Things to do in North Shore

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

A lighthouse, sandy beach, and coastal vegetation.
An aerial view of a river with a bridge, surrounded by forested areas and residential properties.
A white lighthouse with a green light at the top, surrounded by snow-covered ground and trees, with a house in the background.
A lighthouse on a rocky shore with a clear sky.
A cemetery with numerous headstones and people walking among them.

North Shore Attractions

If you're ready to hit the streets of North Shore, sign up for a few of the top tours & day trips on offer, and have a friendly guide show you the most popular sites. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our top { fun activities in North Shore fun activities in North Shore} are also worth browsing through.

Things to do

Real Pirates Salem Museum General Admission Ticket

Real Pirates Salem Museum General Admission Ticket

$22
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Real Pirates Salem Museum General Admission Ticket
Freedom Trail and Salem and The Witch Trail Self-Guided Walking Tour Bundle

Freedom Trail & Salem Witch: Self-Guided Walking Tour Bundle

$25
per traveler
100% of travellers recommend
Freedom Trail & Salem Witch: Self-Guided Walking Tour Bundle
Salem Witch Trials Driving Tour to See the Real Witch Trial Sites

Salem Witch Trials Driving Tour to See the Real Witch Trial Sites

$15
per traveler
Salem Witch Trials Driving Tour to See the Real Witch Trial Sites
Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop

Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop

$135
per adult
Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop
Salem: Hocus Pocus Movies & More Walking Tour

Salem: Hocus Pocus Movies & More Walking Tour

$25
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Salem: Hocus Pocus Movies & More Walking Tour
Salem, Massachusetts: 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk

Salem, Massachusetts: 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk

$25
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Salem, Massachusetts: 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk
See all activities in North Shore

North Shore must see attractions

1. Salem Witch Museum

Those curious about the tragic witchcraft trials of 17th-century Massachusetts are drawn to visit the Salem Witch Museum. Founded in 1972 and located in a brownstone-and-brick Gothic Revival building, the museum overlooks Salem Common and provides insight into the largest and deadliest witch trials in North America. Learn about the emotionally charged 1692 trials, the causes of witch hunts and patterns of prosecution through two immersive presentations.
Learn more
A historic building with a large arched window and a sign reading "Salem Witch Museum".

2. Salem Common

Spend any amount of time in Salem, Massachusetts, and you’re bound to come across this pastoral common in the center of town. Punctuated by the Hawthorne Hotel and a statue of Roger Conant, as well as the Salem Witch Museum, this pleasant park has been welcoming Salem residents and visitors since the 17th century.
Learn more
A Salem Witch Museum with a Gothic arch, surrounded by trees and street lamps.

3. Good Harbor Beach

Gloucester is renowned for its beaches, with Good Harbor Beach one of the most beautiful. Walk across long swaths of soft, white sand and choose the perfect spot for enjoying a day by the sea. The landscape changes dramatically with the tide and brings different adventures to enjoy. Sunrise and sunset are particularly enchanting, the favored times of the area’s artists and photographers.
Learn more
A beach sign with footprints and a message to keep the beach clean.

4. Hammond Castle

Hammond Castle Museum was originally built in the late 1920s as a home for inventor, scientist and art collector John Hays Hammond Jr. Perched high on a cliff with Atlantic Ocean views, the magnificent fortress is a fitting site for Hammond’s extraordinary collections. Admire the stone archways and windows inspired by medieval castles before stepping inside to explore.
Learn more
A stone archway with a view of the sea.

5. Wingaersheek Beach

Bounded by the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay, Wingaersheek Beach is an attractive destination to visit for those who love to swim and play in calm water. Wander along the long stretch of white sand and find the perfect spot to settle in for the day. You’ll find plenty to do and explore at one of the most popular beaches in Gloucester.
Learn more
A sandy beach with a row of houses in the background.

6. Witch House

The Witch House was never home to any accused witches in 1692, but instead was the former residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who played a significant role in the historic witch trials. Explore the house, built in 1675 and also known as the Jonathan Corwin House, for an inside look at what a wealthy resident’s life was like in 17th-century Salem.
Learn more
A two-story house with a dark blue exterior, a front porch, and a decorative wreath on the door.

7. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Prepare to be impressed when you visit Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. The 1928 mansion has 59 rooms. The landscaped grounds of Castle Hill cover 365 acres (148 hectares) of a one-time 3,500-acre (1,400-hectare) estate. In early times, indigenous people lived on the hill, then farmers, then “gentlemen farmers” and finally the wealthy Crane family, headed by Chicago industrialist Richard Crane. Today the Trustees of Reservations manage this and more than 100 other Massachusetts sites to preserve and conserve natural beauty.
Learn more
A large stately building with a green lawn, a central dome, and a symmetrical facade.

8. Crane Beach

Build sandcastles, sunbathe, jog on the sand or plunge into the brisk waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Crane Beach. Wade in the lapping waves and help the kids search for shells and identify sea creatures as the tide goes out. Lifeguards monitor the beach between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Bundle up in winter to enjoy a tranquil time with few other visitors.
Learn more
A wooden boardwalk leading to a beach with a clear blue sky.

Recommended things to do in North Shore

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
:
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in North Shore

Free Things to Do in North Shore

A break in North Shore need not break the bank. You can leave your wallet at home if you check out:

Long Hill - If you'd like to explore the history of the area through its landmarks, put this one on your travel schedule.

Singing Beach - Read your favorite novel or listen to a podcast while getting some sun.

Agassiz Rock - Take your camera and let nature stimulate your imagination.

Stavros Reservation - Whether you can tell your daffodils from daisies, it's not hard to find beauty in this spectacular display.

Things to Do in North Shore with Kids

North Shore is a fantastic place for a family getaway. Bring the youngsters along and enjoy these fun family friendly experiences together:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in North Shore? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Stay near popular North Shore attractions

A historic building with a large arched window and a sign reading "Salem Witch Museum".

Salem Witch Museum

8.6/10 (942 reviews)
Step back in time at the Salem Witch Museum, where life-sized dioramas recreate the infamous 1692 trials. Morning visits offer a more intimate experience of this haunting chapter in American history.
See properties

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from North Shore

A historic building with "QUINCY MARKET" sign, surrounded by modern buildings and a clock tower.

Boston

A beach at sunset with the sun low on the horizon, a flag, and buildings in the background.

Revere

A crowded beach with people swimming and sunbathing, surrounded by colorful buildings and a church steeple.

Rockport

An aerial view of a beach with waves crashing onto the shore, a sandy beach, and a few birds in the distance.

Amesbury

An aerial view of a coastal town with a marina, a bridge, and surrounding greenery.

Beverly

A red brick building with arched windows and a Town Hall sign.

Salem

A large lake surrounded by residential areas, a park with a playground, and a road with parked cars.

Wakefield

A park with trees displaying autumn foliage, a wooden fence, and a path covered with fallen leaves.

Wenham

Frequently asked questions

What to do in North Shore on a sunny day?
What to do in North Shore on a rainy day?
Are there cheap things to do in North Shore?
What can you do in North Shore for free?
You could store your credit card in the hotel safe for the day, because these cool attractions can be seen for nothing:

  • Revere Beach
  • Salem Witch Trials Memorial
  • Good Harbor Beach
  • Crane Beach

Explore a world of travel with Expedia