Massachusetts Most Searched Attraction Has Nothing To Do With Massachusetts
To coincide with World Tourism Day last week, Bank Locations detailed the most searched attraction in every state, and in Massachusetts, the result was surprising.
Bank Locations analyzed Google search data of over 150 tourist attractions in America. “The results showcase the diverse preferences of Americans, ranging from iconic landmarks, amusement parks, museums, and the natural beauty of national parks and breathtaking landscapes,” Bank Locations stated.
The study found that national parks in general, are the most searched attractions in the country. Sixteen total states aligned to residents seeking out such parks. Geographical attractions and national landmarks ranked as the second most popular category. After that, it was particular beach sites, amusement parks, and historical sites.
Lastly, Bank Locations found Niagra Falls is the most common tourist attraction among the states.
Massachusetts Most Searched Attraction Is Silver Dollar City
It turns out Bay State residents are really interested in theme parks. In fact, Massachusetts was the only state where the most searched attraction was this “internationally awarded 1880s-style theme park located in Branson, Missouri.”
If you are unfamiliar with Silver Dollar City, here are some details about the park. It contains over 40 rides. In addition, there are 18 different restaurants and 60 shops. During the Christmas season, Silver Dollar City shines even brighter. Quite literally. During this festive season, the park has 6.5 million lights. Furthermore, this theme park also offers a water park attraction, camping, and a dinner cruise.
If you are now curious how to get from Massachusetts to Silver Dollar City in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, you have a few options. Springfield-Branson National Airport is the closest airport. Kansas City is approximately 200 miles away. However, if you’d like to make the trek to Massachusetts’ most searched attraction the old-fashioned way, driving from Boston to Branson will take approximately 21 hours.
Massachusetts Lighthouse Named One Of The Most Beautiful In The World
What do Porto, Portugal, Crete, Greece, and Scituate, Massachusetts have in common? They all have historic lighthouses. In fact, in Trips To Discover’s recent guide, they named Old Scituate Light, along Massachusetts’ south shore one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world.
The 1800’s
This landmark dates back to the year 1810. “Congress voted to build a lighthouse at the harbor, and the light made of split granite blocks with a house attached and was activated the following year (1811),” Trips To Discover explains. It was the 11th lighthouse in the United States upon completion. It cost $4,000. Shortly after, Captain Simeon Bates, his wife and nine children lived at the house. Bates was the first keep of this lighthouse.
“Because mariners complained that the light could not be seen from far enough away to make proper heading adjustments, the U.S. Government added fifteen feet in height to the tower in 1827, mortaring red brick on top of the granite blocks,” Scituate’s Historical Society explains.
The 1900’s
The town of Scituate acquired the lighthouse from the government in 1916 for $1,000. Fourteen years later, a new lantern room was built at the top. 1994 marked one of the most memorable events in Old Scituate Light’s history as it was relit, making it visible from the sea for the first time in 134 years. Three years prior, it had been relit to be seen on land only.
Present Day
Old Scituate Light is a very popular south shore attraction. Every day people can be seen taking pictures of this lighthouse. Select dates are released each year that detail when it will be open to the public. Walkways along the water’s edge surround it for guests to explore the area. One of this destination’s most notable elements is the attached cottage. That remains a private residence that is the lightkeeper’s cottage.
While many tourists travel to the south shore of Massachusetts for the beaches and boating, stopping by one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world is also a site worth seeing.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
