During the Quadricentennial of Salem’s 400th Birthday I’m guessing the people may want to get out and explore the local scenery. Here is the story of Marblehead lighthouse that is only a few miles from Salem. I lived in Salem Massachusetts for 22 years and I loved being near the ocean and of course photographing the lighthouses that were near me (and a few that weren’t near but that is for another story).

In my last article (The Soul of Salem: A Quadricentennial Guide to the Five Guardians) I talked about the lighthouses on Baker’s Island, and Beverly’s Hospital Point. Today I’ll talk about Marblehead’s lighthouse. The Image below was taken from above Fort Beach (No. 2 in the list below) in February when the temperature was -9 degrees and the Seasmoke was wonderful.

Marblehead lighthouse in 1835, started as a 23 foot tall brick structure but by the late 1800s, it was in bad shape and since the area around Marblehead neck had grown with larger homes, the 23 ft tower was being over shadowed and ships captains could not see it. In 1895\96 the tower was replaced with a cast iron structure that was 105 feet tall. It was also cheaper to build and she still stands today 131 years later.

What is the “best” view of Marblehead Lighthouse

I’m not sure what the best view of Marblehead lighthouse might be? I’ve probably photographed it from at least 13 different vantage points along the harbors edge, as well as from out in Salem Sound looking back in at Marblehead and from above via my drone. Here is my list of different vantage points:

• Fort Sewall
• Fort Beach
• Old Burial Hill Cemetery
• Gas House Beach
• State Street Landing
• Crocker Park
• Hammond Park
• Seaside Cliffs (behind home plate)
• Riverhead Beach
• If you know somebody, the Corinthian Yacht Club$$$
• Chandler Hovey Park
• Ocean View if you have a boat or kayak
• Drone

So here is 12-13 different spots for you to try out. If you don’t own a boat, try taking the Salem Ferry to Boston and they usually go right by the lighthouse, (covers the Ocean view).

A few of the easiest views to find

I’m going to post three of the most popular (easiest to find) views of Marblehead lighthouse with basic directions. Parking is always the biggest headache when driving around Salem and Marblehead. I highly suggest learning to walk both towns because once you are parked you will not want to move your car. Each of the areas I’m going to suggest will have limited parking.

First: Fort Sewall

Fort Sewall dates back to the Revolutionary War and during the war of 1812 the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), was fighting two British Frigates in Salem Sound and was badly damaged and when the Captain found that one of his men was a “Marblehead sailor” who knew the waters. This Sailor helped guide the ship inside range of the guns at Fort Sewall and Fort Pickering, the Constitution anchored inside Marblehead harbor until her mast was replaced and by then the British ships grew tired of waiting for her to come out and went in search of other American targets.

Short of being in Chandler Hovey Park at the foot of Marblehead Lighthouse (harder to photograph) This is about as close as you can get and have your picture take in the maritime feel of the harbor. Today, pleasure boats out number the working lobster boats 50-1 (there is a lobster boat anchored in the background past the U.S. Coast Guard, 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB).

Parking Strategy

Do not try bringing an RV or trailers into Marblehead. As you get closer to Old Town and Fort Sewall, the roads become very narrow, historic colonial ways. They are best navigated with nothing larger than a full size truck and to be honest, smaller is even better. There are several routes into Fort Sewall but in reality you will find them all funneling you into a very small area. This map gives you some ideas On possible routes.

There is a single parking lot with space for 8 cars and there is maybe 8-10 more spots along Front Street which leads to Fort Sewall as well. During weekday mornings (Early) or sometimes on weekends you will find parking but if not, you will have to pull into the lot and turn back the way you came in because the road ends just past this parking lot.

On a nice day, (but a busy one) you might find parking on Washington St near Abbot Hall (*note, the painting of the Spirit of “76” is in there) And you can walk out to Fort Sewall. It’s a mile or so and you could also just stop at the “Landing” as well.

Second: “The Landing” or (Tuckers Wharf)

The Landing is both the spot to visit and the restaurant to grab a bite. Most GPS’s will bring you in on Washington St and as you climb the hill, Abbot Hall will be on the right. You follow the road down and to the left. Just as you pass the Old Town House, you will see State St on the right. Following this for a short distance, you will see parking dead ahead but as always, parking is limited. Follow the signage and you may find legal parking somewhere nearby… Or not.

If you are hungry, you can do a full meal at the landing on your left or over on the right is the Driftwood, As close to a Diner as you will find in Marblehead. This is one of those places that they tell you the locals eat at. Food is basic, but good and the onion rings are great. (So says Jeff)

I parked on sunny but cold February afternoon and set up my tripod to catch the Full moon rising behind Marblehead Lighthouse. If you click this link it should open a Google Map live view and you can see the space I’m referring to. In warm weather there are bunches of park benches to relax on. I used my Canon 50D on a Manfrotto tripod and my 70-200mm IS telephoto. Generally you will need 200mm on a crop sensor to not crop in in post processing.

Third: Crocker Park

If you are walking, head south on Front Street and you’ll find a paved path on the left climbing up into Crocker Park. The 2.8-acre green space provides a wonderful vantage point separating Front Street from Marblehead Harbor.

Generally if you arrive early in the morning you will have the place to yourself. If you remember back on Washington Street, you saw a muffin shop and you can grab one of their Blueberry muffins and a cup of coffee and enjoy the mornings light on the harbor like the morning you see below (But I forgot to stop for a muffin 😰).

You will also find Winslow II, which is a beloved, child-friendly bronze sculpture of a harbor seal resting on a rock, (kids are free to climb on it). If you noticed on the way up the path from Front St, on the right was a medieval-styled Herreshoff Castle (This is a BnB), along with park benches, Gazebo and a commanding view of the harbor. For the image above I used a 24-105mm L IS lens with a wider view to take in more of the harbor.

If you arrive in Salem for the 4th of July festivities, planning for doing the 4th here in Marblehead is a treat like no other. They do an Arts Festival which encompasses the entire town for most of a week. (In 2026 it is 1-5 July but clicking this link will give you the correct info no matter the year)

If this wets your appetite to do the 4th of July here in Marblehead, I will do an article for just that purpose in the next few weeks. It will include the spots from this article and new ones that are listed in the list above. I will also try to give you images from each of those places in the shooting list above.

I’ll be sharing a dedicated article covering the best vantage points and inside secrets for the festival in the coming weeks. To make sure you don’t miss it, sign up for my New England newsletter below!

The Third installment: Salem’s Lighthouses, Fort Pickering and Derby Wharf

Next week, I’ll talk about finding and enjoying the two closest lighthouses to downtown Salem. Fort Pickering Lighthouse on Salem’s Winter Island and Derby Wharf.

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