Earlier this week I took the train out to Beverly, Massachusetts. It’s just a 40 minute ride from Boston. I’ve only ever seen Beverly from the train and it looked pretty industrial and not particularly inviting. But when the opportunity arose to view a show at the Montserrat College of Art, I thought it might be a good time to scope out the real story. Turns out, it was a divine getaway from bustling Boston.
I started my day at the Montserrat College of Art, a nice little campus just a ten minute walk from the train station. The main building is right next to the Beverly Common which was being actively used by community members the whole day. There were walks and picnics and friends meeting up, it was wonderful to see a community space utilized so fully.
The Montserrat College of Art has three galleries that are open to the public, two of which are straight through the doors pictured above. University galleries are often hidden gems and it’s always worth a look to see what they’re showing. I came for “Mike Hinson: Welcome to the Future, I Hate It Here,” which was a fantastic show by a NYC based illustrator.
Stay tuned for a full review!
After the gallery I took a stroll down to Dane Street Beach, just three blocks from the Beverly Common. It’s a beautiful little beach and park. I was there around noon on a Monday and there were a few families but it was mostly quiet. If you walk through the park there’s a shady inlet where you can set looking out at the water away from the groups and out of the sun. I took a few minutes to just sit in the sand, watch the water, and unplug. It was glorious.
I stopped to grab lunch at Tartine, Beverly’s answer to Tatte featuring tartines, salads, and a wine bar. The salad I ordered was $18 which seemed a bit steep given the lack of culinary depth involved. But I have read that the extra cost comes from a built in gratuity which is definitely fair, especially for cafe workers in the current climate.
I may have caught them on a bad day because I waited 30 minutes for my takeout salad, missing my train as a result, only to be given a bag that had been sitting on the counter for 20 minutes. I think if you can snag a table on the patio and split some wine with a friend it would be a good lunch spot, but maybe forgo the takeout.
There were a few shops downtown that I would’ve liked to check out, vintage stores and boutiques, but the timing just didn’t allow for it. Many were also closed Monday so that’s something to keep in mind when planning your trip.
All in all Beverly was a fantastic day trip from Boston. A little art, a little beach, a classic old New England downtown. And a Little Free Library right on the main drag! I’ll definitely be back.