If you live in the Boston, Massachusetts area or are visiting, you’re in for a history treat. Just north of the city is Essex County, which is home to some of the most historical places in the country. Take a day to explore some of the great places around Boston, and you won’t be disappointed by what you find!

Spend Time in the Seaport of Gloucester

There is no better seaside holiday than a weekend spent in Gloucester, a town that sits just north of Boston. This city was settled in 1623 and, has the distinction of being the country’s oldest seaport.

Gloucester has everything from whale watching and an art colony to a large annual festival known as St. Peter’s Fiesta. The city is also known for Norman’s Woe, a rock reef that sits on Cape Ann that has been known to be the cause of several shipwrecks.

Visit Castle and Wolves in Ipswich

Ipswich is another incredible historical area that is north of Boston. This town houses everything from the Crane Estate, which was built in 1910 and encompasses 2,100 acres, to Wolf Hollow, a wildlife refuge that allows visitors to see wolves in their natural habitat.

The town dates back to the early 1600s and is a great day or weekend trip for those who live in or are visiting the Boston area. The city is home to a variety of historical sites, such as the John Hear House, the John Whipple House, and Appleton Farms.

Relive Important Historical Moments at Minute Man National Historical Park

Between the cities of Lexington and Concord, which are north of Boston, Massachusetts, lies the Minute Man National Historical Park. This is an incredible site that opened the American Revolutionary War, and is also home to the Wayside Home, which housed three important American authors, including Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney.

The park covers over 970 acres and includes Concord’s North Bridge, the Battle Road Trail, and the Lexington Battle Green, all of which were vital parts of the story of the American Revolutionary War. If you or your loved one is a history buff, don’t miss this park.

Sail to Plum Island for a Wildlife Adventure

Plum Island has been in American historical records since the 17th century when it was first used by settlers as a pasture land. It’s now home to a lighthouse that was built in 1787 that has been guiding ships through the Merrimack River for hundreds of years.

Plum Island is now a great place for nature lovers. The island is the home of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. Visitors come to enjoy the scenery, including the beaches that host the beautiful beach plums that the island is known for.

Experience Spooky Events in Salem

Perhaps one of the best day trips from Boston is Salem, Massachusetts, home to the Salem Witch Trials. During the American Revolution, Salem was a hotbed of pirate activity, a tradition that was revived during the War of 1812.

If you’re not a fan of witch tourism, don’t worry, the city is known for a great deal more than that. Salem is home to the House of the Seven Gables, which is one of the oldest wooden mansions in the country, as well as Salem Willows Park, a small amusement park close to the ocean. There’s also a great deal to see at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Are you interested in learning more about these great places? Would you like to share some of your favorite places in the North of Boston area? Contact us, or leave a comment below.