Marblehead offers plenty

By SUE ELLEN WOODCOCK

Special to Essex County Newspapers

MARBLEHEAD _ This town bustles with activity during the fall. Whether it's shopping, dining or walking by the harbor, historic Marblehead maintains its charm.

For those interested in the insider's view of the 352-year-old town, the Walking Tours of Marblehead, sponsored by the Marblehead Historical Society and led by historian Bette Hunt, are the best bet.

Walks take place Sept. 15, 22 and 29 and cover several areas of town, including Front Street, Washington Street and Mr. Lee's Neighborhood. For reservations call (781) 631-1069. Tours are $10 for members of the Marblehead Historical Society and $15 for nonmembers.

Marblehead maintains its reputation as the yachting capital of America by hosting several sailing events in the fall. The International One Design World Championship comes to town Sept. 15 to 21 with sailors from around the world vying for top honors. The competition continues Sept. 21 to 29 with the Finn Gold Cup World Championship.

Best views of the competing sailboats are from Chandler Hovey Park on Marblehead Neck and from Fort Sewall at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor.

Those interested in a smaller sailing world spend weekends at Redd's Pond at the end of Pond Street sailing battery-operated model yachts, reminiscent of the model yacht days earlier in the century at Redd's Pond and Central Park in New York City.

If it's cultural events visitors seek, they don't have to look far for music, theater and coffeehouse-style fun. Symphony by the Sea kicks off its season Oct. 13 with concerts in Abbot Hall on Nov. 10. For more information call (978) 745-4955.

Marblehead Little Theatre will perform "The Sound of Music" the first two weekends in November at the Nelson Aldrich Performing Arts Center at Marblehead High School. Check out the Web site at www.m-l-t.org for more information.

If it's art you seek then you've found to right town. Marblehead offers many art galleries and exhibits. The art center of town is the Marblehead Arts Association located in the King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St. For information on exhibits and other offerings call (781) 631-2608.

The history center of the town is the Marblehead Historical Society, 10 Washington St. (781) 631-1768. It is open until Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m.

When it's time for lunch or dinner the choices are numerous, from pizza parlors to seafood and gourmet restaurants. All together there are more than 20 restaurants in town and one to fit just about everyone's budget.

For those who like to do their own cooking a visit to the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings at the middle school on Village Street is the best bet. The market is open until mid-October.

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