Condé Nast TravelerJul 22, 2026
A Guide to Massachusetts's Picturesque North Shore Beach Towns
Just north of Boston, these seaside towns deliver sailboat-filled harbors, sandy beaches, salt marsh cruises, and fried clams worth planning an entire trip around.
25 things in this story
- G BarRestaurantAward-winning seasonal cooking by Chef / Owner Gregg Brackman.
- Njord HavenRestaurantColorful quirky cocktails inspired by time warped alchemy, faraway lands and hazy self-impaired memories set to the…
- Mission on the BayRestaurantExperience a New England waterfront escape at Mission ON The Bay in Swampscott, MA.
- Swampscott Airbnb or VrboHotelwalking distance from the harbor
- Little G Dockside PubRestaurant
- Elsewhere
- The Hotel MarbleheadHotelMarblehead, United Statesboutique stay just over the Marblehead line
- Harbor Light InnHotelMarblehead, United Statesromantic inn near Marblehead Harbor
- Peabody Essex MuseumMuseumSalem, United Statesship captains’ treasures, old homes, far-flung art
- Salem Maritime National Historical ParkParkSalem, United StatesSalem Maritime was the first National Historic Site…
- harbor cruise or schooner sailPlaceSalem, United Statesget back onto the water
- Salem WillowsParkSalem, United Stateswaterfront views, kiddie rides, arcade games
- House of the Seven GablesSightSalem, United Stateshistoric house near waterfront restaurants
- Ledger Restaurant & BarRestaurantSalem, United Statesrooftop restaurant at the heart of downtown
- The Hotel SalemHotelSalem, United Stateshotel with a rooftop restaurant
- Hawthorne HotelHotelSalem, United Statesgrand dame with old New England charm
- The Coach HouseHotelSalem, United Statesboutique inn a short walk from the water
- Singing BeachSightManchester-by-the-Sea, United Statesstretch of fine sand
- Masconomo ParkSightManchester-by-the-Sea, United Statespark with sailboats and shingled houses
- Tuck's PointSightManchester-by-the-Sea, United Statespoint with sailboats and shingled houses
- Derby WharfParkSalem, United States
- SettlerRestaurantSalem, United States
- BernadetteRestaurantSalem, United States
- Mercy TavernRestaurantSalem, United States
- Cala’sRestaurantManchester-by-the-Sea, United States
- 35 BeachRestaurantManchester-by-the-Sea, United States