Summer and winter, beautiful, perfectly sheltered Marblehead harbor, 16 miles (26 km) northeast of Boston and 3.5 miles (5.6 km) east of Salem (map), is full of white boats bobbing on the water, or in drydock, or heading out to sea—more than 2000 of them.

Yachts & History

But it's not only yachters who come to Marblehead. This is without doubt one of the prettiest and best-kept historic towns in the country, and people love to come from Boston on the weekend just to walk the streets and window-shop, have a bowl of chowder in one of several good restaurants , and perhaps to stay in one of the town's cozy New England inns.

The Spirit of '76

They also come for a look at The Spirit of '76, the famous painting that hangs in Abbot Hall, Marblehead's Town Hall.

Parks & Walks

Walking around, window-shopping, enjoying the panoramic sea views of the rugged rockbound coast from Fort Sewall or Crocker Park, visiting a historic house museum, are the best things to do in Marblehead's Old Town by the harbor on a half-day or even a full-day visit. More...

Marblehead Harbor, with its 2000+ boats...

Bicycling, especially out to the historic lighthouse and park at the tip of Marblehead Neck, or taking a dip in the chilly sea at Devereux Beach are other choices. More...

Lodgings & Transportation

If you plan to visit nearby Salem, make the detour to Marblehead for at least an hour or two, for a stroll and a meal, or even overnight. More...

—by Tom Brosnahan

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