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West of Gloucester lies Manchester-by-the-Sea, a small, but exceedingly charming
town. Perhaps most popular is Singing Beach, named for the sound the sand is said to make
under walking feet. Singing Beach is favored by visitors who take the MBTA commuter rail into
town and make the pleasant walk—less than a mile—down to the water. If you spend any time
at the beach, treat yourself to a stop at Captain Dusty's, a seasonal ice cream shack that serves
very generous dishes of its decadent homemade ice creams and sorbets.
Though tiny, downtown Manchester includes several gift shops and galleries worth visiting.
For vintage finds, check out The Stock Exchange, where whimsical window displays highlight
some of the store's best merchandise, and Manchester By the Book, a used book store that
virtually overflows with everything from antique volumes to pre-owned contemporary favorites.
Manchester-by-the-Sea's
Singing Beach; opposite,
the historic town of Essex
is full of antiques shops.
Hiking
COOLIDGE RESERVATION
On the eastern edge of town,
Coolidge Reservation is a 66-
acre property where a short
hike along woodsy trails
brings you to a rolling green
lawn stretching down to the
rocky shoreline. For a slightly
brisker walk, a mile-long
hike to the top of Bungalow
Hill yields panoramic
views. Rarely crowded, the
reservation can be a tranquil
spot to stop for a break or a
stand-alone destination for a
few hours of escape.
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