For all intensive purposes, we have reached the end of summer. Bittersweet, as there is no time in New England quite as joyful as summer, though autumn here is such a treat as well. Continuing with our North Shore tour guide, here are mini guides (from local residents and fellow bloggers!) to three Massachusetts towns north of the city that each boast merits for visiting in both the summer and the fall: Salem, Newburyport, and Marblehead.
[ And if you missed Rockport, click here! ]
S A L E M
Lianna, Salem Style
No matter what time of year it is, you can enjoy a beautiful day in Salem, Massachusetts! You do not need a car to visit Salem– there’s a commuter rail stop right downtown, and there is a Salem ferry that leaves right from downtown Boston! A Salem morning is not complete without breakfast at Red’s. With endless cups of coffee and pancakes that are bigger than the plate, you are sure to start your day off right. Or if you are more of a grab-and-go type, visit A&J King bakery for a hot and fresh chocolate croissant.
Rain or shine, Salem has a lot to offer downtown. Since Salem is the “witch city,” taking a trip to the Witch Museum or the Salem Witch Dungeon is usually on the top of the to-do list. For non-witch activities, visit the House of Seven Gables or the Peabody Essex Museum.
Ready for lunch? Consider Scratch Kitchen (especially if you love bacon) and The Lobster Shanty. Find the perfect hostess gift at Pamplemousse or the perfect vintage dress at Modern Millie. Or bring a little magic back to your home from HausWitch. For an afternoon treat, stop by Melita Fiore for some macarons.
If you are staying overnight, check in to the Salem Waterfront Hotel or the historic Hawthorne Hotel. Enjoy dinner with a water view at Victoria’s Station or downtown at Opus, and be sure to check out Opus Underground while you’re there. Salem is such a great city to explore!
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N E W B U R Y P O R T
Christine, Rules for the Modern Girl
Headed up to Newburyport? Start your day with an iced coffee and pastries at Plum Island Roasters. Take it to go and head over to State Street to pop into all of the fun shops– pick up tea at Best of British, cozy pajamas and luxury soaps at Soak Shoreline, and quirky, American-made gifts at Skowhegan Dry Goods.
In need of a coffee refill? Grab a cup at Atomic Cafe before heading over to AliKat on Pleasant Street for the latest in women’s fashions and accessories. For the best tacos you’ll ever have (seriously!) stop in at Dos Amigos for lunch. Feeling adventurous? Schedule a kayak or SUP tour at Plum Island Kayak and get a view of Newburyport from the water. For dinner, celebrate a fun day out with champagne and oysters at the best restaurant in town, Brine Oyster!
[ editor’s note :: New England Development sent me on the BEST trip to Newburyport last summer– read more about that here! ]
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M A R B L E H E A D
Kristen, The Boston Fashionista
Marblehead is such an easy, walkable town that is filled with history and charm. If you’ve managed to get lost in the winding streets of Old Town, you’re doing it right!
Day One
Start off your morning with some coffee from Java Sun. With multiple coffees to choose from, you’ll see why it is a local favorite. The kids behind the counter are always cheerful, and make sure to try the cinnamon rolls or croissants (butter, ham and cheese, or spinach and feta)! Then stroll around (new) downtown on Atlantic Avenue. Shops like Irresistibles and Liz Steinfield offer excellent shopping, and Shubie’s is a veritable treasure trove of wine, cheese and other delicious treats. They’re almost always having some kind of tasting! In the afternoon, head down to Devereaux Beach. While it is a somewhat rocky beach, it is a local favorite due to the pristine water, the playground, restrooms, parking lot and, most importantly, Lime Rickey’s. This is no regular beach shack – try their shrimp tacos!! In the evening, stroll down to Crocker Park or Ft. Sewall. Don’t be alarmed if you hear cannons firing at sunset! That’s just the local yacht clubs lowering their flags. (And yes, you’ll likely hear cannons throughout any summer weekend; there are constant regattas just off Marblehead Harbor). For dinner, head to The Barnacle for some of the best views in town, and for one of the best lobster rolls in the country. It’s a dive, for sure, but totally worth it!
Day Two
Start your morning at Haley’s in (old) downtown on Washington Street. Enjoy their incredible rock cakes and grab a coffee to go. Hit the downtown shops (Madam Had’Em, French + Italian and F.L. Woods are my faves!) and then wander through Old Town. You’ll see that almost every house is historic (mine, for example, was built in the 1650’s), and all offer serious New England charm. Get a little lost, wander by the cemeteries and make up some ghost stories, and just marvel at the collection of antique homes. Be sure to stop by Abbot Hall and check out The Spirit of ’76! Later, drive over to Marblehead Neck and stroll through the songbird sanctuary, or hit up the lighthouse at Chandler Hovey Park for more spectacular harbor views. (The harbor has somewhere around ~2000 boats in it during the summer!) On your way out of town, stop at Five Corners for dinner; this chic restaurant offers house-made charcuterie and beautiful cocktails, winning over even the snootiest Manhattan diners.
Many thanks to Lianna, Christine, and Kristen!
What other New England destinations would you like to hear about? Drop me a line + I’ll get my experts on it 😉
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