About the Region
The North of Boston region, 30 minutes from Boston, features 5,000 plus rooms (large hotels to small inns), beaches, lighthouses, historic homes, museums and the best shopping and dining around!
The area located between the city of Boston and New Hampshire is known as Essex County or the North of Boston region. Well-known cities such as Salem, America’s Witch City, and Gloucester, the oldest seaport in the country, are located here. The historically significant communities of Lawrence, Ipswich and Swampscott helped shape our nation’s history and can easily be visited during your time here.
Marblehead, the Yachting Capital of the World, is a quintessential New England town complete with cafes and upscale shopping boutiques. The region is home to the birthplace of both the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. Our Atlantic Ocean coastline has captured the hearts of presidents, including President Taft, who had his summer White House in Beverly and both Presidents Bush were educated in the prestigious town of Andover.
Your North of Boston vacation can include history, seafood, shopping, water adventures, hiking, biking, theatre and more. All this, conveniently located minutes from Boston, set in a picture-perfect location that has been inspiring artists and Hollywood producers for centuries.
Getting Here
By Car
Lynn, Peabody, Salem, Danvers, Marblehead, Essex, and Gloucester are accessible from Route 128. Note: I-95 and Route 128 North share the same loop around Boston. When I-95 and Route 128 North divide, stay on Route 128 North.
Ipswich lies off Route 1A between the “V” formed by I-95 and Route 128. Consult a map to determine the best way to reach Ipswich from your starting point.
Amesbury, Newbury, and Newburyport are just south of the New Hampshire border on I-95.
Lawrence, Andover, Haverhill, and the Merrimack Valley lie farther west. Take I-93 North for Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence, and continue onto I-495 North for Haverhill.
By Ferry from Boston
Board Salem Ferry at Central Wharf (New England Aquarium Whale Watch booth) for a relaxing 50-minute trip aboard a high-speed catamaran. Ferry docks at the Blaney Street Wharf on Salem’s historic waterfront. Eight round trips daily, Memorial Day-October 31. For rates and schedule, call 978-741-0220 or go to http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/salem-ferry.
By Train
The towns featured in North of Boston’s itineraries are primarily served by two MBTA Commuter Rail lines, Newburyport/Rockport or Haverhill, both departing from Boston’s North Station. Visit http://www.mbta.com for schedules and maps
By Bus from Boston
Buses for the North Shore depart from Boston’s Haymarket Station. Visit http://www.mbta.com and look at the schedules and maps for bus routes 411 through 468.
By Air
Essex County is served by Boston Logan Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, New Hampshire.
