Artists like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Bronson and Louisa May Alcott, James McNeil Whistler and Jack Kerouac called North of Boston home. The creative energy of this area can be felt in professional venues like the North Shore Music Theatre and Gloucester Stage Company, and on the community level with the Lexington Symphony and dozens of galleries and museums featuring local and international artists.
Art Museums
From the National Heritage Museum's collection of Revolutionary War artifacts to the Francesca Anderson exhibit of New England artists, the history and artistry is on display all year.
Find All Art Museums: in North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley
Dance
Venues like the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, local theaters and community centers give a spotlight to the culture, history and artistry of dance.
Find All Dance Attractions: in North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley |
Music
Lowell's Tsongas Arena and Beverly's North Shore Music Theatre are frequent stops for music and theatrical acts ranging from Bob Dylan to the Wiggles, but smaller local venues host regular classical and jazz performances.
Find All Music Attractions: in North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley
Theater
This area is home to large professional theaters like the Merrimack Repertory Theatre but also smaller companies like the Image Theater, which nurtures and gives voice to local talent.
Find All Theater Attractions: in North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley
Featured Cities
- Gloucester:
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Here you'll find rugged fishing ports, great seafood restaurants and exciting whale-watching expeditions.
Find: Lodging | Attractions - Concord:
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Concord is where the famous Walden Pond and homes of many literary heroes are located.
Find: Lodging | Attractions - Ipswich:
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One of the oldest towns in the United States, founded in 1633, is centrally located on the North Shore.
Find: Lodging | Attractions
Featured Attractions
- The Lowell National Historical Park
Tour an old cotton mill, ride aboard an early 1900s trolley and learn about Lowell's storied past. Learn more>>
- Newburyport's High Street
This historic street is lined with early-American mansions that were built by wealthy sea captains and merchants. Learn more>>
- National Heritage Museum
This museum includes exhibits on everything from early-American 20th-century photography to New England neon. Learn more>>
Map of the Regions in Massachusetts
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- Where to Go
- Things to Do
Getting to the shops is easy - you can take the MBTA, rent a Zipcar, or even take the bus from various Boston hotels to Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. Don't miss Boston's world famous Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Essex's charming antique stores, and Yankee Candle's flagship store in South Deerfield.
- Plan Your Trip
- 50 Under $50
- Getting Around
State and regional resources, including air, land, and water transportation; Boston public transit info; detailed info on travel to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island
