We Wandered Off-The-Beaten-Path And Discovered This Scenic Park In Massachusetts

Sometimes you don't have to travel far to discover a special place. Hidden gems are often as close as your own backyard, or in my case, the next town over. Last summer my family and I decided to spend the day in the nearby town of Marblehead. We took a low-tide hike to Crowninshield Island and dined on delicious brunch fare at the Driftwood Restaurant. In between stops we wandered off the beaten path and discovered scenic Chandler Hovey Park.

This beautiful 3.74-acre park is located on the tip of Marblehead Neck. It was named after local Chandler Hovey, who bought the property from the Coast Guard back in 1948. Hovey donated the park to the town and it now serves as a gorgeous recreation spot.

You may also hear it called Lighthouse Point.

The grassy park is set atop a rocky shore that juts out into the harbor, offering pretty views of nearby Manchester-By-The-Sea and Beverly.

The day we visited was a bit cloudy and overcast, but we still enjoyed viewing the scenery.

This is what the view looks like on a sunny day.

While the scenery was amazing, our favorite aspect of the park was the historic Marblehead Lighthouse. It was built in 1896 and is actually the second lighthouse to sit on this spot. The Marblehead Lighthouse is particularly special because it is a rare pyramidal-skeleton tower made from cast iron.

If you are a lover of lighthouses, I highly recommend checking it out!

After we strolled around the grounds, my husband and I relaxed for a while in these strategically placed swings while the kids ran around and played. We watched as locals cast fishing rods from the rocks and observed the boats and kayaks coming in and out of the harbor. We made plans to come back with a

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What gems are hiding in your hometown? To find out more about Chandler Hovey Park, please visit the Town of Marblehead website.  If you want to see even more Massachusetts lighthouses, I suggest taking this scenic road trip.