Just
Get to Know the Greater Merrimack Valley and North of Boston Region
Welcome!
You’re about to discover a destination that contains everything people associate with New England: seashore and ski mountains, culturally vibrant cities and farmland, historic landmarks and Instagrammable restaurant dishes, and family attractions and inns where couples and solo travelers love cozying up to recharge. We’re just north of Boston—so close to “the Hub” yet a world apart—a region that’s easy to navigate, remarkably scenic, and captivating year round.
This guide, created in collaboration with our partners at Yankee Magazine, is filled with new travel ideas including some wonderful things to do that even
locals overlook. Whether it’s a school break, a long weekend, a cabin-fever escape, a romantic Valentine’s Day rendezvous, or a much-needed mental-health day, you’ll find excursions tailor-made for your interests. We encourage you to visit us during the quieter season, from November through April, when lodging rates are most affordable and time away feels more leisurely. Come. Set your body in motion. And feed your mind and soul.
For more travel ideas, season after season, get to know us even better by visiting our websites: northofboston.org and merrimackvalley.org.
Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION SERVICES
Yankee Publishing Inc. Mel Allen, Editor in Chief
Jenn Johnson, Managing Editor
Kim Knox Beckius, Travel Editor/Project Manager
Katharine Van Itallie, Art Director
Heather Marcus, Senior Photo Editor
Dave Ziarnowski, Production Director
Jennifer Freeman, Senior Production Artist
THIS PAGE: Ice House Pond in Acton, a popular fishing and birding spot, is kept pristine by dozens of volunteers who spend one day each year weeding out aquatic invasive plants.
ON THE COVER (CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT): Learn about the largest powercanal system in the country and its role in the industrial revolution at Lowell National Historical Park; Snap a frosty photo of Fort Pickering Lighthouse, one of Massachusetts-based photographer Dave Long’s picks for winter’s best photo ops; Frolic with playful newborn lambs at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln this spring; Step into the magical shadows of Quayyum Agha’s immersive installation at the Peabody Essex Museum.
Start your journey at the Lexington Visitors Center, now open daily. Check out our revolutionary history room and famed diorama, or shop for unique gifts. Book a Liberty Ride Trolley Tour or Guided Battle Green Walking Tour, and see where it all began on April 19, 1775.
Tours are available seven days per week! All tours depart from the Lexington Visitors Center: 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington MA
Image Credits (top to bottom): Dali Mural in Salem © NBCVB; Glover’s Regiment Marblehead © Bryan Ruocco; Holiday Lights © NBCVB; Gloucester Lobster Rolls photo provided by Blue Collar Lobster
Explore our Cultural Districts
Revive your zest for life in these zones defined by local character.
By Madeline Bilis
You’ll encounter Homage to Women, a larger-than-life sculpture by James Higgins, at Market Mills Park within the Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell.
New Englanders are extraordinarily spoiled with day-trip options. That’s especially the case for those who live within an easy drive of the region north and west of Boston, where impressive cultural districts draw visitors with their vibrant art scenes and lively events and festivals. In Massachusetts, officially designated cultural districts are compact, walkable areas where a community tends to congregate, serving as town centers for artistic activity. These localities vary— as the cultural makeup of each one is unique— and that’s the joy of discovering all 14 that give this region its creative heartbeat. Visit a cultural district on the coast, another set on a river, and you’ll experience the wondrous geographic variety that awaits here, too.
Beverly Arts District
A stone’s throw from boats bobbing in the harbor, Beverly’s art scene is firmly anchored downtown. Smell the sea air as you discover a broad range of cultural offerings, from larger-than-life murals on the sides of historical brick buildings to buzzing student galleries at Montserrat College of Art. Other destinations that make up the district include the town’s library, city hall, and at least one old-timey theater you’ll want to visit: the Cabot. Recently upgraded and restored, this prime example of 1920s theatrical grandeur is known for hosting classic films, comedy, and live performances.
On your visit, consider stopping first for a tour of the John Cabot House, a 1781 Georgian mansion that serves as the headquarters of Historic Beverly. Next, pop into the student art galleries, then catch a show at the Cabot. Top off all the small-town charm with a stroll down the main drag for dinner at a local restaurant.
Downtown Lynn Cultural District
Public art is only the beginning in this cultural hub that celebrates local artists and creators. You’ll first notice colorful murals splashing the walls of buildings and overpasses; one standout is “The Resident.” Painted by Glasgow-based artist Smug One, this towering work is an expressive portrait of a Lynn community member named Ferns.
Beyond the murals and installations, you’ll find galleries, green spaces, performance venues, eclectic shops, and bountiful dining options. But behind the scenes, the city works to connect artists with resources. That includes support ranging from championing maker spaces like the Brickyard Collaborative to awarding Lynnspire Grants to Lynn-based creatives.
Downtown Lynn is also a flourishing events center, with farmers’ markets, poetry readings,
festivals, and even drum circles. When you’re there, you’ll see the district’s vision in action: opening up opportunity and access for everyone.
Essex River Cultural District
This fluvial locale stretches a mile along Essex’s Main Street, from the corner of Spring Street at its western edge to the old Methodist Episcopal Church at its eastern boundary. It’s bisected by the eponymous Essex River, underscoring the area’s celebration of its nautical legacy, artinspiring scenery, and dedication to environmental preservation.
Packed with loads of culture and history, the district winds through active shipyards and marinas, antique shops, bustling restaurants, pocket parks, galleries, and historical burial grounds. The town’s rich history of shipbuilding is highlighted as well, thanks to views of Burnham’s Shipyard and the presence of the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum, which houses an impressive collection of marine antiquities. But what sets this region apart is its saltmarsh views. They’re perhaps best enjoyed with a side of fried clams from one of the many open-air seafood establishments lining Main Street.
Gloucester’s Harbortown Cultural District
With its rich history as part of the oldest seaport in New England, it’s no wonder this area has inspired so many inventors, cultural figures, waterfront workers, artists, and writers—Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, and T.S. Eliot among them. A day spent ambling up and down the city’s quaint, winding streets might inspire you, too.
The Cape Ann Museum is a jewel in the district’s crown; stop in to get a better understanding of the region’s maritime history. Then, to fuel your next adventure, choose from more than two-dozen inviting eateries. On any given outing, you might meander past the homes of renowned sea captains. Or, for more structured exploration, open the HarborWalk’s interactive map on your phone to read about landmarks and other points of interest as you visit them.
Festivals invigorate the community throughout the year, celebrating Gloucester’s fishing traditions, diverse ethnic heritage, and contemporary art. Catch the Lobster Trap Tree lighting and buoy painting in December and, come springtime, lean in and smell thousands of tulips blooming on the boulevard.
Newburyport Cultural District
Marvel at model clipper ships and shipwreck displays during your visit to this coastal enclave, where the Custom House Maritime Museum houses a fascinating collection of maritime art and artifacts. Along the city’s brickpaved sidewalks and cobblestone paths, more destinations draw you in, including galleries, theaters, cultural centers, and museums.
Start your visit by drinking in views of the working waterfront. A selfguided walking tour along the Clipper Heritage Trail is an excellent way to learn more about the active harbor and the people entwined with its history. You’ll follow the footsteps of sea captains, ship builders, clam diggers, silversmiths, soldiers, abolitionists, African-Americans, artists, and authors, to name a few. Later, sit down for an impressive seafood dinner, ideally followed by some delightful local doughnuts.
Haverhill’s Riverfront Cultural District
There’s only one correct way to stroll the streets that make up this postindustrial neighborhood: with a “Say Nice Things About Haverhill” tote slung over your shoulder. The bags were created through a partnership among Creative Haverhill, Haverhill Art Walk, and a city councilor—and they’re dripping with local cred. As you explore the streets flanked by stately red-brick factory buildings, it’ll be tough to ignore the large, colorful sculptures based on 19th-century footwear. Those and a shoe-workers memorial in town nod to the city’s shoe-making history.
No matter when you visit, you’re likely to stumble upon a festival large or small. As for annual standouts, there’s the River Ruckus with live
LEFT: The Essex Shipbuilding Museum is located at a still-working shipyard; RIGHT: “The Resident,” a mural painted by artist Sam Bates (who also goes by SMUG or Smug One), depicts an actual Lynn resident, Ferns, who lived in this building.
music and classic cars, the Christmas Stroll, and the Art Walk offering interactive artmaking, an art market, pop-up shops, and guided tours of public art.
Rockport Cultural District
Rockport has long been a beacon for artists and painters looking to capture its coastal beauty. So it’s no surprise that its cultural district counts more than 40 galleries and studios. It’s also home to one of the oldest active art associations in the country, the Rockport Art Association. Moreover, you’ll find what is said to be the American building most often rendered in paintings: Motif Number 1, a charming red fishing shack bedecked with buoys.
Upon arriving, drop by one of the
area’s many coffeeshops for a cup of something warm and energizing. You’ll need the jolt to explore all the shingled shops and galleries lining Bearskin Neck, and for your time spent breezily tracing the edges of Rockport Harbor. A lobster roll is a necessary addition to your itinerary, as is catching a concert at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, where an expansive wall of glass reveals a stunning seascape backdrop for performances.
Rocky Neck Cultural District
Begin your visit by admiring the centuries-old fisherman cottages bathed in sunlight. These singular spectacles of light and shadow have long attracted artists to Rocky Neck, a storied corner of the New England coast that’s home to one of the oldest
continuously operating art colonies in the United States.
Make like a local artist and swing by the studios and galleries nestled into Smith Cove. Grab tickets to a show at Gloucester Stage Company or catch an open mic at the Gloucester Writers Center, then tuck into lunch on a restaurant patio overlooking the harbor.
Bedford Cultural District
Come December, you’ll want to set aside time to stroll the Holiday Artisans Fair, where you can peruse works from more than two-dozen local artists, ranging from jewelry and stained glass to scarves, mittens, and crocheted animals. The fun goes on with an evening tree-lighting ceremony in the picturesque town common. A special visitor from the North Pole has been known to make an appearance.
In warmer weather, you can take in the Imagine Community Art Walk stationed along Bedford’s NarrowGauge Rail Trail. Once you’re done ambling through the woods, there’s an asphalt mural to admire on Mudge Way, as well as two mini art galleries.
Concord Center Cultural District
A new art installation has arrived in Monument Square, located at the heart of this idyllic New England townlet. Freedom’s Silhouette by Liz Helfer invites viewers to consider Concord’s role in the fight for civil liberties by looking into two former residents: Henry David Thoreau and Ellen Garrison. The artwork comprises two park benches facing one another, each with a silhouetted figure representing the celebrated abolitionists. The acrylic profiles are reflective from one side and transparent from the other, encouraging visitors to see themselves mirrored in these historical community members and to contemplate them as a lens through which to assess the present.
Bordered by lovely landscapes and buildings dating back as early as the 1700s, this district is also within walking distance of plenty of wellknown landmarks, including the
Old North Bridge, the Old Manse, Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and the Concord Museum. Make a special visit during the weekend of Patriots’ Day, celebrated the third Monday in April. Honoring the battles of Lexington and Concord—where the first shots were fired in the American Revolutionary War—the town hosts a parade and a spirited reenactment of the historic battle in full period uniform.
West Concord Junction Cultural District
The “junction” in question is the old crossing of the Fitchburg and Framingham/Lowell Railroads, where the distinctive 19th-century yellow depot building still stands. The Fitchburg Commuter Rail continues to rumble along the old tracks about once every hour. While this intersection used to see about 100 trains pass through every day, today’s village carries on the bustle with eateries, artisanal shops, art galleries, live performances, and outdoor activities. While you’re there, be sure to reach out and touch the “Poetry Phone,” a public-art installation offering the chance to listen to spoken word in a solar-powered phone booth. Pick up the receiver to hear one of
nine compositions, which change throughout the year. After you hang up, say hello to a nearby bakery or gourmet-food shop and treat yourself to a picnic alongside the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail or on the banks of the Assabet River.
Lexington Cultural District
History abounds in the Lexington Cultural District, which roughly follows the path of the Minuteman Bikeway. Consider bringing or renting a bike to cruise on wheels between your sightseeing destinations. Along the way, you’ll pass meadows and parks, the Brown Homestead conservation area, the Lexington Minutemen Memorial sculpture, and Buckman Tavern—plus several other structures which were present at the Battle Green during the first skirmish of the American Revolutionary War.
When you’re ready to ditch pedaling for a more leisurely sidewalk stroll, head to Massachusetts Avenue to take your time at a multitude of art galleries, studios, ice-cream shops, cafés, and bakeries, many housed within long-standing architectural marvels.
Maynard Cultural District
Events and performances are the name
of the game in the district that hails itself as “the epicenter of the most walkable town in all of metropolitan Boston.” From winter celebrations featuring stunning ice sculptures to spring art walks, there’s no shortage of happenings here. Keep your eyes on the events calendar for jazz nights, comedy acts, bocce tournaments, concerts, plays, and art shows.
With its blend of former-milltown aesthetics and modern recreation, this miniature city also boasts plenty to do beyond scheduled activities. There are galleries, movie houses, music venues, theaters, and ArtSpace Maynard: a cluster of studios offering exhibition opportunities, workshops, and classes.
Lowell’s Canalway Cultural District
There are three unique ways to experience Lowell’s Canalway Cultural District: by boat, by trolley, and by taste. First, Lowell National Historical Park takes visitors with advance tickets on mini-cruises, exploring the history of Lowell’s waterpower system. If you’d prefer to stay on land, the park also provides vintage-streetcar rides for free, with conductors calling out points of interest and historical details along the route. Operation varies by season, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule ahead of time.
Then there are the restaurants. As you weave among waterways on cobblestone streets, you’ll encounter a cornucopia of cuisines representing the city’s melting pot of cultures. Sample a bit of everything from fried seafood to Asian and South American fare.
And once you’ve had your fill of treats, mosey down the Lowell Riverwalk, then head over to the Western Avenue Studios complex for a self-guided tour. With more than 350 artists working in 250 studios and 50 live-work lofts, it’s the largest artist community on the Eastern Seaboard.
Madeline Bilis is a writer, editor, and lifelong New Englander who lives in Newton, Massachusetts. She’s the author of the guidebook 50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts .
Inside Buckman Tavern, which looks much as it did in 1775, you’ll find cultural artifacts like the drum William Diamond beat to summon Lexington militiamen to the Common on that year’s most fateful day: April 19.
Holiday Traditions
Wrap
up 2024 with spirited events and experiences.
BY ELYSE MAJOR
In a region so rich with natural beauty and historic allure, the stage is already set for a festive holiday season. Add tree lightings, decorating contests, and Santa sightings, and you’ve got yourself a party.
Sea Festival of Trees: See Santa—and ride a 1909 Looff-Mangels carousel—by the sea. This popular event features strolls through a maze of decorated Tannenbaums, indoor ice skating, character visits, and raffles at the event center (various dates, November 23–December 8). Proceeds benefit Salisbury Beach and its newly installed year-round carousel.
Winterlights at StevensCoolidge House and Gardens: Devotees of history and holiday merriment are sure to fancy the light installations at this early20th-century estate, which was once the summer home of a diplomat who was descended from Thomas Jefferson
and who was also a nephew of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Located in North Andover, the spectacle, spread across several gardens, is lit on various dates, November 29–January 4.
City of Lights: Three words: Holly Jolly Trolley. A ride on the wreathed vessel is one of many reasons to head to this annual fete (November 30) in Lowell. Enjoy photo ops with Santa, strolling carolers, culinary competitions, and a parade that ends at Lowell City Hall for the illumination of the building and its 180-foot clocktower.
Winter Lights on Cape Ann:
America’s oldest seaport of Gloucester and the neighboring towns of Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport will be all aglow from Small Business Saturday (November 30) through January 1. Make it a merry mission to visit each main street, where over 100 participating storefronts will be decked out in lights. Stroll, shop, and vote for your faves in the decorating contest.
An Old-Fashioned Christmas at Orchard House: Fans of Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age novel Little Women—and its many film adaptations—will want to register early for this series, held weekends in December at the house museum in Concord. Feel like an Alcott (or March) as you wander festooned rooms and interact with characters to a backdrop of Victorian tunes.
Winter Festival and Annual Tree Lighting: On December 7, Billerica’s town common becomes even more picturesque for the annual treelighting ceremony. With all the elements of a Christmas movie, the good cheer starts midafternoon with food, activities, and prizes. Just before twilight, all gather for the traditional sing-along before Santa makes his big scene and the tree is illuminated.
Holiday Social: Party like it’s 1770 at the Wilmington Town Museum (December 8), housed in the Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern in Wilmington. All are invited to the property for an afternoon of music and food, with fresh wreaths and swags available for sale. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the era, so bring those tricorn hats and mobcaps.
Lobster Trap Tree: “And if you ever saw it, you would even say it grows!” We’re talking about this conical construction, which gets completely rebuilt each year; 2023’s tree clocked in at 400 lobster traps! The annual Middle Street Walk is planned for Saturday, December 14, and the jolly, all-ages agenda includes the ceremonial lighting of the tree in Captain Solomon Jacobs Park in Gloucester.
Along with being editor-in-chief of four lifestyle magazines in her home base of Rhode Island, Elyse Major contributes to national publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, and Yankee.
Make Winterlights at the Stevens-Coolidge House and Garden one of your kids’ earliest and fondest memories.
PHOTO: HOLLY
6 Winter Photo ops
’Tis the season for stunning, snowy captures if you know where to go.
BY DAVE LONG
As I’ve photographed New England over the past 15 years, I’ve realized winter is my second-favorite time to shoot, mainly because it presents a stark contrast to the other three seasons with their profuse natural color. Focal points assume greater significance as foreground and background elements disappear. Scenes otherwise crowded with many layers and textures become minimalist, with very different light conditions bringing an entirely new look to every location.
With all these wonderful qualities, why don’t we take more pictures in wintertime? The number one reason is: it’s cold! Our bodies, our equipment, and our cars don’t like it. Most of my recommended winter landscape locations require little exposure to the elements, so you and your camera will be much happier in all but the harshest conditions.
1. The Old North Bridge
While this is a popular spot and easy to find, you’ll have it all to yourself in parka weather. A short walk from the parking lot at the neighboring Old Manse at 269 Monument Street in Concord will provide you with dazzling photo ops from both sides of the bridge. I prefer shooting west in the morning with the Minute Man statue poised in the background. You can’t go wrong with any type of camera or lens.
2. The Millstream
The first mill complex in Chelmsford, established circa 1656, was rebuilt in the mid-1950s by the late Lloyd C. Greene Jr., who was fascinated with dams,
waterwheels, and mills. Open to the public at 99 Mill Road, there is a short, easy walking path around the holding pond, pump house, mill, waterfall, and stream. This site is best photographed late in the afternoon, when the sun shines on the barn-red mill buildings and waterfall.
3. Fort Pickering (Winter Island) Lighthouse
Fort Pickering Lighthouse was built in 1871 as part of a three-lighthouse system to direct ship traffic into Salem Harbor. With free parking in winter— steps away from the rocky shoreline— this is an enchanting location to shoot first thing in the morning, with a boatload of compositional prospects.
4. Plum Island
The North Shore’s beautiful barrier island is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Newburyport. Whether you venture out on the hard-packed sand beaches or stick to the boardwalks of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, spectacular shots abound, from dunes to birds to pristine shoreline vistas. While the island is a popular place for people to catch a sunrise, cameras love its 360-degree views all day long.
5. Motif No. 1
Motif No. 1, the famous icon of Rockport, Massachusetts, was originally built in the 1800s to store
fishing supplies and daily catches. As Rockport gained notoriety as an artists’ haven, painters flocked to the town to capture this eminently New England sight. In the nose-nipping months, parking spots are plentiful in town, and you can walk around and right up to the buoy-clad building. The lateafternoon and early-evening sky casts a distinctly wintery glow on the entire harbor.
6. First Harbor Christmas Tree Dory
The coastal–New England tradition of floating a small Christmas tree in a dory can be spied in Marblehead each December. Ample parking close to
the harbor at this time of year makes it easy to approach and photograph the bough-laden boat just offshore. I lean toward isolating this seafaring spruce with a telephoto lens, but you can experiment with capturing more of the surrounding waterfront. Best time? Sunset into blue hour, when the tree lights twinkle.
Professional landscape photographer and winter-photography enthusiast Dave Long has lived in New England for more than 30 years and currently resides on Cape Cod. He travels the region extensively, teaching workshops, giving presentations, and capturing images, which have appeared in calendars, on the VisitMA.com website, and in publications including Outdoor Photographer, The Boston Globe , Newport Life , Cape Cod Magazine , Yankee Magazine , and Down East Find more winter-photography tips and his e-book Winter Landscape Photography in New England at davelongphoto.com.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The Old North Bridge in Concord has been rebuilt five times, but it’s as iconic as ever; Snap a frosty photo of Fort Pickering Lighthouse; Capture the stark contrast of red mill buildings and winter snow in Chelmsford; A Christmas tree afloat attracts shutterbugs to Marblehead each holiday season.
Massachusetts 250 is a Can’t-Miss Anniversary
Resolve to be a part of this year’s commemorations of our region’s role on the road to independence.
BY KIM FOLEY MACKINNON
Some birthdays are more consequential than others and, certainly, turning 250 is a pretty big deal. In 2026, the United States will mark its Semiquincentennial with a variety of celebrations across the country, but many pivotal events happened much earlier than the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Long before America’s cake is baked, Massachusetts 250 commemorations will draw visitors to the region just north of Boston, especially to places like Lexington and Concord where the American Revolution ignited when the “shot heard round the world” occurred on April 19, 1775. From special exhibits to reenactments, here are just a few ways to reflect on our nation’s foundations and the possibilities that lie ahead. Find more ideas for celebrating at massachusetts250.org.
Lexington and Concord
The first skirmishes of the Revolutionary War happened in these two towns, and you can easily spend days exploring relevant sites and museums. A good way to get a lay of
the land is to start at the invaluable Lexington Visitors Center, open daily. Interactive exhibits offer a historical overview of the area, plus you can pick up maps, sign up for guided walking tours, and have almost any question you can think of answered by the wellinformed staff. Just outside are the Lexington Battle Green, Buckman Tavern, Hancock-Clarke House, and other important Revolutionary sites where history comes alive.
If you plan to be in Lexington or Concord the weekend of April 19, 2025, for battle reenactments and other commemorative events, be sure to make hotel and dining reservations
early and allow extra travel time. The 250th anniversary is anticipated to attract visitors from around the world.
Minute Man National Historical Park
This 1,000-acre park encompasses many places of great importance during the opening battles of the American Revolution and the events that followed. While the Minute Man Visitor Center in Lexington is closed November through mid-May, you can still embark on a selfguided exploration of landmarks within the park. You can also elect to join the non-profit Friends of Minute Man National Park as a donor or volunteer
PHOTO: HENRY HUNG
Thomas Gage refused to convene the Massachusetts General Court. Delegates then organized an illegal Provincial Congress on October 7, 1774, seized power, and started preparing for war. The next chapter, “Rebellion,” begins April 18, 2025, and runs through June 17, 2025, with reenactments, open houses, walks, and lectures.
Battle Road Trail
Walking or snowshoeing along the Battle Road, a five-mile trail that connects sites from Meriam’s Corner in Concord to Fiske Hill Park in Lexington, is not only enlightening, it’s beautiful year round. A wealth of landmarks honor the fierce fighting that occurred on this trail between Colonial militia and the British. About a half mile west of the trailhead, you’ll find The Wayside in Concord, which, during the Revolutionary era, was the home of Samuel Whitney, mustermaster of the Concord Minutemen. In the 19th century, three famous authors, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Harriett Lothrop (pen name Margaret Sidney), lived there at different times.
Concord Museum
Marblehead
Marblehead has plenty of its own Revolutionary history, which is perhaps a bit less known. Like many in the colonies, locals were fed up with taxes being imposed by the British, and Col. John Glover organized a Marblehead militia. He was officially commissioned as head of the 21st Regiment on June 16, 1775, the day before the infamous Battle of Bunker Hill.
If you head to Abbot Hall in town, you can view the painting known as The Spirit of ’76. Artist Archibald MacNeal Willard’s familiar work depicts drummers and a fifer marching on a battlefield while fighting rages around them. A symbol of the fortitude of the American Revolution, it was exhibited at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The music of the front lines lives on at Fort Sewall, now a community park with sweeping views of Marblehead Harbor. It’s usually a tranquil spot, except during encampments by Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, a group of reenactors— featuring a fife-and-drum corps—who fan the flames of revolution during an annual public event in July.
to help ensure the preservation of these hallowed grounds and the ideas of the American Revolution for hundreds of years to come.
Minute Man is in the midst of a multi-year program, Rise to Rebellion, with themed programming connecting the past to the present. Through April 17, 2025, the “Organization” segment looks at what happened during the Powder Alarm incident, when General
As you might expect, the museum that counts among its treasures the remaining lantern from Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride also has a series of special Massachusetts 250 programming planned. The first, “Whose Revolution,” launches March 28, 2025. The exhibit explores the disparate meanings of “revolution” in the years leading up to America’s war for independence, looking at the experiences of enslaved and free Black communities, Indigenous peoples, and women. Learn how the prospect of declaring independence from England was far from a sure thing. Lectures, a gala, and interactive programs are also scheduled, including on Patriots’ Day, April 19, 2025, when visitors can watch an encampment of Acton Minutemen reenactors drill with muskets, cook over a fire pit, and demonstrate Colonial crafts.
Gloucester
If you want to experience the sights and sounds of the Battle of Bunker Hill, a reenactment is planned for June 21 and 22, 2025, in Gloucester. The event can’t be held at Bunker Hill in Boston due to lack of space, so Gloucester’s Fort Stage Park will serve as a stand-in. Lock in your reservations this spring to be among the rebels and rabble-rousers who gather in Gloucester for this one-of-akind event.
Kim Foley MacKinnon is an awardwinning travel journalist and author who has lived in and written about Massachusetts for more than 25 years. She has written several guidebooks about the Bay State and her latest book, 100 Things to Do in Massachusetts Before You Die , comes out in spring 2025.
When Redcoat reenactors fire their muskets, the drama of the opening battles of the American Revolution is palpable.
History You Know & Don’t Know
Delve deeper into this storied region’s role in American history.
BY KIM KNOX BECKIUS
Even if you routinely snoozed in history class, there are places, names, and events that will ring a loud bell for you as you’re exploring the cities and towns just north of Boston. Attractions that tell these well-known tales are worth a visit or even a revisit. These are living organizations striving to share a more inclusive picture of the past and engage visitors in new and interactive ways. With the 250th birthday of these United States coming up in 2026, it’s also an especially interesting time to discover this region’s more hidden historic sites, where stories you’ve likely never heard are preserved.
The Founding of a Nation
The fight for freedom from British rule began in Massachusetts, and as the state prepares for the 250th commemoration of the Revolutionary War , Lexington and Concord will be in the spotlight. And rightfully so. April 19, 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the opening battles of the American Revolution, which occurred here and are reenacted each year on Patriots’ Day in April.
Minute Man National Historical Park is yours to explore free of
charge, even when visitor centers are closed from November through April. Download the official National Park Service mobile app, dress for the weather, and follow an audio-guided tour of 10 sites, starting at the Old North Bridge.
Feeling even more ambitious?
The app’s tour of the Battle Road leads you to 21 important locations. At Hartwell Tavern , which dates to 1733, contemplate the role the owners’ daughter-in-law, Mary Flint Hartwell, is believed to have played in sounding the alarm on a night
Observe the age-old craft of wooden-boat building at Lowell’s Boat Shop & Museum in Amesbury.
when Paul Revere gets most of the credit. At “Bloody Bluff,” where fierce fighting occurred on that fateful day in 1775, learn a bit about the Algonquian people, who hunted here for millennia before English settlement. It takes three hours or more to walk the 5.5-mile route. Parking a car at each end is a solid strategy.
There’s a Revolutionary road less taken in this region, too. The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway , which stretches 90 miles from Lynn to Salisbury, isn’t just a pretty drive year round. Along the route, you can visit coastal fortifications that were in use during the American Revolution, including Fort Pickering in Salem and Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.
Hidden 18th-Century History
Discover fascinating aspects of early American history at the following off-the-beaten-path museums, open year round.
Custom House Maritime Museum , Newburyport : The origins of the U.S. Coast Guard reach back to 1791, when the first Revenue Cutter was launched out of Newburyport. This museum celebrates the port city’s maritime history and the evolution of this branch of the U.S. Military Services.
Lowell’s Boat Shop & Museum , Amesbury : The oldest continuously
operating boat shop in the country keeps the art of wooden-boat building alive. Located on the banks of the Merrimack River since 1793 and known as the birthplace of the dory, it’s a living museum where you’ll be as fascinated by the work in progress as you are by historical exhibits. You may even want to return for a boatbuilding class.
Town Museum , Wilmington : Step inside the Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, a remarkably well-preserved late-18th-century gathering spot. The secret hideaway inside may have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.
History Through the Eyes of Great Writers
So many of Massachusetts’ top literary attractions are clustered right here. If you’re a lover of the written word, don’t close the book once you’ve visited popular sites like the House of the Seven Gables in Salem and the Old Manse in Concord. There are chapters more to explore at:
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, Concord: Tour the home where Little Women is set and was penned. You’ll not only appreciate author Louisa May Alcott’s talent and her most beloved novel in new ways, but you’ll also hear many other stories of this long-standing structure, much of which dates to between about 1650 and 1720.
Concord Museum, Concord:
Among the literary artifacts you’ll see here are Henry David Thoreau’s snowshoes and the desk at which he wrote Walden , an exact replica of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s study featuring original furnishings, and one of the two signal lanterns that hung in the Old North Church belfry on the night of “Paul Revere’s Ride,” immortalized by the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem.
Walden Pond, Concord: Season after season, this tranquil body of water reminds those who walk its shores to “live deliberately,” as Thoreau wrote in his seminal book Walden . From here, you can hike the Emerson–Thoreau Amble, a 1.7-mile trail these two writer buds trod between Thoreau’s cabin and Emerson’s back door. But first, duck inside the Thoreau Society Shop at Walden Pond and deliberately pick out a gift for yourself.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord: Before you leave Concord, make a pilgrimage to Authors’ Ridge in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where fans of Emerson, Thoreau, Alcott, and Hawthorne leave pencils at the authors’ gravesites.
Edson Cemetery, Lowell: Jack Kerouac was the voice of a very different generation of writers. At his grave in his hometown, visitors scatter cigarettes, booze, poems, and guitar picks.
Lowell National Historical Park
Visitor Center, Lowell: Exhibits here allow you to hear Kerouac reading his own works and to learn what Charles Dickens thought of the city when he visited in 1842.
Freeman Memorial Trail, Haverhill: Set out from the Whittier Birthplace on a half-mile wooded walk (with your leashed dog, if you’d like) featuring 13 stations where John Greenleaf Whittier’s poetic passages were inspired by your surroundings. When it snows, you are encouraged to go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the path and across open fields
First Burial Ground, North Andover: Go on a bit of a hunt to find the marker for Anne Bradstreet, first published poet in colonial America. Whether or not she’s actually buried here remains a bit of a mystery.
FROM LEFT: Walden Pond in Concord is considered the birthplace of the environmental movement, and it remains an ideal place to get back to nature in any season; If you think it’s loud now in the weave room at Boott Cotton Mills Museum, just imagine how deafening, dusty, and dangerous it was for the employees who worked here in the 19th and early 20th centuries; At the Lynn Museum & Arts Center in Lynn, celebrate the invention of a true New England original: Marshmallow Fluff.
Another Revolution
In the 19th century, the planned mill city of Lowell was at the forefront of another revolution, ushering in an industrial age that transformed the nation. Most visitors to the Lowell National Historical Park head straight to the Boott Cotton Mills Museum where belts powering enormous looms still whir like they did in the 1920s. Hardships faced by mill girls, immigrants, and children who labored in the textile industry are brought to life through images, film, artifacts, and stories. There is more to experience, though, so carve out time to visit the Mogan Cultural Center, formerly a crowded residence hall for mill girls. The Into an 1840s Boarding House exhibition gives you a glimpse of what their lives were like. The One City, Many Cultures exhibition introduces you to this multicultural city’s diverse communities.
If you’re interested in industry and innovation, don’t overlook the
HISTORY BEYOND THE HYSTERIA
Did you know there are about 30 museums in Salem? And not all of them focus on the witchcraft trials for which the city is notorious? Don’t stop there, though. On the ruggedly picturesque Cape Ann peninsula, just north of Salem, these intriguing attractions await: Hammond Castle Museum: A prolific inventor known as the “Father of Radio Control,” John Hays Hammond Jr. wasn’t exclusively looking toward the future. He also amassed an impressive collection of 14th- to 16thcentury European architectural artifacts, which were incorporated into the seaside medieval-style home he built in Gloucester in the 1920s. Bask in
following less-well-known museums with fascinating collections on view year round:
Middlesex Canal Museum, Billerica: Before the Erie Canal there was the Middlesex Canal, and this 27-mile water highway played a massive role in the industrial revolution. Located in the historic Faulkner Mills, the museum showcases drawings, maps, and artifacts that tell the tale of this early-19th-century version of Boston’s “Big Dig.”
National Streetcar Museum , Lowell: Hands-on activities and photo ops make this trolley museum fun for kids, as well as adults.
Peabody Leatherworkers Museum, Peabody: Tools, machinery, and goods produced by local factories are among the items you’ll see at this museum that celebrates Peabody as the leather capital of the world.
Lynn Museum & Arts Center, Lynn: By the end of the 19th century, Lynn was the world’s largest producer of shoes. Learn about the city’s heritage, including its unique manufacturing past. Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Lynn, by the way, and you can stock up on Fluff merch at the museum shop.
Kim Knox Beckius taught highschool history for one whole year, and she’s the author of books like New England’s Historic Homes & Gardens in addition to being Travel Editor at Yankee Magazine.
the Old World grandeur on a guided or self-guided tour. If you’ve only visited in summertime, return to see the halls lavishly decked for the holidays.
Cape Ann Museum: While the main downtown campus is closed for renovations, you will love discovering the Cape Ann Museum Green and its collection of three pre-Revolution structures. Contemporary exhibition space here houses changing installations: a tribute to Cape Ann sculptor Walter Hancock is on tap for January 11–March 30, 2025. Admission is free, but a vehicle reservation is required.
Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum: Over the course of three centuries, Essex shipyards produced 4,000 vessels. Maritime industry has waned since the mid-20th century, but you can dive into the rich history of this coastal town as you view exhibits including one of only seven surviving pre-1950 Essex-built fishing schooners. Watch shipwrights at work, too, keeping the traditional skills of wooden boatbuilding alive.
Happy Places for Artivores
There’s no skimping on your art consumption in this land of multifaceted museums and diverse cultural places and spaces.
BY ALEXANDRA PECCI
From the gritty brick mill towns along the Merrimack River to the rugged seascapes of Cape Ann bathed in natural light, the sights and sounds of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore have inspired creatives of all kinds for centuries. It’s no surprise, then, that there’s a cornucopia of artistic treats packed into these cities and towns. You could spend months digging into the region’s world-renowned museums, galleries, and public art installations and ducking into venues where live performances mesmerize, yet barely scratch the surface. There’s such a kaleidoscope of things to see and do. Don’t have months? Don’t worry. Let’s break this down to a highlight reel of musts, plus some bonus culture hits. Choose a handful, and design your own artful weekend away.
Peabody Essex Museum,
Salem: What started in 1799 as a “cabinet” of curiosities and treasures collected by sea captains has evolved into a stunningly modern museum that not only flaunts its collection of more than 840,000 works but also spans three city blocks and 22 historic buildings. Among those structures is Yin Yu Tang, the only complete Qing Dynasty house outside China—and yes, you can book a look inside. PEM’s maritime and Asian art holdings are particularly strong, but a visit isn’t just about admiring art, past and present. Thanks to interactive and inclusive programming, you might mold clay inside one exhibit, write love letters in another, or attend an after-hours party with fellow culture vultures. As keeper of the Salem Witch Trials papers, PEM also illuminates that dark chapter via a self-guided audio tour that leads
you through museum galleries and out into the streets to sites like the historic Ropes Mansion, which you’ll recognize if you’ve seen Hocus Pocus.
Bonus: It’s free to wander through Salem’s Punto Urban Art Museum, an outdoor collection of more than 75 large-scale murals painted by international and local artists.
After Dark: Grab some popcorn and take a seat at a locally owned, independent cinema to catch a new film or cult classic.
deCordova Sculpture Park
and Museum, Lincoln: Wander among more than 50 large-scale modern and contemporary sculptures across 30-plus acres. Outside and accessible year round, the park’s grounds—forests, gardens, fields, and lawns that hug the edge of a pond— add an extra layer of beauty and
meaning to a visit. Each season brings added attractions: snowshoe tours, nature walks, yoga, live music. Be sure to see site-specific works like the granite, steel, and pine Watershed by English artist Andy Goldsworthy. It’s embedded into a hillside and channels water during rainstorms to create a multisensory, always-changing experience.
Bonus: Ten minutes away in Concord, tour Orchard House, the family home where Louisa May Alcott wrote her esteemed novel Little Women. You’ll see the spaces where Alcott and her sisters lived, wrote, and made art, just like the fictional March sisters.
After Dark: Enjoy live comedy or music by artists ranging from pop stars to the Lexington Symphony at Cary Hall in Lexington.
Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester: Cape Ann might be small—four towns, 58 square miles—but it’s had a disproportionately large impact on the art world, and that legacy is showcased at the Cape Ann Museum’s two campuses. Incredible pieces of fine and decorative art are in the collection including works by Gloucester native Fitz Henry Lane, a marine painter and printmaker whose Luminism style captures the region’s soft, golden ocean
PHOTO: BOB PACKERT/PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM, MUSEUM PURCHASE, MADE POSSIBLE BY THE JOHN ROBINSON FUND 2016.52.1
Lacquered, laser-cut steel and a single light bulb make Pakistan-born artist Anila Quayyum Agha’s All the Flowers Are for Me one of the Peabody Essex Museum’s magical experiences.
light. While the downtown campus is closed through spring of 2026 for renovations, there is art on view year round at the CAM Green campus including works by contemporary Cape Ann artists.
Bonus: Feel deeply inspired as you wander in and out of galleries and art studios at Rocky Neck Art Colony, one of the oldest such communities of artists in America.
After Dark: On Thursdays in December, tour Gloucester’s magnificent Hammond Castle Museum by candlelight, and relive the pre-electrification era. A new lineup of evening enchantment is planned for the winter months. You can even ring in the new year here.
Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell: James McNeill Whistler’s iconic Gilded Age paintings are on view in museums around the world, from the Tate Britain in London to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. But visiting his Lowell birthplace provides something much deeper: a peek into his origins, along with a chance to see some of his lesser-known works, including rare etchings. You’ll also encounter pieces by other artists like John Singer Sargent and Arshile Gorky inside the well-restored 1823 house, which has elements of both Federal and Greek Revival architecture. The museum also serves as home base for the Lowell Art Association and hosts exhibitions and events that nurture new talent.
Bonus: At Western Avenue Studios, housed in a converted riverside mill, meet some of the 350plus resident artists who showcase their eclectic creations.
Double Bonus: Stroll through a historic Lowell factory refashioned as a quirky indoor streetscape with shops, an indie movie theater, a farmers’ market, a café, and entertainment.
After Dark: Enjoy a captivating night at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, which has staged productions for more than 40 years.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Take your Valentine to see Jim Dine’s Two Big Black Hearts at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum this winter; Lowell’s Merrimack Repertory Theatre stages both new works and classics like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol; View fine art for free at the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, and keep an eye on their calendar of gallery talks, some in person and some virtual; Queen AlloteyPappoe’s sustainable fashion brand, Queen Adeline, is just one of the hundreds of creative businesses you’ll find at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell.
Addison Gallery of American
Art, Andover: The collection is vast (25,000 pieces including 13,000 photographs, 25 ship models, and paintings by American masters like John Singer Sargent, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock). But the price of admission to this museum on the Phillips Academy campus isn’t large at all. In fact, it’s free. Gallery talks and other educational programs? Also free. And with about 12 new exhibitions each year—a mix of traveling shows and deeper looks at works pulled from the permanent collection—you’ll never have the same visit twice.
Bonus: Merrimack College in neighboring North Andover is home to
the McCoy Gallery and the Thagaste Gallery, contemporary art spaces open free to visitors during business hours. Both are located in the Rogers Center for the Arts, which also hosts film screenings and live performances.
After Dark: Try your hand at applying color to canvas with a bringyour-own-wine painting class in North Andover.
Alexandra Pecci is a freelance writer, author, and North Shore native who writes frequently about Salem and its surrounding communities for Northshore Magazine , Lonely Planet, and many other outlets. She lives in southern New Hampshire with her husband, daughter, and cat.
PHOTOS: HOLLY PERRY/NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION & VISITORS
Unforgettable Ocean-side Concerts
Known best for summer’s celebrated Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Rockport Music’s year-round programming caters to a stunning array of tastes with jazz, folk, pop, roots, world, opera, and classical concerts. But enthralling entertainment is only part of the experience. The other piece of the magical equation is the venue itself: strikingly beautiful and acoustically exquisite Shalin Liu Performance Center, located right at the ocean’s edge and adorned with stone recalling the peninsula’s rocky shoreline. Behind the stage is a wall of windows, creating a stunning, ever-changing seascape backdrop for performances. Before or after a show, stroll along Bearskin Neck, home to shops, galleries, restaurants, and Rockport’s famous red, buoycovered fishing shack. Motif Number 1, as the shack is known, is said to be the American building most often rendered in paintings.
Winter at the
Farms
These agricultural destinations don’t go dormant after harvest season, and neither should you.
BY MIKE URBAN
Spring, summer, and fall are busy times on the family-friendly farms just north of Boston. Believe it or not, there are bushels of fun to be had at several of these agricultural gems during wintertime, as well. In that quiet season between Thanksgiving and spring’s awakening, these pastoral places are grateful to see visitors hungry for farm-fresh food and cold-weather fun.
Welcoming Barnyard
In Newbury, the 230 acres at SpencerPeirce-Little Farm are home to one of the oldest stone houses in New England. The house and still-working farmland date back to the 1600s, and both are currently under the protective wing of nonprofit Historic New England. During winter months, the grounds are open for hiking and for visiting the rescue animals who roam the enclosed pasture next to the buildings. There’s Roger the resident donkey, along with groups of sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and other protected barnyard critters. You’re invited for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments at the Christmas at the Farm event, held in the farmhouse in mid-December. In mid-January, discarded Christmas trees are gathered from around town, stacked in the middle of an open field on the property, and safely set ablaze for a rousing bonfire gathering.
Wintry Mix of Activity
Appleton Farms straddles the border between Ipswich and Hamilton and offers all sorts of frosty magic on its 658 acres. Now under the care of The Trustees, it’s one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country, and its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs feed locals. Rolling grasslands, stone walls, plowed fields, and grazing pastures may be accessed via several miles of hiking trails groomed for crosscountry skiers. Snowshoe rentals are also available. There’s a bounteous store stocked year round with organic vegetables and other victuals from the farm’s fields and greenhouses and other nearby sources. During Barnyard
WORTHY WARES IN THE MILL CITY
Get your greens and other staples year round at weekly indoor farmers’ markets at 19 Hall Street in Lowell. The markets are run by Mill City Grows, a local nonprofit dedicated to improving health, economic independence, and sustainability within the community through increased access to locally grown food. Dates and hours for the winter markets may be found on the group’s website, millcitygrows.org/ mobile-markets.
Story Hour, held weekly on Tuesday mornings, kids get to hear a story and interact with goats, cows, and rabbits. Culinary workshops and dinners are held throughout the year for adults looking to sharpen their cooking skills.
Walk Away from Suburbia
Smack-dab in the middle of residential Lexington sits this bucolic find, offering an easily accessed getaway from the daily grind, plus crisp produce no matter the season. Lexington Community Farm is a true grassroots operation, sitting on town land and cherished by locals and visitors. Hiking trails traverse the property and circle the adjacent Arlington Reservoir for topflight birdwatching and other wildlife viewing. A geodesic dome is in the works to provide shelter for classes and other activities in all four seasons. There are goats and alpacas you can visit in their paddocks.. And two large greenhouses supply the farmstand with abundant veggies throughout the winter.
Wonderland of Wildlife
Just off Route 117 in Lincoln is Drumlin Farm, an agrarian enterprise and sanctuary that’s home to dozens of farm animals and rescued creatures, all living under the watchful eye of dedicated Mass Audubon staff. Park your car, grab a map of the grounds at the admissions building, and walk the winding trails to Bird Hill, the Poultry House, the Pig Barn, the Goat Shed, and the Farm Life Center, where all manner of species are on display, enjoying shelter from the winter winds. Kids delight in close-up encounters with these critters. There are also miles of hiking trails for those wishing to explore crop fields, forests, and ponds or get in some birdwatching.
Mike Urban is the author of six books on New England cuisine. He is a frequent contributor to Yankee Magazine and NewEngland.com.
PHOTOS: HISTORIC NEW ENGLAND (WINTER PATH); THE TRUSTEES (BREAD); LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FARM (KALE); MASS AUDUBON (SHEEP)
The grounds of Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm are open to bundled-up winter adventurers.
Sheep and other resident rescues are happy to see visitors at Drumlin Farm.
Appleton Farms is famous for sourdough bread.
Outdoor Exhilaration
Get back to nature at one of these fresh-air fun spots.
BY MADELINE BILIS
The cities and towns dotting the Merrimack Valley and areas north of Boston are rich in scenic outdoor activities, many of them revealing their hiddengem qualities once the heat of summer dissipates and the crowds disperse. Try exploring these one-of-a-kind spots from the leaf-crunching weeks of November to the budding days of April—or any time of year.
If you want to glimpse birdlife up close . . .
Toss your binoculars in your backpack and set out for Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord. Ornithologists have called the spot one of the best inland birding areas in Massachusetts, and for good reason: you can stroll or snowshoe along trails beside wetlands to glimpse some of the 200-plus species of winged visitors that have been sighted here. You could also venture out at Crane Beach in Ipswich, on your own or with a guided “owl prowl” group, gently making your way across the shore to spot white-feathered snowy owls. Wide-open coastal environments are where wintering “snowies” get comfy in colder months, perching on dunes and in salt-hay staddles. Wear sturdy boots for scaling sand dunes.
If you’re a skier . . .
Lace up your boots for a day spent cross-country skiing at Appleton Farms in Ipswich, where a broad network of trails groomed by the nonprofit North Shore Nordic Association crisscrosses pictureperfect pastures and wooded areas.
Afterward, swing by the farm store for a boule of their sourdough and a cup of seasonal soup. Cross-country beginners, meanwhile, might opt for a daytime or lantern-lit evening adventure at Great Brook Ski Touring Center in Carlisle. Rental skis, boots, and poles are available for all ages. The easy loop winds through fields and past a working dairy farm, while machine-groomed trails make getting the hang of things a breeze.
If you’d rather explore on two wheels . . .
Hop on a bike (or, in the winter, a fat-tire bike) and feel the wind in your face at Topsfield Linear Common/Rail Trail . The Linear Common stretches 4 miles from Wenham to Boxford, and the Rail Trail follows the abandoned rail bed of the defunct Newburyport Branch line and passes through forests and over the Ipswich River. Head farther north to bike along the Clipper City Rail Trail in Newburyport. It’s a 3.3-mile paved path that connects the town’s commuter-rail station to the waterfront. Trailside sculptures, paintings by local artists, and views
of the Merrimack River accent this breezy ride. There’s also the option to pick up the famous Minuteman Bikeway in Lexington. History buffs know that the trail crosses the battlefield where the “shot heard round the world” ignited the Revolutionary War in 1775.
If you’d relish a dose of culture . . .
Head to the deCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, where you can enjoy the outdoors with a side of worldrenowned art. In warmer weather, take a yoga class amidst the museum’s stunning outdoor sculptures, and in wintertime, bring snowshoes to crunch about the grounds when they’re blanketed in white. Whether or not it’s spooky season, take a self-guided walk through Lowell Cemetery. The best time to visit is Spring Tour Weekend in April, when you’ll learn about Victorian monument symbols, early mourning customs, and notable people buried there. Cemetery celebs include Helen Augusta Whittier, the first woman to run a mill in Lowell, and Edith Nourse Rogers, one of the first women to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Madeline Bilis is a writer, editor, and lifelong New Englander, currently based in suburban Boston. She’s the author of the guidebook 50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts .
Woodsy Walks for Any Time of Year
Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover: Take a smooth 3.5-mile trek around a pond at this state forest where you’ll encounter footbridges, wildlife (or at least signs), and, in springtime, lady slippers.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield: Hiking beside marshes and among tall trees is a treat, but the highlight here is the Rockery, designed in 1905 by Japanese landscape architect Shintare Anamete. Kids dig this cave-like atmosphere with twists and turns.
Horn Pond, Woburn: Locals cherish the gentle 2.2-mile walk around the glassy and still water, but for more of a challenge, scale Horn Pond Mountain for views of Woburn and the Boston skyline.
Coastal Beauty Without the Crowds
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport: The turquoise-tinted pool at the bottom of the granite quarry sparkles in every season. And the views of the Atlantic just beyond remain unmatched, even during the slushy days of March. Take a 1.5-mile jaunt around this park to see both.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport: To breathe in briny air with only shorebirds as your witnesses, set off down the Hellcat Interpretive Trail. You’ll amble along a boardwalk and climb some serious staircases to see panoramic views of salt marshes and the churning sea.
Coolidge Reservation, Manchester-by-the-Sea: For a front-row seat to the ocean from a hidden seaside lawn, pick up the trail from the parking lot. You’ll make your way through a small pine-and-oak forest and follow the edges of a pond before arriving at a secluded vantage point.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Make family memories on an expedition to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, where there are 12 miles of boardwalks and trails to wander; North Shore Nordic Association volunteers groom miles of cross-country skiing trails at Appleton Farms in Ipswich, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating agricultural enterprises; Crane Beach on the Crane Estate in Ipswich is one of the best spots in Massachusetts to spy a snowy owl.
Follow the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway to Rockport, where Motif No. 1 is an even more prominent landmark once leaves are off the trees.
Days
1. A STICKSEASON SCENIC DRIVE
Meandering back roads and picturesque byways are great reminders that the journey itself can be the best destination.
Morning: Start your drive along the eastern shore of Walden Pond in Concord, where writer, philosopher, and naturalist Henry David Thoreau lived a transcendental “life in the woods.” From there, head north to get steeped in Revolutionary history and stand where the “shot heard round the world” was fired. Along the way, you’ll pass the Concord Battleground and The Old Manse before sighting the famous North Bridge and The Minute Man statue at Minute Man National Historical Park. Next, immerse yourself in the architecture of bygone days in the Bedford Historic District, where the majority of buildings along Great Road between Bacon and Concord Roads were erected in the 19th century or earlier. In 1775, the town’s minutemen gathered here at Fitch Tavern just hours before fighting in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Afternoon: Whether you scoot east on I-95 or set your GPS to avoid highways, make your way to Lynn. The 90-mile Essex Coastal Scenic Byway hugs the waterside through 14 cities and towns from here to Salisbury, winding past salt marshes, clam shacks, dramatic vistas, state parks, sleepy historic villages, and even a castle. Traveling the less-explored northern section is an off-the-beaten-path treat. Essex is an antique lover’s dream, teeming with storefront displays and vestiges of the town’s past as a captain of the nation’s shipbuilding industry. Ipswich is postcard perfect, boasting the most First Period (pre-1725) homes in the nation, which you can admire on a self-guided tour using the interactive map available on the Historic Ipswich website. When you reach Newburyport, drive out to Plum Island and perhaps hit the trails at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, a world-renowned birding hot spot. Look for snowy owls in the winter. Back in downtown Newburyport, shops, galleries, and eateries line the brick-covered streets, while Maudslay State Park boasts 19th-century gardens, trails, Merrimack River views, and a welcome sign of verdure: one of the grandest naturally occurring thickets of mountain laurel in the state.
2. SET-JETTING
Step into your silver-screen dreams by visiting locations that inspired or served as filming locations for notable movies.
Morning: The 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women was filmed entirely in Massachusetts and included shots of Alcott’s real-life home, Orchard House. Visitors can tour the Concord home that inspired the novel’s idyllic setting and even get an up-close look at the desk where Alcott penned her beloved story. In Ipswich, the seaside Crane Estate provided gorgeous backdrops for several scenes: the March sisters flew kites on Crane Beach, while Castle Hill was a stand-in for Paris. Further west, the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard acted as Meg March’s home after she got married.
Afternoon: A trip to Salem will always put a spell on you, but visiting Hocus Pocus filming sites in and around Witch City makes it even more magical. Movie buffs will recognize the Ropes Mansion and Old Town Hall in Salem as the locations for Allison’s house and the Halloween party, respectively, while
the living-history museum, Pioneer Village, made a perfectly spooky 17th-century Salem. In nearby Marblehead, Old Burial Hill is a moody, centuries-old cemetery with incredible views of Marblehead Harbor. In the movie, it’s the spot where Max is bullied out of his sneakers.
Evening: CODA, the 2021 Oscar winner for best picture, wasn’t just set in Gloucester. It was also filmed in some of Cape Ann’s most prominent places, such as Jodrey State Fish Pier. Spend the evening exploring markets and restaurants downtown before taking in the sunset and granite quarries at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, near where the swimming scenes were filmed. Or catch a concert at the elegant and acoustically stunning Shalin Liu Performance Center, which stood in for Boston’s Berklee College of Music during the film’s crucial audition scene. Windows behind the stage frame a view of Rockport Harbor.
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT : Lowell’s most famous literary son may one day have his own museum if the Jack Kerouac Center raises adequate funds; This Star of Bethlehem quilt stitched circa 1840 and a contemporary quilt by Tomie Nagano illustrate the breadth of the New England Quilt Museum’s permanent collection; Director Greta Gerwig made use of many Massachusetts filming locations in her 2019 release, Little Women.
3. GEEK OUT
The urge to learn keeps us young at any age. Spend just 90 minutes in the car, and feed your brain a rejuvenating dose of science, history, and literature—with some electives to choose from along the way.
Morning: There’s no bell, but science class is in session at 10 a.m. (closed most offseason Tuesdays and Wednesdays) at Maritime Gloucester’s indoor Maritime Science Education Center in Gloucester. Peer at plankton through a digital microscope, head out into watery habitats (without getting wet) via the magic of AR, tickle crabs in the touch tank, and ask an enthusiastic docent to reveal how rare a cotton-candy lobster is. On your way out of Gloucester, grab a bagged lunch that’ll beat anything you toted to high school at one of the indie sandwich shops on Main Street.
Afternoon: Through the lens of people who lived and passed through the Federal-style 1808 home in Newburyport that is now the Museum of Old Newbury, you can reflect upon practically any period in American and world history. That’s a remarkable time machine. Public tours are offered Thursday through Sunday, late May through mid-October. In the offseason, affordable membership and an advance
reservation will get you a fascinating private tour. Quick math lesson: it’s worth it.
Now where? On Saturdays year round, the Museum of Printing in Haverhill is a must for lovers of typography, graphic arts, and the printed word. Or squeeze in a visit to the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell. Celebrating textile artists past and present, its galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday all year. Pick up supplies for your own crafty pursuits in the gift shop.
Evening: The fitting final destination for your playfully intellectual day is Worthen Street in Lowell. Nineteenthcentury brick mill buildings stand tall and literary cred runs deep in this part of the city, which was once the haunt of notable writers including Edgar Allan Poe, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Jimmy Breslin. Whether you’re absorbed in macabre fiction, spontaneous prose, or investigative journalism, make a pilgrimage to the tavern here to forge your own phrases over pub grub and drinks.
Winter’s Most Indulgent Events
PUT THESE HAPPENINGS ON YOUR CALENDAR:
l Salem Frozen Fire Festival
l Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival
l Lowell Winterfest
4. FAMILY FUN
For a memorable weekend outing with your whole crew, say yes to a variety of adventures that’ll have you giggling, engaging in good-natured competition, and trying new things.
Morning: Load everybody up for the drive to the Discovery Museum in Acton. With year-round activities indoors and out—all educational but masquerading as pure, hands-on fun—kids adore this accessible, inclusive attraction. Even hardto-impress tweens will get a kick out of bending prismatic beams in the Light & Color Gallery and orienteering their way through the woods. Anybody hungry? Acton has an extensive menu of familyfriendly dining options that won’t break the bank. From here, it’s a drive of about 30 minutes to your next stop—worth every mile if your kids love trains.
Afternoon: In Lowell, the National Streetcar Museum spotlights the railtransportation era, and you’ll all enjoy stepping back into the 19th century for photo ops and all-aboard amusement. Allow at least 45 minutes to explore the interactive exhibits, open on Saturdays and Sundays year round. When you’re ready to be invigorated by sunshine and fresh air, drive 20 minutes to Funway Park at Saunders Recreational Area in Tewksbury. While the name suggests “theme park,” this outdoor playground is more of an old-fashioned scream, with steep, swooping slides, swing sets, seesaws, and jungle gyms.
Evening: If the stars align, there’s a musical on stage tonight at Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. Established in 1955, and a nonprofit since 1967, the venue is known for its original productions including many beloved family shows. This December’s A Christmas Carol will be the 35th-anniversary presentation of the Charles Dickens classic. In March, you can take high schoolers to see Macbeth or preschoolers to sing along during the PBStelevision-inspired Curious George: The Golden Meatball.
ABOVE: Discovery Museum’s giant treehouse is the centerpiece of its outdoor nature playscape; Hands-on activities in Discovery Museum’s “Yes, It’s Math” gallery show that math is all around us; RIGHT: North Shore beaches are dogs’ favorite places to socialize in the off-season months.
5.
A DOG’S DAY
Your canine kin deserve a change of scenery, too. This lineup of activities will make any pup vibrate with excitement.
Morning: What’s better than a new fetch toy? A new ball or flying disc and a trip to Gloucester’s Wingaersheek Beach. From October through April, this prettiest of North Shore beaches is open to dogs; they can even romp off leash on odd-numbered days of the week. (On even-numbered days, opt for leash-free play at Good Harbor Beach from October through March.) If your four-legged family member is more of a landlubber, Endicott Park in Danvers welcomes leashed pets year round. There’s an off-leash dog park tucked within this 165-acre natural and cultivated landscape, too, where you’re sure to meet new friends.
Afternoon: Hit a drive-through in Peabody for a warming bevvy and a savory bite on your way to Lynnfield, where, in wintertime, the bustling marketplace in the heart of town
is as cozy as a Hallmark-movie set. In this community of dog lovers, you’ll enjoy mingling and warming up beside one of the chimineas near the ice rink (open daily from mid-November through late February, with skate rentals available). Before you leave, treat your pooch to some Fidofriendly baked goods.
Evening: Not only are dogs gladly received at the converted mill where Western Avenue Studios is fueling Lowell’s arts renaissance, there’s a dog-welcoming brewery that often has a food truck parked outside—always a welcome dining option for people with animal companions in tow. Check out the scene, show your pup some artwork, and be sure to snap a selfie with your canine best bud to commemorate this bone-a fide best day ever.
10 Ways to Usher in Spring
As the landscape revives, so should you!
BY ANDREW COLLINS
In this diverse region, the emergence of warmer weather presents countless opportunities for playing outside and attending colorful festivals. Here’s just a sampling of delightful experiences to enjoy during this season of renewal.
1. Catch an indie movie at Salem Film Fest (SFF), Salem Held over four days in late March, this increasingly acclaimed cinematic showcase draws thousands of independent-film buffs to venues throughout Salem to view a panoramic range of films, from features to shorts. But SFF is perhaps most celebrated for its always-impressive
slate of international documentaries. Filmmaker Q-and-A sessions and parties are part of the fun.
2. Picnic at Acton Arboretum, Acton
Pack a tasty meal to enjoy at one of the picnic tables on the main lawn of this peaceful public green space. Then explore the beautiful trails, which lead past an old apple orchard, rhododendron and fern collections, and hosta and butterfly gardens.
3. Go birdwatching at a nature preserve, various locations You can spy a riot of plumage and
hear a chorus of calls on the paths and boardwalks of several wildlife preserves along the area’s shoreline, which is part of the expansive Atlantic Flyway. Migratory birds— such as terns, plovers, herons, egrets, and cormorants—rank among the favorite feathered friends to watch for. Check out John J. Donovan Reservation and Sagamore Hill Conservation Area in Hamilton, Coolidge Reservation in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Steer Swamp Conservation Area in Marblehead, and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island.
4. Celebrate Cambodian New Year, Lowell Home to the second-largest Cambodian population in the country, the dynamic city of Lowell hosts a festive Khmer New Year celebration in mid-April. Head downtown for a parade, musical and dance performances, and delicious food.
5. Behold the blooms at Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens, North Andover With bountiful flower beds that have recently been expanded, this gracious agricultural gem is stunning year round. And each year from late April through mid-May, you can meander among the lush rows of tulips, daffodils, and other bulb flowers that brilliantly announce the arrival of the vernal season.
6. Catch the fishing bug at Walden Pond, Concord
Henry David Thoreau famously wrote about the pristine waters of this serene, rippling pond, where he “lived simply” for two years in the 1840s. It remains a treasured spot, particularly among fishing enthusiasts. Come springtime, it’s a top-of-the-line location to angle for bass, bluegills, and trout.
7. Observe Patriots’ Day at Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord
Every third Monday of April, Massachusetts commemorates the first clashes of the American Revolution. During the preceding days, rousing
reenactments revive the spirit of ‘75 at this park encompassing key sites from the momentous Battles of Lexington and Concord. In 2025, which marks the 250th anniversary of the conflicts, you can attend talks by costumed staff at historic sites, a lantern-lit Patriot Vigil at North Bridge, and a tactical demonstration along a restored section of the original Battle Road.
8. Stroll the beaches and gardens at Lynch Park, Beverly With breathtaking vistas of Beverly Harbor, this majestic setting occupies the former estate where President William H. Taft summered in the early 1900s. It’s a beautiful spot to ramble
once the mercury begins to rise. The property boasts two beaches, which don’t get crowded until a bathhouse with a snack bar opens in late May. That’s also when the property’s fragrant rose garden comes into full bloom, but you can visit two stately lion statues any time.
9. Hike through history at Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle
Spanning more than 1,000 verdant, pastoral acres, this gorgeous state park is set around a working dairy farm (the first in the state to use a robotic milking system) that offers free tours on weekends. Over 20 miles of well-maintained hiking trails pass by fascinating historical points of interest, such as sites used by Native Americans for thousands of years and cellar holes of former homesteads once inhabited by 17th-century settlers.
10. Make plans to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride, various locations
Vibrant Pride celebrations take place throughout the region in late spring, so plan ahead to attend Cape Ann Pride in late May, Greater Lowell Pride in mid-June, and Concord Pride and Salem’s North Shore Pride in late June. Numerous events herald the season during the days leading up to these inclusive and spirited weekends, including flag-raising ceremonies, film screenings, family picnics, and dance parties. Make lodging reservations early if you want to join in the merrymaking.
Editor, writer, and educator Andrew Collins contributes regularly to Fodor’s , The Points Guy, and many other publications. He’s based in western New Hampshire but spends his free time road-tripping, hiking, kayaking, and eating his way across New England.
FROM LEFT: Tulips add wow factor each spring at the Stevens–Coolidge House in North Andover; Head to Lowell Pride for rainbow vibes and entertainment that celebrates the city’s LGBTQ+ community.