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Peabody is a city of about 55,000 people in Essex County on Massachusetts' North Shore, just west of Salem and about 15 miles north of Boston. Originally part of Salem and later known as South Danvers, it was renamed in 1868 for its most famous son, the philanthropist George Peabody, who was born here and became one of the great benefactors of the 19th century.
For generations Peabody was the Leather City, with dozens of tanneries along the North River employing immigrants from Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Turkey and beyond. That heritage lives on at the George Peabody House Museum and its leatherworkers exhibits, and in the Peabody International Festival held each fall in Peabody Square. The Peabody Institute Library, founded with George Peabody's gift, still anchors the city's cultural life.
Today visitors come for Brooksby Farm, a city-owned farm with apple picking and historic houses, the Independence Greenway rail trail, and shopping at the Northshore Mall. Salem's museums and waterfront, Marblehead and the beaches of Lynn and Revere are all within a short drive.
The restored birthplace of philanthropist George Peabody, now a city museum telling his remarkable life story, with exhibits on the city's leather industry and the immigrant tannery workers who built Peabody. Admission is free. Check its limited opening days before visiting.
The city's main library, founded in 1852 with a gift from George Peabody, in a handsome historic building that also displays memorabilia linked to Peabody, including a portrait of Queen Victoria she gave him. It remains a busy community hub. Ask staff about the historic collection.
A city-owned working farm with pick-your-own apples and berries in season, a farm stand selling cider donuts, pies and fresh produce, and walking trails through fields and woods. The historic Felton houses on the property are among the oldest in the area. Fall weekends are very busy, so go early.
A paved rail trail across Peabody, following old railroad beds past wetlands, ponds and woods and linking neighborhoods, parks and the Northshore Mall area. It is flat and ideal for walking, running and cycling. Pick it up near Peabody Square or at one of the several marked trailheads.
The traditional downtown of Peabody, with a Civil War monument, historic brick buildings, local restaurants and the city hall nearby along Main Street. It is the setting for the Peabody International Festival. Stroll the square and the side streets, then walk to the George Peabody House.
A large street festival held each fall in Peabody Square celebrating the city's many immigrant communities, with food from dozens of cultures, live music, dancing, crafts and children's activities. It draws big crowds. Come hungry and bring cash, as many food stands are run by local community groups.
One of the largest shopping malls on the North Shore, with department stores, national retailers, restaurants and seasonal events at the junction of Routes 128 and 114. It is useful on rainy days. Combine it with a ride on the nearby Independence Greenway or dinner on Route 1.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Fletcher, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
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Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
