Methuen, Massachusetts, is a city of approximately 53,000 residents in Essex County — one of the most culturally layered and most geographically varied cities in the Merrimack Valley, a place whose combination of a genuine world-class musical landmark, dramatic landscape of castle ruins and riverside parks, and a dining scene that spans Lebanese, Brazilian fusion, and celebrated BBQ give it far more depth and surprise than its position along Interstate 93 might suggest. Incorporated in 1725, Methuen developed through the 18th and 19th centuries as a mill and agricultural community along the Spicket and Merrimack rivers, and the city’s most extraordinary legacy from that era of wealth and philanthropy is the Methuen Memorial Music Hall at 192 Broadway — one of the most acoustically celebrated and most historically significant concert halls in North America, home to one of the most famous pipe organs in the world originally built for the Boston Music Hall in 1863 by E.F. Walcker & Company of Germany and transported to Methuen in 1909 through the patronage of textile magnate Edward Searles — open for concerts in their summer series and special events with wood carvings described as incredible and a ceiling described as beautiful, the organ described as impressive to see but even more impressive to hear — described as elegant and charming with magnificent history where you will not regret attending a live performance, as a stunning place to listen to artists that is well worth the trip, and as an amazing experience that everyone can enjoy. Greycourt State Park at 37 Pleasant St is Methuen’s most dramatically atmospheric and most historically evocative outdoor cultural destination — open from 5 AM with paved trails leading to hilltop remains of the long-gone Searles Estate featuring castle ruins and stone walls that give it a cool historic feel, beautiful views of Methuen and the Merrimack Valley from the summit described as perfect for photos, a quiet walk, and time to unwind — described as a diamond in the rough and an absolutely beautifully peaceful state park with its own castle where the history can be felt in its stones, as a truly hidden gem not too crowded and ideal if you just want to clear your head or enjoy nature, and as a cool park whose castle ruins are worth checking out if you are in the area. Tenney Castle at 1 Park Street rounds out Methuen’s historical picture as the city’s most visually striking and most photographically beloved landmark — open from 5 AM with enormous grassy landscape perfect for small children to run and play, gorgeous castle ruins ideal for family photos, sweet sixteens, weddings, and all manner of special occasion photography, and a neighboring city hall parking lot accessible when the main lot is full — described as absolutely beautiful and a local photographer’s favorite spot for pictures, as a place visited for family pictures many times, and as a beautiful and peaceful well-loved historical place where friendly locals make the experience even more pleasant.
Methuen’s outdoor landscape is shaped by the Merrimack River along its southern border and a network of parks and conservation areas that give this city a remarkably varied set of recreational options — from paved riverside paths to woodland trails to the Spicket River corridor threading through the city’s historic center. Raymond J. Martin Riverside Park at 971 Riverside Drive is Methuen’s most scenically rewarding and most peacefully varied waterfront park — open from 6 AM with a 1.3-mile walking loop that is mostly paved and turns natural in the woods, scenic views of the Merrimack River flowing gently, a fishing deck and a gazebo, a designated bike locking area, a pet waste station making it dog friendly, and a trail described as small but well maintained with a dozen or more other walkers on the paved section along the river at any given time — described as a quaint little park where you can walk or ride your bike, sit on a rock or bench people watching and admiring the beautiful views, as peaceful and relaxing, and as a place where the scenery and the sound of the river make every visit worthwhile. Den Rock Park on Winthrop Avenue straddling the Methuen and Lawrence border is the region’s most rewarding and most naturally dramatic woodland trail system — accessible 24 hours with a well-marked trail that meanders through the woods and along the Shawsheen River, giant boulders along the route, lots of side trails to take including a perimeter trail of about 2 miles, a bird sanctuary with a bench right next to the river, elevation changes described as a great workout, beaver dams visible in the area — described as a really cool place to walk with lots of different trail options whether you prefer something more challenging or more family friendly, as a lovely place with different trails that are very well marked, clean, and easy to follow where all you can hear are the birds, and as a free and great outdoorsy thing to do even during the brutal winter with nice views and a big rock at the top called Den Rock worth climbing for the views. Spicket Falls River Walk Park at 51 Osgood Street rounds out Methuen’s outdoor picture as the city’s most conveniently accessible and most charmingly intimate river destination — open from 7 AM with a boardwalk over the falls described as almost completely hidden from any street view, a bridge directly over the falls to view and enjoy, a small picnic area where the river wraps around — described as a nice park worth getting out on the boardwalk for a view of the falls if you are in the area.
Methuen’s dining scene is one of the most diverse and most satisfying in the Merrimack Valley — a city whose large Lebanese community, long tradition of family restaurants, and newer generation of independent kitchens have produced a range of options that span extraordinary Lebanese grilling, celebrated BBQ, and lively farmhouse breakfast without any of those traditions feeling anything less than fully realized. Yalla Grill at 169 Merrimack Street is Methuen’s most celebrated and most passionately reviewed restaurant — open Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 11 AM, Saturday from 11 AM, and Sunday from noon, with chicken shawarma described as having awesome flavor and spice, tabbouleh described as the best in the area, hummus with shawarma chicken described as divine, food described as outstanding, fresh, flavorful, and made with incredible quality, a newly built bar area, and staff member Eli described as hands down one of the best with service that is exceptional, attentive, and genuinely welcoming — described as an absolute classic from the moment you walk in where you’re welcomed with warmth and top-tier service, as a place offering a healthy and freshly prepared meal that doesn’t taste mass produced, and as a restaurant where outstanding authentic food leaves you never hungry or disappointed and keeps you coming back. Ellie’s Farmhouse at 436 Broadway is Methuen’s most warmly beloved and most consistently packed breakfast and brunch destination — open Monday through Friday from 8 AM, Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM, with delicious crispy cinnamon apple slices brought to the table while waiting to place your order, chicken and waffles described as a combo done right, farmhouse platters described as hearty, donut holes offered with powdered sugar to roll in, Turkey club made with real thick-sliced turkey described as great, baked beans with barbecue described as something to try, and staff described as friendly and attentive — described as an absolute gem where the warm farmhouse décor makes you feel right at home the moment you step inside, as loved by locals evidenced by it being packed solid on every visit, and as a place where a 90-year-old guest was treated like a queen with so much love and care by server Sierra that she didn’t want to leave. The Smoke Shop BBQ at 151 Pelham Street rounds out Methuen’s dining picture as the city’s most flavorful and most enthusiastically praised barbecue destination — open Wednesday from 4 PM and Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 AM with buffalo ribs described as delicious, burnt ends described as melting in your mouth, chicken wings described as phenomenal with that yummy smokey flavor, pulled pork described as juicy and impossible to stop eating, brussel sprouts described as loved, a 3-meat combo perfect for sampling everything, and three sauce flavors including a spicy one highly recommended — described as absolutely amazing BBQ and as a place where the flavor on everything was great and seasoned to liking, where Victor went above and beyond to explain the menu making it easy to order, and where a whiskey flight and a full pulled pork plate with cornbread and pickles made for a very nice time at the bar.
