The state of Massachusetts is most known for Boston City and its famous accent, but there’s much more behind the scenes. For one thing, it has three full-service casinos and online casino games are legal, too. Beyond that, there are endless cultural activities, landmarks and delicious food to try. Continue reading to find out some interesting facts about Massachusetts.
Finding Massachusetts
Located in the Northeastern region of the United States, Massachusetts is a beautiful New England state that boasts a variety of landmarks and attractions. To the southwest, it shares a border with Connecticut and another with Rhode Island in the southeast. Even though Massachusetts is the seventh smallest state in the US, it has more than seven million people, which puts it as the third most densely populated state in North America. It’s affectionately known as the Bay State, but originally Massachusetts gets its name from the indigenous Massachusett people. It’s one of the original 13 colonies and one of the earliest locations of English colonization in America.
What Massachusetts Is Known for, Food-Wise
Here are some of the culinary highlights you can find in Massachusetts.
The Boston Cream Pie
This is the state of Massachusetts’ official dessert as of 1996. Even though this culinary creation dates back to 1856, it’s now officially the state sweet-tooth delight. It was first made and served at the opening of Boston’s Parker House.
Dunkin’ Donuts
The famous Dunkin’ Donuts, now a globally acclaimed coffee shop chain with stores in over 36 countries, originated in the state of Massachusetts. The first store was launched in the 1950s. If you’re a fan of coffee or donuts (or both,) make sure to stop by one of the many Dunkin’ Donuts stores that you’ll find across Massachusetts on your travels.
Cranberries
Cranberries are the state’s largest agricultural food crop since they’re also native to the area and famously delicious. Southeastern Massachusetts has thousands of acres of land dedicated to cranberry farming. They grow best in wetland areas where they seem to float, so if you can, try to visit during harvest season for a fascinating sight.
Apple Cider Donuts
Not only is Massachusetts incredibly famous for its beautiful fall foliage but also for its autumnal treats like apple cider donuts. These donuts are a popular treat throughout New England, but since Massachusetts is the king of donuts, here they are especially the best.
Famous Universities and Outdoor Activities
Everybody in the world that is interested in academia or higher education knows about Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT,) and Massachusetts is home to both of them. Harvard was founded in 1636 and is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Over two hundred years later, MIT was founded and is known for its impeccably high-quality applied sciences and engineering programs.
The state was ranked in 2015 as the place with the third-largest population of college graduates. This highly-educated workforce attracts high-tech companies looking to hire, resulting in plenty of opportunities and a strengthened economy. So, if you’re looking for further education, a job or even to launch your own business, Massachusetts is worth considering.
Beaches and Witches
What Massachusetts is known for outside of academic achievement are its exceptional natural beauty and rich history. People travel from all over to see the beautiful colors of the foliage in Fall, especially from late September to late October. If you prefer blues to greens, you can also visit Cape Cod, known for its picturesque beaches and tranquil lifestyle. If you’re a traveling recreational gambler, consider this one of the best spots to sit back on a warm, sunny afternoon to enjoy some online slots without the fuss of a big city around you.
Additionally, if you’re a history buff, then this state is another must-see that you should add to your travel list. The Salem Witch trials were a fascinating but dark history episode that made Massachusetts famous, endowing the state with a somewhat evergreen Halloween culture. Gallows Hill Park is a popular tourist attraction where most of the witch-hunt hangings were held and the Salem Witch Museum is also fascinating to visit.
Massachusetts Firsts That You May Not Have Known
Apart from the state’s obvious rich heritage, culture, famous accent and natural wonders, Massachusetts is also the state where many important US achievements happened first.
The very first American Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth colony in 1621, about a year after the first pilgrims arrived, when the local Wampanoag tribe invited the pilgrims for a harvest celebration.
In September 1897, the Tremont Street Subway opened in Boston, making it the first city with an underground rapid transit system in North America.
Gay marriage was first legalized in Massachusetts in 2004, a big step for the LGBTQIA+ community and helped to pave the way for other states.
The first phone call took place in Massachusetts — a historical moment between Thomas Watson and Alexander Graham Bell in March of 1876.
Finally, Massachusetts has the first state constitution. Written in 1780 and broadly adopted throughout the United States, it’s still in use today, making it the oldest functioning constitution in the world.
Entertainment in Massachusetts
If you’re a seasoned recreational gambler, it’s good to know where the nightlife is and where the best casino games are when you travel to a new state. Massachusetts offers three full-service casinos, with one north of Boston City, another in the south of Boston City and a third in a western city called Springfield. All three casinos offer extensive slot machines and tables for you to play the casino games that you enjoy the most. If you’re a horse racing fan, the Plainridge Park casino south of Boston offers live harness racing from April to October.
Travel and Play With BetMGM
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