Andover (Massachusetts)

Andover is a town in Massachusetts with a population of 37,000 (2020). It is situated at the crossroads of I-495 and I-93 in the heart of the Merrimack Valley.

North Andover is a small town on the banks of the Merrimack River. It has a population of about 31,000 (2020) and is 25 miles north of Boston.

Get in

By car

Two interstates, I-93 and I-495 intersect in Andover.

The Town of North Andover is easily accessed by Rt. 93, Rt. 495, Rt. 133, Rt. 114, and Rt. 125.

By train

Andover has two stops along the MBTA Haverhill Line. Andover station is near main street, academy, and many shops and restaurants. Ballardvale, on the other hand, is primarily a commuter stop with little of interest for visitors.

  • 🌍 Ballardvale, 195 Andover St (46 min to North Station). Accessible boarding for certain train cars. 120 parking spaces, 2 accessible. Bike racks. MBTA zone 4. $8.75 to Boston; parking M-F $4, Sa-Su $2. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Andover, 17 Railroad St (51 min to North Station). Accessible boarding for certain train cars. 149 parking spaces, 4 accessible. Covered bike racks. MBTA zone 5. $9.75 to Boston; parking M-F $4, Sa-Su $2. (updated Feb 2023)

By bus
  • MVRTA (Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority), ☏ +1 978-469-6878. Every 30 min, M-Sa 6AM-7PM. Runs several bus routes daily connecting with Lawrence. Service from Phillips Academy and hotel area by the highway. Free. (updated Feb 2023)

See

Phillips Academy
  • 🌍 Addison Gallery of American Art, 3 Chapel Ave, ☏ +1 978-749-4015, . Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Established 1931 with a focus on American art. Don't let the price of admission fool you, this gallery boasts a strong collection of works from a range of periods and styles, although there are generally more modern pieces. Among the more popular names are: John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Frank Stella. If you've ever taken an art history class, you're likely to recognize something hanging on the walls during your visit. Free. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Chapel Cemetery, 98 Chapel Ave. 24 hours daily. A small cemetery established around 1810. Famous for being the final resting place of Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Many come to pay their respects at her headstone. Free. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, 175 Main Street, ☏ +1 978-749-4490. By special appointment. Repository of Native American archaeology founded in 1901. Not a museum in the sense where things are laying around in glass cases. Contact the head of research and let them know what your interests are, and they can guide you to the artifacts you may find interesting. (updated Feb 2023)

Do

Andover features many walking trails, spanning approximately 1,100 acres of reservation land maintained by AVIS, one of the oldest conservation societies in the United States. Additionally, the Andover Bird Sanctuary, officially titled the Moncrieff Cochran Sanctuary, features pathways lined with several rhododendron species, mountain laurel, white pines, hemlocks, larch, oaks, and hickories.

  • Andover Skatepark, 80 Shawsheen Road (On the lot of West Middle School and Andover High School). A town run facility that is run by the Andover Youth Services. $8 per skater. (updated Jun 2017)
  • J. Everett Collins Center For the Performing Arts, 100 Shawsheen Rd (Attached to Andover High School), ☏ +1 978-247-5562. An auditorium where groups of all ages sing, dance, act, and more. Local schools hold plays and performances here, as well as anyone willing to rent the space out for personal use. Past performers include Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls, and Sesame Street Live. (updated Dec 2021)
  • 🌍 Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-837-5000. a liberal arts college with many athletic events (including a widely recognized D1 hockey team) and arts performances in its Rogers Center for the Arts. (updated Jan 2023)

Parks
  • 🌍 Harold Parker State Forest (Lorraine Park), 133 Jenkins Road. Late May - Early September. A campground containing 89 campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and grill. No electric or water hookups are available, however the public bathrooms have hot water showers. 
  • Penguin Park, Burnham Road (East of 133 and Rt. 28 Junction). Family walking through fields to the Shawsheen River. Trail follows the shore of the river to the woods. Picnicking and a toddlers' playground is also located here. 
  • Pomps Pond, 147 Abbot Street (Part of the Recreation Park Complex), ☏ +1 978 749-9423. The pond area contains a sunbathing area, recreational swimming, shaded picnic grounds, children's playground area, a volleyball net, boat rentals, bathrooms, showers, and a concession stand. Red Cross certified swim lessons. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Ward Reservation, Prospect Road. 8am - dusk, year round. The Solstice Stones are on top of Holt Hill, the highest spot in Essex County. There are 10 miles of trails, including a boardwalk that leads to Pine Hole Pond and a quaking bog. Parking is $5 for non-members.. 
  • 🌍 Weir Hill (Trustees of Reservations in Massachusetts), 65 Stevens St (North Andover). Sunrise-sunset daily. If you like to hike Weir Hill is a great place to get out and explore. It overlooks Lake Cochichewick and is pronounced "wire hill" by locals. It includes: four miles of trails for moderate hiking. Printed trail maps are distributed free from the bulletin board in the parking area. Takes about an hour to investigate. Free. (updated Jan 2023)

Events
  • Andovers' Farmers Market, 97 Main Street. Late June to October, Saturdays 10AM–2PM. An outdoor market, where you can purchase vegetables, baked goods, and other crafted items on a weekly basis (updated Jun 2017)

Buy
  • Andover Bookstore, 74 Main St, ☏ +1 978-475-0143. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Established in 1809, this three-level cozy independent bookstore covers many genres of work. Sit on the couch by the fire in winter to warm yourself over your reading selection. Hosts various events throughout the year. Also sells on consignment and offers t-shirts and other merch. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Eaglewood Shops, 175 Turnpike St (North Andover). Stores like Pier 1 Imports, J Jill, a sporting goods store, Yankee Candle, and so on. (updated Jan 2023)
  • North Andover Mall, 350 Winthrop Ave (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-851-0200. 7AM-9PM daily. TJMaxx, Kohls, Fashion Bug and Payless Shoe Store. (updated Jan 2023)
  • Royal Jewelers, 58 Main St, ☏ +1 978-475-3330. 10AM-5PM, closed Su. An independent retail jewelry store offering designer jewelry and Swiss timepieces. (updated Feb 2023)

Eat

Budget
  • Ultimate Perk, 96 Main St, ☏ +1 978-470-1401. M-Sa 6AM-3PM, Su 6AM-2PM. Coffee shop, original location, free wifi. $3-15. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Perfecto's Caffe, 79 N Main St, ☏ +1 978-749-7022. 6AM-2PM daily. Serves coffee, muffins, bagels, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. $3-15. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Perry's Plate, 89 Main St, ☏ +1 978-409-1814. M 6-11AM, Tu-Sa 6AM-2PM, Su 7AM-2PM; fish fry Friday 5-7:30PM. Serves breakfast all-day and lunch starting at 11AM. Opened in January 2017, taking over from the venerable Lantern Brunch. Park in the metered lot. $10-15. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Tripoli Bakery and Pizza, 542 Turnpike St (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-682-0003. 9AM-9:30PM daily. Serves cheap slices of bar-style pizza, among other baked goods. $5-20. (updated Jan 2023)
  • Harrison's Roastbeef, 80 Chickering Rd (North Andover), ☏ +19786879158. Tu-Su 11AM-7PM. This long time local favorite opened in 1984. Ask any local where you'll find the best roast beef sandwich and without a doubt they will say Harrisons. Don't let the long lines at lunch turn you away, the line moves fast and is well worth the wait. $10-15. (updated Jan 2023)
  • Shawsheen Luncheonette, 3 Lowell St, ☏ +1 978-475-9750. W-Su 6AM-1PM. Employs countless high school students and serves classic diner style breakfasts and lunches. $10-20. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Spinners Pizza Parlor, 195 Andover St (Ballardvale), ☏ +1 978-474-4400. 11AM-9PM, closed Su. A family-friendly restaurant offering the best in homemade, mouthwatering pizza and sub sandwiches. Adjacent to the train station. $10-20. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Niki's Famous Roast Beef (Niki's), 208 Sutton St, North Andover, ☏ +1 978 258-1355, . M-Sa:10:30am-9:00pm, Su:11am-8pm. Pizza, Subs, Roast Beef. (updated Jan 2024)

Mid-range
  • Thai Sweet Basil, 209 N Main St, ☏ +1 978-470-8098. Noon-9PM, closed Tu. Andover's oldest Thai restaurant. $15-25. (updated Feb 2023)
  • China Blossom (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-682-2242. Noon-9PM daily. One of the Merrimack Valleys oldest Chinese restaurants. It offers a daily buffet for lunch and dinner or you can order from the menu. Featuring a full bar and comedy and karaoke on the weekends. $15-30. (updated Jan 2023)
  • Casa Blanca, 10 Main St, ☏ +1 978-289-4165. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. An authentic small chain Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Andover. Upstairs location allows customers to view Main Street from their table. $15-30. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Andover Town Market, 429 S Main St, ☏ +1 978-409-2328. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-7PM, Su 8AM-6PM. Offers fresh sandwiches, salads, ice cream and desserts plus prepared food to take home for dinner. It also has a market for fine foods, local items, and a selection of wines, beers, and ciders. $15-30. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Casa Blanca, 1070 Osgood St (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-683-1177. 11AM-11PM daily. Mexican food joint that serves generous portions of burritos, tacos, nachos and other staples. Small chain. $20-35. (updated Jan 2023)

Drink
  • Palmers Restaurant & Tavern, 18 Elm St. Tu-Th 4-11PM, F Sa 4PM-midnight. Make reservations for dinner, otherwise just show up and see who's playing in the tavern downstairs. Dinner $20-40. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Rolf's Pub, 39 Main St (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-687-9712. W-Su 2-10PM. A local favorite that's open until wee hours of the morning with lunch menu offered on the weekends. Keno, darts, pool; the classic dive bar experience. (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

Andover's hotels are clustered immediately off I-93, just south of the Merrimack River. They've all got identical pricing and amenities, so there's no need to be choosy. They're also largely inconvenient to exploring Andover. Main Street is a few miles away, so you'll need a car to see much of anything. The Andover Inn is the exception; built on campus, it's a 15 minute walk to the downtown area.

Mid-range

Splurge
  • 🌍 Andover Inn, 4 Chapel Ave, ☏ +1 978-775-4900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Located downtown on the Phillips Andover Academy campus. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in Samuel's restaurant onsite. $240. (updated Feb 2023)

Connect
  • Memorial Hall Library, 2 North Main St, ☏ +1 978-623-8400. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Lots of activities for children, books, and free internet access. Free. (updated Feb 2023)

Go next
Routes through Andover
Manchester ← Methuen ←  N  S  → Wilmington → Boston
Lawrence ← North Andover ←  N  S  → Tewksbury → Lowell
Manchester ← Lawrence ←  N  S  → North Reading → Boston
Haverhill ← North Andover ←  N  S  → Wilmington → END
Lowell ← Tewksbury ←  W  E  → North Andover → Georgetown
Haverhill ← Lawrence ←  N  S  → Wilmington → Boston


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