Coming from landlocked areas, you should take some time to check out Portland (and surrounding areas) and Rhode Island. The ocean in general is FAR more accessible in Maine and RI than it is in most parts of MA.

Portland is just a really cool city with great dispensaries and an awesome waterfront concert venue. You can take a ferry to the harbor islands or visit a Bigfoot museum.

Providence is an amazing mix of everything with great food and if you drive 40 minutes south RI has some fabulous beaches. And really, you can get a lobster roll almost anywhere in New England, but RI has its own cuisine that is worth checking out - hot weiners, clam cakes, coffee milk, Del’s, stuffies…