Best National Parks Near Boston
Adams National Historical Park
135 Adams St.
Quincy, MA 02169
www.nps.gov/adams
The Adams National Historical Park is located on Hancock Street near Quincy Center Station, and it's a great national park to visit for Quincy residents and Bostonians alike, as this area park retains plenty of beauty year round - from the snow-capped winter months to the dog days of summer. Trolley tours take visitors to the childhood homes of local historical legends John Adams and John Quincy Adams, while walking paths ensure that a warm stroll will also bring plenty of pleasure to nature lovers.
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174 Liberty St.
Concord, MA 01742
www.nps.gov/mima
History buffs are greatly advised to visit the Minute Man National Historical Park, located on North Great Road in Lincoln, Mass, where battle history and local history meet in a fun and informative visit. Hiking and trail walks are a common sight here at Minute Man National Historical Park, while the museum grounds make learning a fun experience for visiting families. Afterwards, there's a local Hartwell Tavern only a short drive away for an after-visit drink or bite to eat, making a visit here to Minute Man a great day trip idea.
Blackstone River & Canal State Park
287 Oak St.
Uxbridge, MA 01569
www.mass.gov/blackstone-river-and-canal-heritage-state-park.html
Stretching all the way from Rhode Island to Worcester, the Blackstone River is tailor made for hikers, bike enthusiasts and power walkers alike. It's a natural treasure that serves countless nature lovers across multiple states and neighborhoods. The Canal State Park in Uxbridge follows a similar suit for all kinds of exercise, seeing visitors from dog walkers, bicyclists and runners, all congregating to enjoy the natural beauty of the Blackstone River.
67 Kirk St.
Lowell, MA 01852
www.nps.gov/lowe/planyourvisit
Trolleys, boat tours and old mill tours are all part of a fun visit to the Lowell National Historical Park, a beloved local national park that is a great meeting point for both hometown visitors and tourists alike. Visitors will receive plenty of knowledge about how power was reigned into the city in years passed, while the affordability of a visit here makes Lowell National Historical Park an inexpensive day trip for students and families.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
33 William St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
www.nps.gov/nebe
Located about an hour drive south of Boston, a trip to the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is nevertheless a day journey worth the drive, especially if any remote interest exists in New England's fantastic whaling history. New Bedford served as the basis for Herman Melville's quintessential American novel "Moby Dick," and the city knows this fully and celebrates it in the Whaling Museum and Seaman's Bethel landmarks, both filled to the brim with relics and historical documents from the city's whaling history. There's tons to learn and see here for generations of all ages, making this one trip history buffs should make at least once.
George Pacheco has been writing professionally about arts and entertainment for over a decade. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, George currently resides in a humble New England home with his wife, cat and massive music and film collection. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
