Things To Do in Manchester-by-the-sea, MA

Singing Beach

Fine, squeaking quartz sand gives this crescent beach its famous “singing” sound and makes it a summer must-do for families and surfers alike. A gentle slope, seasonal lifeguards, and postcard views of the twin islands just offshore invite long, lazy days on the North Shore.

Singing Beach

978-526-2019

Official Site

Masconomo Park & Bandstand

Manchester’s village green fronts the harbor with sweeping lawns, a storybook gazebo for free summer concerts, and kid-friendly playgrounds shaded by landmark elms. Bring a picnic or grab take-out downtown and watch lobster boats glide by.

Masconomo Park

978-526-2019

Official Site

Tuck’s Point Rotunda & Chowder House

A storybook, white-railed rotunda presides over a public pier where boaters tie up for chowder, lobster rolls, and unbeatable harbor panoramas. Evening lamps and gull cries set a quintessential New England mood at sunset.

Tuck’s Point Rotunda

978-526-2000

Official Site

Manchester Harbor Scenic Walk

Follow the paved harbor walk from Beach Street to Bennett Street, pausing at interpretive plaques that trace shipbuilding, granite quarrying, and modern yacht design. The route links shops, galleries, and working docks in a quick, stroller-friendly loop.

Manchester Harbor Walk

978-526-7830

Official Site

Manchester Historical Museum (Trask House)

The 1823 Greek-Revival Trask House safeguards period rooms, maritime paintings, and shipwright ledgers that chart the town’s rise from fishing port to gilded-age resort. Docents swap sea lore for restoration tips on everything from granite lintels to cedar-shingle roofs.

Manchester Historical Museum

978-526-7230

Official Site

Coolidge Reservation

The Trustees preserve this former 100-acre summer estate where mown lawn drops straight to sea-carved ledges nicknamed “Bald Hill.” Easy trails weave through oak forest to the spectacular Ocean Lawn—a dream perch for wedding-grade photos.

Coolidge Reservation

978-921-1944

Official Site

Agassiz Rock Conservation Area

Named for pioneering geologist Louis Agassiz, this woodland preserve shelters two house-sized glacial erratics—Big and Little Agassiz—that spark every kid’s inner explorer. Two miles of boardwalk and ledge scramble loop to peeks of Chebacco Lake.

Agassiz Rock

978-921-1944

Official Site

Powder House Hill Trails

A short, lung-pumping ascent leads to the 1810 brick powder magazine that once stored town munitions. From the summit’s granite ledge, you’ll spot Boston’s skyline on clear days and survey ongoing forest-management efforts.

Powder House Hill

N/A

Official Site

Crow Island Sanctuary

Accessible only at mid-to-low tide, this pocket island hosts osprey nests, salt-marsh wildflowers, and hidden kayak landings. Tread lightly—its fragile ecosystems make it a living classroom for coastal-erosion studies.

Crow Island

N/A

Official Site

Cedar Swamp Trail

Plank walkways float above a rare Atlantic white-cedar bog alive with songbirds and carnivorous pitcher plants. Interpretive signs map out ongoing restoration—a handy case study for wetland-mitigation pros.

Cedar Swamp Trail