The North Shore of Massachusetts is the region north of Boston, along the Atlantic coast. It includes, among others, the towns of Revere, Lynn, Gloucester, Salem and Newburyport. Each has their own history dating back four centuries.

Cities and towns

• 1 Beverly
• 2 Boxford
• 3 Danvers
• 4 Essex - Shipbuilding history and antique shoppes
• 5 Georgetown
• 6 Gloucester Artist colony and historical fishing center
• 7 Hamilton
• 8 Ipswich
• 9 Lynn
• Lynnfield
• 10 Marblehead
• 11 Manchester-by-the-Sea - home of popular Singing Beach
• Middleton
• 12 Nahant
• 13 Newbury - Scenic beach town including Plum Island
• 14 Newburyport - a coastal town and popular tourist destination with beautiful natural areas, water activities and fine dining.
• 15 Peabody
• 16 Rockport - Scenic artist colony and Motif No. 1
• 17 Rowley
• 18 Salem - House of the Seven Gables and famous for witches
• 19 Salisbury
• 20 Topsfield - Best known for the Topsfield Fair and Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Wenham

Other destinations

• Salisbury Beach State Reservation, The park is the main day tripper access to the beach at Salisbury. The beach is lifeguard protected from Memorial Day to Labor day, weather permitting. Unless you are staying in the town of Salisbury it is easier to use the park since they offer a large parking area, bathrooms and outdoor showers.

Other draws at the park include a large campground and access to the Merrimack River. The campground is open full-time during the summer, on weekends during the early spring and late fall, and closes in the winter. There is a $7 fee to enter the park in the summer (summer of 2008, may increase in 2009). During the off season there is no fee.

Understand

Get in

Most North Shore towns are serviced by MBTA commuter rail or bus service.

By bus

MBTA buses service downtown Boston from the towns of Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn, and Revere.

By train

Two commuter rail lines run from Boston's North Station, the Newburyport line and the Rockport line.