Merrimac MA Area Info

The quiet community of Merrimac gets its name from the Native American tribe that originally settled the region. This “swift water place,” as it translates to, gave rise to the 19^th-century industrial and farming town with its classic New England center. Merrimac’s 6000-plus residents relish this atmosphere. The rural, small-town feel is especially noticeable during annual events like summer’s Old Home Days and December’s Santa Parade.

 

Boaters love the town for its setting on the Merrimack River, which leads to ocean access between Newburyport and Salisbury. Small boats can be launched at Lake Attitash, shared by Merrimac and Amesbury. While summer means boating, fishing, water-skiing and swimming (Merrimac maintains a sandy town beach within Indian Head Park) on the lake, winter – when it’s cold enough – brings ice-skating fun. Hikers and dog-walkers enjoy woodsy strolls at Cobbler’s Brook, the McLaren Trail and the Town Forest provide.

 

Like neighboring Amesbury, Merrimac developed around the manufacture of horse carriages in the 19^th century. For a few decades after its incorporation in 1876, the village grew and prospered around its success in this crucial transportation industry of the time.

 

The Merrimac of the 21^st century is a quiet, scenic residential town with great access to interstates 495 and 95. A good number of small, family-run farm stands still operate, providing fresh produce as well as country charm. The town confines include the riverside section known as Merrimacport, which began as a fishing village.

 

Merrimac is located in the Merrimack River Valley approximately 35 miles north of Boston, and just a 15-minute drive from the Atlantic Ocean. Haverhill borders it to the west, the Merrimack River and West Newbury are to the south, Amesbury is to the East, and New Hampshire sits just to the north.