Massachusetts has a way of rewarding people who slow down and look closely: at a 300-year-old doorway, a plate of just-shucked oysters, a stretch of coastline that looks much like it did a century ago. That’s the spirit behind this issue of Presence Magazine: a tour through the homes, history, food, and traditions that make this stretch of New England worth calling home.
Whether you’re spending the day at the beach, exploring a new town, or simply craving something sweet, nothing says summer like a great ice cream stop. From Cape Cod to the South Coast and Greater Boston, these local favorites serve everything from homemade classics to creative seasonal flavors worth the trip.
Updated for 2026! This year’s Fourth of July celebrations are especially meaningful as communities across the country commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. With so many ways to celebrate Independence Day, the hardest part is choosing where to go. We’ve rounded up some of the best Fourth of July events across Cape Cod, the South Coast, and Boston—complete with local favorites and longtime traditions. Whether you’re catching a hometown parade, enjoying a classic band concert, or ending the night with a spectacular fireworks display, this guide will help you plan a day to remember.
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AI chatbots have quietly become part of the home buying and selling process. Buyers are using them to research neighborhoods, compare communities, understand market conditions, and prepare for next steps. Sellers are using them too: according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Accelerate original research powered by 1000WATT, nearly one in four recent sellers used an AI chatbot at some point during their home sale — most often to research market conditions or get a sense of pricing.
That can be a good thing. The more informed a buyer or seller is at the start, the more productive the conversation tends to be.
But there is a difference between information and guidance, and understanding that difference is where things get interesting.