Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Methuen, MA

In the 19th and early 20th century, three philanthropists significantly influenced the city of Methuen in Essex County, leaving a lasting legacy. More than a century after their passing, the names of David Nevins Sr. (1809-1881), Edward F. Searles (1841-1920), and Charles H. Tenney (1842-1919) are frequently mentioned in discussions about Methuen.

This trio contributed numerous monuments, parks, a library, and a music hall; their impact is so profound that downtown Methuen’s historic district carries their name.

Methuen was settled in the 1640s and became an industrial hub in the 19th century, known for manufacturing hats and shoes in mills along the Spicket River. A railroad built during this period has since been transformed into a multi-use path, connecting with additional trails like the Spicket River Greenway, which leads to downtown Lawrence.

1. Methuen Memorial Music Hall

Any aficionado of classical music should make it a priority to attend a concert or recital at this splendid venue, which was presented to the city by Edward Francis Searles in 1909. Searles, an architect and interior designer, inherited significant real estate holdings from his wife, Mary Hopkins Searle, after her death in 1891.

The Methuen Memorial Music Hall is one of several philanthropic endeavors throughout the city and was specifically designed to accommodate The Great Organ. This magnificent instrument, built in Ludwigsburg, Germany, in 1863 for the Boston Music Hall, was acquired by Searles at auction around 1897.

The architectural style of the building is a harmonious blend, featuring a Baroque Revival Anglo-Dutch gable alongside a refined Italianate campanile, with details reminiscent of English Baroque inside.

2. Greycourt State Park

Charles H. Tenney, an influential hat manufacturer in 19th-century Methuen, constructed Grey Court, a luxurious summer residence situated on a 24-acre hilltop estate behind City Hall. Built in the 1890s, its design was inspired by the Château de Montaigne in Dordogne, with the grounds landscaped by the esteemed Boston landscape architect Ernest Bowditch (1850-1918).

Unfortunately, the mansion was destroyed by fire in 1978; however, visitors can explore remains scattered throughout the state park, which was established on the grounds in 2001. This picturesque location serves as a backdrop for annual events and provides an ideal setting for walking and picnicking, especially when the trees are bare in winter, revealing distant vistas.

3. Searles Tenney Nevins Historic District

Downtown Methuen is encompassed by a historic district established by the city in 1992 to protect its distinctive 19th-century architecture. The district is named after three notable philanthropic figures credited with founding Methuen: textile industrialist David Nevins Sr., architect and inheritor Edward F. Searles, and hat manufacturer Charles H. Tenney.

This district showcases a remarkable variety of historic buildings displaying styles ranging from Federal to Colonial Revival, encompassing textile mills, standalone commercial properties, an abundance of charming old residences, and numerous institutional buildings, many of which are directly linked to Nevins, Searles, and Tenney.

In addition to Searles’ Memorial Music Hall, notable structures include the English Revival Old Town Hall (1853), Gothic Revival First Church Congregational (1855), Central Fire Station (1899), and the Jacobethan City Hall/Searles Building (1904).

4. Methuen Museum of History

Since 2017, the restored Tenney Gatehouse, located at the entrance to Greycourt State Park, has served as the home for the Methuen Historical Society, which houses an array of displays, exhibits, and intriguing artifacts from the city’s history.

Separate rooms are dedicated to David Nevins Sr., Edward F. Searles, and Charles H. Tenney, each providing in-depth information about these individuals and detailing their numerous contributions to the city. Additionally, the museum explores life in early Methuen throughout the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries and highlights the influential Whittier family, who sold the Greycourt estate to Tenney in 1882. Notably, this building was previously the Whittier residence before being repurposed as a gatehouse by its new owner.

5. Methuen Rail Trail

The Methuen Rail Trail runs through the core of Methuen, having transformed the former Boston and Maine Manchester and Lawrence Railroad corridor into a path suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling. This trail spans nearly 2.5 miles and traverses previously inaccessible areas, such as the Nevins Bird Sanctuary.

Establishing a vital link between the Spicket River Greenway leading into Lawrence and the Salem Rail Trail in New Hampshire, the Methuen Rail Trail features the preserved Methuen Railroad Depot, constructed in 1907, at the junction of Union and Railroad Streets. Additionally, the southern trailhead at Manchester Street Park offers opportunities for relaxation, featuring picnic tables and a playground for children.

6. Nevins Memorial Library

The Nevins family dedicated this Romanesque Revival library, completed in 1883, to honor the contributions of David Nevins Sr. The library is situated within eight acres of parkland and has always served as a crucial community resource for personal development, education, and community involvement for residents of Methuen and surrounding areas.

This tradition continues into the 21st century with amenities such as free Wi-Fi access, media subscriptions, museum passes, and numerous programs for children and teens, alongside an active events schedule. Moreover, the library possesses a vast collection of manuscripts, objets d’art, vital records, and genealogical resources, with a farmers’ market occurring on the front lawn every Friday during summer months from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

7. Jay-Gees Ice Cream & Fun Center

For families seeking summer activities for children, Jay-Gees Ice Cream & Fun Center is a family entertainment complex located adjacent to the Merrimack River, anchored by an ice cream shop. The center features an 18-hole miniature golf course, bumper boats, batting cages, go-karts, an arcade, and bumper cars.

This facility also caters to children’s birthday celebrations within designated 90-minute time slots. Guests can enjoy the extensive menu of homemade hard ice cream flavors, ranging from Almond Joy to Vanilla Brownie, available at a row of windows.

8. Nevins Bird Sanctuary

The Methuen Rail Trail runs through this 18-acre wetland area along the Spicket River. This land was part of a bequest from Harriet F. Blackburn Nevin (1841-1929), the last Nevin heir, who was known for her dedication to animal welfare as a major supporter of the MSPCA. This marshy and wooded landscape was formerly a popular site for recreational activities but is now accessible exclusively via the rail trail.

Visitors can take a moment to appreciate the scenery and observe various bird species, including green herons, great blue herons, red hawks, American bitterns, spotted sandpipers, chimney swifts, mallards, and wood ducks.

9. Lawrence

Located just moments from Methuen is the city of Lawrence, which features an innovative 19th-century planned cityscape characterized by a remarkable scale. In the 1840s, this area was acquired by a consortium of industrialists, who established a complex of textile mills powered by two canals running along either bank of the Merrimack River.

The historical mills, with their expansive facades, present a noteworthy sight, having once provided employment to a diverse workforce. Many of these factories have since adapted to new purposes, serving as lofts and office spaces, with New Balance now operating from the former Ayer Mill, a structure crowned by an iconic clock tower dating back to 1909. Visitors can explore the factory store located here.

10. Museum of Printing

Established in 1978 and having relocated near Haverhill in 2016, the Museum of Printing is situated just a short distance from Methuen. The collection originated when the Boston Globe upgraded its outdated hot metal typesetting and letterpress printing equipment, and has since expanded to include an extensive array of artifacts spanning multiple centuries.

Visitors can examine hand-operated presses, copiers, typewriters, digital storage equipment, paper cutters, folders, photolithographic devices, thousands of typefaces, and what is believed to be the world’s largest collection of phototypesetters. The museum’s collection also features a printed Nuremberg Chronicle from 1493, colonial newspapers covering nearly 150 years, and thousands of typographic specimen books.

11. Spicket River Greenway

From Manchester Street Park, positioned on the Lawrence Town Line, individuals can walk, run, or cycle along the banks of the Spicket River until it meets the Merrimack. Completed in 2013, the 3.5-mile Spicket River Greenway is a revitalization initiative aimed at connecting existing parks with newly developed open spaces along the rehabilitated banks of the Spicket River.

This watercourse was once integral to the industries of Methuen and Lawrence but had suffered from decades of pollution and disuse until the greenway project was conceived in the 1990s. Now, the greenway serves not only as a recreational attraction but also as a practical commuting route, connecting the center of Lawrence with downtown Methuen via the Methuen Rail Trail.

12. Merrimack River Trail – Andover

Accessing several miles of secluded wooded waterfront is possible across the Merrimack River from Methuen, whether by foot or bike. Most of the route provides views of the expansive Merrimack River, featuring sections of boardwalk and bridges crossing streams and marshy areas.

This trail stretches almost uninterrupted from just north of the Greater Lawrence Technical School in the east to Fossen Way in the west. Aside from the picturesque river views, visitors can discover the area’s history through interpretive signs at the Retelle Reservation, which provide insights into the Pennacook people who managed transportation on the Merrimack River from nearby Pine Island prior to the 17th century.

13. The Loop

The Loop, a walkable outdoor shopping center, features nearly 30 shops and services and was inaugurated a little over 20 years ago on the renovated site of the former Methuen Mall, which operated from 1973 until its closure in the late 1990s.

This contemporary shopping, dining, and entertainment destination comprises a collection of national chain retailers, including Old Navy, Loft, GameStop, The Home Depot, and Bath & Body Works. For dining options, visitors can choose from establishments such as Olive Garden, TGI Fridays, Chipotle, and Jersey Mike’s, in addition to a branch of Chuck E. Cheese’s for families with children.

14. AMC Methuen 20

Also located at The Loop is a 20-screen movie theater that has operated since the shopping center’s inception. AMC Methuen 20 features an upgraded IMAX Laser auditorium, providing enhanced picture quality and precision sound for a more immersive cinematic experience.

The regular screens offer stadium-style seating and recliner options that can be reserved in advance. Additionally, patrons can benefit from special promotions, including a 30% discount on matinee screenings any day of the week (before 4 pm), while films are offered at $5 all day on Tuesdays as of the time of this compilation.

15. Forest Lake

In a serene corner of Methuen, near the border with New Hampshire, lies a 50-acre great pond that is replenished by groundwater. This pond is the only one within Methuen that is sufficiently large for recreational activities, and swimming, fishing, and walking along its wooded shores are reserved for residents of Methuen during the summer months.

The area features a beach that is open daily throughout the summer, a boat ramp for electric motors only, and a host of peaceful fishing opportunities. For up-to-date opening hours, visit cityofmethuen.net.

The pond is regularly stocked with trout in the spring and fall and is home to various fish species, including largemouth bass, brown bullhead, bluegill, and yellow perch, among others.