Plan your visit to
North of Boston
Massachusetts today!
Explore The North of Boston Region
North of Boston is home to the 34 cities and towns of Essex County. Located only minutes from Boston, this year-round destination offers 200 miles of coastline and sandy beaches, world class dining, rich history, unique hotels & inns, vibrant arts and culture and nationally recognized attractions. From the salty air of Newburyport to the witches of Salem, the seafood of Gloucester to the industrial city of Lawrence, there is something for everyone North of Boston!
Celebrating the American Revolution's 250th Anniversary
Our cities and towns are marking this historic milestone with a variety of immersive events and multimedia experiences.
Your Perfect Destination
Miles of breathtaking coastline, sandy beaches, acclaimed restaurants, witches, pirates, literature, historic architecture, and a vibrant arts & culture scene combine to make North of Boston your perfect destination.
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Weddings & Events
When it’s time to make your love official, the North of Boston region is the place to say “I do.” From intimate micro-weddings to oceanfront weddings and lavish extravaganzas, we have everything you need to make your special day flawless and memorable. Check out our full list of wedding venues, resources, vendors, venues for engagements, showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, wedding celebrations, honeymoons, and more.
Sharon's Studio of Gloucester
Group Tours
Looking for an authentic New England experience for your group? North of Boston has it all just a short drive from Boston’s Logan International Airport. Miles of breathtaking coastline, sandy beaches, acclaimed restaurants, witches, pirates, literature, historic architecture, and a vibrant arts & culture scene combine to your perfect destination.
Meetings
The North of Boston region is the perfect destination for your next meeting or gathering. Be inspired at a range of full-service hotels centrally located or plan a gathering at a boutique inn or unique venue. When you are ready to relax, we have indoor and outdoor options for team-building or just for fun! Let us help you plan an unforgettable experience by submitting an RFP today.
Free Visitor Guide
Your North of Boston free guide features hotels, restaurants, attractions, events and more. Choose to explore our digital guide or get a hard copy guide mailed to you before your visit!
North of Boston Happenings
From whale watching to outdoor concerts, theater and film festivals to Halloween Haunted Happenings, hiking and fishing to farm suppers and Culture Splash, there’s year-round fun to be found North of Boston.
@VisitNorthOfBoston
Celebrate Pride by supporting LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses across the North Shore! Whether you`re in the mood for cocktails, cookies, or a cozy seaside stay, there are so many amazing places to explore:
@allsoulssalem (Salem): Classic cocktails, custom grilled cheese, and the last CD jukebox in Salem.
@hauswitch Home + Healing (Salem): An inclusive space offering magical goods for your home and spirit.
@caras_cookies_ma (Billerica): Creative cookie kits perfect for fun at home.
@christopherscafeandcatering (Lynn): A welcoming brunch and lunch spot with gourmet eats.
@sallywebstercollection (Rockport): A charming, gay-friendly B&B in the heart of Rockport.
@addisonchoate (Rockport): An LGBTQ+-owned boutique hotel where every detail is thoughtfully curated.
Pride is more than a month. Show your support year-round. Find more on @visitma`s website!
📸: @creativecollectivema
Step back in time at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester for the 250th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 21-22. This immersive event features live tactical demonstrations, historic vignettes, and engaging interpretations that bring to life the pivotal events of June 1775. A unique opportunity to experience history in motion.
📸: @discovergloucester
@visitma @massachusetts250
Celebrate freedom, community, and reflection with the @capeannmuseum at the 5th Annual Gloucester Juneteenth Celebration. The morning includes a flag raising, a community reading and discussion of Frederick Douglass’s powerful speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?", and an interactive program on the history of the Freeman family.
Enjoy family art activities, free red velvet ice cream from Holy Cow, and take home books by BIPOC authors, courtesy of local bookstores and Action, Inc. Free and open to all.
📸: Cape Ann Museum
Last summer’s @yankeehomecoming was one for the books. From the waterfront concerts to the historic parades and fireworks, the city was buzzing with energy, tradition, and community spirit. Did you get to be there?
If not, mark your calendar now: Yankee Homecoming 2025 is set for July 26–August 3. This beloved annual celebration in Newburyport is packed with events for all ages, honoring our roots and bringing the community together in unforgettable ways. Save the date!
Explore Newburyport’s influential role in the events leading up to and during the Revolutionary War at Road to Revolution, the @thechmm_newburyport’s major summer exhibition. Dedicated to the late curator Kevin MacDonald (1970–2025), the exhibit features compelling storytelling and rare historical artifacts.
Reserve your spot on the Custom House`s website.
Celebrate strawberry season at Cider Hill Farm`s Strawberry Festival June 14-15. Enjoy two days of live music, hayrides, family fun, food trucks, and a hard cider bar. Pick-your-own strawberry fields will be open 8–5 (ticket required). Festival entry is free!
Check the full schedule and reserve your spot on @ciderhill_farm`s website.
📸: Cider Hill Farm
Celebrate Father`s Day Weekend at @appletonfarms on Saturday, June 15. Featuring a Pizza & BBQ Bash with Appleton’s famous wood-fired pies, local brews from @notchbrewing, BBQ from Fat Belly Food Truck, and sweet treats from @downrivericecream. Enjoy live music all afternoon with Orville Giddings (12:30–2:30) and Dad Bod & The Father Figures (3:00–5:00). A perfect day out for Dad!
Get your tickets on @thetrustees website.
📸: Appleton Farms
June 13 kicks off the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, a celebration of extraordinary music performed by nearly one hundred exceptional musicians. Enjoy beloved festival favorites like Marc-André Hamelin, the Dover Quartet, and A Far Cry, along with exciting emerging artists and composer-in-residence Mark Applebaum. Presented by Rockport Music, this festival promises to inspire with performances that span centuries of glorious music.
📸: Rockport Music, @shalinliuperformancecenter
Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 14 from 10am to 4pm as downtown Beverly comes alive for the 22nd annual Arts Fest Beverly. Hosted by @bevmainstreets, this free, rain-or-shine festival features 125+ juried artists and crafters, live music, local food, and fun for the whole family. Explore Cabot Street, catch performances at Winter Street, and head to Ellis Square for food trucks, crafts, and more.
📸: @djqmedia
Maitland in Salem is always a delicious deep dive into farm-to-table goodness. Every bite felt like it had a story: locally sourced, thoughtfully crafted, and full of flavor.
Plus, if you love pickles (or just enjoy a good food tale), this spot’s got pickle lore for days. Definitely one of those places where you leave full, happy, and with a new appreciation for brine! Make sure to give them a follow at @maitlandfarmkitchen 🥒
Mark your calendar for the Cape Ann Artisans Open Studios, happening June 7–8, 2025. This self-guided tour invites you to explore the studios of talented local artists in Gloucester and Rockport, two communities known for their rich creative heritage. As you visit each stop, you`ll discover a vibrant arts scene set against the stunning backdrop of the North Shore. The tour also highlights three Massachusetts-designated Cultural Districts—downtown Gloucester, downtown Rockport, and Rocky Neck—making this weekend a must for art lovers and coastal explorers alike.
