Everyone knows Boston, but if you’re looking to visit a Massachusetts town that’s off the beaten path, WorldAtlas made a list of the eight most underrated towns in the state.
Despite Cape Cod’s status as a tourist destination, one of the peninsula’s towns made the list – Orleans.
The Bay State is home to countless beach towns, lush wooded areas, and eccentric, artsy communities that don’t receive as much attention as Salem or Nantucket might.
“These small towns are rich with personality, offering scenic landscapes, unique attractions, tight-knit communities, and cultural depth,” WorldAtlas said.
See what made Orleans stick out for WorldAtlas, and check out the other towns on this year’s “Most Underrated Towns in Massachusetts” list, below.
Rockport – Essex County
Rockport, Massachusetts, USA downtown and harbor view at dusk.
This North Shore seaside town tends to be passed up for Gloucester or the Outer Cape, but it “offers an extraordinary blend of natural beauty, cultural depth, and small-town tranquility,” WorldAtlas said. Notable highlights are Halibut Point State Park, art galleries around Bearskin Neck, and Rockport’s signature red fishing shack, Motif No. 1.
Great Barrington – Berkshire County
This town in the Berkshires is often bypassed for Stockbridge and Lenox, but it “possesses a dynamic blend of artistic flair, natural beauty, and community spirit,” WorldAtlas said. Downtown, you can find cafes, bookstores, art galleries, and boutique shops. You can also catch a play at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.
Shelburne Falls – Franklin County
Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, USA.
WorldAtlas called Shelburne Falls an “enchanting village,” often eclipsed by Pioneer Valley or the Berkshires. Highlights include the Flower Bridge, a decommissioned trolley bridge covered in bright plants, as well as several artisan galleries and glassblowing studios. You can view the glacial potholes along the Deerfield River or visit the Heath Fair agricultural festival.
Ipswich – Essex County
Typically overlooked by tourists focused on Salem and Newburyport, Ipswich is “rich in colonial and maritime history,” WorldAtlas said. It’s one of the oldest towns in the U.S., and has several ornate 17th-century homes to look at. Highlights include the Crane Estate, the Ipswich River, and Crane Beach.
Deerfield – Franklin County
Historic Deerfield is a “beautifully preserved colonial village that provides a living history experience unlike anywhere else in New England,” although it is often bypassed for Concord or Plymouth, WorldAtlas said. The town boasts restored 18th- and 19th-century homes, a history museum, and areas to hike, river raft, mountain bike, and cross-country ski.
Orleans – Barnstable County
Early morning aerial view looking north along Nauset Beach in Orleans of the surf whipped up by Hurricane Erin, far to the south of Cape Cod. Later in the morning, the lifeguard stands were taken down and moved further up the beach which was closed to swimming because of heavy surf and rip tides. Photo taken on August 21, 2025
Typically overlooked by tourists in place of Chatham or Provincetown, Orleans is an “ideal place for those seeking natural beauty and serenity without the tourist crush,” WorldAtlas said. The Cape Cod town’s highlights include bookstores, art galleries, locally owned restaurants, Arts Week, and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Orleans also offers easy access to Nauset and Skaket beaches.
North Adams – Berkshire County
This northern Berkshires town has a “rugged post-industrial beauty and a thriving arts scene,” according to WorldAtlas. North Adams is home to the contemporary art museum MASS MoCA, and the town hosts an annual community celebration with cafes, galleries, and creative workspaces. You can also hike and ski the nearby hills, including Mount Greylock.
Hingham – Plymouth County
The South Shore town of Hingham has a “quiet charm and refined character” that “offer visitors a perfect blend of history and nature,” WorldAtlas said. Although it gets bypassed for more well-known Cape Cod towns, it has a walkable harbor, historic Main Street, and colonial architecture worth seeing. Highlights include the Derby Academy and the World’s End park.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Visit this ‘underrated’ Cape Cod town for natural beauty, serenity
