THE NORTH SHORE
MARBLEHEAD
Marblehead has roots in commercial fishing and yachting, In colonial times, a major shipyard and the fishing capital of Massachusetts, now a recreational boating destination. Marblehead is an America’s Cup kind of town, a yachting paradise whose main harbor features over 2,000 town-administered moorings.
The Old Town district is lined with shops, galleries, restaurants, and inns. There are historic homes as far as the eye can see and their architectural beauty, from salt boxes to merchant mansions, is matched only by the town’s striking harbor views.
Marblehead Neck offers one of the most scenic drives in coastal New England.
SWAMPSCOTT
Swampscott is a beautiful and tranquil seaside community located just over 10 miles north of Boston. Because of its proximity to the sea, early industry consisted primarily of commercial fishing and lobstering. It is said that the lobster pot was invented there in 1805.
There are three villages within town, Beach Bluff to the east, Phillips Point to the south, and Phillips Beach inland between the two. The town is centered around Monument Square, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Swampscott’s picturesque beaches, fine restaurants, easy commuter rail access and skyline views of Boston make it a popular locale.
SALEM
Salem is a historical coastal city with 18.5 miles of coastline, seven public beaches and a vibrant downtown scene. The second city incorporated in Massachusetts, its history is well known the world over, from the Witch Trials of 1692 to becoming a major seaport and center for world trade in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Home to some of the Nation’s first millionaires, who built sprawling mansions, which still stand in the city’s historic district today. The marvelous Peabody Essex Museum displays some of the treasures that were brought home from these merchant expeditions.
Today, Salem is a charming commuter suburb north of Boston with an enviable location on the sea. Its rich history and culture, from witches to ships to art, continue to cast a spell on residents and visitors.
BEVERLY
With miles of beautiful coastline, numerous beaches, and easily accessible public parks offering lots of open space, Beverly, MA, has earned its nickname, “The Garden City.” Beverly is a sprawling community, consisting of several distinct areas; Ryal Side, Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing that offer a variety of different identities – a bustling downtown, quaint historic hamlets, coastal maritime ports and historic New England farms.
It’s even made a wider mark on the world of showbiz; in the early 1900s, Beverly Hills in California was named after Beverly Farms.
With convenient access to route 128 (for easy north/south travel) as well as several commuter rail stations linking it to Boston, Beverly offers something for everyone.
NAHANT
The Town of Nahant is a resort town of rocky coasts just a stone’s throw from Boston. With just 1 square mile of land, Nahant is the smallest municipality in Massachusetts. Used in early colonial days as a grazing area for cattle, sheep and goat flocks, Nahant very soon became Boston’s first summer community.
The town is situated on a peninsula consisting of two near-islands (Little Nahant and Nahant) connected to the mainland by a narrow sandy spit of land traversed by a single causeway. Numerous beaches line the shores, with the most popular being Long Beach and Short Beach along the eastern side of the causeway.
A peaceful and easy-going vibe are distinct hallmarks of Nahant, where it feels like you’re on vacation all-year-round.