Day trip: Marblehead or Rockport?

We%26#39;re visiting in mid-June and planning a day trip to either Marblehead or Rockport. We won%26#39;t have a car, and both seem to be about an hour away via public transportation (bus to Marblehead vs. train to Rockport). We%26#39;re looking for a picturesque seaside village that%26#39;s easily walkable, with ocean views, restaurants and interesting (not touristy) shopping. Both seem to fit the bill. Any preferences out there? The visit could be on either a weekday or weekend.

One more quick question: we%26#39;ve thought about a separate trip to Concord via the train. What%26#39;s the best way to get to Walden Pond from downtown? It looks like a round-trip walk to and around the area is about four miles, which is doable but maybe not the best option given all the walking we%26#39;ll be doing during the week.

Day trip: Marblehead or Rockport?

I would chose Rockport since you are relying on public transportation, more to see and do in Rockport than in Marblehead, just take the commuter rail to Rockport.

Your best bet for Lexington and Concord would be to take the commuter rail or go to Alewife Red line T stop and catch a bus (bus 76 or 62) to Lexington Center. Take the Liberty Ride trolley tour but it would not include Walden Pond. I think to go to Walden Pond, which is about 2 miles, you must walk or call a taxi from the Concord Commuter rail on the Fitchburg line.

http://www.libertyride.us/tours.html

Day trip: Marblehead or Rockport?

Given those choices I would probably do Rockport by train, because it%26#39;s by train and not bus. I did that as a day trip from North Station in 1970 with my girlfriend when I was in High School.

You might also consider Newburyport although to be honest I%26#39;m not sure exactly how you get from the train station to the downtown - sometimes they seem to have some kind of trolley running, but worst case you could walk or take a very short cab ride. Newburyport has everything you want, although technically you would have to get out to Plum Island (part of which is in Newburyport) to actually see the Atlantic Ocean.

As for Concord I am sure many tourists make that walk but it wouldn%26#39;t be a lot of fun, walking up the hill to cross Route 2 to get to Walden Pond. Again, I imagine you could get a cab; it%26#39;s probably something a lot of people do.

It%26#39;s really much easier to do all of these things with a car.

I agree that there is more to do in Rockport. Marblehead is the direction I tend to go though. The harbor is full of beautiful sail boats and many of the streets are without cars. Walking down these streets is timeless. Without a car, Rockport is the direction to go. Marblehead Neck needs to be explored and a car is needed.

Thanks for the advice; sounds like it might make sense to rent a car for the day. Would it be possible to hit both on a Sunday, spending a half-day in Marblehead%26#39;s historic downtown area and a half-day in Concord? We may only have one day for the day trip(s). The driving estimate from Google Maps shows a little over two hours to make the loop starting from Cambridge.

Hi Boulder:

Gettiing from Boston to Marblehead is nice and easy. The troubles start trying to get from Marblehead to other places, it is difficult. Go on The Marblehead Forum, there are a few posts which hit on what I mean.

If all you want to do is see Walden Pond in the late afternoon after visiting Marblehead it shouldn%26#39;t be too terribly difficult.

Both are very nice, picturesque towns, but I would also lean more toward Rockport. It sounds like it would have everything you%26#39;re looking for, wonderful views of the ocean, a wide range of restaurants and a lot of shops and art galleries that are unique and non-touristy.