Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Marblehead, MA

On a rugged peninsula dotted with granite formations, the seafaring town of Marblehead presents a quintessential experience of historic New England.

To appreciate the town’s rich history, consider that two hundred of its residences were constructed prior to the American Revolution.

These structures are part of a historic district featuring approximately 900 contributing buildings, located along winding streets reminiscent of a rollercoaster. Therefore, one of the most rewarding activities in Marblehead is to wander through its streets and discover its hidden treasures.

Part of the town’s maritime success derives from its natural harbor, a stunning geographical feature bordered by rugged headlands, which sets the stage for the Race Week regatta held every July.

1. Fort Sewall

With a history spanning nearly 400 years, Fort Sewall commands the entrance to Marblehead Harbor from the elevated position of Gale’s Head.

A temporary fortification was established here as early as 1634, but the current structure originated in 1742, during King George’s War.

This fortification was rebuilt in during the American Revolutionary War and was garrisoned by John Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, gaining significance during the War of 1812 when its artillery allowed the pursued USS Constitution to seek shelter in Marblehead Harbor.

Since the 1920s, Fort Sewall has been situated within a panoramic public park, offering breathtaking views of the harbor and the Marblehead Neck peninsula.

It is advisable to visit in July for Glover’s Marblehead Regiment Annual Encampment. Additionally, the Barnacle, a short stroll down Front St, is a well-established seafood restaurant that has been serving guests since the 1960s.

2. Chandler Hovey Park and Marblehead Light

Initially developed as a summer resort in the 19th century, Marblehead Neck features its own peninsula, which protects Marblehead Harbor from the east and is linked to the mainland by a causeway.

This region is famed for its grand mansions, and at the rocky northern tip stands the distinctive Marblehead Light.

This skeletal lighthouse, erected in 1895 to replace an earlier structure from 1835, is the only lighthouse of this type in New England.

The fixed green beacon can be seen from seven nautical miles (8.1 miles), and the tower is situated within an exquisite 3.75-acre park, which offers magnificent vistas of the harbor’s entrance, along with views of Manchester-by-the-Sea and Beverly across the water.

Try to arrive in the evening to witness the sunset over Marblehead and the various small boats anchored in the harbor.

3. Self-guided Walking Tour

By any standard, the Marblehead Historic District is extensive, covering 2,300 acres and featuring nearly 1,000 contributing buildings.

To immerse yourself in the maritime history of the town, it is beneficial to equip yourself with a map, venture into the winding streets, and explore the charming old houses that once belonged to merchants, shipowners, naval heroes, and fishermen.

The Marblehead Museum has created a valuable self-guided tour, starting at Abbot Hall (the town hall), leading northeast to Fort Sewall and returning back.

Notable stops include the Jeremiah Lee Mansion (1768), the General John Glover House, constructed for the renowned general in 1762, the Old Town House (1727), and the Simon Bradstreet House (1732), built by the great-grandson of Simon Bradstreet, the final Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

4. Downtown Marblehead

Amidst its historical surroundings, Marblehead’s Old Town is an excellent area to explore, filled with small shops, boutiques, galleries, live music venues, and dining options.

As expected in a maritime town, seafood features prominently on the menu, with establishments such as The Landing (81 Front St) and Maddie’s Sail Loft (15 State St) offering classic New England dishes like clam chowder, lobster rolls, and fried scallops.

Behind the historic storefronts along Washington St, you will find a delightful assortment of unique shops selling women’s clothing, toys, jewelry, flowers, candles, and maritime apparel at F.L. Woods, which has been in operation since 1938.

In the “newer” commercial area along Pleasant St to the southwest, you will discover additional restaurants, the upscale Warwick Place cinema, and access to the four-mile Marblehead Rail Trail.

5. Devereux Beach

The primary public beach in Marblehead is located at the base of the Causeway leading to Marblehead Neck.

Facing southeast, Devereux Beach enjoys natural protection from ocean swells and features gentle waves ideal for younger children to enjoy water activities.

Lifeguards are present daily during the summer season, and there is a concession stand on Ocean Ave at the Neck Run Cafe. The facilities include two picnic pavilions, a playground, a volleyball court, and public restrooms.

You may also stroll a short distance along the causeway on Ocean Ave for a gratifying view across the harbor from Lady’s Cove.

6. Old Burial Hill

As one of the oldest cemeteries in New England, Old Burial Hill is also among the most picturesque, perched on a granite hill overlooking Marblehead Harbor and Salem Sound.

This site was the location of Marblehead’s first meeting house in 1638, and you will find numerous 17th-century headstones adorned with memento mori carvings.

Among the graves are those of Marblehead’s early ministers, including one marked with a modern plaque for Wilmot Redd (d. 1692), a victim of the Salem witch trials.

Old Burial Hill is cited in H. P. Lovecraft’s short story, The Festival (1923), and served as one of several filming locations in Marblehead for Hocus Pocus (1993).

7. Jeremiah Lee Mansion

Jeremiah Lee (1721-1775) constructed this magnificent Georgian mansion in 1768 when he was the wealthiest shipowner and merchant in Massachusetts.

With an impressive level of preservation, his residence is regarded as one of the finest late Georgian houses in the United States and is now under the management of the Marblehead Museum.

Some of the original features still intact include intricately carved woodwork and hand-painted wallpapers sourced from England.

During a guided tour of 18 rooms, visitors can appreciate early American furniture crafted by artisans in Marblehead, Boston, and Salem, along with exceptional 18th and 19th-century decorative arts, including silver, ceramics, textiles, clocks, and mirrors.

8. Castle Rock Park

This dramatic granite outcrop served as a crucial lookout during Marblehead’s seafaring era, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from Marblehead Neck.

Along the coast, you will find luxurious waterfront mansions, and it is believed that the name of this headland originated from the castle-like Carcassonne mansion just behind.

Access to the small surrounding park is via a path off Ocean Avenue, where you can enjoy the seaside scenery from benches adjacent to the outcrop.

With caution, you may explore Castle Rock’s cascade of ledges, which feature tide pools, and the views from this location are particularly stunning at sunrise.

9. Abbot Hall Maritime Museum

Constructed in 1876, Marblehead’s fourth town hall remains the seat of local government after 150 years.

Abbot Hall is designed in the Romanesque Revival style and is topped by a splendid clock tower featuring a Howard #2S clock, which was installed in 1877 and is still manually wound every week by maintenance staff.

In addition to its municipal responsibilities, Abbot Hall houses the Dr. Ray Cole Maritime Museum, which celebrates the town’s naval heritage.

Within these galleries, visitors will learn about Marblehead’s connection to the early days of the US Navy, its numerous naval heroes, the stories behind the three USS Marbleheads that have docked in the harbor, and Marblehead’s status as the birthplace of Marine Corp Aviation.

Notably, it elaborates on George Washington’s surprise attack on Hessian Forces at Trenton on Christmas night 1776, which was facilitated by General John Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, who transported his troops across the Delaware River.

10. Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the heart of the Marblehead Neck Peninsula, a 20-acre wildlife sanctuary is managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

This area consists of wetlands, woodlands, and thickets. The forested regions attract a surprising variety of migratory birds during spring and autumn, particularly warblers navigating the Atlantic coast.

Furthermore, Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary offers delightful opportunities for hiking. In a relatively compact area, visitors can ascend rocky hills and traverse a section of boardwalk adjacent to a charming pond.

On the elevated western edge of the pond, the Warbler Trail provides an excellent vantage point for those wishing to observe migratory songbirds.

11. J.O.J. Frost Gallery & Carolyn Lynch Education Center

Almost directly across from the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, the Marblehead Museum also owns a quaint house located at 14 Washington Street.

This building, which appears older than it is, actually dates back to 1940 and was acquired by the historical society in 1998 as headquarters. The highlight inside is a permanent gallery dedicated to the Marblehead folk artist J. O. J. Frost (1852-1928).

An untrained artist, Frost began painting at the age of 70, drawing inspiration from childhood memories of Marblehead as a fishing village and sailing on schooners.

Though technically lacking refinement, Frost’s work is widely celebrated as Folk Art. It appears in several prestigious collections, with the largest held by the Marblehead Museum, donated by Frost’s son in 1928.

12. Crowninshield Island (Brown’s Island)

Overseeing the entrance to Dolliber Cove and Marblehead Little Harbor is a five-acre outcropping owned by the Trustees of Reservations.

This island can only be accessed from the mainland via water, unless visiting during low tide. Crowninshield Island is named in honor of pioneering historic preservationist Louise E. du Pont Crowninshield (1877-1958).

If traversing the mudflats on foot, it is advisable to arrive an hour before low tide and leave an hour after to maximize your time on the island.

While on the island, you can explore a sandy beach, a meadow, salt marshes, and rugged shoreline, while enjoying stunning views of Fort Sewall, the harbor, and nearby small islands.

13. Marblehead Festival of Arts

Scheduled during the July 4th holiday, the Marblehead Festival of Arts has a history that dates back to 1962.

This event features a diverse array of enjoyable activities, including a street festival, film festival, artisan marketplace, and a children’s festival with kite flying, sand sculpture creation, and pottery painting.

Over four days, attendees can view exhibits at various venues, such as Abbot Hall, Old North Church, and Old Town House, with performing arts presented daily in Crocker Park.

This park boasts an ideal vantage point for observing the harbor, especially during the brilliant fireworks display on the final evening of the festival.

14. Marblehead Race Week

Marblehead’s pristine harbor has established it as a prominent destination for recreational yachting since the mid-19th century, hosting a series of regattas throughout the sailing season, including those associated with the Marblehead Festival of Arts.

The most significant of these is Marblehead Race Week, which dates back to 1889 and takes place in the final week of July. Since the 2000s, its senior divisions have been incorporated into the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series.

The wind and weather conditions in Marblehead Harbor vary greatly from day to day, affecting the competition’s dynamics substantially.

If you are in town during this time, you can bring a blanket and picnic to enjoy as you watch the exciting races unfold from one of Marblehead’s picturesque harborside parks.

15. Glover’s Marblehead Regiment Annual Encampment

Renowned for transporting General Washington across the Delaware River, the Marblehead Militia was led by John Glover (1732-1797), whose family relocated to Marblehead during his childhood.

At the inception of the conflict, Glover’s schooner, Hannah, was chartered by Washington to raid British supply vessels during the siege of Boston in June 1775, potentially designating it as one of the founding vessels of the United States Navy.

Glover’s Marblehead Regiment commemorates its historical significance with a living history encampment at Fort Sewall each July.

This vibrant event showcases soldiers, sailors, and civilian townsfolk, providing an opportunity to learn more about the contributions of the Marblehead Regiment during the American Revolutionary War.

Participants can engage with costumed reenactors, witness demonstrations of 18th-century trades, enjoy period music, sample traditional snacks, and observe riveting reenactments.