If you have ever visited the state of Massachusetts, chances are you have never heard of or visited the small town of Andover. Located only 24 miles north from Boston, this town is a favorite of many, particularly for its beauty and rich history.
Settled in 1642, with a current population of about 36,000 residents, Andover is full of history, is a safe place to live with great public and private schools, and today offers a great stop for tourist traveling through the area.
Park your vehicle on Main Street and begin your walk a few blocks direction south. There you will find many small shops. You can visit the post office located inside the town hall building to get a feeling of the Andover’s history. As you continue your walk, you can stop by for coffee at a local shop, the public library or at the Andover Center for History and Culture.
As you walk a couple of blocks south from town, you will arrive at Phillips Academy. Founded in 1778, P.A. is one of the oldest incorporated secondary schools in the United States. It has educated a long list of notable alumni through its history, including American presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, foreign heads of state, numerous members of Congress, five Nobel laureates and six Medal of Honor recipients. Phillips Academy is referred by many contemporary sources as the most elite boarding school in America.
Your first stop should be the Addison Gallery of American Art. There you can delight yourself with the works of many acclaimed artist. You can enjoy a beautiful walk around the academy, visit the Chapel, and take some fantastic photos.
As you return to town, you can observe the architecture of the homes and buildings and plan for a lunch stop for lunch at any of the many good restaurants in town. Your walk will give you a clear sense of why many people love Andover and many have decided to settle there.
The first and perhaps most important reason why many love Andover is due to its safety and such a great place to raise a family. Other reasons are the great public and private schools in the area, the beauty of the town itself, a choice of outdoor activities, such as hiking trails, winter sports, close by sea locations where you can enjoy the freshest seafood and much more.
If you are planning to visit the northeast of the United States, plan a stop with your family at Andover. We are sure you will leave with an experience you will not regret.
