Some of New England's prized beaches are a short distance from Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Haverhill is one of a chain of old New England factory towns that grew up on the banks of the Merrimack River. Much of the city was built from money made in the leather tanning and shoe industries. An inland city with several ponds and lakes, Haverhill is also a short drive from the coast of northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Both areas are home to some of the most well known and popular beaches in New England.
Salisbury Beach
Located about 14 miles from Haverhill, Salisbury Beach stretches nearly four miles along the northernmost coast of Massachusetts. The southern end of Salisbury Beach is a state park equipped with a boat ramp, campground, showers and restrooms. The central part of Salisbury Beach runs parallel to the town's old seaside amusement park, popular during the 1950s and 1960s. The rides have been torn down, but there are still many food stands, arcades and shops. In addition to on-street parking, there are several private lots for beach goers, and rates are reasonable ($7 as of December 2010). The northern end of the beach is residential, and public parking and beach access are limited.
Plum Island
Roughly 20 miles from Haverhill, Plum Island is an 11-mile strip of sandy beach and salt marsh connected by bridge to the mainland. The northern end of the island is residential, but there are public parking lots with paths that lead to the beach. Swimming off the island's northern tip is dangerous because of the currents. The Parker River Wildlife Refuge, a 4,660-acre nature sanctuary, takes up the southern end of the island. Known as a hub for birdwatching, part of the refuge's sandy beach shuts down from April to August to protect the piping plover, a rare species of coastal bird, during its nesting season. Also, for several weeks each summer, greenhead flies flock to the island. Known for their vicious bite, greenheads drive away many visitors.
Hampton Beach
Hampton Beach, a precinct of the town of Hampton, New Hampshire, is a sprawling tourist destination about 18 miles from Haverhill. Shops, restaurants and amusements line a long, sandy beach open to the public. While this section of the coast offers a variety of attractions, Hampton Beach State Park, located on the southern end of the Hampton Beach shore, is better known for family-oriented recreation. In addition to a small campground, the park offers sites for fishing, facilities for large groups, a playground and several miles of sand and waves.
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