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Massachusetts Best Attractions 2011

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BEST OUTDOOR SCULPTURE
Decordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln
Thirty-five acres of lawns and copious surrounding woods make this outdoor space the largest sculpture park in New England, and the lawn furniture, so to speak, some of the most expressive. Some 75 sculptures and site-specific installations are exhibited at any one time. Picnicking is encouraged. 51 Sandy Pond Road. 781-259-8355; decordova.org

BEST FAMILY ESCAPE
Codman Community Farms & Drumlin Farm, Lincoln
These two neighboring farms are a great way to introduce city kids to cows, sheep, and pigs, while giving parents an easy spot to pick up locally grown, organic produce, eggs, and meat. Tours and workshops also available. Codman Community Farms, 58 Codman Road. 781-259-0456; codmanfarm.org. Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road. 781-259-2200; massaudubon.org/drumlinfarm

BEST NATIVE AMERICAN POV
Native Plymouth Tours, Plymouth
History is traditionally written by the winners, but sometimes survivors have a word or two to add. Get the Native American slant on New England's first English colony from a guide steeped in the ways of the Wampanoag. Tours begin at Plymouth Rock (Pilgrim Memorial State Park) on the harbor. Water St. 774-454-7792; nativeplymouthtours.com

BEST FOLK-ART COLLECTION
Cogswell's Grant, Essex
Set on 165 acres overlooking the Essex River, the 1728 farmhouse would be reason enough to visit, but it's even more engrossing to see how pioneering folk-art collectors Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little furnished their summer home. Rooms are packed with weathervanes and decoys, primitive portraits and painted furniture, and all manner of "country arts." 60 Spring St. 978-768-3632; historicnewengland.org

BEST WEARABLE CATCH
Blue Water Fish Rubbings, Chatham
Artist Jenny Bovey practices her own form of gyotaku, the ancient Japanese art of fish rubbing, to create the ultimate marine souvenir of Cape Cod. Bluefish, stripers, crabs, octopi, and even sprightly sea robins grace her T-shirts and sweatshirts. Direct image transfer means that no fishermen's fibs slip in. 505 Main St. 508-945-7616; bluewaterfishrubbings.com

BEST HALF-DAY ON CAPE COD
Swan Pond River, West Dennis/Dennis Port
Enjoy a box of perfect fried clams from the back deck of Kream 'N Kone, overlooking the Swan Pond River. Then cross the street to rent a kayak for a leisurely 90-minute paddle, either downriver to the Nantucket Sound beach or upriver to see the herons, egrets, and swans of Swan Pond. Kream 'N Kone, 961 Main St., West Dennis. 508-394-0808; kreamnkone.com. Cape Cod Waterway Boat Rentals, 16 Route 28, Dennis Port. 508-398-0080; capecodwaterways.org

BEST CAPE COD STYLE
Puritan Cape Cod, Hyannis, Chatham, Falmouth, Mashpee Commons
From sherbet-hued summer wear to buttoned-up (and buttoned-down) office garb, this department store perfectly captures the work/play ethos of Cape Cod. You'll find many of the preppiest name designers (Ralph Lauren and friends), as well as store-label clothing ideal for Chips and Muffys of all ages. 408 Main St., Hyannis; 508-775-2400. 573 Main St., Chatham; 508-945-0326. 199 Main St., Falmouth; 508-548-0116. 25 Steeple St., Mashpee Commons; 508-477-4333. puritancapecod.com