The North Shore of Massachusetts Bay (map) is beautiful and historic, with fine old colonial towns, wide beaches, whale watching cruises and lots to see and do.

Transportation

Car, train and ferry are the ways to travel between Boston and the North Shore of Massachusetts Bay.

Car

Follow Interstate 93 (I-93) north from Boston to I-95 North, the MA Route 128 North to reach Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, Ipswich, Gloucester and Rockport (map).

If you tire of the highway, exit MA Route 128 for Manchester-by-the-Sea and follow the scenic alternative: MA Route 127 north.

Train

MBTA Commuter Rail trains run from Boston's North Station to Salem, Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester and Rockport. (At Beverly, some trains go north via Ipswich to Newburyport. MBTA Commuter Rail trains do not go to Essex.)

The trip from Boston's North Station to Salem takes about 30 minutes, to Manchester-by-the-Sea less than an hour, to Gloucester or Rockport slightly more than an hour. Trains run about every 20 minutes during rush hours, every half-hour during the day, every hour at night and on weekends. More...

Ferryboat

The Salem Fast Ferry operated by Boston Harbor Cruises speeds between Boston's Long Wharf (map) and the historic Salem waterfront (map) from mid-May through October, with five voyages daily in each direction. The voyage takes about 55 minutes. More...

Cape Ann Transportation

CATA, the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (Tel 978-283-7916), runs local buses among the towns and villages of Cape Ann. Here's a route map. The buses can get you to most attractions on Cape Ann. More...

Ipswich Essex Explorer Bus Lines

On summer weekends from mid-June through early September (Labor Day weekend), the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) operates the Ipswich-Essex Explorer, two local bus routes connecting the Ipswich Commuter Rail train station with Wolf Hollow, Russel Orchards Farm & Winery, Crane Beach, Essex's Main Street Antique Shops, the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, and Woodman's Seafood Restaurant, famous for its lobsters and clams. More...

Salem & Marblehead

The gracious houses and public buildings constructed during this era are still here to be seen, and Salem's famous Peabody-Essex Museumholds a treasure trove of art objects and artifacts from the maritime boom, as well as top-class changing art exhibits. Witch lore is a draw as well, especially around Hallowe'en. More...

Nearby Marblehead is a charming, historic port town and an important yacht harbor. More...

Manchester-by-the-Sea

Manchester-by-the-Sea is a small, charming, historic town with a pretty swimming beach. More...

Gloucester

Gloucester, famous for its citizens who "go down to the sea in ships" still has some of its traditional fishing boats, but many more whale watch and excursion craft. Gloucester beaches are favorite summer getaway destinations for families throughout the region. Lots of lobsters here too. More...

Rockport

Rockport is a beautiful colonial town, a favorite artists' colony and concert town with its own beaches crowded with visitors every day in summer. Lots of fine country inns, too. More...

Essex

Ships from these Essex County towns northeast of Boston (map) would sail to China and Africa and return several years later with cargoes so rich that everyone involved in the voyage became wealthy overnight. A lot of that stuff is now in Essex's 35 antique shops. Essex is also a great place to eat lobsters and clams. More...

Ipswich

Ipswich, northeast of Gloucester, is famous for its clams (and other food), its beaches, artists and writers, including John Updike. More...

Marblehead harbor with its hundreds of yachts...