The famous Essex antique shops (over 35 of them) and restoration centers are literally just up the street, on a 1/2 mile-long stretch known locally as "the neck."  Most are within walking distance of each other and many are open every day year round.  When you take a break from browsing for that treasure to bring home, enjoy something cool while watching the boat traffic at any of the restaurants along the way that offer views of the Essex River (they all do!). 

At mealtime, choose from the wide choice of dining experiences the Essex area offers. You can relax and grill out casually on your deck, or stroll to any of seven nearby restaurants, or bike/motor to dozens more.  Within Essex itself, seafood lovers can indulge themselves with fresh lobster, clams, or the catch of the day “in the rough” at the world-famous Woodman’s around the corner, or at T. J. Farnham’s, the Hearthside or the Essex Seafood Restaurant just up the road. In addition, the Blue Marlin, Tom Shea’s, Conomo Café, the Village, Periwinkles, and Fortune Palace each provide a unique dining experience from summertime casual to riverside elegance. And you only have to travel five minutes to The Red Barrel to lift a pint in an authentic English pub.

In September, Essex pays homage to its famous clam by hosting its annual "clam festival". Clams, crafts, pony rides and more situated on an idyllic grassy stretch within walking distance from the main part of town.

Water enthusiasts can bring their kayaks and canoes for launching literally from your own backyard (tide permitting) or from the nearby public ramp (yes, we can accommodate a small trailered boat).  Kayak and bike rentals and river cruises are also available in Essex, with whale watching and chartered fishing just down the street in Gloucester.  Bicyclists have miles of wide paved roads to spin across starting from the front door and wending to the nearby towns of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Ipswich, and Gloucester.

Equestrians will find that the Essex area has a large and flourishing horse population.  Your host Marlene will be happy to tell you all about it, as she is an accomplished, longtime rider/owner who specializes in dressage. She can readily put you in touch with a local public stable for riding lessons, that can accommodate novice to experienced riders, and let you know about upcoming local events including the famed Groton House Horse Trials (June 20--22 and June 27--29) and Fleet Jumper Classic (September).  On Sundays, spend an afternoon immersed in the glamour and excitement of a polo match at the Myopia Hunt Club in nearby Hamilton (a lovely town with the North Shore’s largest equine population).  It's the most elegant "tail-gating" you'll ever find.

For golfers, the public Cape Ann Golf Course is 2 miles away, and several other public and semi-private courses are nearby. Beach lovers have four venues from which to pick for whiling away the hours enjoying sun, sand, and surf along the scenic coastline, none more than 15 minutes away.