Overview
Saugus is a town in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, just north of the city. Its population is approximately 29,000 (2020), but despite its small size it has a long history lasting almost 400 years. The name of the town has its origins in the Algonquin language, meaning "great" or "extended."
2 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Saugus
Breakheart Reservation State Park
Breakheart Reservation is a 640-acre hardwood forest with jagged, rocky outcroppings, two fresh-water lakes, and a rambling section of the Saugus River. Fishing in Silver and Pearce Lakes, hiking the trails and birdwatch…
Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
Site of the first integrated ironworks in North America (1646-1668). It includes the reconstructed blast furnace, forge, rolling mill, and a restored seventeenth century house.
Boardman House
A late-17th-century house.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Mar. (climate data from nearby Reading)
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 — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BED Laurence G Hanscom Field, Bedford — 14 mi away. Directions
Route 107 is along Saugus's southeast.
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 Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, Boardman House
- Lunch Kelly's Roast Beef
- Afternoon Breakheart Reservation State Park
- Dinner Kowloons Restaurant
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.
Get in
By car
- Route 1/the Northeast Expressway. Coming in from downtown Boston, you will know that you’re in Saugus once you see a lot of commercial development directly along the highway. You can take the Essex Street or Main Street exits to access Saugus.
Route 107 is along Saugus's southeast.
By bus
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates buses from Boston and other parts of the Greater Boston area, including the 429, 426, and 430 buses around Saugus.
Get around
By car
A car can be very useful, as Saugus is more suburban and is more built up along route 1 and bus service does get infrequent at times.
By bus
Only the 429, 430, and 426 buses serve Saugus. The 426 runs along the southeast to Saugus, the 429 serves along Route 1, and only the 430 goes to Saugus's center. Bus service can be quite infrequent at times, and some routes don't operate evenings or weekends.
See
Do
Do Breakheart Reservation State Park
Breakheart Reservation is a 640-acre hardwood forest with jagged, rocky outcroppings, two fresh-water lakes, and a rambling section of the Saugus River. Fishing in Silver and Pearce Lakes, hiking the trails and birdwatching by the Saugus River are popular year-round activities. The supervised swimming area at Pearce Lake, one of the few fresh-water swimming spots north of Boston, draws crowds in the summer. Extensive biking and hiking trails with views of Boston and New Hampshire.
Buy
Eat
Eat Kowloons Restaurant
(Food Type: Chinese Polynesian Thai: Sushi available!) Kowloon’s Restaurant is one of the famous landmarks on Route 1 in Saugus. It mostly known for its tall building that you can see from the highway. Kowloons is great for any type of occasion. Lunch and dinner are served daily. There are several party halls located in the restaurant which makes it perfect for any party needs. They also have a comedy club inside the restaurant which makes it a great social place to go on the weekends. The inside décor is exciting and filled with water fountains and lights. This is not the best place to go if you don’t like large crowds or loud music. They also have live music on certain nights (inquire when calling for specific dates and times). Reservations are only taken for large groups.
Eat Kelly's Roast Beef
Kelly’s Roast Beef is considered to be the best place in the area to get a roast beef sandwich. They are a casual dinning environment where kids are welcomed. You order your food from a cashier and then choose a seat of your choice. There’s plenty of seating since it’s a large location. They offer food anywhere from the sandwiches to classic New England clam chowder. It’s a great place to eat on the run. They also have a drive thru available on location. It’s a great place to grab a quick, but delicious, bite to eat!
Sleep
Nearby
Lynn
City / town · 11 listings · 3 mi away
Revere
City / town · 9 listings · 4 mi away
Malden
City / town · 10 listings · 4 mi away
Wakefield
City / town · 7 listings · 4 mi away
Stoneham
City / town · 4 listings · 5 mi away
Everett
City / town · 14 listings · 5 mi away
Nahant
City / town · 5 mi away
Medford
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.