There are many family friendly activites in and around Marblehead during the North Americans to keep non-sailing spouses, children and significant others occupied. 

 Marblehead truly is a beautiful spot in July for families. There are tidal pools and hidden beaches at the end of every lane. The streets are narrow and every house has flower boxes.The cars loaf around at 10 mph if they are in a hurry. Our old town firetruck is hand pushed so that it can reach every nook and cranny. Locals head over to Marblehead Lobster on Doliber's Cove to pick up fresh landed lobster and cod to grill for dinner or walk down to the Landing for fresh crab cakes and beers looking out over the town dock, while the kids play in the courtyard.

Here are a few suggestions for off-the-water things to do:

Walking Tour of Marblehead

Marblehead was incorporated as an independent town in 1625. It began even earlier as a section of Salem and the primary industry was fishing. Marblehead has a strong seafaring history, the first American naval vessel was from Marblehead, as was Glover's Regiment, who rowed George Washington across the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776. The original "Spirit of '76" (left) hangs in Abbot Hall, our town hall.

The guided walking tour is available to download as an MP3 audio version, or a PDF version to print. Either will introduce you to interesting and historic parts of town. You'll know more than most 'headers by the time you're done!

Dining

Lime Rickey's has lots of beach fare, both traditional and a bit more contemporary, at Deverauex Beach on Ocean Ave, on your way to Marblehead Neck and the Corinthian YC.

For traditional fried New England seafood, it's tough to beat The Barnacle at 141 Front St, one of only 2 waterfront restaurants in town.

The other waterfront dining is The Landing , at Tucker's Wharf, at the bottom of State Street.

Also on State Street is the newly revived, world famous Maddie's .

Kids' Picks

Take the kids wading out to beautiful Brown's Island at low tide. They will love it. It is a weekend tradition for Marblehead families and the beach is the best kept secret / tourist free beach in town. Bring buckets to catch hundreds of hermit crabs in the shallows and see which kid is the first to find the "secret swing" under the pine trees. You can walk and wade to the island 2 hours either side of low tide. Keep an eye out for the incoming tide.  Low tide is 10.00am on Thursday, 11.00am on Friday and 11.45 am on Saturday. Directions:- Follow Washington St to the end where it goes over a hill turns into Orne St and drops down to Beacon Street (one way). Past the Marblehead Trading boat yard, on the right is an overgrown lane (between Cradleskid and Harding lane). This leads to the beach where you walk over to the island. There are no signs because headers keep this one to themselves.  Its a short walk from the center of old town and there is some limited parking along Beacon Street.

Gas House Beach is easier to find and closer to old town. Follow Washington Street to the end and where Orne Street turns left up the hill, go straight along Gas House Lane. Its a small beach surrounded by boat yards popular with local kids. At low tide there is a causeway out to Gerry Island.  

The largest beach in town complete with playground, lifeguard and hotdogs & lobstah rolls is Deveraux Beach . It is easy to find on the right of the Ocean Av' causeway just before you cross over to Marblehead Neck. It is part shingle and part sand, and is the only beach in Marblehead that is open to the ocean with waves and a little surf to frolic in. On weekends it is also the most crowded beach.

The most beautiful beaches on the North Shore are in neighboring Manchester-By-The -Sea and Ipswich. Manchester is a short boat ride. Singing Beach is stunning. It is so called because the super fine sand squeeks and whistles as you walk on it. You can walk to it from the Manchester town dock.  Futher afield in Ipswich & Essex is Cranes Beach and Castle Hill.  

If the kids want to run around and let off steam, and you would like a beautiful view, then there are two "must-do"s. At Fort Sewell, at the mouth of the harbor (and the end of Front Street), the kids can defend the grass battlements and ruined fort from the British fleet while you can take take in breathtaking views of the Sound and all the islands that stretch North of Marblehead. The second is Crocker Park,behind the top of Front Street and next to the BYC. (In Marblehead, the correct terminolgy is either "the BYC" or "the Boston", not its full name The Boston Yacht Club). Crocker park has lots of space and small crags for the kids to clamber on, while you sit on a bench, admire the full length of the harbor from Riverhead to the mouth, and get a birds eye view of the waterfront homes on The Neck.  

Then the real adventure for kids visiting Marblehead for the first time is to go whale watching.  The Stellwagen Bank which lies directly between Marblehead and Provincetown is one of the great gathering grounds in the world for whales. We will post information regarding commercial whale watching tours and also information about a local Marblehead service which will take you right alongside the Whales in 6 to 9 person RIBs.

Best spot to watch the Marblehead Race Week fleet depart and return

The fleet leaves the harbor and turns South (left) for the racing area under Chandler Hovey Park. Bring your camera to get a shot of your favorite Viper leaving in hope or returning in victory (or not) as they skirt Lasque ledge alongside the park. It is also the site of our famous "green" lighthouse. It is a short walk from The Corinthian where the Race Week festivities take place.  

Arts, Culture, Museums and Shopping

The Marblehead Museum and Historical Society , The Jeremiah Lee Mansion and the Marblehead Arts Association are all downtown, at the intersections of Washington and Hooper Streets. There is also plenty of shopping in that same vicinity.

The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce website has lots more info and details.

And then there's Salem!

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