Brook and Charles

Brackenbury Beach |  (Beverly)  map
lovely locals beach near B&C's home, free, park on morrison ave., walk couple blocks to the end of brackenbury lane until it dead-ends at the beach
Singing Beach |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea)  map
picturesque beach, rocks, nice lunch-snack-stand, near captain dusty's ice-cream in manchester, parking in town and then walk or $20 in lot (local rentals should provide beach passes).  listen to the rare and famous sand sing!
Wingaersheek Beach |  (Gloucester)  map
shallow calm swimming, tidepools, kid haven, big tidal changes, typical snack bar, $20 parking
Crane Beach |  (Ipswich)  map
2 minutes from the crane estate, busy wknds, long atlantic coastline, dunes, $20 parking

Halibut Point |  (Rockport)  map
2.5 miles of trails, gorgeous gentle hike past oceanside quarry to rocky northern tip of cape ann, beautiful ocean overlook and fun rock-hopping, $2 parking
Coolidge Reservation - Ocean Lawn |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea/Magnolia)  map
2 mile loop, a favorite locals walk along pond, up little road, and across the grand ocean lawn to a view of the boston skyline across the atlantic, park free and walk from magnolia beach or park free in small lot off 127
Essex River Basin Adventures |  (Essex)  map
if you miss our group kayak tour on thursday 6.9, think about signing up on your own.  it's a wonderful way to experience the exquisite beauty of the area; brook guided for ERBA many summers; the crane estate looks right down on this tidal basin
Surfari Stand up Paddle & Surf |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea)  map
ever wanted to learn how to paddle board or surf?  visit surfari in the cute town of manchester and rent equipment or even sign up for a lesson!

AND IF YOU STILL HAVE MORE TIME..
Chebacco Woods |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea/Essex)  map
great walking and biking trails around chebacco lake and local ponds between gordon college and pine st., park in gordon college back lot or or on chebacco rd. entering from 22 in essex
Agassiz Rock |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea)  map
short hike up hill to view of a big rock, parking on side of road at Southern Rd. just past Utopia farm stand (great produce!)

NOTE FOR THE WISE:  Always check for ticks after time in the woods, we're infamous for them!

Peabody Essex Museum |  (Salem)  map
visit the unique collections at PEM, it's a perfect rainy day activity and they often have kid's activities as well, known near and far for their special exhibitions
The Crane Estate |  (Ipswich)  map
the site of our big day, walk the rolling grand allée to the ocean and follow the trail down to the water's edge, tour the castle, visit the gardens
Salem Witch Museum |  (Salem)  map
In 1692, a notorious witch hysteria swept through the region, culminating in the salem witch trials; come learn about it here

Shopping & Sightseeing |  (Various North Shore Towns)
Walk the downtowns of Beverly on Cabot St., adorable seaside Rockport out to Bearskin Neck, Gloucester's Harbor Promenade & Main St., antique in Essex, wind through Manchester's shops.  A bit further north is the cute downtown of  harborside Newburyport and Plum Island birdwatching.  The North Shore is full of little shops and tucked away restaurants.
 

Lynch Park |  (Beverly, 2 houses away from us)  map
oceanfront park, playground, kid's splash pad, captain dusty's ice-cream, rose gardens, picnic tables, fields for frisbee, soccer
Russell Orchards |  (Ipswich)  map
pick your own strawberries and raspberries at this fun local orchard; you'll also want to meet the friendly farm animals while you're there
Castle Creek |  (Salem)  map
go-carts, mini golf, and everything kid
Clay Dreaming |  (Beverly)  map
fun for kids and adults, if you're itching for an art project, this is the place to go; keep in mind it takes a week to fire your special ceramic piece
Sky Zone |  (Danvers)  map
kids' trampoline madness warehouse; jump to your heart's content!

CK Pearl | (Essex)  map
terrific spot to have a great lunch on the water, overlooks the essex river basin where we will be kayaking thursday, 6.9; or visit after searching out antiques in essex
Vidalia's |  (Beverly Farms)  map
counter service w/ tables; outdoor seating; a mainstay sandwich stop (just minutes north along the coast from beverly or south from manchester), try the donati, delicious breakfast sandwiches until 11am and an assortment of artisan produce and groceries (GF friendly)
Half Baked |  (Beverly Farms)  map
counter service; outdoor seating; next door to vidalia's, cupcakes, pastry, salads, sandwiches, a hip spot to catch before 3pm
Causeway Restaurant |  (Gloucester)  map
seafood heaven in gritty locals' diner atmosphere; affordable and huge servings
Roy Moore Lobster Co |  (Rockport)  map
where all your lobster roll dreams come true!  a stopover near halibut point or rockport downtown
Life Alive! |  (Salem)  map
a healthy haven of generous and quickly served vegetarian bowls and divine smoothies, think quinoa and lemon tahini sauce w/ veggies
Organic Garden Cafe |  (Beverly)  map
if you have time to wait for the hippie staff to serve you, this raw food cafe has some gems on the menu. don't miss the bomblette, vegan tiramisu or the tai chi chai tea!
Atomic Cafe |  (Beverly)  map
local roasts, hip, buzzing, our mainstay coffeehouse on cabot st., they know how to do it

Cityside Diner | (Beverly)  map
downtown Cabot St., reliable locals diner
Depot Diner | (North Beverly)  map
slightly more upscale diner, big plates
Caramel French Patisserie | (Salem)  map
heavenly croissants at an authentic french bakery, 100% french, verified by charles
Bean & Leaf Cafe | (Rockport)  map
enjoy coffee, pastry, quiche, salads & panini while looking out at the harbor, then stroll down bearskin neck to the overlook
Beach Street Cafe | (Manchester-by-the-Sea)  map
omlette's galore; skip their lunch, though
Sugar Magnolia's | (Gloucester)  map
Red's | (Salem)  map
another gritty locals' diner
Ugly Mug | (Salem)  map

Barrel House American Bar |  (Beverly)  map
if you are a meat eater looking for craft cocktails, this is your place. there are fish and veggies, too.  voted as one of the top 10 bourbon bars in the US, this gem is a happening night-time scene on cabot st. and serves later than almost anywhere else.  late night menu available.  reservations helpful on weekends, you can always try the bar.  excellent oysters.
A&B Burgers |  (Beverly)  map
a new place in Beverly that is bound to become a mainstay.  go there for its great, fresh, burgers.  tons of different burger ideas and options, one more delicious than the next.
Foreign Affairs |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea)  map
classic farm-to-table style, fresh and fabulous dinners. reservations helpful.  we eat here a lot.
Cala's |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea)  map
great fish tacos.  watch a game.  good kids' menu.  staple stop.  usually has a table open.
The Market |  (Annisquam)  map
think about reserving a month before arrival.  this seasonally open spot on the annisquam river is run by alice waters protégés who trained with her at chéz panisse in berkeley, ca
Short & Main |  (Gloucester)  map
the staff at the market got tired of returning to san francisco every winter, so they opened this wonderful year-round pizzeria via oyster bar on main st.  enjoy!

For those of you looking to get a little styling or perhaps some body work done before the wedding, below are a few good local options.  Be sure to book well in advance!

Deborah Coull Salon |  (Beverly)  map

Salon Bogart |  (Manchester-by-the-Sea) map

BodiScience |  (Beverly) map

Institute of Contemporary Art | map
Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum | map
Museum of Fine Art | map
Fogg Museum at Harvard University | map
Boston Symphony Orchestra | map
The Freedom Trail | start map | end map