Basic Life

City Scout: Marblehead

City Scout is a blog series where we invite our savviest Brass Babes to share their favorite, lesser-known spots in their local city or town. Our City Scout (which is more of a “Summer Scout”) this month is from our Marketing Coordinator, Dakota Donovan, who is sharing her favorite spots in her hometown of Marblehead, MA. 


The best way to go site seeing. 

Marblehead, unlike other North Shore (north of Boston) towns such as Gloucester or Ipswich, is known for its harbor. It is basically the center of this beachside town and there are many activities that cater to exploring. One is paddle boarding off of Riverhead Beach. You can rent for up to two hours and travel around the harbor seeing things such as historical Abbot Hall, The Marblehead Lighthouse, and can even stop at The Landing or The Barnacle to grab a bite to eat!

When I need to get my exercise on I head here. 

I usually prefer exercising outside, however, The Yoga Loft in downtown Marblehead offers amazing classes from Power Yoga to Vinyasa. The class times are super flexible if you want to go after a day at the beach to unwind or before you start exploring there will be something for you. They also offer paddle board yoga on the harbor! For those who do prefer exercising outside, I suggest running around Marblehead Neck. You’ll get amazing views of the water and can check out Castle Rock on your way. If you get tired halfway, no worries, you can always take a launch across the water that goes downtown!

My absolute favorite, but under appreciated, restaurant. 

Five Corners isn’t necessarily under appreciated in Marblehead, however, it is definitely very good! This French-inspired restaurant has a little bit of everything. The motto is “whatever’s good, whatever’s fresh, whatever’s local.” Being right on the water, they do have a great selection of seafood and $1 oysters between 5-6pm every night. If you’re into expanding your palette I suggest trying the Skate Wing. If French isn’t necessarily your thing, there’s a yummy Italian place just down the road called Cafe Italia!

The place you take your friend to lift her spirits/drown her sorrows. 

Maddies Sail Loft is a place everyone has to visit on a trip to Marblehead. It is a tiny sailor bar that has been around for decades. If you want a fun place to go out after dinner this is the place to go. They are most well known for their drink called The Thunderdome. They have both an upstairs and downstairs but I suggest getting there early in the Summer, it gets busy!

When you go when you want to get your shop on (and maybe an Instagram). 

Marblehead is known especially for its historical roots. If you want to see some beautiful houses from the 1800s turned boutique I suggest heading down to Old Town. Washington Street is the main street there and is lined with many different types of stores. From antique shops, one or two art galleries, a small market, a beautiful flower shop, and a few trendy boutiques, this is the place to be. Snap a photo in front of the Victorian pink and yellow houses and share the love with your friends!


Love where you live and want to share your favorite spots? Email us to be considered for a City Scout post.