A Weekend in MarbleHead, MA

Named for the gorgeous striped granite that surrounds this peninsula, Marblehead has been a favorite retreat from the hustle of neighboring Boston, MA for centuries. Nestled on Massachusetts’ North shore, this town is filled with a rich history of water sport and scenic water views.

Enjoying rapid growth in it’s early years from the lubricative fishing trade, Marblehead was home to sailors, captains, mariners and merchants made their home here. Today, over 300 houses date back to the 1800s and you can see the evolution of New England’s architecture on your walk down the winding streets.

Now, Marblehead is a quiet, but well loved town with locals as inviting as they come. Most of the locals hang a unique, golden cod above the doorway – signaling the towns rich history and love for the water.

Under an hour drive from Boston, this town is a great location for a weekend trip by the water. From sailing to a glass of wine on the patio, Marblehead has enough to peak the interest of any wanderlust sailor.

What to Do

Shop along Atlantic Avenue & stop into one of the many locally owned shops that line the street

Take a community tour with Eva and her company, Experiential Expeditions – unlike other ‘city’ tours Eva strives to give you a look inside this unique community while promoting local businesses. During our tour with Eva, we learned the architectural history of Marblehead, learned about the famous Frogger cookie, and then toured a local artists studio. It was intimate and I learned so, so much about this little corner of the world.

Kayak around the harbor with a rental from Little Harbor BoatHouse

See the famous Spirit of ’76 painting at Abbot hall

Take in the views from Fort Sewall or Castle Rock Park

Grab a towel and head to the beach

Take a sailing class at Black Rock Sailing school

To Drink

the local’s favorite watering hole, Maddie’s, will have you feeling like a marblehead in no time

Grab a brew at Marblehead brewing

To Eat

Grab a lobster roll at Little Harbor Lobster Co

Have a great sit down meal on the water at The landing (great for kids and groups!)

Grab a snack to go at Shubie’s – wonderful prepared food for a lunch to go by the water!

To Stay

The Hotel Marblehead – this mid century modern gem has a coastal twist. Each room is outfitted with all coastal details, my favorite being the sailcloth bath curtain. While we stayed during the spring, it boasts a lovely outdoor space for you to enjoy your coffee or just grab a book in the sun. The manager is a Marblehead local and always willing to give you recommendations for a great stay in Marblehead.

I stayed at the Hotel Marblehead free of charge, but all opinions are exclusively my own.