National Parks of Massachusetts

Travel Information

Essex National Heritage Area

140 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970

Description:
The Essex National Heritage Area includes 34 communities with hundreds of historic resources and cultural landscapes within a 500 square mile radius. Consists of historic seaports, quaint towns, 18th-century homes, artists colonies, heritage boatyards, and miles of beaches and coastline.

Please select a destination point from the following list:

Ranger Tips: park ranger hat 
A real New England experience, the Area includes some of the best Colonial Era architecture in the country as well as museums, art colonies, pristine beaches, and wildlife refuges (on and off shore). Authentic food – clams and lobsters - and lots of opportunities to go to sea on sailing ships and whale watch boats are all easy to access here.

Travel Tips:
While the Heritage Area as a whole covers an extended area and is best visited by car, several attractions are located within walking distance of MBTA commuter rail stations.



Custom House Maritime Museum (Newburyport)

Custom House Maritime Museum (Newburyport) 25 Water Street
Newburyport, MA 01950

Description:
This private museum was once the custom house for this busy port city, a center of international trade during the great age of sail. The facility contains artifacts from this period including maritime art, ship models, journals, and old maps. The museum also serves as the northern entry point into the Essex National Heritage Area. It is located adjacent to the center of this quaint seaport, within easy walk of shopping and food. The museum has an admission charge of $5.00, but provides free information for visitors to the region.

Transit Directions: MBTA logo
Public transportation to Newburyport is provided by MBTA commuter rail service on the Newburyport line from Boston’s North Station. Trip time is 60 minutes from Boston and 30 minutes from Salem. Shuttle bus service between RR depot and downtown Newburyport is provided seasonally by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority: check www.mvrta.com for schedules and information.

Driving Directions: car
Newburyport is located approximately 35 miles north of Boston.

From the North:
1. From I-95 southbound, take Exit #57 (MA-113 East toward Newburyport).
2. From the offramp, turn left onto MA-113/Storey Avenue.
3. Drive approx. 2.5 miles to Summer Street.
4. Turn left onto Summer Street.
5. Turn right onto Merrimac Street.
6. Turn left onto Water Street, and continue to 25 Water Street.

From the West:
1. From I-90 (Mass. Turnpike) eastbound, take Exit #14 onto I-95/MA-128 northbound.
2. Drive north on I-95 approx. 44 miles.
3. From this point, follow the directions for “From the South” below.

From the South:
1. From I-95 northbound, take Exit #56 (“Scotland Road”).
2. Turn right onto Scotland Road, which becomes Parker Street.
3. Turn left onto US-1 North.
4. Turn left onto Summer Street.
5. Turn right onto Merrimac Street.
6. Turn left onto Water Street, and continue to 25 Water Street.

A large lot is located behind the site. Parking charges vary by season.

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Lawrence Heritage State Park (Lawrence)

Lawrence Heritage State Park (Lawrence) 1 Jackson Street
Lawrence, MA 01840

Description:
The Lawrence Visitor Center is located in a restored 1840s mill boarding house, adjacent to the canals that once powered this great industrial city. Lawrence is a city in transition, and the atmosphere of the Industrial Revolution still permeates the place. The Visitor Center features exhibits on America’s first planned industrial city, the waves of immigration that provided its workforce, and the conflicts that led to the rise of the labor movement. As part of the Massachusetts state park system, the center has information on camping and recreation in the region as well as general information on the National Heritage Area. No charge for admission.

Transit Directions: MBTA logo
Public transportation to Lawrence is provided by MBTA commuter rail service on the Haverhill Line from Boston’s North Station. Trip time is 45 minutes from Boston. The RR depot is located on the south side of the Merrimack River and is 10-15 minute walk to downtown Lawrence. To reach the Museum, exit the station and cross the Central Bridge. At the end of the Bridge, turn right onto Canal Street. The Museum will be at the intersection of Jackson and Canal Streets. (approx. 15 minute walk).

Driving Directions: car
Lawrence is located approximately 25 miles north of Boston.

From the North:
1. From I-95 southbound, take Exit #59 (“Worcester”) onto I-495 southbound.
2. From I-495, take Exit #45 and merge onto Marston Street toward Lawrence.
3. Drive approx. 1.5 miles on Marston Street.
4. Turn left onto Canal Street.
5. Continue approx. 0.5 miles to the corner of Canal and Jackson Streets on your right.

From the West:
1. From I-90 (Mass. Turnpike) eastbound, take Exit #10 (“I-290/Worcester/I-395/Oxford/Webster”) onto I-290 eastbound via the left exit (“Worcester”).
2. From I-290, take Exit #26B (“Lowell”) onto I-495 northbound via the left exit.
3. From I-495, take Exit #45 (“Merrimack Street/Lawrence”) and merge onto Marston Street.
4. Drive approx. 1.5 miles on Marston Street.
5. Turn left onto Canal Street.
6. Continue approx. 0.5 miles to the corner of Canal and Jackson Streets on your right.

From the South:
1. From I-93 northbound, take Exit #44A (“Lawrence”) onto I-495 North.
2. From I-495, take Exit #45 (“Merrimack Street/Lawrence”) and merge onto Marston Street.
3. Drive approx. 1.5 miles on Marston Street.
4. Turn left onto Canal Street.
5. Continue approx. 0.5 miles to the corner of Canal and Jackson Streets on your right.

Free parking is available in the on-site lot, and there is limited on-street parking.

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Regional Visitor Center (Salem)

Regional Visitor Center (Salem) 2 New Liberty Street
Salem, MA 01970

Description:
The Regional Visitor Center provides a broad range of information about hundreds of places to visit in the Essex National Heritage Area. Located in the heart of downtown Salem, the center features maps, ongoing exhibits, and a free visitor-orientation presentation. It is a great jumping-off point for Salem and the region. No charge for admission.

Transit Directions: MBTA logo
Public transportation to downtown Salem is provided by MBTA commuter rail service on the Newburyport and Rockport lines from Boston’s North Station or the 455, 455W or 459 bus lines from Haymarket Square and Downtown Crossing in Boston. Trip time by train 26 minutes, bus longer depending on traffic. The Regional Visitor Center is a 5-minute walk from the RR depot. Exit the train by bearing left down the platform; climb the stairs or ramp along the south side of the parking lot and you will be at the head of Washington Street. Go straight south down Washington Street by crossing the rotary at the pedestrian lights. Walk three blocks down Washington Street until you encounter the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall located just past City Hall. Turn left onto the pedestrian mall (east) and stroll approximately three blocks until the walking mall ends at New Liberty Street. To your left next to Armory Park is the NPS Salem Regional Visitor Center and to your right is the Peabody Essex Museum, the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States.

Driving Directions: car
Salem is located approximately 15 miles north of Boston.

From the North:
1. From I-95 southbound, take Exit #45 (“Gloucester”) onto MA-128 North.
2. From MA-128, take Exit #26 onto Lowell Street eastbound (right turn), toward Peabody/Salem.
3. Continue on Lowell Street, which becomes Main Street, and then becomes Boston Street.
4. Turn left onto Bridge Street (MA-107).
5. In the first rotary, take the first exit onto Washington Street.
6. Turn left onto Church Street.
7. Turn right onto New Liberty Street (which becomes Liberty Street) and continue to 2 Liberty Street.

From the West:
1. From I-90 (Mass. Turnpike), take Exit #14 (“I-95 N/MA-30/MA-128 N”) towards New Hampshire/Maine/Points North.
2. Merge onto MA-128 northbound (“Waltham/Gloucester”) via left exit.
3. From this point, follow the directions from MA-128 in “From the North”, above.

From Boston and Points South (via MA-1A):
1. Take Route 1A northbound, which becomes Paradise Road and then Lafayette Street.
2. Turn right onto Charter Street.
3. Turn left onto Liberty Street, and continue to 2 Liberty Street.

On-street metered parking is available, and multiple commercial lots are nearby.

Ranger Tips: park ranger hat 
While in Salem, see the home of America’s first millionaire, visit where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked and wrote, and walk the wharves where the great sailing ships left for the Far East and returned laden with goods for Salem’s homes and museums – many still visible today.

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Stage Fort Park & Welcoming Center (Gloucester)

Stage Fort Park & Welcoming Center (Gloucester) Hough Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930

Description:
The Welcoming Center provides information on the many sites and activities on Cape Ann, including Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Overlooking Gloucester’s very active fishing and boating harbor, this is an excellent orientation point for learning about both the past and the present – from monuments to lost sailors, to the best seafood around. The Visitor Center and city park are located on the site of the second oldest European settlement in New England. No charge for admission.

Transit Directions: MBTA logo
Public transportation to downtown Gloucester is provided by MBTA commuter rail Rockport line service from Boston’s North Station. Trip time is 50 minutes from Boston and 20 minutes from Salem. The downtown museums are a 2-minute walk from the RR depot, and the waterfront is 6 minutes. The Stage Fort Park and Welcoming Center are not accessible by foot from the RR depot, but the Chamber of Commerce maintains an information booth in the downtown.

Driving Directions: car
Gloucester is located approximately 35 miles northeast of Boston.

From the North:
1. From I-95 southbound, take Exit #50 onto US-1 Southbound toward MA-62.
2. Turn left onto MA-62 eastbound and drive for approx. 3 miles.
3. Turn onto MA-128 North (“Gloucester/Rockport”)
4. From MA-128, take Exit #14 onto MA-133 toward W. Gloucester/Gloucester Harbor.
5. Drive approx. 3.5 miles on MA-133 (which becomes Essex Avenue).
6. At the shore, turn right onto Western Avenue.
7. Turn left onto Hough Avenue, into Stage Fort Park.

From the West:
1. From I-90 (Mass. Turnpike), take Exit #14 (“I-95/MA-30/MA-128”) towards New Hampshire/Maine/Points North, and merge onto MA-128 North via the left exit.
2. From this point, follow the directions from MA-128 North in “From the North”, above.
3. From MA-128, take Exit #14 onto MA-133 toward W. Gloucester/Gloucester Harbor.
4. Drive approx. 3.5 miles on MA-133 (which becomes Essex Avenue).
5. At the shore, turn right onto Western Avenue.
6. Turn left onto Hough Avenue, into Stage Fort Park.

From Boston and Points South (via US-1):
1. From US-1 northbound, merge onto MA-128 North towards Peabody/Gloucester.
2. From MA-128, take Exit #14 onto MA-133 toward W. Gloucester/Gloucester Harbor.
3. Drive approx. 3.5 miles on MA-133 (which becomes Essex Avenue).
4. At the shore, turn right onto Western Avenue.
5. Turn left onto Hough Avenue, into Stage Fort Park.

Parking is available in the commercial parking lot across the street from the Visitor Center.

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