Memorial Day Weekend is here, and with it the unofficial start to summer! A day to commemorate those who gave their lives for their country, Memorial Day has also become a calendar landmark for the beginning of the summer season. It feels like it’s been a long time coming this year (and it has - the last time Memorial Day fell on the very last day in May was 2010) and we are so ready for it. Many people are taking the opportunity to travel and visit family and friends, some for the first time since the pandemic. For those of you staying home, there are plenty of places to explore in our local area. City, coast or mountains, we are lucky to have numerous choices right on our doorstep. Here are our top suggestions for fun days out over the long weekend.
Boston
Take the opportunity to be a tourist in your own town! The city is opening up and many attractions are now welcoming visitors again. Some restaurants have very cool new outdoor dining areas where you can enjoy a meal in the sunshine (or shelter from the rain). Take a stroll around the waterfront, ride the Greenway carousel or hop on the ferry across to the Harbor Islands. Visit The Lawn on D for games, food and live music. Head to Boston Common and take a moment to pause at the Garden of Flags and reflect on the reason we have Memorial Day. If the weather is not cooperating with outdoor plans, museums and attractions are open for business - just remember to book your tickets in advance to guarantee entry.
Beach
Summer means beach! Ok, maybe it’s not quite warm enough for that yet (where’d the sun go??), but a visit to the coast is good for the spirit whatever the weather. The North Shore is easily accessible from points north of Boston - most beaches will open for the season this weekend, meaning bathhouses will be open and lifeguards will be on duty (although you may have to pay for parking). For families, Marblehead has the perfect “playground next to the beach” set up at Devereux Beach, or try Wingaersheek Beach on Cape Ann for long stretches of shallow waters and tidal pools. If you are looking for something beyond sea and sand, head for Rockport for quaint art galleries, Gloucester for the lively fishing port, or Newburyport for shops and restaurants. If antiquing is your thing, be sure to pay a visit to Essex, with over 30 stores each with their own style. Beverly is another pretty coastal town with beaches, cafes and sites of historical interest.
Back to Nature
The cooler weather this weekend brings perfect hiking conditions, and the three-day weekend gives you plenty of opportunity to spend a few hours or a day exploring nature. We are fortunate to live in an area with plenty of reservation land to explore - the Middlesex Fells in Winchester, Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord and Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle are all beauty spots right on our doorstep. If you are feeling more adventurous, the White Mountains of New Hampshire are within a 2 hour drive and offer countless hikes and trails - and with the long weekend, you’ll have plenty of time to recover! Head to Franconia Notch State Park for inspiration.
Whatever you decide to do, we hope you find time to relax and enjoy some downtime. If your weekend plans include house-hunting, be sure to check out our list of Open Houses across Boston and Massachusetts.
With thanks and remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives so we can be free to live ours.
