There’s a couple of boundaries in Massachusetts. One is warm waters south of Cape Cod and at some point around Boston the clams used to make your fried clam dinners and chowders changes from quahog clams to steamer clams.
The Massachusetts shoreline is one of the most iconic and varied in New England—spanning sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, windswept dunes, bustling port towns, and peaceful tidal marshes. From the tip of Cape Cod to the rugged North Shore, it’s a coastal buffet for beachgoers, surfers, history buffs, and seafood lovers alike.
The Massachusetts Vibe
- Waters: Much colder waters on the north ocean facing beaches from Cape Cod north. Temperatures in early July can be in the mid to high 50’s. South facing beaches can be quite warm. This is why the Summer of 100 Beaches starts and end the season in the Connecticut and Rhode Island areas.
- The North Shore – Historic & Rugged Beauty: Includes the towns of Gloucester, Rockport, Salem, Marblehead, and Newburyport. Rocky coastlines, old fishing villages, and salty maritime charm.
- Greater Boston Coastline – Urban Meets Ocean: Includes towns of Boston, Quincy, Hull, and Winthrop. Enoy city beaches with skyline views and historic roots.
- The South Shore – Family-Friendly & Coastal Cozy: Includes towns of Cohasset, Scituate, Duxbury, Marshfield, and Plymouth. More low-key than Cape Cod, with sandy beaches and tight-knit communities.
- Cape Cod – Iconic Coastal New England: Quintessential beach vacation. Shingled cottages, dunes, lighthouses, salt marshes. A rare place on the east coast where you can see the sun rise out of the ocean in the morning and set into the ocean in the evening. Divided into Upper Cape, Mid Cape, Lower Cape, and Outer Cape. The Outer Cape has some of the best bike riding anywhere.
- The Islands – Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket: Upscale and annoying. Crowded, traffic jams at the end of the beach day, expensive, lines to get into restaurants. Almost totally alcohol free with only 2 towns allowing it’s sale. However…if you enjoy an “up island” experience or go off season you avoid all that and it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
- Towns: Full of New England charm, many with historic downtowns, seafood shacks, marinas, and boardwalks.
Food
This is the heart of seafood country. Fish Pier in Boston was home to the New England Fish Exchange. An open market for seafood where the boats would radio in their catch, it would be posted on a very large chalkboard, and buyers would bid on it. That still happens but it is all electronic now. Fish pier is still home to some good fish companies.
Massachusetts takes it’s chowder seriously. Each restaurant has their own take on how to prepare it. There’s a competition once a year for the coveted title of “Best Chowder of Boston”.
Experience diverse beach styles: from urban boardwalks to remote dune walks.
Massachusetts is rich in maritime history and classic New England character. Those who “go down to the sea in ships” are held in high regard for there sea faring skills.
Fresh seafood—lobster rolls, steamers, fried clams, and chowder everywhere. Add to that the classic beach food of hot dogs, ice cream, pizza, fried dough, and more food that isn’t so good for you but makes sense at the beach.
Lobster rolls seem to be all the rage but I can’t recommend any. I prefer the lobster. You boil some water, throw in the lobster, put it on a hot dog roll, and then add either melted butter or mayo. There’s no cooking in that. Unlike chowder you’ll never hear of a lobster roll competition.