Just North of Boston: Get to Know the Greater Merrimack Valley and North of Boston Region by Yankee Magazine

Just Get to Know the Greater Merrimack Valley and North of Boston Region

Welcome!

ou’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

AMESBURY

SALISBURY

MERRIMAC

WEST NEWBURY

HAVERHILL

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BILLERICA LITTLETON

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LEXINGTON LINCOLN

PEABODY

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A M SWAMPSCOTT

NAHANT

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GLOUCESTER

MANCHESTERBY-THE-SEA

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CONCORD STOW

WENHAM

DANVERS

WILMINGTON

CARLISLE

ROCKPORT

TOPSFIELD

MIDDLETON

CHELMSFORD

AYER

IPSWICH

HAMILTON

TEWKSBURY WESTFORD

BOXFORD

ANDOVER

LOWELL

GROTON

SHIRLEY

NORTH ANDOVER

DUNSTABLE

PEPPERELL

ROWLEY

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NEWBURYPORT

Contents

6 12

5 Perfect Days

Tastes Worth A Drive

Outdoor Exhilaration

Get Cozy

History You Know & Don’t Know

Happy Places For Artivores

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, Photo Editor Dave Ziarnowski, Production Director Jennifer Freeman, Senior Production Artist

PHOTOS: LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK; ADDISON CHOATE; REAGAN BYRNE/INN AT HASTINGS PARK; AISLINN WEIDELE OF ENNEAD ARCHITECTS/PEABODY ESSE X MUSEUM (COVER); CARL TREMBLAY (THIS PAGE)

THIS PAGE: Walk 2,045 feet out into Salem Harbor. Derby Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historic Site is open 24/7 year round. ON THE COVER (CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT): Learn about the largest power-

canal system in the country and its role in the industrial revolution at Lowell National Historical Park. Wake up to salt-air breezes and custom bagged breakfasts at Addison Choate in Rockport. Savor elevated New England fare at the Inn at Hastings Park’s Town Meeting Bistro in Lexington. Step inside East India Marine Hall, and imagine all these walls have seen: Salem’s Peabody Essex Museum traces its roots to 22 sea captains and traders who founded America’s first collecting museum in 1799 and built this structure of Cape Ann granite in 1825 to house all the curiosities.

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WHATEVER THE SEASON Unforgettable AdventuresAwait in Greater Merrimack Valley

Just a half hour from Boston, our 21 cities and towns present the essence of New England, all year round. Take in the stunning scenery, while exploring back roads where great American authors walked, and where our forefathers fought in the Revolutionary War. Or discover the starting points of the American Industrial Revolution. The Valley provides a range of visitor pleasures - art, culture, shopping, concerts, seasonal and sport events. And foodies will delight in all the global cuisines and regional favorite foods waiting to be savored. Want a New England experience that’s active and vibrant? Cozy and comfortable? Or fun and cultural? They’re all right here in the Greater Merrimack Valley!

For more information about adding us to your trip itinerary visit merrimackvalley.org PO Box 8370, Lowell, MA 01854 978-770-2732 | merrimackvalley.org info@merrimackvalley.org

Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

is… eclectic downtowns scrumptious local food exciting arts & culture natural beauty funky shopping heritage & historic sites

WICKED

y h t r o S W To learn more about what this oh-so-close region has to offer visit us online or follow us at @VisitNorthofBoston

PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAY AT NORTHOFBOSTON.ORG Just North of Boston 5

5 Perfect

The Old North Bridge in Concord has been rebuilt five times since the “shot heard round the world” was fired here, igniting the American War of Independence in 1775.

6 Just North of Boston

Days

1. LOBSTER & LIBERTY The pursuit of lobster isn’t just a summer pastime when you’re this close to the Atlantic Ocean. In between luscious bites, you’ll encounter some lesser-known historic sites tied to America’s quest for independence.

Morning: Who says seafood’s not for breakfast?

Start your day with a lobster omelet or lobster Benedict splashed with lemony hollandaise at the Anchor Pub in Beverly. Next, you’re off to Marblehead, where Abbot Hall (open weekdays only from late October through Memorial Day weekend) houses the original Spirit of ‘76, the iconic Revolutionary War scene painted in 1876 by Archibald M. Willard, plus a Maritime Museum, where you’ll discover Marblehead was the birthplace of the United States Navy. Before leaving the peninsula, drive to Gale’s Head to see the remains of Fort Sewall, rebuilt during the Revolution to replace century-plus-old coastal fortifications.

Afternoon: Feast on deep-dish, cracker-crumbtopped lobster pie at Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall in Salem. Then, it’s off to Lexington. Among the artifacts you’ll see at Buckman Tavern (open weekends only from December through February) is the drum played to summon the Lexington militia on April 19, 1775. Park at Minute Man Visitor Center in Lincoln, and walk about a half mile along the Battle Road Trail to the Paul Revere Capture Site, where British officers intercepted the famous patriot’s midnight ride. In Concord, you’ll find the Robbins House: once home to descendants of Caesar Robbins, an African-American slave who secured his emancipation by joining America’s fight for independence. (View a virtual tour online when the house is closed from mid-October through May.)

Staying Over?

FIND HISTORIC LODGINGS AT: l Concord’s Colonial Inn, Concord l Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington l Harbor Light Inn, Marblehead PHOTO: NINA GALLANT

Evening: You’re directly across from the Old North Bridge, where the first shots of the American Revolution rang out. It’s a moving place to reflect on life and the “blessings of liberty” as day’s light fades. If your appetite hasn’t faded, savor dishes like Cantonese lobster and lobster with udon noodles at Karma Concord. Or pop into Twin Seafood for live lobsters packed to travel home with you. Just North of Boston 7

2. WINTER INDULGENCE Exhilarating chills make moments wrapped in soulsoothing warmth all the more wonderful.

Morning: Lively and community-centric, the Country

Store & Cafe at Kimball Farm in Westford is like a warm hug on a winter’s morning. Family run since 1939, this eatery will spoil you with fresh-baked muffins, steamy cocoa and coffee drinks, and spicy-cheesy breakfast burritos. Get your well-fed self to Nashoba Valley Ski Area, just five minutes away, right at opening (9 a.m. weekends, noon Tuesday through Friday), and you’ll get in more runs in two hours than you’d expect—ah, the beauty of a well-run small mountain. Don’t ski? Nashoba Valley Tubing Park (open at 9 a.m. weekends, 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday) is also just minutes away, in Littleton.

Afternoon: “Two hands needed” is how the Millers

Tavern in Methuen advertises its extra-local burger and other sandwiches, so swing by for a hearty fireside lunch. Hopefully

you’ve made an appointment for a massage, foot soak, or other comforting treatment at the cozy Spa at Briar Barn Inn in Rowley. If not, consider stopping by Ph.D. chemist Donna Martin’s Mill River Winery in Rowley for nibbles and a tasting flight that will warm your insides.

Evening: Keep the snuggly vibes going with dinner at

Grove, Briar Barn Inn’s fire-lit farmhouse restaurant. Stay over, and you can get in a few runs the next day at nearby Ski Bradford. Or, if the stars align, your getaway might coincide with one of the creative festivals below.

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

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT : Set back from Main

Street and surrounded by protected land, the Briar Barn Inn campus feels like its own little New England estate, dreamed up just to pamper you; Lowell’s most famous literary son may one day have his own museum if the Jack Kerouac Center is able to raise the necessary funds; This Star of Bethlehem quilt, stitched circa 1840, is in the New England Quilt Museum’s permanent collection.

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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, June through early October. In the off-season, 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 scene for your playfully

intellectual day is Worthen House Cafe in Lowell. The literary cred runs deep inside this 1834 brick mill building that’s been a tavern since 1898. Cozy into a space that was once the haunt of notable writers Edgar Allan Poe, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Jimmy Breslin. Rumored to have been an Underground Railroad stop and Prohibition-era speakeasy, it’s a place to invent your own poetic phrases over pub grub and drinks. For some bonus engineering geekery, ask to see the only original pulley-driven fan system in the U.S. in action.

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 off-season Tuesdays and Wednesdays) at Maritime Gloucester’s indoor Maritime Science Education Center. Peer at plankton through a digital microscope, head out into watery habitats (without getting wet) via the magic of AR, tickle fish in the touch tank, and ask an enthusiastic docent to reveal how a moon snail survives… if you dare. On your way out of Gloucester, grab a bagged lunch that’ll beat anything you toted to high school at BISHCO or the Yellow Sub Shop. Afternoon: Through the lens of people who lived and

passed through the Federal-style 1808 home in Newburyport PHOTOS: KIM CRAWFORD/BRAMBLE HOSPITALIT Y (INN); TOM PALUMBO (KEROUAC); COLLECTION OF THE NEW ENGLAND QUILT MUSEUM (QUILT, GIFT OF THE BINNEY FAMILY, 2007.19)

Staying Over?

FIND INSPIRING LODGINGS AT:

l Chateau Merrimack Resort & Spa, Tyngsborough l Andover Inn, Andover l Hawthorne Hotel, Salem

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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: No matter the weather outside, they’re

serving up sunshine on a plate at 30-plus-year-old Vic’s Waffle House in Tewksbury, where there really are waffles hiding under fruity, sweet, and savory toppings and a blizzard of whipped cream. It’s a two-minute drive to Wamesit Lanes, which is nothing like the bowling alleys of yore. Arrive at 10 a.m., and claim a ten-pin or candlepin lane with a big flashy screen and automatic scoring. An hour of toppling pins, another hour in the arcade playing retro and state-of-the-art games, and it’s already the best day ever.

Afternoon: Load everybody up for

the 40-minute 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 hard-to-impress tweens will get a kick out of bending vibrant beams in the Light & Color Gallery and orienteering their way through the woods. Anybody hungry? Pop into Sorrento’s for lunch. With more than 50 specialty pizzas to choose from, you may have to order more than one. From here, it’s a drive of about an hour and 15 minutes to your final stop—worth every mile if you’ve all been missing summer.

Evening: At Water Park of New England in Danvers, twilight hours run from 3 to 7 p.m. on weekends, and you’ll pay about half of what each day pass can cost when you opt to splash, slide, and play late in the day. The park’s own Breezeway Grill & Bar serves chowder, lobster rolls, and kid-friendly fare, so you don’t have to venture out again. In fact, you can book an overnight package at the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore and score four water-park passes for your day of departure, too. It’s always a water-play day at Water Park of New England, so book your admission online, pack your suits, and get ready to make a splash; RI G H T: North Shore beaches are dogs’ favorite places to socialize in the off-season months.

More Places to Stay

FIND FAMILY-FRIENDLY LODGINGS AT:

l Candlewood Suites Boston North Shore, Danvers l Wylie Inn and Conference Center at

Endicott College, Beverly

l Homewood Suites by Hilton, Billerica

Just North of Boston

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: Swing by Animal Krackers in Gloucester for a new toy and natural treats (there are scones for you across the street at Alexandra’s Bread) on your way to 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 fourlegged 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 the drive-through at Crack’d Kitchen

in Peabody for a warming bevvy and loaded hash browns on your way to MarketStreet in Lynnfield. More than 30 of the retail establishments here—from Apple to Yankee Candle—

PHOTOS: WATER PARK OF NEW ENGLAND (POOL); NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (BEACH)

are dog friendly. 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, stock up on turkey-and-cranberry Wonder Nuggets, Clam Chowda sticks, and other doggie delights, made with love in Massachusetts, at Polkadog Bakery.

Evening: Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus in Lowell welcomes your best friend with a homemade peanut butter treat and you with a nightly menu of fancy tea and coffee drinks, cocktails, pressed sandwiches, and more. Or, check out the scene and the food truck offerings at dog-welcoming Navigation Brewing Co., housed in the same converted mill where Western Avenue Studios is fueling Lowell’s arts renaissance. Pet portraitist Emily Muller is one of more than 350 artists who live and work here, and you can order a custom painting of your dog on her website. Prices start at $50. Staying Over?

FIND DOG-FRIENDLY LODGINGS AT:

l Sonesta Select Boston Lowell Chelmsford, Lowell l The Vista, Gloucester l Residence Inn by Marriott Boston North Shore, Danvers

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Tastes Worth a Drive Are you in a restaurant rut? Get on the road and wake up your taste buds. BY M I K E URBA N These delectable eats are all worth putting 50 miles on your car… maybe even more.

Tastes from the Sea

Surf Seafood: If it’s been a while since seafood truly wowed ya, Woburn’s your surprise destination for new twists on New England classics (native lobster… meet cognac), plus sushi and playful creations like lobster fries piled high with fresh Maine lobster meat and slathered in bisque. Bring friends and dive into the three-tier Ultimate Sampler of raw-bar classics and mouthwatering departures including pastrami-smoked salmon and Alaskan king crab. Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall: Salem’s Lyceum Hall, dating back to 1831, is home to perhaps the biggest, busiest, best seafood emporium on Boston’s North Shore. There’s abundant indoor and outdoor seating, an oyster bar, and a menu that covers all seafood possibilities from New England and beyond. The friendly, well-trained staff delivers a memorable dining experience. 1 2 Just North of Boston

The Landing: Situated on scenic, historic Marblehead Harbor, this eatery offers excellent shellfish appetizers and finned-fish entrees along with splendid small plates of seafood-oriented pastas. Large picture windows look out directly on the working waterfront, and the outdoor deck’s the place to be the moment the weather warms. Woodman’s of Essex: This year-round seafood shack is where the fried clam was invented in 1916—and where some of the best fried seafood in the region may be procured. The Woodman family still runs this walk-up-and-order operation in Essex, and they still use lard in their deep fryers, to delicious effect. Be sure to try the deep-fried whole-belly clams, the hand-cut onion rings, and their made-from-scratch clam chowder. The Clam Box: Housed in a two-story replica of an open-topped cardboard carryout container, the Clam Box of Ipswich has been serving up scrumptious seafood since 1935. This

place has staked its reputation on its carefully procured, lovingly prepared seafood, especially its deep-fried whole belly clams. Each order goes through an exacting method of breading and frying that guarantees crispy, golden goodness.

Tastes from Afar

Panela: Panela is raw, unrefined cane sugar, a staple of Colombian cooking. It’s also the name of this lively Colombian restaurant in downtown Lowell. In addition to popular empanadas and arepas, sample a wide variety of chicken, pork, rice, bean, and plantain dishes. The Instagram sensation here’s a gooey cheeseburger (or veggie burger) sandwiched between arepas. Colorful murals grace the walls. Eggroll Cafe: In the heart of the UMass Lowell campus, this Asian specialty shop shines when it comes to its namesake dish. There are 16 different eggroll fillings, including mac and cheese, taco, crab Rangoon, and Buffalo chicken. The rolls are served in boat-shaped wire baskets with dipping sauces and are best washed down with handcrafted bubble tea. El Potro Mexican Bar and Grill: This cheerful Mexican storefront eatery on downtown Lowell’s Merrimack Street is the place to go for southof-the-border cuisine. And fun. The dining room, with its festively painted furniture, serves up a straightforward menu of well-executed Mexican standards. Locals favor the fajitas.

Tastes from the Farm

Russell Orchards: This working farm in Ipswich that dates back to the 1920s is renowned for its irresistible cider donuts. These tasty morsels are made from scratch daily, using apples and other ingredients harvested from nearby fields. The farm store where the donuts are baked and sold is a sight to behold—a cavernous barn filled with fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, and a vast inventory of fruitbased wines. Visit through the end of November.

Hearty New England dishes reflect the season and the locale at Town Meeting Bistro, a destination restaurant in Lexington.

PHOTO: TRACEY CROSBY/INN AT HASTINGS PARK

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Chateau Kitchen and Bar chain serves up heaping portions of tasty red-sauce Italian dishes and much more. Try the “Pasta Tossed Your Way” and choose from six different noodles and five different sauces for your custom lunch or dinner.

Cider Hill Farm: Apples take center stage at this sprawling farm and market in Amesbury. The barn-sized store is open through early December and stocked with all sorts of seasonal goodies including freshly pressed apple cider and their famed hot, sugar-sprinkled cider donuts. Watch them being made before your eyes.

The Modern Butcher: This expansive storefront operation on Maple Street in downtown Danvers doubles as a butcher shop and sandwich emporium offering some of the best lunchtime treats in the region. Using only locally sourced meats, Modern offers a full case of fresh pork, chicken, and beef butchery. And the highly curated sandwich menu is headlined by Modern’s Saturday-only Roast Beef 3-Way. Lord Hobo Brewing Company: Woburn’s own mega-brewery accommodates up to 400 beer lovers. Inside two massive taprooms, there are as many as 40 libations available, most of them home-brewed Lord Hobo lagers and ales.

Verrill Farm: If you’re in Concord and feeling peckish, drive out to this wonderful farm stand that sells an array of produce from Verrill’s nearby farms and fields. In addition to the copious freshly harvested greens, there’s a bakery that’s best known for its homemade pies including wintertime favorites apple, pecan, and Kentucky bourbon. The deli offers homemade sandwiches and soups.

Fine Fare

Classic Comforts

Town Meeting Bistro: Housed in Lexington’s stately Inn at Hastings Park, this upscale yet relaxed eatery offers a lunchtime menu of New England favorites, such as clam chowder and lobster rolls. Dinner specialties range from Arctic char to honey-brushed duck. High tea is served midday Saturdays with finger sandwiches and fresh-baked pastries.

Four Sisters Owl Diner: This is the destination for breakfast in Lowell. Housed in a vintage 1940 Worcester diner car with an add-on dining room, the Owl offers an array of egg, pancake, and waffle plates tricked out with crispy bacon, spicy sausage, and golden-brown home fries, plus flavorful coffee. Be sure to check out the original tilework, counter, booths, and stools. The Chateau: Just a stone’s throw from the Merrimack River in Andover, this outpost of the locally famous 14 Just North of Boston

Nightshade Noodle Bar: In Lynn, a transportive experience awaits at notable chef Rachel Miller’s exotic eatery. Invite your foodiest friends, and savor the night’s tasting menu— your only option. Vietnamese and French influences shape each night’s seven, nine, 12, or 14 courses. You do get to decide how deeply (and expensively) to indulge.

Fuse Bistro: This corner restaurant in downtown Lowell resides in a converted brick firehouse with a lovely wraparound patio out front. Koreanbarbecue chicken tenders are a great

opener, followed by a burger or steak from Fuse’s beef-centric menu. Fuse is also a great place to gather for drinks with cool peeps. Cobblestones of Lowell: Dine in historic splendor at Cobblestones in the 1859 Yorick building, formerly a gentlemen’s club. The restored interior offers several different dining areas, and the menu covers the gamut when it comes to regional American cuisine. Your choices include tasty tavern snacks, meaty burgers, roasted haddock, eggplant parmigiana, and more than a dozen locally crafted beers.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Meet friends for a tasting adventure

at Lowell’s Eggroll Cafe, where more than a dozen eggroll fillings await; The cured meats at the Modern Butcher begin with animals raised locally by farms committed to ethical, sustainable practices; The convivial oyster bar at Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall in Salem keeps fans of fresh shellfish satisfied; Whatever you’re toasting, Lord Hobo Brewing Company in Woburn has the appropriate beverage.

Moonstones: You can’t miss the striking exterior of this upscale eatery just off I-495 in Chelmsford with its two-story, multicolored façade and triangular cloth sculptures. Inside are varied dining spaces ranging from white tablecloth to space-age lounge. The equally varied menu leans toward seafood as well as Asian plates.

For the Sweet Tooth

Harbor Sweets: This homespun operation makes all its chocolates in a former Salem warehouse. You may view the candy-making operation while perusing the shelves filled with delights in the adjacent retail store. There are fun, holiday-themed gift boxes for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to try the bestselling, sailboat-shaped Sweet Sloops chocolates, a local favorite. Virgilio’s Bakery & Deli: This beloved storefront institution in

Gloucester has been baking up Italian pastries since 1961. There are display cases packed with cookies and cannolis, along with loaves of Italian breads and rolls. The bakery is best known for its Saint Joseph sandwich: Genoa salami, German bologna, mortadella, provolone cheese, oil, and oregano. Not sweet, but… sweet. Cherry Farm Creamery: This modest roadside ice-cream stand in Danvers draws crowds from dozens of miles distant, offering some of the finest frozen confections to be found just outside Boston. There are more than 30 flavors of homemade ice cream (four are vegan), along with soft serve and frozen yogurt. Mike Urban is the author of six books on New England cuisine. He is a frequent contributor to Yankee Magazine and NewEngland.com.

PHOTOS: EGGROLL CAFE; THE MODERN BUTCHER; NBCVB (TURNER’S SEAFOOD); LORD HOBO BREWING CO.

Just North of Boston 15

Outdoor Exhilaration

Get back to nature at one of these fresh-air fun spots. BY M A DE L I N E BI LI S

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. Wideopen 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 groomed trails criss-crosses 1,000 acres of picture-perfect pastures and wooded areas. Afterward, swing by the farm store for a boule of their 16 Just North of Boston

Kitchen Farmstead sourdough and a cup of the seasonal soup of the week. 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, rent 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.

PHOTOS: NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (BOARDWALK) ; PAUL TESSIER/STOCKSY (SNOW Y OWL); THE TRUSTEES (SKIERS)

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 stroll around this park to see both. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport: To breathe in salt 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.

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.

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Get Cozy A snuggly nest for the night awaits at these primo properties that turn up the hospitality heat. BY A L E X A N D R A PEC CI Whether you’re looking for a city break or a seaside escape, these inns and hotels are delightful for cuddling up. Block out time with your beloved—or with your own sweet self—to nestle into the comfort of toasty, welcoming surroundings and recharge with fun adventures and deep sleep. n Addison Choate, Rockport:

Rockport is a place at the world’s edge, with its dramatic rocky shoreline, otherworldly light, and salt-scented breezes. The perfect place to experience that coastal beauty is Addison Choate, a recently renovated boutique property with a National Register of Historic Places pedigree. Its six rooms each have their own distinctive character. The two-floor Dog Watch Suite even has a full kitchen for extended respites. Colorful midcentury and contemporary decor will put you in a playful mood, and there’s no wrong time of year for a porch sit—just layer up the blankets. While You’re Here: Get tickets for a world-class musical performance at Shalin Liu Performance Center.

n The Merchant, Salem: George Washington actually slept here. Perhaps he even warmed his hands at the fireplace by the bar. But he’d be taken aback by this intimate boutique inn’s snazzy new look, with its bright mix of textiles, geometric wallpapers, abstract art, Lucite chairs, and other eclectic accents. Now a Lark Hotels property, it’s a colorful place to escape when the weather (or your mood) feels gray. Choose your room—many have fireplaces—then choose your adventures. You’re right in the alwaysbeating heart of historic Salem, with attractions, restaurants, and shops all mere blocks away. While You’re Here: Make an appointment to visit with one of the psychics at Omen, who will assure you your future looks bright.

n Andover Inn, Andover: Nestled on the historic 500-acre campus of Phillips Academy, the Andover Inn exudes cozy elegance. Built in 1930 and renovated in 2010, it has just 30 guest rooms, so the atmosphere feels intimate. An on-site restaurant, Samuel’s, is named for the school’s founder, Samuel Phillips Jr. It features seasonal menu items and decorative nods to the boarding school’s colonialera origins. Andover’s red-brick downtown filled with restaurants and boutiques is less than a mile away. While You’re Here: Visit the Addison Gallery of American Art right on campus.

n Chateau Merrimack, Tyngsboro: From check-in to checkout, everything you need to feel pampered and indulged is right here at this spa resort on the banks of the Merrimack River. A room with your own fireplace or jetted tub is the way to go when it’s cool, slushy, or downright frozen outside. In addition to the modern luxury of the rooms, you’ve got JuJu Spa’s indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, and cozy outdoor lounge areas complete with fire pits… all waiting to warm you to the core. The spa menu offers the usual massages and beauty treatments. The resort is also home to Pino Steakhouse, where the wine list is impressive and

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hearty dishes satisfy cravings (even if you didn’t know how badly you needed lobster mashed potatoes). While You’re Here: Soak up the warmth inside the Butterfly Place (open from Valentine’s Day to Columbus Day). n Hawthorne Hotel, Salem: At nearly a century old and gracious as ever, the Hawthorne Hotel is the perfect home base during visits to Witch City all year, not just at Halloween, thanks to its location right downtown. Just be sure to keep your eyes and ears alert for things that go bump in the night: The hotel is rumored to be haunted. Your pet can come along to protect you. The hotel is also home to Nathaniel’s Restaurant, a sophisticated spot with great food, live music, and a 1920s vibe. Like the hotel, it’s named for notable Salem author Nathaniel Hawthorne. While You’re Here: Visit the House of the Seven Gables, made famous by Hawthorne’s book of that title, for an insightful exploration of centuries of American history. n Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington: Whether you’re a history lover, a foodie, or a romantic soul with an appreciation for luxury, you’ll feel right at home at this inn in historic Lexington. Overnight guests stay in plush guest rooms in one of three antique buildings. Many rooms have heat-giving fireplaces. One standout of a stay here is the culinary experience, so schedule your wanderings around high tea, dinner, and Sunday brunch. And try to time your getaway to coincide with a cooking class, supperclub event, or food-themed special package. While You’re Here: Catch an indie film at Lexington Venue, or rent the whole cozy theater and bring your DVDs or game console for a date night to remember.

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.

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Imagine canoodling by the fire in the guest lounge at the Merchant and plotting your Salem adventures.

PHOTO: RARE BRICK /LARK HOTELS

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History You Know & Don’t Know Delve deeper into this storied region’s role in American history. BY K I M K N OX BEC K I US 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 2 0 Just North of Boston

from November through April. Download the official National Park Service mobile app; dress for the weather; and follow a self-guided audio 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 when Paul Revere gets most of the credit. At “Bloody

Observe the age-old craft of wooden-boat building at Lowell’s Boat Shop & Museum in Amesbury.

PHOTO: NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

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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 2 2 Just North of Boston

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-18thcentury 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

PHOTOS: RAYMOND FORBES LLC/STOCKSY (WALDEN POND); MICHELLE ALDREDGE (BOOT T COT TON MILLS MUSEUM)

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 in Lynn, celebrate the invention of a true New England original: Marshmallow Fluff.

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, 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.

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

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? Once the crowds that descend upon Salem for October’s Haunted Happenings disperse, make a point of visiting one of these intriguing attractions: Real Pirates Salem: Named the “Best New Attraction in

PHOTO: LYNN MUSEUM

National Historical Park head straight to the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, where belts powering enormous looms still whir like they did in the 1920s, and the 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 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 27mile water highway played a massive role in the Industrial Revolution.

Massachusetts” by Yankee Magazine, this immersive, interactive museum focuses on “Black Sam” Bellamy, richest pirate of all time; his democratic approach to managing a diverse crew; and the artifacts recovered from his wrecked ship Whydah, including silver coins you can touch. International Monster Museum: Take all the selfies you want—if you want to scare

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. The Elevator Museum, Amesbury: You’ll never mindlessly press your floor number again after you discover the inner workings of elevators, which played a bigger role than you might realize in the development of American industry. The museum is dog friendly, and so is the outdoor patio at Mill 77 Brewing downstairs. 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, 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.

your friends half to death. Artists from around the world have contributed the realistic figures that lurk inside this gallery devoted to monsters from long-told legends. You’ll carry a little lantern to light your way. The Daniels House: This circa-1667 home, which predates the Salem Witch Trials, is now an inn, but even if you don’t spend the night, you can reserve your spot on a tour

of this architectural survivor. Unlike most museums, this one lets you sit on the furniture. And taste the tea. Ye Olde Pepper Companie: OK, it’s not a museum, but America’s oldest continuously operating candy maker is your place to taste history, including signature Gibraltars, the first candy sold commercially in this country, and Black Jacks, made with blackstrap molasses.

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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 A L E X A N D R A PEC CI From the gritty brick mill towns along the Merrimack River to the rugged seascapes of Cape Ann bathed in luminous 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

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new 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 your popcorn for new films and cult classics at Cinema Salem, which hosts the annual Salem Horror Fest each spring.

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 beloved 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. Incredible pieces of fine and decorative art are on view including works by Gloucester native Fitz Henry Lane, a marine painter and printmaker whose

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.

PHOTO: BOB PACKERT/PEABODY ESSE X MUSEUM, MUSEUM PURCHASE, MADE POSSIBLE BY THE JOHN ROBINSON FUND 2016.52.1

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Luminism style captures the region’s soft, golden ocean light. Admire works by contemporary Cape Ann artists, too. The museum also houses collections that tell the story of the region’s fishing and granite-quarrying industries. Think fishing baskets and blacksmith tools that are displayed alongside photographs, paintings, and ephemera. 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 Thursday evenings in December, and resuming in late spring, tour Gloucester’s magnificent Hammond Castle by candlelight, and relive the long-gone pre-electrification era.

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: A historic Lowell factory is refashioned into a quirky indoor streetscape with shops, indie movie theater, farmers’ market, coffee shop, events, and more at Mill No. 5. After Dark: Enjoy a captivating night at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, which has staged productions for more than 40 years. 26 Just North of Boston

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Standing more than 19 feet tall, Dorothy Dehner’s Fortissimo at deCordova

Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln frames glimpses of greenery in the spring; 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 Allotey-Pappoe’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 at Painting with a Twist 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: THE TRUSTEES, THE JUDITH ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION, AND GIF T OF DOROTHY DEHNER FOUNDATION; MEGPIX /MEGHAN MOORE/ MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATRE; ADDISON GALLERY OF AMERICAN ART, PHILLIPS ACADEMY, ANDOVER, MA; MICHAEL PIAZZA

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.

PHOTO: CATE BROWN

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