On The Town: Amesbury

On the Town: Items for your Amesbury itinerary. 

Ovedia Artisan Chocolates Owner Barbra Vogel’s charming shop offers handmade chocolates and espresso. The sea salt dark chocolate caramels are addictive. 36 Main St., 978-388-7700, ovedia.com.

Crave Brasserie & Wine Bar Set in an old train station, Crave is the city’s top spot for dining. The popovers with cinnamon butter are fabulous, and everybody loves the blue corn fried chicken, finished with clover honey. 32 Elm St., 978-834-6075, cravefoodandwine.com.

Phat Cats Bistro This tiny restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients to put a tasty spin on comfort food. The fish tacos and housemade veggie burgers are noteworthy. 65A Market St., 978-388-2777, phatcatsbristro.com.

The Flatbread Company This restaurant (part of a local chain) is the go-to spot for excellent all-natural pizza, baked in wood-fired clay ovens. 5 Market Sq., 978-834-9800, flatbreadcompany.com.

Barking Dog Bar & Grill Meet a friend here and you won’t have to talk over blaring TVs (there’s only one). The salmon wrap is a tasty, healthful option, and on the decadent side, there’s bread pudding with white chocolate chips and raspberries-irresistible! 21 Friend St., 978-388-9537, barkingdoggrill.com.

The Ale House With its massive African rosewood bar and 24 brews on tap, this is definitely a beer bar. The food is a happy surprise-think lobster sliders, smoky Gouda mac ‘n’ cheese, and “Polish wings”-fried pierogies in Buffalo sauce. 33 Main St., 978-388-1950, amesburyalehouse.com.

The Riverwalk Bead Shop & Gallery Take a jewelry-making class and discover the artist within, or pick up something cool that someone else has made, like a gorgeous stone-and-sterling ring or a pair of beeswax candles. 32 Elm St., 978-388-3499, riverwalkbeads.com.

Cider Hill Farm

Cider Hill Farm Re-opening for the season in May, this 145-acre farm is a family favorite, featuring over 70 varieties of apples and a bounty of other fruits and veggies, gourmet meats, and sweets. Check out the ingenious pony swings, made from old tires. Open May-late November. 45 Fern Ave., 978-388-5525, ciderhill.com.

Lowell’s Boat Shop Centuries of wooden boat-building history come alive here, where they build fishing dories and offer guided tours and exhibits. Open seasonally and by appointment. 459 Main St., 978-834-0050, lowellsboatshop.com.

Whittier Home Association Quaker poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier bought this little cottage in 1836. He wrote here, and led a crusade against slavery. His life and legacy are revealed through exhibits and programs. Open May-October, Sat., and by appointment year-round. 86 Friend St., 978-388-1337, amesburytreasures.org.

Bartlett Museum This two-room museum is called “Amesbury’s Attic” because the 1870 Italianate school building holds the city’s artifacts from centuries past. Open late May-early September, weekends. 270 Main St., 978-388-4528, bartlettmuseum.org.

Photography by Rene Burney