Overview
Manchester is a town in Massachusetts with a population of about 5,000 (2020). It is also known as Manchester-by-the-Sea.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 8 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Manchester
Singing Beach
Beach Street. A popular beach named for its Singing Sand.
Masconomo Park
Has mini baseball field, gazebo, and toddler playground. The park is lined with benches along the bay with boat docks.
White Beach and Black Cove
Boston is in the distance from the view of White Beach, with soft sand. Black Cove is rockier, but has a sandbar at low tide.
Tuck's Point
Smaller property hidden away with a gazebo, beach, lawn, docks, and the Manchester Yacht Club.
The Ocean Lawn
Walk the trail through the woods to find a view of the ocean, able to see Singing Beach around the cliff. Park closes after dusk.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Dec. (climate data from nearby Beverly)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BOS Boston Logan International Airport, Boston — 19 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BED Laurence G Hanscom Field, Bedford — 28 mi away. Directions
MBTA's Commuter rail provides service from North Station on its Rockport branch. Tickets are $6.75 one way.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Singing Beach, Masconomo Park, Tuck's Point
- Lunch Essen
- Afternoon White Beach and Black Cove, The Ocean Lawn
- Dinner Captain Dusty's Icecream
- Evening Al's Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
MBTA's Commuter rail provides service from North Station on its Rockport branch. Tickets are $6.75 one way.
About 45 minutes from Boston and 15 minutes from the Danvers Liberty Tree Mall.
From route 128, take exit 16 to Pine Street or exit 15 to School Street. Route 127 also enters Manchester from Beverly, and continues through Gloucester and Rockport.
Get around
Trolleys often tour in the summertime.
See
-resident ticket parking only in beach lot. Parking fees apply in lot behind Allen’s Pharmacy.
See Masconomo Park
Has mini baseball field, gazebo, and toddler playground. The park is lined with benches along the bay with boat docks.
See White Beach and Black Cove
Boston is in the distance from the view of White Beach, with soft sand. Black Cove is rockier, but has a sandbar at low tide.
See Tuck's Point
Smaller property hidden away with a gazebo, beach, lawn, docks, and the Manchester Yacht Club.
Do
Do The Ocean Lawn
Walk the trail through the woods to find a view of the ocean, able to see Singing Beach around the cliff. Park closes after dusk.
Buy
Shop Zak’s Handcrafts and Gifts
A tucked away elegant gift shop with soaps, lotions, scarves, books, cards, candles, toys and jewelry.
Eat
Eat Richdale Sub Express
Subs made to order. Pizza and Slush Puppies.
Eat Crosby's Marketplace
Subs made to order. Good quality food. Premade hot and cold meals.
Eat Essen
Small café, bakery, delicious smoothies, sandwiches, and desserts.
Eat Captain Dusty's Icecream
Homemade ice cream. Shakes. Large portions. Limited free parking along the street and in lot.
Eat Cristo’s Coffee Cup
Reasonable prices. Fast service. Friendly environment. Cozy atmosphere. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Eat Beach Street Café
Delicious food. Breakfast and Lunch.
Drink
Drink Al's Cafe
Full bar, but on the smaller side.
Sleep
Go next
Gloucester, Ma: The next town over, has more of a nightlife.
Salem (Massachusetts): The Willows arcade, park, rides, restaurants, harbor, Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables.
Rockport, Ma: A great place to visit with Bearskin Neck, filled with restaurants, shops, and a boardwalk.
Nearby
Essex
City / town · 15 listings · 4 mi away
Hamilton
City / town · 16 listings · 6 mi away
Beverly
City / town · 16 listings · 6 mi away
Gloucester
City / town · 30 listings · 6 mi away
Marblehead
City / town · 17 listings · 7 mi away
Salem
City / town · 91 listings · 8 mi away
Ipswich
City / town · 22 listings · 8 mi away
Danvers
City / town · 24 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
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