MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Welcome to Gay and Lesbian Massachusetts

Massachusetts: Escape to a place that knows what freedom’s all about. Massachusetts: From the first state to legalize same sex marriage, to the largest Gay/Lesbian summer vacation community in the United States, Provincetown, Massachusetts has many great experiences to offer. Massachusetts is an embracing, open, and welcoming environment for the GLBT community. For college students to professionals, Massachusetts is filled with wonderful things to do and see. The links we have given, will give you a good start in planning your trip if you’re coming just for the weekend or planning a longer stay, we have what you need to make your stay fun and enjoyable.

Different places offer different experiences and opportunities to enjoy Massachusetts first hand. Try one, two or as many as your travel plans will allow, we are certain that whatever you choose to do you will not only meet, but exceed your expectations. It’s a destination that will give you the experience of a lifetime

In & Out of Boston

Boston the capital city offers activities for everyone. From amazing restaurants and bars in the trendy South End and SOWA sections of town to historical walks and tours of a city steeped in history, to events, entertainment and nightlife. There’s gay pride week, the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival, July 4th on the Esplanade, Duck Tours, Old Town Trolley Tours, Boston harbor cruises, shopping, and a vibrant nightlife. Of course, there are so many other places for you to explore beyond Boston and a trip to Massachusetts wouldn’t be complete without a ride out west to Northampton, MA and the Berkshires where there are beautiful inns, mountains and lakes for you to relax and enjoy in any season. Worcester Pride Festival, Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau will give you up to date events in the area. Farther west, Springfield has restaurants, bars, nightlife, culture and entertainment, Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. You might even want to take a drive along the scenic Mohawk Trail or go South to Plimouth Plantation and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Fall River/New Bedford has restaurants, beaches, and nightlife. North of Boston you will love historic Newburyport with its beaches, nightlife, and entertainment.

Unique Events

Check out Edge Boston as well as FunMaps to keep up to date on what’s going on in and around Boston and the rest of the Commonwealth.

Boston Gay Pride runs through the first week in June, and exciting events, parties, book signings, food tastings, art exhibitions, and more culminating in the annual Boston Gay Pride parade that draws over 35,000 participants and more than 100,000 spectators. Not to be missed, Boston Pride.

Provincetown Harbor Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla – Sept 5, 2008: Join the hundreds of swimmers, friends and paddlers from across the United States who consider Provincetown, Massachusetts their spiritual home, and return to participate in the annual Swim for Life Community Festival. Come share with us the special relationships we have established and the community we have created through the rejuvenating waters of Provincetown Harbor. This 20th annual event includes the Celebration of Life Concert, the Mermaid Brunch, and other activities. Last year's Swim raised over $160,000 for local AIDS, Women's Health & Youth organizations from over 300 swimmers and paddlers.

Also not to be missed are the annual Boston Gay and Lesbian Film/Video Festival, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, GLAAD, and the Provincetown International Film Festival. For those traveling to Provincetown, don't forget Arts Dunes Tours.

Theater and Music

Theatre Offensive
Speak Easy Stage Company
Boston Opera House
Boston Symphony
The Hanover Theatre Worcester box office
The Merrimack Reparatory Theatre, situated in the lovely and historic Merrimac Valley

Go Sightseeing

Boston - this friendly city’s upbeat environment has a small town feel that makes Boston a charming place to visit where you can take in its history, culture and people. Steeped in American History, Boston’s walking tours, trolley tours and Duck tours offer a great way to see the city. If exercise is your thing, you can rent a bike, see Boston by foot or rent a sailboat or a kayak and explore Boston from the Charles River. From the shores of the Boston Harbor, there are many opportunities to take a boat or river cruise in the spring and summer months. Winter offers its own wonderland with skating in the public garden and a stroll to the South End to grab some great food and warm hospitality. Get the Go Boston Card! Also highly recommended is the Boston CityPass, which for $44 gains you admission to six of Boston’s most-visited attractions and landmarks at a 50% savings, along with no waiting in lines, and other special offers and discounts. Order your CityPass now.

Museums in the Boston Area, are plentiful and range from the classic Museum of Fine Arts to Boston’s Museum of Science to the new cutting edge Institute of Contemporary Art. Museums not to be missed include the JFK Library and Museum, the New England Aquarium, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (famous for the theft of a painting, the Harvard Museum of Natural History with the world renowned Glass Flower Exhibit, the Boston Children’s Museum and the USS Constitution Museum. The Museum of African American History which you will find on Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, one of the oldest public parks in the country and an introduction to Colonial Revolutionary history.

Outside Boston, don’t miss the Worcester Art Museum, The Fuller Craft Museum and the Whaling Museum in New Bedford. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Mass Moca and the Peabody Essex Museum in lovely Salem.

Go Dining

Massachusetts is a melting pot of many different cultures with diversity in cuisine and vibe. From Provincetown to Stockbridge you will find seaside restaurants to fine country inns and eclectic and exciting foods in the cities in between. Known for its seafood, Boston and Cape Cod offer fish chowder to die for and the tender and tasty lobsters that are plentiful year round. Fashionable and trendy restaurants pepper the streets of the Capital city while great food can be found in the outlying suburban towns. Check out the Boston Restaurant Guide. Or visit the Massachusetts Restaurant Association for a complete list throughout the Commonwealth.

Contact Information

For Conventions, Conferences, Meeting and Incentives go to:
www.massvacation.com.
Ph: (617) 973-8568, E-mail: Ken.Brissette@state.ma.us

For general information: visit www.massvacation.com Email: Ken.brissette@state.ma.us

Press Inquiries: please contact Lisa Simmons (617) 973-8508. E-mail Lisa.Simmons@state.ma.us.

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