Guidebook for North Andover
Food Scene
Within walking distance of the house, this is a great place for spot for coffee, baked goods and sandwiches. http://www.mygooddaycafe.com/
Good Day Cafe
19 High StWithin walking distance of the house, this is a great place for spot for coffee, baked goods and sandwiches. http://www.mygooddaycafe.com/
Two minutes away by car, this is my favorite local restaurant. The fish is fresh and delicious, with a lot of variety in terms of grilled and fried seafood options. My son-in-law loves the lobster roll; I like the blackened swordfish or salmon. There's usually a few non-fish items, too.
Joe Fish Seafood Restaurant
1120 Osgood StTwo minutes away by car, this is my favorite local restaurant. The fish is fresh and delicious, with a lot of variety in terms of grilled and fried seafood options. My son-in-law loves the lobster roll; I like the blackened swordfish or salmon. There's usually a few non-fish items, too.
A newer but very popular place in town that's within walking distance of the house. My daughter and her friends went and were very impressed with the housemade potato chips. http://www.jaimesna.com/
Jaime's Restaurant
25 High StA newer but very popular place in town that's within walking distance of the house. My daughter and her friends went and were very impressed with the housemade potato chips. http://www.jaimesna.com/
This adorable, affordable Mexican restaurant is about 5 minutes away in the neighboring mill city of Lawrence. The food is delicious (especially the mole sauce), and the margaritas are the best we've ever had. It's also adorably decorated with murals and painted poetry, Day of the Dead crafts and nods to Frida Kahlo. http://www.cafe-azteca.com/#about
Cafe Azteca
275 Common StThis adorable, affordable Mexican restaurant is about 5 minutes away in the neighboring mill city of Lawrence. The food is delicious (especially the mole sauce), and the margaritas are the best we've ever had. It's also adorably decorated with murals and painted poetry, Day of the Dead crafts and nods to Frida Kahlo. http://www.cafe-azteca.com/#about
This is a rustic, but delicious destination! Benson's Ice Cream has been a small family-run ice cream stand for 83 years and still offers its original four flavors (vanilla, coffee, fresh native strawberry and ginger) plus many newer ones. Since the 1980s, our family has always considered their native red raspberry ice cream a special treat (and we now ry to replicate it at home). They do lots of fresh fruit flavors well (some non-dairy even). From Memorial Day through Labor Day, they are open 11am-10pm; they are only open on weekends, noon-9pm in the spring and fall. Look for fresh native strawberry in June, red raspberry in July, peach and blueberry in August. You may want to borrow our house bug spray as it is outdoor seating only. http://www.bensonsicecream.com/
Benson's Homemade Ice Cream
181 Washington StThis is a rustic, but delicious destination! Benson's Ice Cream has been a small family-run ice cream stand for 83 years and still offers its original four flavors (vanilla, coffee, fresh native strawberry and ginger) plus many newer ones. Since the 1980s, our family has always considered their native red raspberry ice cream a special treat (and we now ry to replicate it at home). They do lots of fresh fruit flavors well (some non-dairy even). From Memorial Day through Labor Day, they are open 11am-10pm; they are only open on weekends, noon-9pm in the spring and fall. Look for fresh native strawberry in June, red raspberry in July, peach and blueberry in August. You may want to borrow our house bug spray as it is outdoor seating only. http://www.bensonsicecream.com/
Shopping
Those who love browsing antiques, nostalgia and refurbished vintage wares can get lost for hours in this co-op set inside one of Lawrence's historic mills. http://www.canalstreetantique.com/
Canal Street Antique Mall
181 Canal StThose who love browsing antiques, nostalgia and refurbished vintage wares can get lost for hours in this co-op set inside one of Lawrence's historic mills. http://www.canalstreetantique.com/
Essentials
CVS
109 Main StYour closest local drug store/pharmacy with essentials like toiletries, greeting cards, etc.
Two years ago, this local grocery store made national headlines when its workers went on strike--and its customers boycotted the stores--to bring back the fired but much loved, progressive, fair CEO. You'll find the lowest-priced, highest-quality, biggest selection of food around.
Market Basket
350 Winthrop AveTwo years ago, this local grocery store made national headlines when its workers went on strike--and its customers boycotted the stores--to bring back the fired but much loved, progressive, fair CEO. You'll find the lowest-priced, highest-quality, biggest selection of food around.
Two minutes away by car, this market is on the pricey side, but it's the closest spot to grab prepared foods, beer and wine, and a somewhat limited selection of groceries. http://butcherboymarket.com/
Butcher Boy Market
1077 Osgood StTwo minutes away by car, this market is on the pricey side, but it's the closest spot to grab prepared foods, beer and wine, and a somewhat limited selection of groceries. http://butcherboymarket.com/
Just two minutes from the house and open late spring to fall, Barker's Farm was established in 1642 and has been run by 10 generations of the Barker family. The stand offers an extensive variety of fruits, vegetables, Benson's Ice Cream and other food items.
Barker's Farmstand
1267 Osgood StreetJust two minutes from the house and open late spring to fall, Barker's Farm was established in 1642 and has been run by 10 generations of the Barker family. The stand offers an extensive variety of fruits, vegetables, Benson's Ice Cream and other food items.
Parks & Nature
There are a couple of trails you can take, but my daughter says her favorite is the 0.71-mile Stevens Trail up the spine of Weir Hill to a scenic overlook offering a panoramic view of the Merrimack Valley below. On days with good visibility, you can see Mount Wachusett rising in the distance beyond Worcester and, northwest of Wachusett, New Hampshire's Mount Monadnock. http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/north-shore/weir-hill.html
Weir Hill
There are a couple of trails you can take, but my daughter says her favorite is the 0.71-mile Stevens Trail up the spine of Weir Hill to a scenic overlook offering a panoramic view of the Merrimack Valley below. On days with good visibility, you can see Mount Wachusett rising in the distance beyond Worcester and, northwest of Wachusett, New Hampshire's Mount Monadnock. http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/north-shore/weir-hill.html
Harold Parker State Forest, which is about 15 minutes away by car, offers recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and picnicking. The forest has over 35 miles of logging roads and trails and offers quiet seclusion to off-road hikers and bikers. Non-motorized boating is allowed on any of the 11 ponds. (No horse, boat or bike rentals are available at the facility.) http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/harold-parker-state-forest.html
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Δάσος Χάρολντ Πάρκερ
133 Jenkins RdHarold Parker State Forest, which is about 15 minutes away by car, offers recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and picnicking. The forest has over 35 miles of logging roads and trails and offers quiet seclusion to off-road hikers and bikers. Non-motorized boating is allowed on any of the 11 ponds. (No horse, boat or bike rentals are available at the facility.) http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/harold-parker-state-forest.html
This peaceful spot is our favorite outdoor "hidden gem." The property is a signature example of an estate designed in “The Country Place” style--basically wealthy Americans showcasing their travels and taste by drawing inspiration from European garden design in order to transform their rural land holdings into summer retreats. The gardens are free and open year-round, daily, dawn to dusk, but are most vibrant mid-June though September. If you are visiting family in town, they often hold events perfect for grand kids, such as teddy bear picnics and fairy walks. http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/north-shore/stevens-coolidge-place.html
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The Stevens-Coolidge Place
153 Chickering RdThis peaceful spot is our favorite outdoor "hidden gem." The property is a signature example of an estate designed in “The Country Place” style--basically wealthy Americans showcasing their travels and taste by drawing inspiration from European garden design in order to transform their rural land holdings into summer retreats. The gardens are free and open year-round, daily, dawn to dusk, but are most vibrant mid-June though September. If you are visiting family in town, they often hold events perfect for grand kids, such as teddy bear picnics and fairy walks. http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/north-shore/stevens-coolidge-place.html
Arts & Culture
If you are into history, this restored boarding house tells the tale of Lawrence, one of the nation's first planned industrial cities, through two floors of interactive exhibits. Along with stories of Lawrence's mill workers and industry, the workers' role in the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike is relived with images and sounds. Walk along the esplanade of a nineteenth-century canal and through a park created within the walls of an industrial-era building.
Lawrence Heritage State Park
1 Jackson StIf you are into history, this restored boarding house tells the tale of Lawrence, one of the nation's first planned industrial cities, through two floors of interactive exhibits. Along with stories of Lawrence's mill workers and industry, the workers' role in the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike is relived with images and sounds. Walk along the esplanade of a nineteenth-century canal and through a park created within the walls of an industrial-era building.
About 10 minutes away by car, the Addison Gallery’s collection of American art is one of the most comprehensive in the world, including more than 17,000 objects spanning the 18th century to the present. In a typical year, the Addison presents approximately 12 shows, including both permanent collection installations and major traveling exhibitions. Admission is free. (Closed in August.) http://www.andover.edu/museums/addison/Pages/default.aspx
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Addison Gallery of American Art
3 Chapel AveAbout 10 minutes away by car, the Addison Gallery’s collection of American art is one of the most comprehensive in the world, including more than 17,000 objects spanning the 18th century to the present. In a typical year, the Addison presents approximately 12 shows, including both permanent collection installations and major traveling exhibitions. Admission is free. (Closed in August.) http://www.andover.edu/museums/addison/Pages/default.aspx
Entertainment & Activities
About 20 minutes away by car, this wonderful, historic amusement park clearly has reinvested in itself and continually improved over the years. You'll find lots to do, no matter your age or appetite for thrill rides. They offer multiple live shows each day in season. Note that they do not allow outside food/drink and it may be worth bringing a bathing suit for the water park area. http://www.canobie.com/
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Canobie Lake Park
85 N Policy StAbout 20 minutes away by car, this wonderful, historic amusement park clearly has reinvested in itself and continually improved over the years. You'll find lots to do, no matter your age or appetite for thrill rides. They offer multiple live shows each day in season. Note that they do not allow outside food/drink and it may be worth bringing a bathing suit for the water park area. http://www.canobie.com/
About a five-minute drive away, Cedarland offers miniature golf, batting cages, a ropes course and climbing wall that can be enjoyed from spring to fall. http://www.cedarland.net/club/scripts/section/section.asp?GRP=21689&NS=FUN
Cedarland
888 Boston RoadAbout a five-minute drive away, Cedarland offers miniature golf, batting cages, a ropes course and climbing wall that can be enjoyed from spring to fall. http://www.cedarland.net/club/scripts/section/section.asp?GRP=21689&NS=FUN
About 5 minutes away, this large movie complex is located in an outdoor shopping mall. http://www.fandango.com/amcmethuen20_aaoze/theaterpage
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AMC Methuen 20
90 Pleasant Valley StAbout 5 minutes away, this large movie complex is located in an outdoor shopping mall. http://www.fandango.com/amcmethuen20_aaoze/theaterpage
Get local and try candlepin bowling at these lanes within a 5-minute drive of the house. http://www.academylanes.com/
Academy Lanes
725 South Main StreetGet local and try candlepin bowling at these lanes within a 5-minute drive of the house. http://www.academylanes.com/
Local farm where you can pick-your-own (berries, apples, pumpkins), enjoy a prepared picnic (with hayride) or "pop-up" dinners by celebrity chefs in the fields in summer, and join in the festival-like atmosphere in fall. http://www.smolakfarms.com/
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford StLocal farm where you can pick-your-own (berries, apples, pumpkins), enjoy a prepared picnic (with hayride) or "pop-up" dinners by celebrity chefs in the fields in summer, and join in the festival-like atmosphere in fall. http://www.smolakfarms.com/
Sightseeing
The Big Dig project put Boston's central artery (an enormous highway that segregated many important Boston neighborhoods) underground and replaced it with a long, highly walkable, very enjoyable patchwork of public parks and spaces filled with fountains, art and activity--and bordering Boston's North End (Little Italy), Chinatown, waterfront and Financial District.
About 45 minutes away by car or commuter rail (then a quick subway ride), the Greenway Carousel is a spectacular/fun piece of working art featuring native New England species chosen from children's letters (think lobsters, spouting whales, flying owls, foxes, rabbits and even an oarfish that stands in for the much requested sea monster). You can see an amazing video that shows how it was conceived, carved and painted locally (and why it's worth a stop) at https://vimeo.com/76891852
It's $3 a ride. Hours at http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/greenway-carousel/
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The Greenway Carousel
191 Atlantic AveThe Big Dig project put Boston's central artery (an enormous highway that segregated many important Boston neighborhoods) underground and replaced it with a long, highly walkable, very enjoyable patchwork of public parks and spaces filled with fountains, art and activity--and bordering Boston's North End (Little Italy), Chinatown, waterfront and Financial District.
About 45 minutes away by car or commuter rail (then a quick subway ride), the Greenway Carousel is a spectacular/fun piece of working art featuring native New England species chosen from children's letters (think lobsters, spouting whales, flying owls, foxes, rabbits and even an oarfish that stands in for the much requested sea monster). You can see an amazing video that shows how it was conceived, carved and painted locally (and why it's worth a stop) at https://vimeo.com/76891852
It's $3 a ride. Hours at http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/greenway-carousel/
If you haven't been to the East Coast, I suggest setting your GPS for Hampton Beach, NH (about 40 minutes north) and then taking a very scenic, winding ride from there up Route 1A North to Portsmouth, NH (maybe another 30 minutes away...on the way home, you can skip the scenic version and highway it directly back to the house and be home in about an hour). Hampton has a great state beach (very clean, good facilities and roomy with a day rate for parking), plus a more narrow and crowded public beach where you may find meter parking. The Hampton strip has a fun honky tonk beach town vibe--teens cruising by in cars, midway-type concessions (fried dough, pizza, soft serve), arcades and photo booths, etc). But if you follow Route 1A north, you'll enjoy great views of New Hampshire's short, but scenic coast: surfers in North Hampton, rocky beaches, mansions from the days of summer estates, seafood joints. Portsmouth is a great, bustling town with cobblestone streets and a wide variety of places to eat and little shops to browse.
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Παραλία Hampton
Ocean BoulevardIf you haven't been to the East Coast, I suggest setting your GPS for Hampton Beach, NH (about 40 minutes north) and then taking a very scenic, winding ride from there up Route 1A North to Portsmouth, NH (maybe another 30 minutes away...on the way home, you can skip the scenic version and highway it directly back to the house and be home in about an hour). Hampton has a great state beach (very clean, good facilities and roomy with a day rate for parking), plus a more narrow and crowded public beach where you may find meter parking. The Hampton strip has a fun honky tonk beach town vibe--teens cruising by in cars, midway-type concessions (fried dough, pizza, soft serve), arcades and photo booths, etc). But if you follow Route 1A north, you'll enjoy great views of New Hampshire's short, but scenic coast: surfers in North Hampton, rocky beaches, mansions from the days of summer estates, seafood joints. Portsmouth is a great, bustling town with cobblestone streets and a wide variety of places to eat and little shops to browse.