The US state of Massachusetts may be small, but what it lacks in size it packs in with variety. Massachusetts is one of the original 13 colonies and has preserved an extraordinary wealth of historic landmarks, some dating back to when the Pilgrims first settled in the New World. It's in Massachusetts that the first shots of the American Revolution rang out, and where Boston, the state capital, was declared the "home of free speech." Massachusetts is also distinguished for its plethora of charming old ports set on a coastline skirted with sandy beaches. Delve into the countryside and you're met by villages remarkable for their colonial-era architecture and yesteryear appeal. So, do you want to make the most of Massachusetts?
Click through for ideas of where to go and what to see.