EAT+DRINK
Allie’s Beach Street Café Comforting homemade dishes served in a spacious room with wooden floors and white walls. Come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with options ranging from cream and berry–stuffed French toast to kale Caesar salad to roast chicken Provençal. 35 Beach St., 978-526-9571, alliesbeachstreetcafe.com/
Antique Table This Italian trattoria has locations in Lynn, Salem, and Winthrop and offers hearty portions of homestyle regional Italian dishes. 7 Central St., 978-594-1538, antiquetablerestaurants.com/
Black Arrow One of Manchester-by-the-Sea’s most popular restaurants due to its cute bar, craft cocktails, and thoughtfully made seasonal locavore dishes. 26 Central St., 978-526-0993, facebook.com/blackarrowrestaurant/
Bravo by the Sea It’s the wood-fired pizzas that folks come in for, served hot and bubbling in 18 varieties with additional toppings available. A handful of salads also join the menu, along with beer and wine. 40 Beach St., 978-704-9388, bravobythesea.com/
Captain Dusty’s This cheerful yellow former lobster shack located across from Manchester Harbor sells homemade ice cream (and frozen yogurt) in flavors like pumpkin, black raspberry, eggnog, Vermont maple walnut, and cookies and cream. They have all sorts of tasty sauces and toppings, banana splits, and portions so generous some folks say they sell “the largest ‘small’ cone in the world.” 60 Beach St., facebook.com/captaindustys/
LIVE+PLAY
Singing Beach Famous for the squeaking sound the sand makes when people walk upon it, this beach is spanking clean and easy to stroll. The west end has several tide pools to explore, while the east end leads to Rocky Beach, a tumble of boulders with no sand unless it’s low tide. Visit the beach’s website for parking information and other details, including hours for the bathhouse and snack bar. 119 Beach St., 978-526-2019, manchester.ma.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Singing-Beach-11
Masconomo Park In addition to being a lovely place to picnic, the park has a cute playground and bandstand for summer concerts. It also has a life-size statue of a soldier serving as a memorial to those who lost their lives in World War 1. For the past sixty-plus years, the park also has hosted a spectacular summer carnival every July. Beach St., manchester.ma.us/facilities/facility/details/Masconomo-Park-9
Coolidge Reservation The Trustees of Reservations owns this 66-acre property once belonging to the Coolidge family, with views out to Boston and even Cape Cod on a clear day. There are hiking paths, a great lawn, woodlands, a pond, and even a portion of Magnolia Gray Beach. Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast/coolidge-reservation.html
SHOP+RENEW
The Stock Exchange
This high-end consignment shop sells all sorts
of goodies ranging from designer duds and antiques to jewelry to home goods, curios,
and more. 3 Beach St., 978-526-7569,
seconsignment.com/
Mahri Artist and master goldsmith Mahri fabricates the eclectic gold and silver jewelry that she sells in her store, which also carries artsy clothing and gifts.
11 Beach St., 978-526-7241, mahri.com/
Cargo Unlimited This interior design studio sells a unique mix of home furnishings, jewelry, and more. 22-36 Union St., 978-526-7869, facebook.com/CargoUnlimited/