• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has an abundance of tourist destinationsMassachusetts state contour against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  Although it is the seventh smallest state with a land area under 11,000 square miles, Massachusetts is packed with history-rich landmarks and monuments. And while its capital Boston may be the go-to destination for historians and Revolutionary War buffs, there is a plethora of tourist attractions scattered throughout the cities and towns beyond Beantown's borders.
  
  

Bunker Hill Monument

• The Bunker Hill Monument commerates the Battle of Bunker Hill even though it sits on Breed's Hill in Charlestownbunker hill in boston image by Ritu Jethani from Fotolia.com
  
  Tourists can scale the 294 steps of the 221-foot granite obelisk monument that commemorates the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. The monument, located in Charlestown, was completed in 1842 and creates such a majestic figure against the city skyline, that its likeness and name were reproduced as the crowning jewel of the 2002 dedicated Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge that takes motorists to and from Boston. The monument is a popular stop on Boston's Freedom Trail and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  
  

Revere Beach

• Revere Beach hosts an annual sand castle competition in Julysand castle image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
  
  Established in 1896 as America's first public beach, Revere Beach is just five miles north of Boston and is registered as a national landmark. Revere Beach still offers impressive vistas of the Atlantic coast and a long crescent walkway crowded throughout the year with sunbathers, roller bladders, pedestrians and strollers.
  
  

House of the Seven Gables

• Although Salem may be best known for its witch history, it is also prized by those interested in literature and architecture. Located on Salem Harbor, the Turner-Ingersoll home was built in 1668 by sea captain John Turner. One of the oldest surviving wooden New England homes of the 17th century, it is best known as the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The House of the Seven Gables," and is thus more commonly referred to by that moniker. Hawthorne was a guest in the home and his writing desk is still on display. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and hosts many special events and lectures throughout the year.
  
  

Lizzie Borden House

• Lizzie Borden was the No. 1 suspect in the hatchet killing of her parentsa meat cleaver image by rufar from Fotolia.com
  
  The notion of choosing a bed and breakfast destination that is most widely known as the scene of a horrific multiple homicide may sound like the antithesis to a good vacation spot to some. However, for those fascinated by the Lizzie Borden saga, the 1845 Fall River home of Lizzie and her family offers the perfect opportunity to revel in a bit of ghoulish history and perhaps bump into one of the long-dead participants of the August 1892 murder.
  
  

Nauset Lighthouse

• Known as the Bay State, Massachusetts has more than 45 lighthouses along its shores. Nauset Lighthouse, located in Eastham on Cape Cod, once part of a light station, was completed in 1838. As the years and the weather eroded the cliff on which the station stood, the light station was moved and modified. Nauset Light's most recent move to safety was in 1996 when the current structure was set back away from the pounding Atlantic surf. The lighthouse tower is open to the public from May to October.