Welcome to the North Shore
First and foremost, what is the North Shore? The North Shore is the region north of Boston located along the Atlantic coast. Over the years, there has been much debate over which towns and cities should and should not be included in the official North Shore.
Some believe the North Shore includes the entire coastline from New Hampshire to Boston and is made up of the following:
Beverly, MA
Danvers, MA
Essex, MA
Gloucester, MA
Ipswich, MA
Lynn, MA
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
Marblehead, MA
Nahant, MA
Newbury, MA
Newburyport, MA
Peabody, MA
Revere, MA
Rockport, MA
Rowley, MA
Salem, MA
Salisbury, MA
Saugus, MA
Swampscott, MA
Winthrop, MA
However, The Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s North Shore Task Force, defines the North Shore as also encompassing Cape Ann and several other communities:
Amesbury, MA
Beverly, MA
Boxford, MA
Danvers, MA
Essex, MA
Georgetown, MA
Gloucester, MA
Groveland, MA
Hamilton, MA
Haverhill, MA
Ipswich, MA
Lynn, MA
Lynnfield, MA
Manchester, MA
Marblehead, MA
Merrimac, MA
Middleton, MA
Nahant, MA
Newbury, MA
Newburyport, MA
Peabody, MA
Rockport, MA
Rowley, MA
Salem, MA
Salisbury, MA
Saugus, MA
Swampscott, MA
Topsfield, MA
Wakefield, MA
Wenham, MA
West Newbury, MA
No matter what you define as the “official” North Shore, we can all agree that the region has so much to offer. From historic towns, stunning beaches and picturesque views it is the perfect place for a day trip, vacation or even your home base!
Looking for travel advice? Check out our North Shore guides to find out what to do, where to eat and everything else about our favorite towns and cities.
Visit Beverly
The North Shore’s best-kept secret, Beverly, has something to offer for the whole family. “The Garden City,” only 40 minutes away from Boston’s downtown, has easy access to the city, beach, countryside and beautiful wildlife. Read On
Visit Salem
Named by TravelMag.com as one of the top 30 most charming small cities in the U.S., there is a lot to love about Salem, Massachusetts. Whether you’re interested in the atmosphere, the rich history, the people, or the restaurants, Salem has something to offer everyone. Read On
Visit Marblehead
When you think of New England coastal towns, you may think of Gloucester, Rockport, and Newburyport—gorgeous fishing towns where you are guaranteed to find a classic sailboat magnet at a cute boutique shop on the main stretch. But there’s another iconic coastal town on the North Shore that is somewhat of a hidden gem. A quaint town that offers a timeless quality and a sense of belonging. Read On
