Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For the Birds
Marblehead Neck, an upscale neighborhood across the causeway from Dev-
ereux Beach, is home to a Massachusetts Audubon Society bird sanctuary
( & 800/AUDUBON or 781/259-9500; www.massaudubon.org). Turn east on
Ocean Avenue south of downtown and follow it less than a mile until you see
a small sign to the left at Risley Avenue. Park in the small lot and follow the
path into the sanctuary, where you can see the varied species of birds that use
the Atlantic flyway, especially in spring and fall. Admission is free. To return to
Marblehead proper, continue on Ocean Avenue, which becomes Harbor
Avenue and forms a loop. En route, at the end of “the Neck,” you can park
near the decommissioned lighthouse and take in a breathtaking view.
Finds
161 Washington St. & 781/631-1768. www.marbleheadmuseum.org. Guided tours $5 adults, $4.50 seniors and
students. June-Oct Tues-Sat 10am-4pm. Closed Nov-May. Visitor center: 170 Washington St. Free admission.
June-Oct Tues-Sat 10am-4pm; Nov-May Tues-Fri 10am-4pm. From Abbot Hall, follow Washington St. down the hill;
mansion is on left.
King Hooper Mansion/Marblehead Arts Association & Gallery Shipping
tycoon Robert Hooper got his nickname because he treated his sailors so well, but it's
easy to think he was called “King” because he lived like royalty—his house has both a
wine cellar and a ballroom. Around the corner from the home of Jeremiah Lee (whose
sister-in-law was the second of Hooper's four wives), the 1728 mansion gained a Geor-
gian addition sometime after 1745. The Marblehead Arts Association bought the
building in 1938 and now stages monthly exhibits (with a public reception on the first
Sunday of every month from 2-4pm), schedules special events, and sells members'
work in the gift shop. The mansion has a lovely garden; enter through the gate at the
right of the house.
8 Hooper St. & 781/631-2608. www.marbleheadarts.org. Free admission. May-Oct Tues-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun
noon-5pm; Nov-Apr Tues-Sat noon-4pm, Sun 1-5pm. Where Washington St. curves at the foot of hill near Lee man-
sion, look for the colorful sign.
SHOPPING
Marblehead is a legendary (or notorious, if you're on a budget) shopping destination.
Shops, boutiques, and galleries abound in Old Town and on Atlantic Avenue and the
east end of Pleasant Street. The most unusual shop in town is Antiquewear, 82 Front
St. ( & 781/639-0070; www.antiquewear.com), near the town pier, which sells 19th-
century buttons ingeniously fashioned into women's and men's jewelry of all descrip-
tions. Other good stops include Arnould Gallery & Framery, 111 Washington St.
( & 781/631-6366 ); Artists & Authors, 108 Washington St. ( & 781/639-0400;
www.artists-authors.com), which carries rare books and fine art; Cargo Unlimited,
118 Washington St. ( & 781/631-1112; www.cargounlimited.com), for home fur-
nishings and accessories; Erlich Gallery, 96 Washington St. ( & 781/631-1202; www.
erlichgallery.com); and the beloved Marblehead Toy Shop, 44-48 Atlantic Ave.
( & 781/631-9900 ).
WHERE TO STAY
This is B&B heaven. Space considerations preclude listing the numerous small inns and
bed-and-breakfasts, but the accommodations listings of the Marblehead Chamber of
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