The arrival of the earliest pioneers near Salem in 1630 was the shaping of Massachusetts as a state. Puritans arriving from an England threatened with civil war came to set up a new colony, intended to be an example to the world of a perfect human society with rigid Protestant discipline and a devout way of life. This was the beginning of New England and today it is made up of six states including Massachusetts.

Boston has been the hub of the state since colonial times. The state capital is full of history that can be traced back through walking attractions like the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail. Boston also boasts a wealth of culture thanks to the prestigious presence of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. To the east lie the beaches of the Cape Cod Peninsula as well as the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket that together form the region's most popular holiday destination, with historic towns and plenty of walking and cycling opportunities. Inland Massachusetts is much quieter with settlements having formed around the fertile river valleys and in the Berkshire Hills to the west. Development of the Berkshires began with the construction of the railway from New York and Boston and it became a favourite summer retreat for wealthy city folk as well as attracting artists and writers. The region is now most famous for its vibrant summer music, dance and theatre festivals, particularly the Boston Symphony Orchestra that has its home in the huge Tanglewood Estate in Lenox.

Freedom Trail

Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common

Admission: Most sites are free except for the Old South Meeting House, Old State House and Paul Revere House that charge a $3 or $5 entrance fee Most sites along the trail are open daily from 9am to 5pm (10am to 4pm in winter)

Telephone: (617) 357 8300

Black Heritage Trail

Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common or at the Museum of Afro-American History at 46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill

Admission: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm; guided tours by appointment year round and 10am, 12pm, and 2pm (July and August)

Telephone: (617) 725 0022 (Museum of Afro-American History), or (617) 742 5415 (guided tours)

Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum

Address: Congress Street Bridge

Admission: The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is temporarily closed. The museum is currently undergoing full renovation with plans for reopening summer 2011.

Telephone: (617) 269 7150

Cambridge

Harvard University

Address: Harvard University Events and Information Center, Holyoke Center, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Admission: There are free student-led campus tours available. Museum tickets vary, see website for details. The Information Center is open from Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Art museums: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Museum of Natural History: daily 9am to 5pm

Telephone: (617) 495 1000

Boston Public Garden

Address: Charles Street

Telephone: (617) 723 8144

Martha's Vineyard

Nantucket

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Address: 4 South Market Building

Admission: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from 12pm to 6pm

Telephone: (617) 523 1300

Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 465 Huntington Avenue

Admission: $17 (adults), $6.50 (children). Concessions available Daily from 10am to 4.45 pm. Open till 9.45pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Telephone: (617) 267 9300

Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory

Admission: $12 (adults); $8 (children). Concessions available Winter Hours: 10am – 8pm (1 November - 28 February). Summer Hours: 10am – 10pm (1 March – 31 October)

Telephone: (617) 859 0648

Shear Madness

Address: Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St

Admission: $42 Tuesday – Friday at 8pm; Saturday 6pm 9pm; Sunday 3pm and 7pm

Puppet Showplace Theater

Address: 32 Station Street, Brookline

Admission: $10 depending on the show Shows run from 10.30am to 3pm daily

Telephone: (617) 731 6400

Codzilla

Admission: $25 (adults); $21 (children 4 – 12 years). Concessions available Open daily from 10 – 4pm

Telephone: (617) 227 4321

New England Aquarium

Address: 1 Central Wharf

Admission: $20.95 (adults); 12.95 (children); Concessions available Open Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm, weekends 9am - 6pm (8 September to 30 June); Sunday to Thursday from 9am - 6pm, Friday and Saturday 9am – 7pm. (1 July to 7 September).

Telephone: (617) 522 1966

Pomodoro

Address: 319 Hanover Street

Food Type: Italian

The Capital Grille

Address: 359 Newbury Street

Food Type: American

Max and Dylans

Address: 15 west street, Downtown

Food Type: American

Hamersley's Bistro

Address: 553 Tremont Street

Food Type: International

Pho 'n Rice

Address: 289 Beacon Street, Somerville

Food Type: Asian

China Pearl

Address: 9 Tyler Street, Chinatown

Food Type: Chinese

Durgin Park

Address: 340 Faneuil Hall Market Place

Food Type: American

Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon

Address: 54 Newmarket Sq. Roxebury

Food Type: American

Barking Crab

Address: Fort Point Landing, 88 Sleeper Street

Food Type: Fish

Silvertone Bar and Grill

Address: 69 Bromfield Street

Food Type: American