Overview
Marblehead is a scenic coastal town in the North Shore region of Massachusetts. This town of 20k has mostly retained its 18th century layout and is the perfect place to explore "old" New England. Additionally, many tourists skip Marblehead for the much more popular Salem, so you're likely to have a more personal experience here.
Swampscott with a population of 15k in 2020 is right next door.
6 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Marblehead
Fort Sewall
Front St. (Rt. 114).
Devereux Beach
Frost Folk Art Museum
G.A.R. & Civil War Museum
Open Memorial Day, July 4th, and Christmas Walk or by appointment.
Jeremiah Lee Mansion
King Hooper Mansion
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 Mar.
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 — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BED Laurence G Hanscom Field, Bedford — 22 mi away. Directions
Marblehead is an historic, seacoast town easily reached by car (40 minutes from Boston), by boat, or by Boston’s MBTA.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $140–$140 a night (typical $195), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$180, mid-range ~$270, comfortable ~$310.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Frost Folk Art Museum, G.A.R. & Civil War Museum, Jeremiah Lee Mansion
- Lunch The Barnacle
- Afternoon King Hooper Mansion, Abbot Hall
- Evening F.L. Woods
Day 2
- Morning Fort Sewall
- Evening Marblehead House of Pizza
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Marblehead has over 200 homes and buildings that predate the Revolutionary War. Not only does Marblehead have beautiful historic houses, they also have smaller homes as well as the amazing mansions on the neck. These mansions were once summer homes and converted into full-time homes overtime. It is a well-known yachting resort.
Get in
Marblehead is an historic, seacoast town easily reached by car (40 minutes from Boston), by boat, or by Boston’s MBTA.
Originally settled in 1629, Marblehead is a beautiful town on the North Shore of Massachusetts. What sets this town apart from others in the area is that it is surrounded mostly by water and offers an almost nostalgic view of New England as one might imagine it ought to be. Marblehead offers an array of beautiful beaches as well as amazing views of the ocean, and a beautiful small town. A few different parts make up this small town. The main parts of the town, are "Old Town", which is the historic part of Marblehead that to this day has homes that were built when the town was first settled. Another part of town, is the "downtown" are which has become a little more urbanized overtime. They have many shops as well as stores like CVS. The last part of the town is Marblehead Neck. Marblehead Neck was once an Island, until the down decided to build a causeway to connect it to the rest of the town. Known for its amazing mansions and yacht clubs, the Neck is truly the prettiest part of the town. Marblehead has a website that offers the history and various links for what you can do in the town, http://www.marblehead.org/.
Get around
To get around the town, there are a couple different options:
1) MBTA Bus
There are two different bus routes you can take:
- 441
- 442
There are major bus stops in most parts of the town, for more information on schedules visit:
Place MBTA
Place The local trolley
The local trolley runs from Old Town throughout the town and around the neck, and runs on the weekends. The pick up area is in front of the Old Town Hall
Bus service can be infrequent at times, so a car can be helpful.
See
See King Hooper Mansion
Do
Do Devereux Beach
Buy
Dozens of imaginative, family-owned boutiques & galleries along with scores of antique, gift and specialty shops dot the walkable town.
Shop SHE
This store is very cute and set in the heart of Old Town. They carry various women's clothing lines such as Free People and JBrand Jeans. You will definitely find something to add to your wardrobe.
Eat
Eat The Barnacle
on the harbor. Seafood restaurant, lunch and dinner.
Drink
Drink Three Cod Tavern
This restaurant offers grab food at an affordable price, and it great for families. It also has a bar that is separate from the restaurant that is great for watching your favorite Boston sports teams.
Drink Cafe Vesuvius
A great, family owned, Italian pizza shop. They serve amazing sandwiches and salads. What is great is that all of their entrees are named after the Greek gods. Affordable too!
Drink Marblehead House of Pizza
A part of history in Marblehead. Everyone can remember getting house of pizza since they were born. Great pizza and amazing service, you are going to want more right after you finish!
Drink F.L. Woods
This is a great store that is located in Old Town Marblehead. It truly catches the towns love for sailing and anything to do nautical. This company was the first to create a clothing line using the original color "Marblehead Green", which was originally used to paint the bottom of boats.
Sleep
Over 30 romantic inn's and B&Bs offer a respite from the frenzy of city life.
Stay The Seagull Inn Bed & Breakfast
On beautiful Marblehead Neck just steps from ocean and harbor, this old New England inn has been restored with cherry floors, Shaker furniture, and original paintings. Comfortable and private guest suites, expandable for families. Water views from porch, dining room, some suites. Beautiful gardens. Kayaks and bikes free for guests. Beaches nearby. All rooms have private baths, TV/VCR/DVD, phone and refrigerator.
Nearby
Salem
City / town · 91 listings · 2 mi away
Peabody
City / town · 12 listings · 4 mi away
Beverly
City / town · 16 listings · 4 mi away
Lynn
City / town · 11 listings · 5 mi away
Nahant
City / town · 6 mi away
Danvers
City / town · 24 listings · 6 mi away
Manchester
City / town · 17 listings · 7 mi away
Saugus
City / town · 8 listings · 8 mi away
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