The BEST Day Trips North of Boston

Since moving back from Los Angeles, I’ve been on a mission to explore more of New England. I’m from a city called Everett, a town directly north of Boston, but not quite located on the North Shore. The North Shore is a gem of a time. It’s primarily known for being a coastal route, great beach towns, and… well, honestly, roast beef. If you know, you know. 

When people visit Boston, they spend so much time south of 93. They want to go to the Cape, they want to go to Plymouth Rock, they want to go to QUINCY to see JOHN QUINCY ADAMS REMAINS. (I mean, I’m assuming… that’s what I’d want to see if I ever went to Quincy.) 

What about the North Shore? Sure, people go to Salem to see old witch shit and that’s cool, Salem is cool. But there’s more to the North Shore than a magic-themed mass murder. Here are some great ideas to take your pals, family, or significant others, for day trips just north of Boston: 

“GREATER BOSTON AREA” 

REVERE 

Revere Beach and Kelly’s Roast Beef. Grab your kids, grab your wife and head on over to Revere Beach. You can get there a few ways: by car, or the T (blue line to Wonderland.) I’m sure there are some buses, but I don’t recommend them. 

Revere Beach has it all… sun, sand, water, and a child’s park with a metal slide for you to burn your thighs on when you go down. Actually, that might be gone. Honestly, the last time I went to Revere Beach was maybe 1993. You might also find syringes in the sand, but again… haven’t been since 1993. I don’t want to excite you. 

The biggest draw to Revere Beach is undoubtedly Kelly’s Roast Beef. It’s her original location! Kelly’s is a chain so people tend to hate on it. You can order a small roast beef with sauce, mayo and cheese (also called a 3-way) and some clam strips. Share them with a couple of seagulls on the rock wall! 

EVERETT

Night Shift Brewing and Mike’s Roast Beef. “Patty, another roast beef place?!” I can’t help it. Us Northerners love our fucking roast beefs! Night Shift, however, is an incredibly popular brewery with fantastic beer. It’s probably the business that made Everett cool. Before Night Shift, nobody ever willingly came to Everett unless they were picking up drugs or going to Target. 

Go to Night Shift, order a beer (I like the Whirlpool, their signature beer, or any of the sours) and pick up Mike’s Roast Beef on your way. It’s another Everett classic. It’s open until like 4 a.m. and where everyone goes after “da clubs” or me and my friends in high school when we were drunk on Lizzie McGuire and ssips. Order the roast beef 3-way (it’s a thing) and a pizza roll and seasoned fries with cheese. 

SAUGUS

Put your dog down and go to Jimmy’s Steer House. Just kidding. However, this is the most momentous thing I’ve ever done in Saugus, outside of the Square One Mall and Rollerworld. 

Also, Jimmy’s Steer House is terrible. 

“NORTH SHORE” 

IPSWICH

The Clam Box and Crane Beach. Hit up the beach, like an actual good one, and get yourself some fucking fried clams. Now that’s a classic Boston day and you don’t even need to sit through Cape Cod traffic for it!! 

Here is my review from my friend, Kathy: “It’s a cute little place that looks like a clam box. The batter they use is simply the best… better than all the rest. 

And I love the lobster roll! They put one piece of iceberg lettuce on it and THAT MAKES IT!!!”

SALEM

Salem Witch Museum and Salem Willows. I had to include some witchy shit on here. Honestly, the Salem Witch Museum is where it’s at. It’s HILARIOUS. There is this dumb show with animatronic characters that tells the story of the witch trials, but it’s basically The Crucible. Downtown Salem itself is just a treat if you like history and cobblestone and old buildings. That’s basically my thing, so yeah I do.

My friend Janine loves the popcorn at Salem Willows. It’s an arcade, seaside park and popcornery. Last time I went they also had a ton of random Chinese food places? I don’t know, but it’s a cute place to play some games and walk around. 

Salem is just a bitch to get to. There’s like one way in and out and that’s enough for me to never go there. 

BEVERLY

Nick’s Roast Beef. I don’t know any other business in Beverly, honestly. There’s some breweries but I didn’t care as much about them as I cared about Nick’s Roast Beef. It’s always rated the top roast beef place in the North Shore. I figure while you’re on this roast beef kick, you might as well try the one from Nick’s. I’ve had it, and it’s good! Can you guess what you should order? Yeah, the roast beef 3-way.

I went there once and some guy went up to my sister and said, “Are you from Everett? Is your name Maureen?”

She said, “No! Sorry.”

I said, “Well, you are from Everett and Maureen was your best friend in elementary school…” reminding her that it wasn’t a totally random question.

And then he knew who she was and they had gone to KINDERGARTEN together. They literally hadn’t seen each other since then and are in their late 30’s. So, magic happens at Nick’s Roast Beef in Beverly. Or creepy stuff. Depends on your perspective.

NEWBURYPORT 

Abraham’s Bagels and Oldies Marketplace. I’m biased because my aunt owns Abraham’s Bagels but they’re really good bagels! You can go there, have a bagel or sandwich on the patio, and then head across the street to Oldies. 

Oldies Marketplace is one of my favorite spots in all of New England. It’s a huge barn with vintage and thrift goods. I go there for Christmas stuff mostly, but it’s full of treasures!!!! Lots of great art, signage and mirrors. And creepy dolls!!!

Make sure to stop at my aunt’s house and say hello to her puppies, Frank and Beans, for me. And Juanita, the queen mother. 

Frank, of “Frank and Beans”