Table Of Content
In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at some of the most popular Essex, MA attractions and some things that are a little more under the radar. A glittering coastal view few travelers are lucky enough to see. Enjoy a scenic river excursion that captures the essence of New England.
ADDISON CHOATE
Since the mid-1600’s Essex craftsmen have churned out over 4,000 ships. You can learn more about the history and craft of shipbuilding at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. For example, the Manchester-Essex Woods is a 3,400 acre preserve that is the perfect birding habitat.
PARKING:
Please arrive 30 minutes before your departure time and check in at the Essex Station Ticket Window. Advance purchase is strongly suggested; walk up ticket purchase availability is not guaranteed. Tickets are non-refundable but can be exchanged for another date/time if done so 48 hours prior to your scheduled excursion.
About the Essex River Queen Boats
An Insider's Guide to Ipswich and Essex - Northshore Magazine
An Insider's Guide to Ipswich and Essex.
Posted: Fri, 13 Aug 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Catering options range from the traditional New England Clambake to the Beach Barbeque. Plus, there’s a bar & restroom onboard Our private charters are perfect for company outings, birthday parties, wedding events, reunions, clubs and organizations, or entertaining clients. Our public cruises explore the salt marsh and navigates within a protected bay; we do not operate on the open ocean.
Essex, Massachusetts is one of the four communities that comprise Cape Ann, along with Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Easily accessible, we're only a forty-five minute drive north of Boston, MA and Portsmouth, NH, and under an hour and half drive from Worcester, MA, Cape Cod and Providence, RI. The Trustees of Reservations also offers guided kayak trips to the Crane Wildlife Refuge and Choate Island from late June through October. Parking is the biggest hurdle for non-resident paddlers wishing to access the Essex River.
Essex, MA is known as America’s Antique Capital and for good reason. There is such a great variety of antique shops winding through the coastal village. Interested in surfing but not sure it’s something you can learn on your own? Cape Ann SUP has you covered with both group and private lessons. The pricing is very reasonable and it’s really a great way to spend a day on the water here on Cape Ann.
Because of this, we are not responsible for any water damage to personal belongings. Our narrated cruises are scenic, relaxing, and educational. Join us for a cruise along the Essex River as we glide past islands, historic mansions, wildlife, and stunning scenery. Many paddlers also set a course for Choate Island (also known as Hog Island), part of the Crane Wildlife Refuge and managed by the Trustees of Reservations. The Refuge includes seven islands (Choate, Long, Dean, Dilly, Pine, Patterson, and Round) in the Essex River estuary.
Choate Island was the location for the film, The Crucible. You can wander the island, walk along the 5 miles of trails and view the old Crane burial site on the property. One of our favorite things about Essex and the Greater Cape Ann area is the concentration of talented makers and artists that call this beautiful coastal region home. It will only take an hour or two but you will leave with a wealth of interesting information. Speaking of palates, Great Marsh also churns out some tasty pub grub. The menu includes a nice variety of items that are the perfect for lining the stomach in preparation for a hearty session.
ADULT TICKETS:
That being said, it's not uncommon for children to get off the boat having loved their time out on the water! The only external movement the boat will receive is passing boat wakes from other boaters. There are very few natural waves or swells in this area because of Crane Beach acting as a great barrier for our beautiful estuary. In some instances however, due to passing boat wakes, a very small amount of water may trickle down the deck of the boat. Your Captain or crew may suggest that all passengers lift any of their belongings off of the floor, but is not something that will disturb your experience. All this being said, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature and other local boaters, so anything is possible.
Outdoorsmen will find themselves right at home, as you meander out into parts of the estuary you may be seeing during your event with us. We celebrated my parents 50th anniversary with 3 generations of family and it was absolutely perfect. The food was amazing, the boat terrific, the staff super friendly and knowledgeable — I would do it again in a heartbeat. They timed our trip so that low tide would create a sandbar in the middle of the broad, wide Essex River as it moved toward the greater water. They set up our tables,chairs, volleyball nets, etc. and we had a ball while awaiting our delicious food. Discover the beauty and heritage of Essex, Massachusetts and the Great Marsh, as we cruise the pristine sheltered waters of the Essex River.
Essex County Greenbelt Explores Local Sea Level Rise in New Video - Northshore Magazine
Essex County Greenbelt Explores Local Sea Level Rise in New Video.
Posted: Tue, 28 Jul 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
So just down the road in Ipswich there is a wolf sanctuary called Wolf Hollow. It is a non-profit sanctuary and educational facility dedicated to the protection of the North American Gray Wolf. A visit to the Old Burying Ground in Essex is a step back in time. The cemetery dates back to 1680, when Essex was known as Chebacco Parish.
However, we are Mother Nature’s guests cruising in coastal waters where the temperature may be lower than on land, so dress accordingly. If you forget something or would like to bring home a souvenir we have most anything you might want in our gift shop including hats, sweatshirts, knick knacks, snacks and gift certificates. Tickets for our public cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable inside of our 24-hour cancellation window.
You will find a great variety of water birds such as the Wood Duck, Mallard, Great Egret, Blue Heron, Virginia Rail, Double-crested Cormorant and others. A more recent addition to the Essex dining scene is the Great Marsh Brewery. A 15,000 Square Foot brewery/restaurant/tap room located right on the main drag in town. Great Marsh offers weary travelers a wide variety of sweet hop nectar to choose from.
The area is best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers who are in good shape. If you like to fish, be sure to bring a rod, as striped bass—including some large ones—enter the river in June. Stripers can be taken on natural bait, trolled swimbaits, soft-plastic baits, and flies fished along the marsh banks, creek mouths, and channel edges.
The best times for paddling this area are typically late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October). Also be aware that the more exposed stretches of Essex Bay offer a lot of fetch, so monitor the wind and weather forecast before heading out. And naturally, it’s always wise to paddle with a partner and bring safety gear such as a personal locator beacon or cell phone in a waterproof case.
There is also a restroom available on shore at the marina. Note that the restroom on board is down a small set of stairs, whereas the on shore one is not. We hope that you enjoyed our guide on 15 Things To Do in Essex, MA. When you visit Essex, we always say you are visiting all of Cape Ann. The neighboring towns of Rockport, Manchester and Gloucester are all worth exploring but there is definitely something special about the rural, coastal landscape in Essex. No question that Essex and Cape Ann is truly a birders paradise.
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