Andover (Massachusetts)

Andover is a town in Massachusetts with a population of 37,000 (2020). It is situated at the crossroads of I-495 and I-93 in the heart of the Merrimack Valley.

North Andover is a small town on the banks of the Merrimack River. It has a population of about 31,000 (2020) and is 25 miles north of Boston.

By car
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.

By train
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.



Do
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.



Sleep
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.