Hannah & Gabe
Things To Do
Beach
The North Shore has tons of beautiful beaches! Our favorite summer pastime... Top-rated: Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea Hidden gem/our fave: Rice Beach, Beverly For kids: Dane Street Beach, Beverly Gloucester: Wingaersheek or Good Harbor Beach Ipswich: Crane Beach and Wildlife Reservation Be sure to check out each beach or town's website for parking and admission information.
Coffee
Do yourself a favor and skip the Starbucks while you're here. There's a friendly rivalry going for who has the best local brews -- here are our recommended roasts! Gabe's pick- Atomic Cafe, Beverly Hannah's pick - Gusto Cafe (our first date spot!), Beverly Best breakfast sandwiches - Crave, Beverly Most hipster - Little Wolf Coffee, Ipswich Most Euro & best London fog - Tartine, Beverly Cutest coffee shop - Honeycomb, Hamilton Best pop-up - Kid Dream
Rockport
If you've got a free morning or afternoon, take route 128 up the coast to beautiful Rockport. Walk around the shops at Bearskin Neck for some local fare, or visit Halibut Point State Park (you can see Maine from there!). The Shalin Liu Performance Center is a gorgeous venue for concerts and shows.
Gloucester
Take a sunset cruise on a schooner, go out on a whale watch, visit a lighthouse or historic castle, take a picnic to Stage Fort Park, and grab a photo on the boardwalk with the Fisherman's Memorial (where we got engaged!).
Salem
Plenty of history to be had here! Home to the Peabody Essex Museum, for you art-y folks. Our favorite local haunts: Gulu-Gulu Cafe - extensive draft list, eclectic vibe Turner's Seafood - our third date spot, which we all know is the make-or-break date Far From the Tree - cider brewery Deacon Giles Distillery - memorable cocktails Mercy Tavern - live music
Dinner with a View
My Place By The Sea - Rockport Beauport Hotel - Gloucester Shea's Riverside - Essex CK Pearl - Essex The Studio - Gloucester (Rocky Neck)
Brunch
Chances are, you'll be hankering for a hearty breakfast the morning after you dance the night away with us! We'll steer you in the right direction: Stephanie's Village Pancake House, Rowley Depot Diner, North Beverly (call ahead!) Stephy's Diner, Beverly Cityside Diner, Beverly E.J. Cabot's, Beverly Ugly Mug Diner, Salem Henderson's Cafe, Wenham Ledger, Salem
Hike/Walk/Get Outside
There are so many beautiful places to get some fresh air around here! Check out the trails in the Chebacco Woods (otherwise known as the Gordon woods, Hannah's old stomping grounds). Other spots: JC Phillips Nature Preserve, Wenham Ravenswood Park, Gloucester Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield Danvers Rail Trail, Danvers Beverly Commons Conservation Area, Beverly Farms
Ice Cream
It's an absolute summer must to try out one of the North Shore's famed local ice cream spots. Check out Captain Dusty's in Manchester-by-the-Sea or Beverly, Down River in Ipswich, Cherry Farm in Danvers, or Richardson's (bonus: cows and mini golf) in Middleton.
Breweries
A little known fact about Beverly is that it's a growing hub for craft brews! Downtown, check out Old Planters, Channel Marker, or Backbeat Brewery. Ipswich is home to True North and Ipswich Ale Brewery.