Cape Cod

May Events in Massachusetts

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With the weather absolutely wonderful right now, it’s time to go outside and enjoy all that Massachusetts has to offer! From the beautiful beaches to the stunning Berkshires, there are so many ways to explore this amazing state! Here are a few of our favorite activities happening this month.

Cape Cod Restaurant Week
May 11th – May 17th
Across Cape Cod

What could be better way to start off the warm weather than Cape Cod restaurant week?! For 7 days, the best restaurants from Falmouth to Provincetown will offer three- and four-course exhibition menus for $25, $30 or $35. Enjoy the beautiful beaches during the day, then prepare for spectacular meals at night from everything from the freshest raw bars, to perfectly cooked steaks, to unique one of a kind dishes! As culinary artists debut their fabulous new dishes, you will be some of the first to try them! Make the most out of your Cape Cod trip and stay overnight at one of the beautiful Inns across the Cape.

Fort Point Spring Open Studios
May 15th- May 17th
Various locations around Fort Point Channel

Explore the historic waterfront warehouses that are home to painters, sculptures, photographers, jewelers and so much more! These amazing artists will showcase their work at 14 buildings around the Fort Point neighborhood. From established artists to emerging talents, you’ll be able to buy beautiful art from the people who make it. Walk from gallery to gallery, explore the pop-up venues and enjoy wonderful performance events all weekend long!

Revere Beach Kite Festival
May 17th
Revere Beach

Celebrate spring and the beautiful weather at America’s oldest public beach! Revere Beach will host their annual Kite Festival across their two-mile long stretch of sun, sand and ocean. The first 300 kids under 12 years old will receive their very own kite to fly. Everyone else is encouraged to bring his or her own kite and join in the festivities! After some fun in the sun, enjoy fabulous fried clams, delicious lobster rolls and other Massachusetts’ favorites at all the local restaurants!

Crab Apple Whitewater Rafting
All Month long
Charlemont

Explore the gorgeous Berkshires of western Mass in an exciting and adventurous way. Grab your friends and family and whitewater raft your way down the Deerfield River! All sections of the river are dam controlled to guaranteed a great ride every time. For those who have experienced the awesome fun of whitewater rafting, try one of their intermediate or advanced trips. For those of you new to fun, the amazing staff will guide you down the easy path. No matter how you do it, this will surely be an adventure to remember!

May Events

October Events In Massachusetts

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topsfield

Looking for plans this month?  We’ve got you covered!  There are plenty of fun events going on across Massachusetts this October, so if you need to blow off some steam after the work week, these events are the perfect way to do that!  Grab the family, your friends, and head to out enjoy all the Bay State has to offer!

Topsfield Fair – This event has already started, but not to worry, there’s still plenty of time to make your way to Topsfield and enjoy the fair!  It will run until October 13th and is guaranteed to be fun for the whole family!  This is the oldest agricultural fair in America, it has run since 1818 and since it’s beginnings it has grown into a New England tradition.  There will be live music from artists such as Kellie Pickler, Danielle Bradbery, as well as local artists.  Visitors can also enjoy monster truck shows, arts and crafts, rides, pumpkin weigh-offs, horse pulling, and so much more.  Oh, and did we forget to mention the delicious fair food that will be there?  Ticket prices vary depending on what day you attend but children under 8 with an adult are always free!

Wellfleet OysterFest – This event is perfect for all ages, and the fall is a great time to visit Cape Cod!  Spectators can take in the exciting shucking contest, live music from local bands, arts and crafts, a road race, interesting lectures, delicious food, and much more!  Learn about the history of the town’s shellfishing industry, try some tasty seafood, and enjoy the beautiful sights of the Cape!  The festival will be October 18th and 19th, from 10AM – 5 PM, tickets are available to purchase at the event with cash only, and cost $5 for a one day ticket, or $8 for a two day ticket.

5th Annual New England BBQFest – If you’re a fan of BBQ, (and lets face it, who isn’t?) then you won’t want to miss this event at Wachusett Mountain!  Some of the best BBQ vendors from the area will be on hand so there will be plenty of food to try.  In addition to the classic BBQ food items on hand, there will also be oysters on the half shell, claim chowder, chili, shrimp, an oyster shucking competition, a pig roast, and a beer tent!  Guests will also enjoy the Punkin Chunkin and Lumber Jack shows, as well as live music, craft fair, and Farmers’ Market!  Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-12, they can also be purchased in advance for a discounted price.

Pumpkins Aglow – Get in the Halloween spirit with this family-friendly event at Edaville, USA!  Stroll through the garden of endless jack-o-lanterns, dress in your favorite Halloween costume, take part in the Costume Parade, and even trick-or-treat at the rides in the park!  This event will take place October 10-12, 17-19, and 24-26.  Tickets are $20 for ages 2-59, $17 for ages 60+, and children under 2 are free.

Which one of these events would you enjoy most?  We want to go to them all!  Make sure you make the most of the beautiful weather we’ve been having and head outside for one of these fun events!

Photo By: Wolfrage

Best Hiking Spots In Massachusetts

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hiking 2

Hiking is a fun way to get some exercise, smell the fresh air, and see something new.  Here in the Bay State, we’re lucky that we have so many great trails to visit, but it can be hard to know which ones to choose, which is why we’ve come up with this list of the best spots to go hiking in Massachusetts!

Blue Hills Reservation – Located only a few miles from Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton offers visitors 125 miles of trails to explore.  There are a variety of plants and wildlife that you may see on your hike, along with historic structures, ponds, swamps, and much more.  Once you reach the rocky mountain summit you’ll see a beautiful view of the Boston skyline in the distance, the perfect spot to rest and take in the sights of the city while also enjoying the seclusion of nature.

Cape Cod National Seashore – When you think of hiking, you may not typically picture hiking on the beach, but the Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the best places to visit if you want to get some exercise in the great outdoors.  There are forty miles of beaches, marshes, ponds, and more that feature different kinds of wildlife, lighthouses, cranberry bogs, and beautiful views of the coast.  There are trails for both biking and walking, and two visitors centers, one located in Eastham, which is open year-round,  and one Provincetown that is open seasonally.  If you’re in the area trust us when we say you won’t want to miss a chance to hike this local treasure.

Harold Parker State Forest – This forest has so much to offer to its visitors.  It spans across Andover, North Andover, North Reading, and Middleton but the park headquarters are located in North Andover.  Guests can explore 35 miles of trails, go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, camping, or pack a lunch and enjoy a nice picnic!  There’s something for everyone here, so we’re sure you won’t be bored!  There are also 11 ponds within the forest, all of which allow non-motorized boating.  The forest itself is comprised of over 3,000 acres, so if you’re looking for a secluded trail to enjoy a quiet hike you’re in luck.

Mount Greylock State Reservation – Located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts!  At the top you can see stunning views of up to 60-90 miles away!  If hiking to the top might be too strenuous or take too long, there are roads that you can drive up and shorter hiking trails leading off of the road.  Access to the park itself is free but there is a parking fee of $2 for Massachusetts residents and $4 for non-residents, so make sure you have a bit of cash on hand when you go.  If you’ve never been to Mount Greylock we highly recommend making the trip just for the spectacular views alone!

So, have any of these spots peaked your interest?  We hope you’ll take advantage of these hiking spots at some point, they’re too beautiful to miss out on!

Photo By: Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism

 

 

Events In Massachusetts This August

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boston harbor

Can you believe how quickly the summer is going by?  Don’t worry though, there’s still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having at some fun events!  We’ve listed a few of our favorites going on this month, and we’re sure they’ll be fun for friends and the whole family!

Water Street Wing Fling! – If you’re on the Cape, you won’t want to miss this event that celebrates Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod!  It will take place August 2nd and 3rd at the Henry T. Wing School from 11 AM – 10:30 PM each day.  Some of the exciting events include an arts and crafts fair on Saturday, a judged car show, kayak tours, live music, food trucks, a craft table for kids, face painting, games, drumming circle, fire truck hayrides, roaming railroad, light show, and one of the most exciting things is the tethered air balloon rides at night!  If you’re in the area we highly recommend stopping by this family friendly event that’s sure to be fun for all ages!

Feast In The Wild – Head to the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford for a wild night of food and fun with the animals.  Feast on specials from local restaurants and sample brews while strolling through the zoo, enjoying animal encounters and additional entertainment.  Tickets to this event are $65 for zoo members and $75 for non-members.  This event is 21+ and will take place on Thursday, August 14th from 6PM – 10 PM.  Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the zoo’s mission, so you’ll be supporting a great cause as well as enjoying an exciting night out!

34th Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival – Summer is a time to enjoy the sea, sunshine, delicious food, and the great outdoors with friends and family, and this is the perfect place to do it!  This festival will take place on August 16th and 17th at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.  There will be live entertainment including Celtic, country, folk, and ragtime music, artisans and craftsmen displaying their work, and many different kinds of ethnic foods to try!  Other highlights include a pancake breakfast, lobster bake, and on Sunday there will be 75 antique autos on display courtesy of the North Shore Old Car Club!  This event is pet friendly and entry is free, although there is a fee for parking and of course for food.  Festival hours are from 9AM – 6PM each day so grab your family, friends, and enjoy!

Sails and Ales – Like beer? Like being on a boat taking a tour of beautiful Boston Harbor?  The real question is who wouldn’t like that?  This event brings both together, so join Classic Harbor Lines and Harpoon Brewery for a sunset cruise Thursdays in August.  This two hour tour still has tickets available for August 14th, 21st, and 28th and they cost $52 each.  Tickets do not include the beer tasting, to participate you must purchase “A Tasting” in the extras of the purchase page, but we’re sure it will be worth it.  Guests will be able to sample 5 of Harpoon’s Flagship and/or seasonal brews while being guided by a Harpoon Brewery Representative who will explain the brewing process and how Harpoon Brewery began.  There will be light food available on board but guests are more than welcome to bring their own picnics!  Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the beautiful summer weather while taking a cruise of historic Boston Harbor and sampling some brews made right here in the city!

These events are the perfect excuse to try something new while enjoying what’s left of the summer!  So, grab your  friends and family and have some fun in the sun!

Ask The MassDrive Agent: What Are The Best Beaches In Massachusetts?

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wingaersheek beach

Now that summer is in full swing so is beach season!  We enjoy beach season just as much as anyone, and to celebrate we’ve asked our agents about their favorite beaches across the Bay State!  If you’re trying to find a new beach to try or aren’t sure where you want to have some fun in the sun, check out the suggestions from our MassDrive agents!

Wingaersheek Beach – This is a popular beach destination in the Bay State so if you want to find parking be sure to get there early!  It’s a fun spot for families and there are lots of rocks to climb on, tide pools to explore, and even a sand bar to check out during low tide.  Parking is a great perk and they also have a food hut and bathrooms on site! Gloucester is a beautiful part of the state and after you get your fill of the beach head out on the open seas for a whale watch! There are so many things to explore, you dot want to miss out! – Christine Tuccelli, Sales Rep

Revere Beach – This is a great spot to visit if you’re looking to totally relax for a day of fun in the sun.  There are no shops on the beach, which is nice if you’re really trying to unwind and get in touch with nature.  It’s a very diverse and low key beach, and hearing all of the different languages being spoken really gives you a sense of the different cultures surrounding you.  The other great thing is that there’s a Kelly’s Roast Beef nearby! If you haven’t been, you definitely need to stop in for a bite to eat after soaking up the sun all day! – Teresa Dillon, Sales Rep

Mayflower Beach – Located in Dennis, MA which is down the Cape, this beach is huge! There’s plenty of room for all beach goers especially during low tide. There are no rocks either which makes it great if you’re trying to play some bocce ball or any other kind of game.  Parking is available which is a perk and the water is very warm.  If you’re heading down the Cape this summer, don’t pass up the chance to enjoy a day of sun, surf, and sand! – Jeff Shea, Sales Rep

Hampton Beach – Although this beach is technically in New Hampshire, it’s right over the Massachusetts border.  This beach is perfect for families, there’s a jetty to explore and plenty of room for kite flying and games of frisbee.  If you’ve had your fill of the beach, check out the many shops along the boardwalk! If you’re hungry, your best bet is to check out the Sea Ketch, they have live music and three levels of decks with ocean views!  This beach has something for every member of the family and there are fireworks over the harbor every Wednesday night! – Shawn Harris, Sales Rep

Have you ever been to any of these beaches? Have another suggestion that you want us to include?  Be sure to let us know in the comments!

Photo By: Liz West

Events This July!

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chowderfest

Now that summer’s here there are more events to attend than ever and we’ve got a list of some of the most exciting ones going on in the Bay State this month!

Cape Harmony – Cape Harmony is Cape Cod’s newest a cappella group and they have some serious talent.  This all female singing sensation has been featured on various radio stations, performed with Livingston Taylor and the Air Force Academy Band, performed for thousands of fans at concerts, festivals, private parties, nursing homes, schools, fundraisers, and parades.  With a repertoire of songs covering artists such as Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Jason Mraz, Jessie J, Fleetwood Mac, Boyz II Men, Miley Cyrus, and many more, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  They have multiple shows every week and mainly play at local churches but also play larger events as well as private ones.  Make sure you take some time to enjoy one of their performances this summer, you won’t be disappointed!

Brockton Rox – This is the perfect family event to bring the kids to this summer!  Watch the Rox baseball team play at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton and enjoy a night under the stars watching America’s favorite pastime.  Kids will love the many activities they have for them, as well as the entertaining sumo wrestling during the 7th inning stretch!  Other promotions include $2 beers on “Thirsty Thursdays”, 3-D fireworks, kids run the bases, trivia, and different theme nights including “Christmas in July”, country night, beach night, and many more.  There are also giveaways before the game and kids can get autographs after the game.  Definitely head to Brockton for a game this summer if you get the chance!

32nd Annual Chowderfest – Chowderfest is one of the most popular staples of the Harborfest celebration in Boston and as you may have guessed, there will be tons of chowder, in fact, there will be over 2,000 gallons!  Stop by Boston City Hall Plaza on Sunday, July 7th from 11 AM – 6 PM for all the chowder you can eat!  Tickets are $13 for adults and $9 for children (age 12 and under) and participating restaurants will be competing for the title of “Boston’s Best Chowder” which they will only get if they receive the most votes from the crowd.  Participating restaurants so far include Anthem Kitchen and Bar, McCormick and Schmick’s, the Hyatt Harborside Grill, the Chart House, and more to come!

Lowell Folk Festival – This yearly festival is so popular it draws a crowd from all over the country.  This free festival is the largest of its kind in the United States and features a variety of folk musicians performing throughout the weekend.  There will be blue grass, gospel, folk, polka, country, Irish, Dominican, Portuguese, and Greek musical performances just to name a few.  In addition to the lively music, there will also be ethnic food available as well as CD’s, crafts, and other items for sale.  Don’t miss your chance to enjoy some live music, take in the great outdoors, and maybe even try something new to eat!  The festival will be taking place from Friday, July 26th – Sunday, July 28th.

As always, there’s an event for every member of the family to enjoy so get your tickets while you can and don’t miss out on any of these fun summer events!

Photo By: Bryan Maleszyk

Sightseeing Attractions in Massachusetts: Day Trips and Museums

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Spring is the perfect season for getting out and about, and exploring new places.  There are plenty of choices for sightseeing attractions in Massachusetts: the beach, the mountains, historical landmarks, a big city, National Parks, and many museums to take advantage of this spring.

The Arnold Arboretum– This is the oldest public arboretum in North America and the city of Boston has partnered with Harvard University to make it a center for studying plant  biodiversity as well.  The arboretum is 265 acres of plants, wildlife, art exhibitions, and a library.  It is a public park so there is no admission charge, although donations are appreciated.  Guests are welcome to take a self guided tour and maps are available.  This is a great day trip for children, teens and adults.  Who doesn’t love walking around outside and taking in some beautiful scenery?

Basketball Hall of Fame-Have a sports fan in the family? The Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield is the perfect place to visit.   They focus on education and create activities in various subjects that are centered around basketball and are designed for students of every age.  Educational and entertaining, this is a trip that kids and adults will be excited for as they get to study memorabilia from 313 coaches, players, referees, contributors, and teams.

deCordova Sculpture Park– Located in Lincoln, MA this outdoor art museum features 35 acres of modern sculptures that visitors are free to explore.  They have over 3,400 pieces of art and are especially proud of the permanent collection of New England contemporary art.  Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (65 and up), $10 for students,  and free for children 12 or under.

Cape Cod Beaches– Although we had a mild winter, Spring is a welcome change as the temperatures begin to rise even higher.  The beach is calling, and at the Cape Cod National Seashore visitors have 40 miles of coastline to explore in addition to natural cranberry bogs.   Parking lots are open year round but lifeguards are only on duty from late June until the last week of August.  The six different beaches that make up the seashore are often packed during the summer months but with the recent weather we’ve been having, why not go now? If you plan to stay a while, there are always plenty of Cape Cod beach houses for rent.

The Berkshires– The Berkshires literally have something for everyone.  Spread across Western MA, the towns that compose the mountain range have many trails for hiking or biking, a winery, wildlife sanctuary, a Norman Rockwell museum,  zip lining, white water rafting, golfing,shopping and countless other attractions.  Kids will love the event taking place now until April 29, Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm.  Baby piglets, calves, chicks, and lambs will be on display to meet and greet and children can also participate in arts and crafts workshops.  If you’d like to extend your stay in the Berkshires, there are plenty of campgrounds, inns, resorts, or bed and breakfasts’ to choose from.

Enjoy the beautiful weather we’re having and make time for travel and vacation; it’s the perfect time to take advantage of them before the crowds begin in the summer months!

Photo By: Dougtone

DOT Highway Division – Interview with Luisa Paiewonsky

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation‘s Highway Division was formed from a merger of the Massachusetts Highway Department and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. After the merge Luisa Paiewonsky has overseen the joined organizations and was previously the highway department commissioner. Eric Moskowitz, a reporter of the Boston Globe, has recently interviewed Paiewonsky bringing Massachusetts drivers a better understanding of just what’s happening with our representatives and roads.

Q. What does your job entail?

A. I am responsible for running the state highway system, and the highway division that has jurisdiction over the state highway system. That includes a little over 10,000 lane miles of roads. We have responsibilities for a little under 5,000 bridges, and we have 3,300 employees working from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and the Islands. We are responsible for everything from interstate highways to a number of biking paths, timber bridges, large roads, small roads, everything in between. And that includes not only building and maintaining them but clearing them of snow, cutting the grass, and preserving the bridges.

Q. How much is spent on construction and how much on maintenance?

A. Last year we spent $771 million on construction and we probably spent another $150 million on maintenance. We would always love to spend more on maintenance, because it’s the most efficient way to use the dollars. It buys more service life out of roads and bridges.

Q. I understand that construction spending has more than doubled in the last few years. What are the reasons?

A. The first is Governor Patrick, as one of his first acts in office, greatly expanded our construction budget on the rationale that we had a large number of backed-up projects, and highway construction creates a lot of jobs. So that was a major infusion of dollars into our core program, the Statewide Road and Bridge Program.

About a year and a half later he signed the Accelerated Bridge Program [after the Minnesota bridge collapse]. That gave us $3 billion over eight years to improve the safety and condition of bridges across the state. And then the following year we got almost $450 million in stimulus funds.

Q. What’s something we learned from another state, and how do we rate nationally?

A. The most important measure is that we have the safest roads in the nation [measuring fatalities per vehicle miles traveled], but we’re not even satisfied with that. We want to reduce fatalities even further. We’re just ending a four-year program to reduce fatalities by 20 percent, and we will hit that target at the end of this year, and then we’re going to set a new goal.

Our interstate highways are in the top 12 nationally for pavement condition. We’d like to improve the condition of our other national highway system roads. I think we’re well known for being a multimodal state DOT in that our highway design guide is one of the best in the nation for welcoming bicyclists and pedestrians.

Many people in the Highway Division can’t take a trip on vacation or for business or any other reason without looking at other states’ roads or bringing back ideas.

I noticed traveling up to Maine that they had street signs on overpasses to help drivers know where they were. So we decided to not only add street names to the overpasses but the towns. And that’s a very small investment that provides a large service to millions of people a day.

For the full interview please visit Boston.com.

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