Hit the Coastal Trails Network, a 30-mile public system of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury. It winds through lots of great neighborhoods on trails like the Clipper City Rail Trail, which runs through downtown Newburyport, and the woodsy Salisbury Point Ghost Trail, which runs parallel to route 110, starting at Lion’s Park before connecting to the Old Eastern Marsh Trail.
All-Star Libraries
Peabody Institute Library, Danvers
Check out books and the Danvers Archival Center
with its huge witch trial archive
Newburyport Public Library
Check out books and the free weekly drop-in tai chi classes
Winchester Public Library
Check out books and its art collection, including Tiffany and Company stained glass windows, and rotating monthly art exhibits
Beverly Public Library
Check out books and its Makerbot Replicator 3D printer
Next Stop: Along the Commuter Rail
The MBTA commuter rail connects Boston with points north and is currently installing Positive Train Control technology across all commuter rail lines to improve safety. Hop off at a few stops to check out what’s happening.
On the Lowell line
Hike, bike, fish, and boat at the Middlesex Fells Reservation, located about a half-mile from the Winchester Center stop.
Explore Cambodia Town in Lowell, sampling Khmer food and learning dance and music with the Angkor Dance Troupe.
On the Haverhill line
Sample a burger and beer at Wakefield’s new gastropub, Public Kitchen.
Stroll along the Haverhill Riverfront Boardwalk and stop for a drink at The Tap along the way.
On the Newburyport/Rockport Line
Hop off at the Montserrat stop in Beverly to check out the galleries and exhibitions at the Montserrat College of Art.
Visit the Lynn Museum/LynnArts in Lynn to check out the galleries and events, including History and Hops, its annual beer tasting fundraiser, on Friday, September 14.
Open Space by the Numbers
Lots of our featured neighborhoods are close to conservation land and urban parks.
Carmel Woods, Andover
20 acres
Winnekenni Park, Haverhill
700 acres
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
67acres
Forest River Conservation Area, Salem
97.7 acres
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport Visitor Center
4,700 acres
Manchester-Essex Conservation Trust
1,000 acres
Pemberton Park, Lawrence
5 acres within the larger Lawrence Heritage State Park
Middlesex Fells Reservation, Stoneham
2,200 acres
Mill building revival in the Andovers
In the Andovers, mill buildings are continually getting new life. Check out the new home furnishing, gift, and accessory store MAK & Co. at the refurbished RiverBend Mill on Red Spring Road in Andover. Next door, there’s Oak & Iron Brewing Company, which features an indoor taproom and outdoor beer garden overlooking the Shawsheen River. Over in North Andover, the historic Davis and Furber Machine Shop has been reimagined as the East Mill and West Mill, two adjacent 500,000-square-foot mixed-use properties that include loft-style apartments, offices, restaurants, and small businesses.
Farmers’ Markets
Scour these downtown farmers’ markets to find locally sourced items with a city flair.Lowell Farmers’ MarketLucy Larcom Park, Fridays, noon-5:00 p.m., through October 26
Haverhill Farmers’ Market
51 Merrimack St.,
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., through October 27
Salem Farmers’ Market
Derby Square, Thursdays, 3:00-7:00 p.m., through October 11
Cultural Districts
Lynn’s Central Exchange Cultural District, featuring the Neal Rantoul Black Box Theater and RAW Art Works
Rocky Neck Cultural District in Gloucester, home to one of America’s oldest art colonies and the Gloucester Stage Company
Lowell’s Canalway Cultural District, with spots like Lowell National Historical Park and the Whistler House Museum of Art
Coastal Trails Network
