The North Shore of Massachusetts is beautiful and historic — with charming coastal towns, sandy beaches, whale watching cruises and lots more to see and do.

Spend an afternoon puttering around the many cute shops and restaurants of Ipswich, Rockport, Gloucester and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Take in the scenery and coastlines of Cape Ann from a 65-foot schooner. Or go for a sunset stroll along Singing, Crane or Good Harbor Beach.

Our favorites include ...

• Exploring Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich — a 2,100-acre seaside estate, with exquisitely landscaped grounds and gardens.

• Picnicking on the Ocean Lawn at Coolidge Reservation in Manchester-by-the-Sea — a spectacular seaside lawn with gorgeous views of Massachusetts Bay.

• Grabbing some grub at the Clam Box in Ipswich — a local favorite for fried clams, lobstah rolls and other seafood.

• Satisfying your sweet tooth at Holy Cow Ice Cream Café in both Peabody and Gloucester — an award-winning spot for decadent ice cream flavors.

Late September is a great time to visit Salem, Massachusetts. The city is buzzing with energy — but it's not too crowded before the Halloween rush.

Founded in 1626, this port city is most famous for its Witch Trials in 1692 and for renowned author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. But Salem is also known for its colonial architecture, world-class museums, art, shopping, history and more.

Our favorites include ...

• Touring The House of the Seven Gables — a historic home built on Salem Harbor in 1668 that served as the setting for Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous 1851 novel.

• Strolling the Salem Maritime National Historic Site — America's first National Historic Site and park dedicated to 600 years of New England's maritime history and global connections.

• Visiting the Peabody Essex Museum — one of the oldest continuously-running museums in the country, boasting unique art and culture from around the world.

• Dining at Opus — a hip haunt in downtown Salem, complete with great cocktails, small plates, sushi and whimsical decor.

Together, we have a combined 20 years of experience living in and around Boston — and we couldn't love it more. We believe Boston is the perfect marriage of small city charm and big city bustle, with its easy-to-walk neighborhoods and endless offerings of wicked awesome things to see, eat and do.

Here in "The Hub," you'll enjoy incredible restaurants, beautiful outdoor spaces, immersive history, legendary sports teams, kickass live music, vibrant art & culture — and, in case you're an iced coffee lover, a Dunkin' on every corner.

Our favorites include ...

• Walking The Freedom Trail — a 2.5-mile-long path that takes you through 16 of Boston's most iconic historic landmarks, including the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church and the U.S.S. Constitution.

• Swinging by Fenway Park — the oldest active ballpark in major league baseball (built in 1912) and home to the Boston Red Sox.

• Wandering the Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common — America's first public parks, located next to one another downtown.

• Getting an authentic Italian meal in the North End — an entire neighborhood overflowing with restaurants, cafés and bakeries (be sure to grab a cannoli at Modern Pastry if you're #TeamMandy or at Mike's Pastry if you're #TeamPaul).

• Checking out the Charles River Esplanade — a long stretch of waterfront park where you can rent a boat/kayak, go for a lovely bike ride or simply soak in the view.

• Shopping at Faneuil Hall Marketplace — a downtown shopping center with many stores and restaurants comprising 3 historic market buildings and a promenade.

• Crossing the Charles River into Cambridge — where you can find Harvard University and some of the best restaurants and bars in the Greater Boston area.

• Embarking on a brewery tour of the Boston area — we're big fans of Aeronaut in Somerville, Lamplighter in Cambridge, Nightshift in Everett and Trillium in Boston!