February 11, 2026

Cozy Cafes, Walks, and Museums North of Boston

Planning a rural retreat at our North Shore getaway? Our area is packed with cozy cafés, specialty shops, bookstores, mansion tours, and must-see museums. 

If you’re looking for things to do and day trip ideas north of Boston, Massachusetts, take a look at our favorite spots!

Bookstores & Coffee Shops


Jabberwocky Bookshop – Newburyport
Full-service indie bookstore in the Tannery Marketplace, known for “the fine art of browsing.”


Illume Books – Newburyport
Curated, cozy shop “for all readers, old and new,” right in downtown.


Tidal Pages Bookshop – Ipswich
Vibrant community bookstore in the heart of downtown Ipswich with titles for all ages.


Sandpiper Bakery – Ipswich
A small, quaint artisan cafe serving up incredible coffee, fresh pastries, breakfasts, and lunch options.


Little Wolf Coffee – Ipswich
Great for shameless coffee snobs! Little Wolf carefully curates their coffee beans & roasts in house.


Plume Cafe – Newburyport
The perfect place to try something new. Trendy, fun drink flavors for all the seasons. Cozy, coastal vibes.

 

Mansion Tours & Historic Sites 


Castle Hill on the Crane Estate – Ipswich
A 59-room Stuart-style Great House with grand lawn to the sea, guided mansion and garden tours.


Platts-Bradstreet House – Rowley 
A 1677 First Period house on Main Street, now home to the Rowley Historical Society.


Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm – Newbury
A 1690 manor house and 230-acre National Historic Landmark farm with family-friendly programs.


Museums & Rainy-Day Gems


Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) – Salem 
A major art and culture museum with global collections and exhibits on New England history.


Museum of Old Newbury – Newburyport
Preserves the history of Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Byfield, and Plum Island in a historic house setting


Custom House Maritime Museum – Newburyport
Focused on Newburyport’s maritime heritage, housed in the historic U.S. Custom House.

 


Book a room at Briar Barn Inn and you’ll be perfectly placed for day trips to Salem, Ipswich, Newburyport, Beverly, and beyond — then, venture back to Grove for dinner and drinks!
 

Images from Google Images

Sign reading "Platts Bradstreet House 1677" next to a historic wooden building.
Aerial view of a coastal town with buildings, docks, and boats.
Historic stone building with columns, red structures in front, under a clear blue sky.
Large brick mansion with statues and green lawn under blue sky.
Rustic brown wooden house with large tree and green bushes.
Historic stone and brick house with a gabled roof under a cloudy sky.
Compact coffee shop counter with blue accents and menu on wall.
Historic and modern building facade with warm-lit windows and trees.
Peach pie slice on tray beside whole peaches in sunlight.
Bread slices with cream and seeds, iced green and yellow drinks on a wooden table.
Red brick building with a black door, arched windows, and outdoor seating.
Plume café sign on a red brick building.
Brick building with large windows, door, and festive green garlands.
Chocolate chip cookies lined on parchment paper.
Coffee cup on a white table next to a blue chair and wall.
Coffee beans in a roasting machine, sunlight highlights texture.
Historic brick mansion with chimneys and green-roofed cupola under a blue sky.
Illuminated mansion at dusk with a symmetrical facade and cupola.
Historic brick and stone house with arched windows, surrounded by trees and grass.
Ornate cube art installation in a yellow-lit room, surrounded by people.
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