Ballardvale, MA Road Trips

Andover Center for History and Culture, 97 Main St, ☏ +1 978-475-2236. W-Sa 10AM-4PM. The hours listed are for the History Center, Library, and the Archives. The Center also hosts various programs and events throughout the year. Pay what you like. (updated Feb 2023) 1 Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, 153 Chickering Rd (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-689-9105. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Addison Gallery of American Art, 3 Chapel Ave, ☏ +1 978-749-4015, [email protected]. 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) 3 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 Mar 2025) 4 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.

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) 1 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 Mar 2025) 2 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) 3 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).

Ultimate Perk, 96 Main St, ☏ +1 978-470-1401, [email protected]. M-Sa 6AM-3PM, Su 6AM-2PM. Coffee shop, original location, free wifi. $3-15. (updated Mar 2026) Perfecto's Caffe, 79 N Main St, ☏ +1 978-749-7022. 6AM-2PM daily. Serves coffee, muffins, bagels, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. $3-16. (updated Mar 2026) 1 Perry's Plate, 89 Main St, ☏ +1 978-409-1814, [email protected]. 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. $5-15. (updated Apr 2026) Tripoli Bakery and Pizza, 542 Turnpike St (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-682-0003. Su-W 9AM-8PM; Th-Sa 9AM-9PM. Serves cheap slices of bar-style pizza, among other baked goods. $5-20. (updated Mar 2026) Harrison's Roastbeef, 80 Chickering Rd (North Andover), ☏ +1 978-687-9158. 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. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, closed Su.

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-F 2-10PM; Sa Su 1-10PM. 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 Apr 2026)

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. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Andover, 123 Old River Rd, ☏ +1 978-975-3600, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. $145. (updated Mar 2026) Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston / Andover, 4 Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 978-475-6000. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. $140. (updated Feb 2023) 1 La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boston-Andover, 131 River Rd, ☏ +1 978-685-6200. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $110-195. (updated Mar 2026) Residence Inn Boston Andover, 500 Minuteman Rd, ☏ +1 978-683-0382, toll-free: +1 866-449-7391. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $115-230. (updated Apr 2026) Sonesta ES Suites Andover Boston, 4 Tech Dr, ☏ +1 978-686-2000. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. $115-220. (updated Apr 2026) SpringHill Suites Boston Andover, 550 Minuteman Rd, ☏ +1 978-688-8200, toll-free: +1-866-449-7388. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $115. (updated Mar 2026) Courtyard Boston Andover, 10 Campanelli Dr, ☏ +1 978-794-0700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: -oon. $120. (updated Mar 2026) 2 Andover Inn, 4 Chapel Ave (downtown on the Phillips Andover Academy campus), ☏ +1 978-775-4900, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.

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. 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. 1 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) 2 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) 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)