, a meetinghouse, a district school, a country store, and a bank.
The meetinghouse and school are fun to compare with today. Sitting on a hard bench for lessons sounds rough by modern standards.
Costumed historians bring the place to life. You can watch blacksmiths, potters, cabinetmakers, and printers working at their trades.
Ask questions, because that’s half the fun. Learning how people made tools and printed pages by hand makes modern life feel pretty easy.
The village also has a working farm with heritage breed animals. Kids who think food comes from the grocery store may get a fun surprise.
Three water-powered mills show how people used rivers to get work done. The machinery is simple, but learning how it works is surprisingly satisfying.
Garden lovers, take note. The grounds have more than 400 heirloom plants growing in historic gardens.
The village is generally open Wednesday through Sunday during the day. Special events like Phantoms by Firelight and Christmas by Candlelight run at certain times of year and need separate tickets.
Old Sturbridge Village sits in central Massachusetts, close to major highways. That makes it an easy stop, yet it’s easy to zoom past the exit without realizing what’s down the road.
Plan for a full day if you can. Chat with the historians as you go, and the 1830s start to feel close.
Address: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566
7. Brattle Book Shop
Books have been changing hands at Brattle Book Shop since 1825. That makes it one of America’s oldest used bookstores, and one of the largest too.
The Gloss family has run the shop since 1949. Ken Gloss, the current owner, may look familiar if you watch Antiques Roadshow, where he has appeared as an appraiser.
The shop fills three floors of a building in downtown Boston. The top floor is saved for rare and antiquarian books, the kind you handle gently.
Rare book shopping might sound fancy, but you don’t need to be a collector to enjoy that floor. Looking at old bindings and early editions is fun all by itself.
Lower floors hold used books on a huge range of subjects. It’s the kind of place where you come in for one book and leave with a stack.
Then there’s the outdoor lot. On nice days, shelves of books line the alley next door, and browsing in the open air is a joy.
It’s a bookworm’s version of a treasure hunt. The next spine could be a classic, an odd old guide, or something you didn’t know you needed.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays are off, so plan your book binge for another day.
Brattle is close to Boston Common and Downtown Crossing. That makes it an easy add-on after a walk through the city’s busiest spots.
Bring a sturdy bag if you think you’ll shop. Old books get heavy fast, especially once that stack starts growing.
Massachusetts has a long love affair with reading and writing. This shop feels like a living piece of that story.
Address: 9 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
8. Wusong Road
Palm trees in Harvard Square sound like a joke, yet Wusong Road pulls it off. The restaurant brings a full tropical tiki look to a neighborhood better known for brick buildings and college students.
Inside, you’ll find lush plants, tall palm trees, bamboo, and island art. It feels like a vacation snuck into Cambridge when nobody was looking.
The theme doesn’t stop at the door. An outdoor seating area carries the tropical style outside, which is a treat on a nice day.
Food here leans bold and Asian-inspired. The menu focuses on small plates, which are made for sharing around the table.
Small plates are a smart move with a group. Your crew can try a little of several things, and nobody gets stuck with order envy.
Keep an eye out for the fun tiki mugs too. They’re part of the show and add to the playful island feel.
Harvard Square is packed with famous sights, bookstores, and historic streets. It’s easy to stick to the usual tour and never notice a tropical escape nearby.
So after a day of wandering around campus, this makes a fun change of scenery. You go from old New England to palm trees in just a few steps.
It’s also a solid pick for a birthday or a night out with friends. The decor alone gives your table something to talk about.
Checking reservation options before a weekend visit is an easy way to skip the guesswork. That way, you can focus on the food and the palm trees.
Massachusetts winters can be long and gray. A meal surrounded by tropical plants might be the easiest beach trip you’ll take all year.
Address: 112 Mt Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
9. Reliable Market
Union Square has had Reliable Market around since 1980, and it has only gotten more interesting with time. Today, this Somerville spot is part grocery store and part Korean kitchen.
Ongu Cho, a Korean immigrant, has owned the market since 2012. He and his family revamped it to highlight Korean traditions.
The shelves focus on Korean and Japanese products. You’ll find fresh produce, packaged foods, international drinks, and an eclectic mix of spices.
That makes it a fun place to explore even if you’re not sure what to buy. Grab something new for your pantry, like a sauce or snack you’ve never tried.
The biggest surprise might be the food made in-house. The market cooks Korean meals you can eat there or take home.
Popular dishes include kimchi jjigae, a hearty kimchi stew, along with bulgogi and bibimbap. Bulgogi is thinly sliced marinated beef, and bibimbap is a rice bowl topped with vegetables and more.
There are also banchan, the traditional Korean side dishes. Banchan is a great way to try several flavors in one go.
New to Korean food? This is a friendly place to start, since you can sample a meal and then pick up ingredients on your way out.
Take-out is handy if you want a picnic or an easy dinner at home. Just be ready to come back for another round.
Union Square is full of shops and restaurants. Still, a market cooking homestyle Korean dishes is easy to overlook.
Massachusetts has plenty of famous food stops. This one stands out because it feels like a family business sharing its culture, one bowl at a time.
Address: 45 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
10. Old Ship Church
Look up inside this meetinghouse, and you might feel like you’re standing in the hull of an upside-down boat. Its open timber hammerbeam roof reminded early worshippers of a ship’s wooden ribs.
Built in 1681, this Hingham landmark is the only surviving 17th-century Puritan meetinghouse in the United States. It’s also known as the Old Ship Meetinghouse.
The congregation, First Parish in Hingham, was gathered back in 1635. That’s a long run for any community.
Some of the church’s furnishings, like its christening bowl, go back to its early days. These objects connect today’s visitors with families from centuries ago.
Now for a fun detail: a small wooden hourglass sits near the pulpit. It was traditionally used to keep sermons from running too long, which might make it the most relatable item in the building.
The congregation also has a charming custom. During the final hymn, members turn to face the back of the church, a tradition that started in 1855.
Puritan buildings were meant to be simple, and the meetinghouse keeps that spirit. The beauty is in its plain shape and its centuries of history.
Next door is the Hingham Cemetery, the oldest burial ground in town. Its old stones add even more history to a stroll around the grounds.
Hingham sits on the South Shore of Massachusetts, a short drive from Boston. It’s easy to skip on the way to Cape Cod, which makes this stop feel like a bonus.
Check visiting options before you go, since this is still an active church. A respectful visit lets you enjoy one of the oldest buildings of its kind in the country.
Architecture fans will want a camera ready for that ceiling. Even if you’re not into old buildings, a roof shaped like a ship is hard to forget.
Address: 90 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043
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