Essex is a quaint old sea dog
It was the Puritan descendants of the first passengers to the New World that settled Essex to begin with. Then, the town boomed as an important fishing hub on the North Shore. These days it's an old sea dog full of history and heritage, touting enchanting antiques emporiums in old 19th-century mariner mansions, and a medley of salty New England seafood joints. Throw in those homey Essex vacation rentals, some with views over the Atlantic bays, others with cozy lounges and decks, and it's easy to see how anyone could be content vacationing in this corner of MA.
Ships and centuries-old homes in Essex
No trip to salt-washed Essex could possibly be complete without at least a short jaunt through the intriguing exhibits of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. It's packed with centuries-old tools and navigation equipment used on the schooners that once drifted in and out of the local harbor. From there, it's on to the "time-stood-still" relic that is the Choate House over on Choate Island. It dates from the 1730s and promises a journey into the past. Cogswell's Grant is another historic must, brimming with curious decorative arts and trinkets.
Easy summer living in Essex
With all that boating and kayaking and river cruising on the menu, you'll surely want to visit Essex when the New England sun is shining and the weather's pleasantly warm. That means coming in the summertime. Booking Essex vacation rentals between the months of May and September is the best bet for a trip when the temperatures are between 70 and 80, and for getting the driest conditions for hitting the waters of Cape Ann. Winter might mean some great deals on stays, but as much as 26 inches of snow falls between November and April here.
Essex eases into the Atlantic
With the rocky coast of Cape Ann close by, and the winding creeks and wetlands that come off its eponymous river to the north, Essex is a place surrounded by water. You can get Essex vacation rentals that have sweeping views over the cobalt-blue bays on the Atlantic Ocean, or you can get little boltholes nestled between the waterways around Choate Island. Wherever you are, the landscapes are soft and blustery, with plenty of seabirds and sandbanks, dune habitats and marine wildlife to look out for.
Traveling to and around Essex
Fly into Logan International Airport (BOS), the closest airport, located 22 mi (35.3 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Boston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base), which is 22.5 mi (36.2 km) away.
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