Visiting Marblehead

Eating is one of our favorite pas­times here at Shubie’s. But one of the only things we love more than eating our food is eating our food at some of our favorite spots in Marblehead! We hope that you love dis­cov­ering our town. Bring your walking shoes, bikes, strollers, or scooters – Marblehead is great by foot or human-powered wheels!

Stock up at Shubie’s for picnic, snacks, goodies, and drinks and then you’re ready to enjoy what Marblehead has to offer.

• Kid-tested favorites from the food case include crispy lemon chicken ten­ders, pasta with peas, roasted sweet pota­toes, flank steak, and quality deli meats. Have an adven­turous tike? Try our Asian Buffalo Chicken Wings, Edamame Burgers, soups, and so much more!   Don’t be shy – the staff is always happy to give you or your kids a taste of just about any­thing in the case.
• Don’t forget snacks to recharge during the day! We love kettle corn; gua­camole; cheese and crackers; pret­zels, choco­late– or yogurt-covered animal crackers, graham crackers and pret­zels; chips and salsa; and Dave’s double cured salmon bacon.
• Finish the day with decadent desserts. Sorry, mom and dad, but you won’t be able to leave Shubie’s without giving into at least one dessert request.  Cupcakes, mini black and white cookies, Star Light Creations hand-painted sugar cookies are always a hit…maybe you’ll even get a bite! We also have gluten-free and vegan desserts available.

Once you’ve grabbed snacks, lunch or a com­plete picnic, you’ll be ready to hit the town! Here is a list of some of our favorite locations:

The Bike Path

Did you know that years ago a train actu­ally ran through little, out-of-the-way Marblehead? We’re grateful now for the roughly 4 miles of gravel path that allows us to walk, run, bike, skip, or scooter easily and quickly through town off of the main roads. For the most part, it is func­tional more than scenic, but a great way to get in a family bike ride without wor­rying about cars.

Marblehead Light House and the Bird Sanctuary (both on the Neck)

Take a drive over the Causeway to the “Neck” where you will find Marblehead Light House.  Beautiful views of the Marblehead Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, PERFECT PICNIC SPOT.  Lots of room for kids to run around, rocks to climb, and a small beach (at low tide) to search for inter­esting rocks and sea glass.  Kids will be enter­tained, so you can sit, relax, and enjoy your picnic and a book.  Public bath­rooms, too!

When you’re done at the Lighthouse, take Ocean Ave. and turn right onto Risley Road so you can stop at the Mass Audobon Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.  Nature paths run through this wooded con­ser­va­tion land where migra­tory birds come to rest.

Beaches

Devereux Beach — Marblehead’s main public beach. It has the con­ve­nience of bath­rooms and a play­ground.  The down­side is the expen­sive parking from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There are life­guards here, too, but be careful with younger ones, as there can be bigger waves and occa­sional undertow.

Grace Oliver’s Beach — Our favorite beach spot (don’t let too many people find out about it!) is located at the end of Beacon Street.  It is a small cove with our typ­ical rocky beach (bring your keens or water shoes if you don’t want to hear the kids com­plaining about the rocks).  At low tide, there are lots of great tide pools and you can walk across to Brown’s Island and explore the island.  At high tide, Grace Oliver’s has a bit less beach, but is per­fect for swim­ming in its calm waters.

Fort Beach – Through Old Town, directly along Front Street near Fort Sewall.  Not much beach at high tide, but low tide is fan­tas­ti­cally fun for the kids.  Rocks to climb, plenty of tide pools to explore, and usu­ally a good spot for finding sea glass.

Fort Sewall

After you’ve explored Fort Beach, head up the hill to his­toric Fort Sewall, built in the mid-17th cen­tury, to defend the area.  Bunkers and under­ground rooms used to hold pris­oners can still be seen from the out­side. Besides some of the most SPECTACULAR views in all of Marblehead, there is plenty of space to relax, have a picnic, and enjoy the views. This is George’s favorite spot in town!

Crocker Park

Once again, some of the best views of Marblehead Harbor.  Kids will love the huge rocks to climb in the park as well as the bench swings sit­u­ated throughout.

During the summer, the public dock is open.  Bring your suit and jump off into Marblehead Harbor like the locals have been doing for years!

Seaside Park

There’s a play­ground (geared toward younger kids, but  “big” kids will still be happy), base­ball dia­mond, and public tennis courts.

“The Secret Path” (aka The Fitness Trail) is a hidden gem at Seaside. Behind the park, it is a well-defined loop through the woods that takes you past some pretty dated, but fun fit­ness activ­i­ties, leads you to the Harbor and then ends back near the fields or tennis courts. This is a great spot for kids to explore the woods and even the beach, if you choose to climb down the rocks to the tiny rocky cove on the harbor.  It’s also a great place for your dogs to run off some energy too!

Redd’s Pond and Old Burial Hill

Located at the end of Pond Street, it is a small man-made pond usu­ally occu­pied by a size­able flock of mal­lards.  Keep your eyes out for duck­lings after Memorial Day! Kids can try their luck with their fishing rod at the pond, although it will not be some­thing to bring home to cook.

Up the hill over­looking the pond is Old Burial Hill, one of the oldest, most pic­turesque burial grounds in New England.  Although rich with his­tory, it also makes a great spot for hide-and-go seek.

Playgrounds

While there are plenty of nat­ural play areas around Marblehead with the beaches, rocks, woods, and parks, some­times only a slide will do.

• Gerry Playground on Stramski Way, right off of West Shore Drive is the newest play­ground in town. It has picnic benches and over­looks Salem Harbor.
• Seaside Park
• Devereux Beach
• Gatchell Field and Playground (little league base­ball dia­monds and small playground)
• Eveleth School and Hobbs Field (Brook Road) – 2 play­grounds, one geared for younger chil­dren and the other for ele­men­tary school aged kids.

KEEP IT LOCAL!!!

Enjoy all of the local shops throughout the town. Our abun­dance of local, family-owned busi­nesses help make Marblehead the unique com­mu­nity that it is! Click here to see a list and map of shop/dine/stay establishments in Marblehead!