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Marblehead, MA is a surprising city full of hidden gems, although tourists usually overlook it for its “Witch City” neighbor, Salem. Not only does this yachting capital have a gorgeous harbor, but its well-preserved Old Town is a dream for historic homes. Maybe you are wondering what cool things Marblehead, MA has to do that you should visit it over Boston or Salem?
As a history-lover, where do I even begin? First of all, I only started visiting this town on a whim, having seen enough of Salem to be satisfied and craving something new. It didn’t take me long to realize that Marblehead has even more houses dating back to before 1725 (or “first period”), than Salem does.
Plus, if you still seek those “Witch City” vibes, Marblehead has its own sites related to both witch trials history and the Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus. Basically, this town has a little bit of everything to please everyone, but even more so if you love quaint harbor towns with centuries of stories to tell.
Without further delay, here are the best things to do in Marblehead, MA, which will easily fill one busy day. For a more leisurely pace, spend an entire weekend in Marblehead and tackle this list over two days.
One Awesome Day in Marblehead, MA: 15 Best Things to Do
From narrow lanes and a vast harbor to an iconic American painting, this historic harbor town has so much to discover. Below is the order that you should see these sights during one entire day exploring Marblehead. I’ve even created a Google Map for a walking tour of the first 13 stops below!
1. Abbott Hall
Start your morning at one of Marblehead’s top sites, Abbott Hall, which opens at 8:00am. This stately red brick building is Marblehead’s town hall, where the five town selectmen have offices (there is no mayor).
Plans for the buildings began when Marblehead native Benjamin Abbott passed away in 1872 and bequeathed $103,000 to the town for a public building. Construction began in 1876 and was completed by 1877.
Wander the first floor, first floor landing, auditorium, and basement to see artifacts and displays about Marblehead’s history. Here are a few highlights:
- The Spirit of ’76 painting in the Selectman’s Room
- 1684 Town Deed
- Small maritime museum (learn why Marblehead is the “birthplace of the American Navy”)
- Sign museum
This building is located at 188 Washington Street and is open year-round, though hours may vary (check hours here). Entry is free.
2. Marblehead Museum
Next, walk one minute northeast on Washington Street to Marblehead Museum, which will be on your right. This small building does not open until 10am, so if you are early I recommend first walking three minutes to Mookie’s at Mugford for coffee and a scone.
Upon entering the museum, you’ll see a small donation box, but the space is otherwise sparce. Head to the second floor to find an art gallery by Marblehead native J.O.J. Frost (1852-1928).
Frost did not begin painting until the age of 70 and had no formal training, but he sought to preserve his boyhood memories of Marblehead. He painted landscapes of the town when it was still a major fishing village, while also capturing tranquil and harrowing days at sea. Frost considered himself to be more of a historian than an artist, and his works are treasured pieces of American Folk Art today.
The Marblehead Museum is located at 170 Washington Street and is open Tuesday though Friday (and sometimes Saturday) from 10am to 4pm. Admission is donation-based. Confirm opening hours here.
3. Jeremiah Lee Mansion
Before leaving Marblehead Museum, purchase $10 entry tickets to the Jeremiah Lee Mansion at the front desk (or online here). Then head across the street to the front door of the blue-gray mansion for your 45-minute tour, which leaves on the hour.
This 1768 Georgian-style home was built for Jeremiah Lee, who once was the wealthiest merchant in Massachusetts. The structure takes up three lots, has seven windows stretching across the front facade (five was typical), and retains many of its original attributes.
All but one room has original wide-planked wood floors and paint colors. Miraculously, even much of the intricate 18th century hand-painted wallpaper still survives today.
Not all artifacts inside necessary belonged to the Lee family, but they represent the craftmanship of the times. This includes period wooden cabinets made locally and imported items made from silver, ceramics, and textiles. One especially cool treasure is a chair that belonged to John Hancock.
The Jeremiah Lee Mansion is located at 161 Washington Street. Tours run hours starting at 10am Tuesday through Saturday, with the last tour leaving at 3pm. Please note that tours only run from June 1 through October 31 (confirm opening times here).
4.Wander the Old Town
If you haven’t already taken a coffee break, now is a good time to do so. This is also a great opportunity to browse the many local shops and galleries along Washington Street.
As you stroll through Marblehead’s historic district, you are walking through history. The first British subjects arrived on the peninsula in the early 1600’s, when the Naumkeag Tribe was controlling these lands.
These colonists came to Marblehead from Salem because they did not wish to live under the town’s harsh Puritan rule. They were able to co-exist peacefully with the Naumkeags, although smallpox epidemics sadly wiped out much of the Native American population.
In 1648, Salem (then Salem Town) officially granted Marblehead its independence. On September 16, 1684, the leader of the Naumkeags signed a deed selling Marblehead to the colonists for sixteen pounds. You can see this deed today hanging in the Selectmen’s room at Abbott Hall.
Until the mid-19th century, Marblehead was a thriving fishing community. Walking along the town’s twisting historic streets (some of which were formed by cow paths), you will see many houses dating back to the 19th, 18th, and even 17th century, many of which were once owned by fishermen, shipwrights, and sailors.
5. Wander Art Galleries in the King Hooper Mansion
This mansion was first a house built in 1728 for Greenleaf Hooper, and later expanded by his son, Robert “King” Hooper in 1745. Robert was a wealthy merchant who modeled his home in the Georgian style, which was popular at the time.
He was given the nickname “King” due to his reputation of civic generosity and kindness to his workers. However, it should be noted that Robert Hooper did own slaves and profited off the triangular trade.
The Hooper family stopped using this property in 1819, after which the building served as a dry goods store and then a YMCA. By the 1930’s the mansion was in ruin and threatened to be razed. Thankfully, it was saved by the Marblehead Arts Association in 1938, whose dedicated restoration efforts brought the mansion back to its former glory.
Today, you can wander the mansion’s elegant, historic rooms to view six galleries of rotating exhibits by association members and guests artists. The mansion is located at 8 Hooper Street, open Wednesday through Sunday from 12pm-5pm, and entry is free.
6. Civil War and Grand Army of the Republic Museum
The Old Town House, or “Marblehead’s Cradle of Liberty” is the yellow building lying in the center of Market Square. Built in 1727, the site is known for holding impassioned pre-revolutionary war meetings.
Later, the building’s second floor served as the meeting spot for the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). This post-civil war veteran’s association met here from 1888 until Marblehead’s last veteran died.
Today, you can see the meeting room exactly as it looked when the G.A.R. was still using it. Be sure to check out the adjacent exhibit that tells the story of the Civil War in Marblehead, including artifacts from that period. In addition, the bottom floor of the building houses the Police Museum (it’s original use was a market).
7. Fort Sewall
Fort Sewall was established in 1644 on Gale’s Head, or a small point of land jutting out from greater Marblehead. Originally called Gale’s Head Fort for the land on which it stands, it was renamed Fort Sewall in 1814 in honor of Marblehead Native and Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice Samuel Sewall.
Over the years, the Fort was expanded several times and was active during the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. The fort’s shining moment was on Sunday, April 3, 1814. In order to dodge two British frigates, the USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides”, ducked into Marblehead Harbor for safety behind the shield of the fort’s guns.
The federal government gave the fort back to the town of Marblehead in 1922 and today it mainly serves as a waterfront park. However, it is still possible to see the bunkers and underground rooms once used to house soldiers and detain prisoners.
To reach Fort Sewall, walk northeast along Front Street until it dead ends. Then turn right onto Fort Sewall Lane. Restrooms are available on site seasonally.
8. Walk to Gerry Island
Perhaps the most unusual thing to do in Marblehead, MA is walk to Gerry Island. The island was named for Elbridge Gerry, a Marblehead native after whom the term “gerrymandering” was coined. Gerry was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence and served as Vice President of the United States under President James Madison.
To reach Gerry Island, follow the narrow rocky path (called a tombolo) that emerges during low tide at Gas House Beach. There is about a two-hour window where you can safely walk to the island before the path disappears. Check the tide schedules in advance to avoid getting stranded! It is amazing how quickly the tide comes in and washes out the entire path.
Case in point: when I walked to this island, the entire path was exposed the whole way over, save for a tiny area where I had to navigate over a few rocks. Seeing that the tide was coming in, I stayed on the island for only ten minutes. When I came back down, the narrow gap of water had widened a shocking amount, and I had to submerge my shoes in the thankfully shallow water to get back to the tombolo.
Once on the island, there are lovely views to enjoy and the foundations of an early 20th century house that burned down to check out. Be aware that ticks and poison ivy also live on this island, so be sure to wear shoes, socks, and long pants.
Travel Savvy Tip
There is also a tombolo, or rocky path, available to Marblehead’s Crowninshield Island from Harding Lane.
9. Eat a Lobster Roll
When visiting coastal Massachusetts, one must always eat a lobster roll. Therefore, that is exactly what I recommend you do for lunch.
For the freshest rolls head to Little Harbor Lobster Company, where they serve locally-sourced lobster at Marblehead’s Little Harbor. The downside is that there isn’t much in the way of seating at this harborside spot. That’s why I took my lobster roll over to nearby Grace Oliver Beach to eat on high rocks near the water (not recommended unless you’re up for a little climbing).
If you’re with a crew who needs more variety, The Muffin Shop the next best option. In addition to lobster rolls, this popular local hangout also serves a variety of sandwiches and salads and also has tables for indoor dining.
If you visit the The Muffin Shop, don’t forget to grab a Joe Frogger to go. These chewy molasses-rum cookies are a Marblehead tradition, dating back to colonial times. As they would keep for several months, local legend has it that sailors would bring barrels of Joe Froggers on board ships to sustain them through long voyages.
10. Take in the View from Fountain Park
Formerly known as “Bailey’s Head”, this land served as the site of a fort during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In 1888, Marblehead native James J.H. Gregory donated the land to the city that would become Fountain Park.
This is a wonderful place to rest for a moment on a bench while taking in views of Marblehead, MA and its vast harbor. Plus, it’s right across the street from our next spooky site.
11. Old Burial Hill
Some people may know the Old Burial Hill as a set from the movie Hocus Pocus. It’s the seen where the the two school bullies steal Max’s shoes.
In reality, the Old Burial Hill is much more than this. The land is the site of Marblehead’s first meeting house and is where around six hundred Revolutionary War soldiers are buried. Marblehead’s Revolutionary War hero who rowed Washington across the Delaware River is included in that count.
You will also find a monument for Wilmott Redd, the only Marblehead woman to be executed during the Salem witch trials. The home she shared with her husband at Redd’s Pond was located right beside where the cemetery is today.
Finally, be on the lookout for the Fisherman’s Monument. This memorializes the 65 fishermen lost at sea during a hurricane in 1846, which sadly left “43 Widows [and] 155 Fatherless Children”.
12. Ponder Witch Trials History at Redd’s Pond
While the pond is all that remains today, in 1692 Wilmott Redd was living in a home near the foot of the Old Burial Hill with her husband, Samuel Redd. Mrs. Redd was a bit of an outcast in Marblehead, being of little means and needing to take odd jobs to make ends meet.
On May 26,1692, girls from Salem Village (today’s Danvers) who had never met Redd, claimed to be tormented by her specter. The girls proved this during her hearing when they were unable to approach her for the touch test.
Mrs. Redd’s own servant and some neighbors would also eventually testify against her. One accusation claimed that she would wish a “bloody cleaver” to appear in the cradles of children. An image of a clever would supposedly appear and the child would get sick and die.
Tragically, Wilmott Redd was convicted and was hanged on September 22, 1692 at Proctor’s Ledge in Salem. She was the only Marblehead women to be hanged during the Salem witch trials. Though her actual burial site is unknown, a monument was erected in her honor at the Old Burial Hill in 1998.
13. View the Ambrose Gale House (the oldest house in Marblehead, MA)
On your way back towards town you’ll pass the Ambrose Gale, which dates back to 1663 and is Marblehead’s oldest standing home. It was built for fisherman Ambrose Gale, who would later play a role in the Salem witch trials.
During 1692, Gale lived here with his daughter, Charity (Gale) Pitman, serving serving as two of the three witnesses who testified against Wilmott Redd. They confirmed a five-year-old story where poor Wilmott Redd cursed a Mrs. Syms with a “dry belly ache”, or constipation.
The house is located at 17 Franklin Street, but remains a private residence that is not open to the public.
14. Optional Beach Stop
Now it’s time to get in the car for a little driving. If the weather is nice and you have an hour or two to spare, consider making at stop at Devereux Beach. This is an easy stop to make on the way to Marblehead Neck for sunset, and offers some of the prettiest waves in the area.
Devereux Beach is nice and lengthy for a walk along the sand. There are also convenient facilities near the water, including a food stand and restrooms.
There is a paid lot for nonresident parking ($15 Monday thru Thursday and $20 Friday thru Sunday – CASH ONLY). I parked a little ways away on a residential street and walked to the beach because that was a little steep for just me to visit for a short time.
15. Watch the Sunset from the Marblehead Neck
After you pass Devereux Beach heading southeast from Marblehead, you will reach Marblehead Neck. Turn right onto Harbor Avenue and keep going straight until the road turns into Ocean Avenue and dead ends. Then turn right onto Follett Street to reach Chandler Hovey Park, where you will find the skeletal Marblehead Lighthouse.
This light station was built in 1896 and is one of only 14 surviving lighthouses in the United States with this minimalistic pyramid shape (it is the only such example in Massachusetts). Although I do not find this style of lighthouse to be the most beautiful, the Marblehead Lighthouse still makes an excellent spot to watch the sunset over Marblehead’s historic harbor and Old Town.
Today, Marblehead, MA is a huge destination for yachters, who come in from all over the world.
How to Reach Marblehead, MA
It is easiest to reach Marblehead, MA by car. The town is located 15 miles northeast of Boston Logan Airport, and drive time takes about 50 minutes.
There is plenty of street parking throughout the town and some small lots. Parking is generally free, but beware of signs indicating a two-hour limit.
A car is largely not required to get around Marblehead, as most sights are within easy walking distance. However, you may still do some driving for nearby day trips, including Marblehead Neck or the town of Salem.
Where to Stay in Marblehead, MA
In Marblehead, MA, it’s easy to find a quaint inn or bed and breakfast near all the best things to do. Below are the top options this charming coastal town has to offer:
- Harbor Light Inn: This romantic inn is the top hotel in Marblehead. Located right in the center of Old Town, the harbor and all the best sights are just steps away.
- The Hotel Marblehead: This quaint hotel is only a 10-minute walk to Devereux Beach and a twenty-minute walk to Abbott Hall. It’s perfectly located for drives into Marblehead Neck or Salem.
- The Coach House: Save a little money without sacrificing elegance or comfort by staying right in between Marblehead and Salem. The hotel is easy walking distance to Salem’s Pioneer Village and Forest River Park.
Book Your Marblehead Hotel Here!
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There you have it – the best things to do in Marblehead, MA for either one exhilarating day on the Massachusetts coast or a low-key weekend. This town has existed for almost 400 years and is full of stories and hidden gems down every crooked, narrow Old Town lane. The only question left to ask is: will you be visiting for the beaches of summer of the colors of fall?
